Meet Dan Hanks

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: 
Dan Hanks (he/him)

Which region are you based in? 
Greater Manchester/Peak District

If you write, which genre?

• Sci-fi
• Fantasy
• Horror

Haha sorry, I write all three – usually at once! 

If you don’t write, what do you do?
Aside from writing, I’m also an editor working with writers and publishers alike.

Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
You can often find portals in my stories. This is rarely intentional, but has become a bit of a happy accident. 

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?

I was raised on Star Wars and Indiana Jones and so many wonderful 80s shows, and a lot of my writing reflects these influences, but ultimately the story that gave me a love of stories (and probably portals) was The Enchanted Wood. I can’t remember how old I would have been when I first read it, but experiencing this whole other world hidden within our own was a magical moment for me. It made me realise that magic existed and might very well be found in our lives, if only we dared to pay attention. 

How does that early influence show up in for you (writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?

My second book, Swashbucklers, was heavily influenced by The Enchanted Wood and its magic Faraway Tree, and the idea that there are talking creatures we may have had adventures with as children, and paths to other worlds hidden in plain sight. And, as I mentioned, there’s a high probability that the reappearance of portals to other worlds in my stories is entirely down to that book!

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

I’ve drawn a lot from movies, TV shows and books I’ve loved throughout my life. However, my latest book, The Way Up Is Death, was born from simply seeing a digital illustration of a building in the clouds. I was immediately inspired by this to write a short story, which turned into a prologue, which turned into a whole book. 

And then, the other day, I was at the pub with my girlfriend and was staring into the fire and had a very vivid image of a particular character in a particular place on a quest, and so now I’ve got that story brewing in my head. So, honestly, inspiration can come from anywhere. You just have to be open to it and pay attention for that feeling when it hits. 

Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?

I write across the genres, so can I pick both Stephen King and Matthew Reilly? I adore the voice and sheer immersive nature of Stephen King’s writing and I don’t think you can beat the energetic, blockbustery ridiculousness of Matthew Reilly’s action-adventures. They’ve been the two genre heroes I’ve looked to when writing. 

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.

Oh well, if I was pitching them my latest work… 

A mysterious tower appears in the skies above England and thirteen strangers are beamed up to its base, where a single word appears above a dark, foreboding gateway: ASCEND. They must climb or die. 

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a cosy murder mystery rom-com with my partner! It’s a total change of pace, and I’m writing in first person for the first time, but I’m loving it – we’re having a lot of fun. 

Next up for me alone though is a straight-up YA horror. 

Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?

I really love the layers I’ve worked into The Way Up Is Death and I think there are messages in there about resilience and persistence and working together and fighting evil – and why that’s all important – that are very timely. *side-eyes the world*

Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?

I used to be a total night owl, but I find now that I do my best writing in the morning before eleven. Which is a total shame because I often don’t get my shit together until midday. Ha.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?

Give yourself permission to suck. We’re all too often held back by fear of not getting things right or being perfect or looking silly when we create. And so many amazing stories are being lost because of that paralysis. Screw that. Get the words down anyway, despite the fear, and tell the story you want to tell. Yes, maybe it’ll suck at first, but that’s where editing comes in to help it take shape.

What’s your writing soundtrack?

I love those trailer soundtracks on YouTube. But if I had to choose an official one, then the Rocketeer by James Horner. Man was a genius and that was a highly underrated film too.

The Quick-Fire Round

The quickfire round

Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Please don’t make me pick just one!? But okay, horror.

Quiet or loud?
Quiet.

Dark or light?
Dark.

Strict lines or genre blend?
BLEND BABY, BLEND

Awards or bestseller?
Bestseller (so I have money to keep writing)

Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction

Poetry or prose?
Prose

Plotter or pantser?
Both (plot the beats, pants in between the beats)

Reading or listening?
I tend to read.

Notebook or computer?
Computer. My handwriting is abysmal. 

Favourite SFFH book of all time?
IT. 

Last book you read?
Our Gifted Hearts by Jennifer Kennedy – out from Angry Robot in Oct 25. Gothic horror and it’s the only book I’ve wanted to shut away in a freezer, it was that tense.

Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
I love lots of them, but I tend to go by story rather than author.

Favourite podcast?
I don’t have the opportunity to listen to podcasts much, but really loved the IT deep dive from Talking Scared recently and I can’t wait to listen to the upcoming Dark Tower breakdown! 

The Home Stretch

What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?

Everyone is so supportive of everyone else. I really love that sense of camaraderie and lifting others up, it’s brilliant. 

Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.

You can find my books at any good bookstores online and hopefully in a few stores too! As for me, I’m on BlueSky at @danhanks.bsky.social and for the moment you can find me on Instagram and Threads too at @dan_hanks. If all else fails, I’m at www.danhanks.com.

In 2025, I plan to be a little bit more active on the con circuit, so you’ll hopefully see more of me out and about – please feel free to come and say hi!