Meet Helen Thwaite 

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: 
Helen Thwaite (she/her)

Which region are you based in? 
Manchester

If you write, which genre?
Sci-fi and fantasy

Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
I write romance in both sci fi and fantasy 

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 watched Doctor Who from a very early age. It was always so full of possibilities, and its female companions were such heroines of mine, especially Sarah-Jane Smith and Ace. Then I listened to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy when I was 10 or 11, and I wanted to be Trillian so badly!

Fantasy-wise, I read the requisite Tolkien, alongside Eddings, Dragonlance, Pern, every unicorn book I could get my hands on, and then Pratchett.

I’m also a child of the 70s/80s and love the fantasy films that came out back then. Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings (those rotoshopped Ringwraiths!), Krull, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Neverending Story, Legend… they don’t make them like that anymore!

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

I think the fantasy side of things shows up more in the D&D campaigns I write than any of my books, though an epic fantasy series is a long-held dream.

My sci-fi writing is definitely influenced by the shows I watch. I love ship-based stories that centre found families.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

Everywhere, heh. But seriously, TV, movies, books, and even music. It all gets put into a mental blender and my WIPs are the weird smoothies that come out.

(Photo: Helen with the Worsley Altos, her choir)

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

Tolkien, obviously, and Pratchett for sure. I wish I could write comedy like Sir Terry could. Modern heroes include the brilliant Jessie Mihalik and Liana Brooks.

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.

I write romance with a slice of weird that have real characters going on hair-raising adventures with a happy ending guaranteed.

What are you working on right now?

A sci-fi romance set on a terraformed planet where that tech is failing. The colonists have been abandoned by the interstellar government, though there is a rising outcry about this. The diplomat leading this is shot and flees for her life, ending up on the planet she’s trying to save.

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

Probably TIN CAT. It’s set in a comic book store and I really leaned into my nerdy side while writing it. There are loads of sci-fi references in it as well – I had THE most fun with that book!

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

I have a desk, but I tend to sit on the settee with my laptop on my knee. Mornings are best. If I start then, I can usually go all day.

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

To not compare my career to anyone else’s. It’s really easy as an older writer to see other people succeeding and think you’ve missed your moment.

What’s your writing soundtrack?

70s and 80s rock.

The Quick-Fire Round

Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Oh, don’t make me choose between sci-fi and fantasy!

Quiet or loud?
Quiet

Dark or light?
Light

Strict lines or genre blend?
Blend. Mix it up, baby!

Poetry or prose?
Prose

Plotter or pantser?
Planster 

Reading or listening?
Both

Notebook or computer?
Computer

(Photo: Helen’s little desk, though she prefers writing elsewhere in the house)

Awards or bestseller?
I want people to read my stories, so I think a bestseller

Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction

Favourite SFFH book of all time?
Tigana by Gay Gavriel Kay

Last book you read?
Capturing the Orc’s Heart by Lyonne Riley (yes, I like monster romances. Hush.)

Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Jessie Mihalik

Favourite podcast?
I don’t really listen to podcasts

The Home Stretch

What’s the best thing about being a SFFH writer/agent/publisher/reader/fan?

Getting to create worlds and/or universes. I love delving into the lore of my novels and writing all the backstories, myths and legends. It’s also something I adore doing as a writer of D&D campaigns.

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

My website is helenrosethwaite.co.uk and my social media handle is @helenrosethwaite.bsky.social