Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Want to be featured? Email us: online@britishfantasysociety.org
Name:
David Cartwright (He/Him)
Which region are you based in?
Hampshire, UK
If you write, which genre:
Sci-fi, fantasy, and horror
Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
Arthuriana, Humour, Post-Apocalyptic
Your influences
Tell us about the book/film/thing that got you into SFFH: What was it? How old were you? What impact did it have on you?
Growing up in the ’80s I was exposed to sci-fi and fantasy very early in the forms of He-Man, She-Ra and theTransformers. Reading was already something I was very keen on and this led to my parents giving me a set of Terry Pratchett books one Christmas. I bounced off of The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic pretty hard, but they where industry paperbacks, densely populated with words and I was all of nine years old. Thank heavens that, included in the bundle, was a copy of Faust/Eric illustrated by Josh Kirby. That set me off on the road of fantasy literature.
How does that early influence show up for you (in life/writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?
I think it taught me never to underestimate the value of humour. On its own, humour is a wonderful thing, but hard messages are more easily received if there’s some humour. A gut-wrenching or poignant scene can be made more so by the proximity of a humorous moment, likewise heavy material can be eased by the inclusion of a comedic line. I’ve rarely read something funny and regretted it (no matter how groan-worthy), but more frequently I’ve put down something grim or heavy for want a moment of comedic respite.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
Terry Pratchett, of course. Shortly after that I hit on the Robert Asprin Myth and Phule series, respectively. I’ve had dalliances with Tom Holt and Robert Rankin, likewise with Stephen King and James Herbert who informed my lean toward horror, and Dan Abnett in his guise writing Judge Dredd. More recently I’ve developed a love for Gail Carriger, Laura Eve and Martha Wells.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
I like to think that I try to emulate Terry Pratchett in his social awareness and commentary, paired with humour and satire, but it’s a high bar to hit. I sadly only got to meet the man himself once, at a signing in Waterstones in Portsmouth, a very memorable day.
Your Work
You’re stuck in an elevator for 60 seconds with that hero, and they want you to describe your work. Give us the pitch.
The Camelot 2050 trilogy is my homage both to Arthurian legend and the Saturday morning cartoon shows I grew up with as a child. Centred around the premise “what if Arthur hadn’t died?”, it’s an unapologetic adventure flavoured with mythic, sci-fi and pop-culture elements set against a parallel timeline where the Round Table has always been a part of British history and culture. Described as Arthur meets Battle-Angel Alita, it’s a work I’m very keen to expand and build upon in the near future.
What are you working on right now?
So many things. I’m currently writing a prequel to my Zombie-Horror Isekai Thriller Rendered Flesh. I wrote the first book during Covid, so it’s darkly funny and politically aware in that respect. Given the landscape right now there’s plenty of meat for that particular project. Alongside that I’m working on a contemporary fantasy about a Cockney Hobgoblin; I tend to describe that one as Lock Stock meets Lord of the Rings.
Also in the WIP file there’s an intriguing genre-mash piece called Ruin-Nation which opens with three parallel apocalypse-level events.
Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?
I’ve done some work in the TTRPG (Table top role play game) scene over the past couple of years. I’ve been a gamer since school and long held to the idea that, way back when, you either started with Dungeons & Dragons or White Wolf’s World of Darkness. I started, however briefly and abortively, in the WoD. It was then quite an exciting prospect to work alongside a number of incredibly talented writers on the Vampire 5th Edition book Children of the Blood.
Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?
I try to be creative all the time. There’s a long and oft-told story about how I came to be a full-time author/freelance Writer (pin me down at a con and I’ll tell you how I anarchy-ed out of the daily grind in 2017!), but mostly I’m at my most creative at my desk with my hands on the keyboard.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
Like any skill, creativity works best if you practise at it. My first book took thirteen years to complete, between working and family life. From the point I started writing full-time I managed a book a year for six years alongside occasional contracted pieces in the TTRPG industry. Like anything, it can be hard, and sometimes you have to rest, but if you just wait for inspiration to strike then you’ll spend your life waiting. The writer’s biggest enemy is the blank page!
What’s your writing soundtrack?
I tend to find genres to fit the piece. For Camelot I listened to a lot of Sabaton. Writing Rendered Flesh and my sci-fi story Riding the E-Rail (currently on submission), I listened to a lot of Muse. Working on my Urban/Contemporary Fantasy I’ve been on the Peaky Blinders OST.
The Quick-Fire Round
Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Sci-Fi
Quiet or loud?
Loud
Dark or light?
Dark, but hopeful
Strict lines or genre blend?
Genre blend
Awards or bestseller?
Bestseller (someday, maybe)
Fiction or non-fiction?
Non-fiction
Poetry or prose?
Poetic prose.
Plotter or pantser?
Pantser (but I’m gradually learning to make more notes).
Reading or listening?
Reading
Notebook or computer?
Computer (but it’s risky, I’m still a Gamer at heart and the procrastination is real).
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
Phule’s Company, by Robert Asprin
Last book you read?
How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying! by Django Wrexler
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
None so far.
Favourite podcast?
The Innsmouth Book Club
The Home Stretch
What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?
I always love coming to events, seeing old faces and meeting new ones. It’s always a given that, after coming home from an event, I’ll be uplifted and renewed, ready to blast through a few more chapters of whatever I’m currently writing.
Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.
The Camelot 2050 Trilogy and Rendered Flesh are all available online or on-request at your local bookseller. I have works on submission which I’m hoping to have some news on at some point soon!
Visit my website at davidcartwriter.art.blog for more details.
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