Indie Spotlight: Ben Galley

This guy's an r/fantasy regular, a major presence in the indie publishing scene, and clearly knows how to run a one man business. I don't need to waste time, so let's get into it. AB: Ben, may I call you Ben? Let’s go with that. Welcome, and please, have a seat. It’s lovely to have...

Indie Spotlight: Dyrk Ashton

I contacted Dyrk some months ago, but he was extremely busy with his whole golden Hollywood thing, so I had to wait. Flash forward to last week, and I ring ringed him up (an email, it's not 1985 anymore). After doing a couple interviews with members of the now infamous Sigil Independent, the hardest indie...

Author Interview: Leo Carew

I first saw Leo Carew's debut novel, The Wolf, on NetGalley. I was immediately drawn to its simple but evocative cover. I'm one to harp on about how brand image, and personal style, is critical to each author's writing and works. And Leo's got the background to really push and dig into world-building and military...

Author Interview: Rowenna Miller

I've called for more political fantasy in the past, especially the kind that focuses on the lower classes, the low perspective. As if a cosmic teacup was mocking me, lo and behold Rowenna Miller's debut fantasy, Torn. A mixture of magic, politics, and revolution, Rowenna brings her experience, passion, and knowledge to craft a story...

Indie Spotlight: Eli Freysson

Eli Freysson is a regular on the r/fantasy community. He's written several books, with interesting takes on traditional tropes. From Iceland, with a unique perspective/take on fantasy, he's one of several indie authors whose works piqued my interest. Enjoy the interview. BAWK! AB: Hello, Eli! Thank you for agreeing to do this interview! I appreciate...

Late Review : Elysium Fire

*I received an E-ARC from Netgalley for an honest review* I’ve never read the REVELATION SPACE series, and I wish I had before. As a fan of fantasy more than science-fiction, I picked up ELYSIUM FIRE on a sheer whim, intrigued by my love of noir. ELYSIUM FIRE, the second in the Prefect Dreyfus Emergency...

Indie Spotlight: Aaron C. Cross

Aaron C. Cross reached out to me recently. While fantasy and science-fiction are my general coverage, my love of thrillers, Metal Gear Solid, and nanomachine memes brought his work to my attention. Silly, completely inane, these are the kind of stories I wrote/write when I need to make fun of myself. Cross's novels are fast...

Author Interview: Josiah Bancroft

This interview is for the r/fantasy regulars, contributors, and those who were along the way for Josiah's journey from the days of self-publishing to "Look, Mum, I'm an author now, for real!" vindication years later. Josiah Bancroft recently debuted his self-published, now officially published, Senlin Ascends, a novel that harkens back to the days of...

Author Interview: Mistress Anna Smith Spark, The Queen of Grim Dark

Last year, Anna Smith Spark, the Queen of friggin Grim Dark, took the fantasy world by blood and guts with her pulsating, nauseating debut, The Court of Broken Knives. From its kinetic, fish bowl panorama of death and murder intro, bastards and redeemers fighting and murdering each other, and a style that seemingly sprung from...

Late Review: Kings of the Wyld

Recommended for: lovers of parodies, Hangover fans, Dad bod enthusiasts, Owlbear hunters, those looking for a dark but genuinely heartwarming, gritty fantasy. For those about to rock we salute you sums up the entirety of my mixed feelings on Nicholas Eames’ seminal debut, Kings of the Wyld. I’ve said it before and I will say...