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We have seven readings from a range of authors – fantasy, science fiction and horror – to help you find your next book (or add to that beautiful TBR pile). Bring your favourite tipple and enjoy some first-rate readings from the SFFH community.
Readings from Paul Dalton, M F Alfrey, Wayne Goodchild, Joseph Elliott-Coleman, Alethea Lyons, Sandhya Jain-Patel, and Susie Williamson. Find out more about them below.
Paul Dalton (he/him): After completing an art degree, Paul Dalton got a job in a bookshop and then a library. His storytimes were legendary. Through his writing, he explores climate change and the questions that go with it. He set his novel in the present day, as climate change is a story for now, not the future. He puts jokes in his writing, as sometimes all you can do is laugh. He grew up in Kent but now lives in Yorkshire. Connect with Paul on Bluesky or Instagram. Or check out his website. His book is available here and here.
M F Alfrey (he/him): M F Alfrey has always been fascinated by creatures – especially the strange and the overlooked, from peculiar dinosaurs to bizarre insects. A lifelong love of wildlife and monsters had him dreaming of a career in special creature FX, but with no clear path at the time, he turned to art. Eventually, that passion evolved into writing, where he now brings his own monsters to life on the page. From the horrific to the inexplicable, his creatures are more than just threats – they’re the wildlife of his worlds, serving as antagonists, protagonists, or mirrors of humanity in all its beauty and brutality. Find out more on his website. Get his book here.
Joseph Elliott-Coleman (he/him): Joseph Elliott-Coleman was born in Oxford, Carterton and lives in Croydon, London. A graduate of Solent University in Illustration and now a student of MA creative writing at Brunel University he’s been published by Rebellion Books, 2000AD, and Newcon Press. He spends far too much money on artbooks, comics, manga, bande dessinée, as well as novels and hopes the sales of his books will allow him to feed his habit. He wishes you all well. Connect with Joseph on Bluesky.
Wayne Goodchild (he/him): Wayne Goodchild isn’t a pseudonym, which also isn’t one of those ‘deny something that’s actually true’ scenarios. He’s had over thirty stories published up to now. Most were in invite-only anthologies, alongside other horror and science fiction writers he still can’t believe he got to share page space with, like Tim Curran and William Meikle. Wayne can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Goodreads. Or on his website. Buy A Wretched Place here.
Alethea Lyons (she/her/ze/zem/any): Alethea is the author of the supernatural dark fantasy Seer of York series, published by Brigids Gate Press. Ze writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Zir short stories can be found in a variety of publications. Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime. Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website. Connect with Alethea on social media: Twitter; Bluesky; Instagram; Facebook; TikTok; Threads. Find everything else, including books, on Linktree.
Sandhya Jain-Patel (she/her/they/them): Sandhya Jain-Patel is a writer and multicultural expert whose diverse background as a “third-culture kid” informs her unique perspective on storytelling and diversity. A Fulbright scholar fluent in three languages, she holds multiple master’s degrees in sciences and arts. Sandhya brings a meticulous eye for detail and clear communication style to all her creative endeavors. She is currently working on a sci-fi fantasy book trilogy based on Indian mythology, an Indo-American road trip comedy feature, and publishes occasional musings at Jain of All Trades. Her TV pilot, “Sara/Swati,” placed in the Second Round in the Drama Pilot category at the 2021 Austin Film Festival. Sandhya’s expertise in multiculturalism and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) shines through her work as co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Beyond Diversity. Feel free to reach out to Sandhya if you need any content advisory for your storytelling on Instagram or through her website.
Susie Williamson (she/her): Susie Williamson (she/her) is an award-winning author, artist and poet. Her fantasy novel series, Blood Gift Chronicles, won Firebird Book Awards in 2021 in the LGBTQ+ category and the YA category. Published by Stairwell Books, the series begins with Return of the Mantra and The Warder, and encompasses themes of wildlife and the environment, social justice and marginalisation, magic, animism and dragons. Susie is currently working on the third novel in her series. Find out more about Susie on her website. Or connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Bluesky. Grab her book here.