BFS Online: Crafting Characters – Animals & Environments as Characters

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Animals & Environment as Characters: How do you build a character that isn’t human – or humanoid? What if they don’t even have a body? From the literal and abnormally sentient creatures to places that seem to come alive and live in our consciousness, our panel discusses animals and environments as characters.

Join moderator Dan Hanly and panellists Mina Ikemoto Ghosh, Dan Hanks, and Joao F. Silva on this romp through the wilderness. Find out more about our panel below.

Mina Ikemoto Ghosh (she/her/they/them): Mina Ikemoto Ghosh is the British-Japanese author-illustrator of the YA fantasy novel Hyo the Hellmaker and adult novella Numamushi. She has a BA in Natural Sciences from the Uni of Cambridge and MSc in Japanese Studies from the Uni of Oxford and uses both for inspiration in her writing. Summon her from the void with promises of noodles and karaoke. Follow Mina on Instagram or Bluesky. All her links are available at Linktree.

Dan Hanks (he/him): Dan Hanks is an author and editor based in the rolling green hills of the Peak District with my two kids and fluffy sidekicks Maverick and Poppy. He’s repped by Sara Megibow at Megibow Literary Agency and Steve Fisher at APA Talent and Literary Agency (for Film and TV). He’s also one of the co-founders of the OcTBR Challenge, and writes screenplays and comics when he has the time.Follow Dan on Bluesky or check out his website. Treat yourself to one of Dan’s books here.

João F. Silva (he/him): João F. Silva was born in a small town in Portugal but now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with his wife and feline co-workers/bosses. His debut novel Seeds of War won the Best Indie Debut of 2023 at the FanFiAddict Awards. His short fiction was published in Grimdark Magazine and Haven Speculative. Find out more about João on his website. You can find his socials on Linktree. His books are available here and here.

Dan Hanly (he/him): Dan Hanly is a Welsh author of Dark fantasy and Mystery. He has a passion for telling stories in the fantasy, mystery and psychological thriller genres, and any opportunity to combine those genres is the prime place to find his works. His latest work is the Children of Inauron series, which kicks off with The Great Leap. Follow Dan on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Or check out what he’s up to on his website. Get Dan’s book here.