We’d love to shine a light on the volunteers who help keep the British Fantasy Society running—this month, it’s the man who’ll be in your inbox every month with the secretary’s report.
Name, including preferred pronouns
David Green (he/him/his)
Which region are you based in?
The region of Ireland 😉
Your role on the BFS committee is:
Secretary
If you write, which genre:
Fantasy
Are you drawn to any specific sub-genres?
Epic, Cosy, Urban
Your work with the BFS
Why did you join the BFS committee?
Mainly because I was asked very, very nicely! But also because before being a fantasy writer (and member of the BFS), I’ve always been a lover of writing – and speculative fiction in particular. I want all our members who are creatives to have more success, and I want all our readers to find more pieces they love. So, when the opportunity came up to help grow and volunteer for the BFS, I couldn’t say no.
Tell us more about your role – what do you do?
Mostly I look after the membership. This means keeping the membership database up to date, answering queries, and looking for opportunities to spread word of the BFS. But, inside the organisation, I take lots and lots of notes at meetings, organise files for people, and also act as a sounding board for the various arms of the BFS. I also tell our Chair to take a break with varying success.
What does this mean in practical terms for members?
It means they see newsletters, announcements, answers to emails and, hopefully, a growing membership instead of a shrinking or stagnant one.
Why should others get more involved with the BFS?
Because, ultimately, we’re aiming to leave a larger footprint for British (and Irish!) speculative fiction wherever we can stamp our boots. And that’s just great.
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 have vague memories of my mum reading books to me about King Arthur and Robin Hood when I was very small, but I still have my first copy of The Hobbit. I wrote my name, age (7), and address (right down to the galaxy), so I was very taken with it. That first time reading it on my own took an age, but I returned to it a few times before turning to Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion in Secondary School. They had them in their library.
I was also very admiring of Alan Garner. My family lived in Cheshire at the time, and quite close to Alderley Edge where Mr Garner lives, and wrote about. I met him there once, and got him to sign my books.
How does that early influence show up in your work now?
I write fantasy, so obviously Tolkien has been an ongoing influence, as he is to many (if they realise it or not.) With Garner… If I’m not writing cosy fantasy, my work can be rather dark and have slices of horror, which I think comes from him. Also, seeing as I have an Urban Fantasy series that deals with fae, demons, horror, and contemporary times, I think the Garner influence is also ongoing.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
It used to be that I wanted to have something my son would be proud of his dad for when he was older, instead of the work I used to do. While that’s still a small driver, I now mostly do it for me. I enjoy storytelling, and writing is a joy.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
So many. Not to mention the ones I already have, I’ll say Robin Hobb (pictured left). She was the first female speculative fiction author I read, and she’s one of the world’s best writers full stop.
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 wouldn’t. I’d be way too nervous for my hero to read my work, so I’d recommend someone else’s. If my hero read my work, I’d rather not know they were doing so until it was all said and done!
What are you working on right now?
I’m taking a break until February 1st! As well as my own work, I ghost write, and haven’t taken any time off since the beginning of 2020, so I’m on holiday. But, I’ve just finished working on a cosy fantasy, and it’s about to go to my agent. Essentially, it’s about an elderly autistic man searching for his place in the world. With magic. And maps.
Thinking about all of your stories/work you’ve done, which one sticks out most in your mind? Why?
The one I’ve just finished does. Not just because I’ve literally just finished going through beta reader notes today but, because I’m an autistic person, I’m really passionate about writing about the neurodivergent experience in a real way. Greton, the main character, is capable, smart, witty, and brave… But he faces many challenges that wouldn’t register as issues to other people. And he’s such a lovely character to write, and really suits the cosy fantasy genre.
If you’re a creator, where and when do you create?
I have a computer in my living room for when the house is empty, or perched on my bed with a laptop like a writing gargoyle for the rest of the time.
(Pictured right: one of David’s cosy writing spots)
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
Don’t judge yourself against what other people are doing. Be you, and that’s enough.
The quickfire round
Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Fantasy.
Quiet or loud?
Quiet.
Dark or light?
Dark.
Strict lines or genre blend?
Genre blend.
Awards or bestseller?
Bestseller? Awards are great, but… I like to write full-time!
Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction.
Poetry or prose?
Prose.
Plotter or pantser?
Somewhere in the middle.
Reading or listening?
Reading.
Notebook or computer?
Computer.
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
The Lord of the Rings.
Last book you read?
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence.
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Joe Abercrombie, Robin Hobb, Anna Smith Spark, Becky James, J.R.R. Tolkien (still!), Jenny Hannaford-Jennings… So many.
Favourite podcast?
Publishing Rodeo.
The home stretch
What’s the best thing about being a SFFH writer?
Apart from the writing itself? People reading my books, and wanting to talk to me about them. It’s always great.
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’ve just had the next two books in my Urban Fantasy Hell in Haven released (the prequel ‘The Darkness in the Pines’ and the sequel ‘One Life Left’), and all my work can be found on www.davidgreenwriter.com
As for what’s next… I don’t know! But I’m in capable hands 🙂
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