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:
Rick Danforth (he/him)
Which region are you based in?
East Yorkshire (The best Yorkshire)
If you write, which genre:
Sci-fi and fantasy
If you don’t write, what do you do?
I am also an Associate Editor for Escape Pod, an IT manager and the British over 30’s champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
I am a bit of a magpie, one of the advantages of writing short stories is that I can bounce around genres whenever I see shiny, new ideas. I had my first solarpunk story out two months ago, my next one out is a sci-fi comedy, and I am currently working on a dark fantasy. Fantasy comedy is my absolute favourite, but it can be a harder sell.
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?
Redwall and Animorphs were the two series that got me into things as a kid. It was the first kind of thing I was reading that opened me up to the wonderful world of spec fic. As soon as I became aware it existed, I needed more.
My first SFF film was Jurassic Park and we don’t have enough time here for me to talk about that. But I did get to go on a panel about the films at Eastercon, which absolutely made my day!
How does that early influence show up for you (in life/writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?
Oddly, I never write about food! This is where Redwall really excels. But for Animorphs, it had some very dark themes for a book aimed at a younger audience, and I struggle to write without showing at least a shadow of dark undercurrents.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
Pictured: Rick’s desk, where the magic (sometimes) happens
Shower thoughts and daydreams mostly! I’m a firm believer in getting out into all sorts and reading up as much as possible, as you never know what will spark it. The current short I am working on came from listening to a podcast on the Salem Witch Trials. My next one out, with Metastellar, came from a throwaway comment in the pub about human adverts. Often, I get ideas in a museum, or from work. If you go looking for ideas, you’ll find them. The trick is to make sure you have something to write them down on.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
Sir Terry Pratchett, RIP. He wrote absolutely unique works which hold up incredibly well given the age of some of them. He took serious issues such as civil rights and fascism, wrapped them up in funny stories about trolls and dragons, then littered them with clever worldplay and historical references. They never felt preachy, just incredibly entertaining. Not only that, he wrote a hell of a lot of them. Not many series have 41 novels and have fans still wishing there could have been more.
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.
Well, I’d probably spend half of it panicking and gibbering. Hopefully, after I stopped that, I’d say I tend to write small-stakes personal stories that are character-driven and readers can really connect to. I don’t tend to write about the person saving the world, more just trying to get through the day. Admittedly, sometimes that day may involve a dragon or a spaceship considering cannibalism, but the focus is more on the character challenges than high stakes.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on my first-ever novella! I am 28k words in, so hopefully it stays as a novella. It’s a dark fantasy about a government agent on a remote island which is split between the town, a cult, and a runaway colony of shapeshifters. In case he didn’t have enough to deal with, there is a toxic mist filling the island and some truly horrible local cuisine.
Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?
Seller’s Remorse in Hexagon issue 11. It was one of my first sales, and the one where I really felt like it had an original idea (a door-to-door god salesman who was a minor god himself). It was also my first award-nominated short.
Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?
I write best in the morning, sat in my office with a cup of tea, before life tires me out too much. But in reality, I have a dog (pictured), a toddler, a full-time job, ju-jitsu training, and attempts to keep a vague social life together. I take whatever random slot I can steal in a day.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
Don’t wait for it. Sit down as often as possible and try your best. Some days it will flow, some days it won’t. But the more you sit down and give it your best, the more it will flow.
What’s your writing soundtrack?
Electro Swing playlists. I have trained myself to want to write when I hear the music!
The Quick-Fire Round
Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Fantasy
Quiet or loud?
Loud
Dark or light?
Dark
Strict lines or genre blend?
The weirder the better
Awards or bestseller?
I am lucky enough to have an award already (pictured), so let’s go for a best seller!
Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction. (Tends to have more dragons.)
Poetry or prose?
Prose
Plotter or pantser?
Plot thoroughly, throw it away, pants to victory.
Reading or listening?
Reading
Notebook or computer?
Computer
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
The Truth by Terry Pratchett.
Last book you read?
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Joe Abercrombie, Jasper Fforde, TJ Kingfisher.
Favourite podcast?
Escape Pod (I work for them, but I did sign up for them as I love the podcast.)
The Home Stretch
What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?
It’s a very friendly and warm community. The best part of going to cons and events is rarely the panels or the activities, just the general vibes of them. It’s a good place.
Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.
I don’t have anything to sell! But if you go to my website, you will find my free to read stories are linked: www.rickdanforth.com
I recently had a story with Metastellar, which you can read here. I’ll add details of future ones to my website or social media: I’m on BlueSky and Instagram.
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