The shortlisted works across all 13 categories of the British Fantasy Awards have been announced! Find out who’s in the mix over on our blog. Winners announced at Fantasycon in October.
For all things fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction
-
Announcement:
Meet Trudie Skies
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, including preferred pronouns:
Trudie Skies (they/them)
Which region are you based in?
North East England
If you write, which genre (delete as applicable):
Fantasy
If you don’t write, what do you do?
I also run a blog promoting indie and self-published SFF
Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
Gaslamp Fantasy, Steampunk, Aetherpunk, Dark 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?
My introduction into fantasy was through the wonderful Tamora Pierce and her Song of the Lioness Quartet. Back in school, I used to skip classes to read those books in the library. Tortall got me into fantasy worldbuilding and fancy maps, but also it nurtured an obsession with knights and the whole ‘girl disguised as a boy’ trope that led to my non-binary awakening.
How does that early influence show up for you (in life/writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?
When I first started my writing journey, I was originally published via a small press with a YA fantasy about a girl who disguised herself as a boy. Back then, I was reading a lot of YA fantasy! Sadly, the press didn’t survive through the pandemic, but I went through a spiritual journey of embracing more adult and queer fantasy that led to me connecting with my queer and non-binary identity. I don’t write YA fantasy now, choosing instead to read and write queer adult fantasy, but I’ll always be grateful for those books introducing me into this world.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
I actually draw a lot of inspiration from video games, especially role-playing games! My love of fantasy also translated into RPGs and the creative worldbuilding found in video games. Some of my favourite RPG’s inspired my Cruel Gods series, for example: the Daedra of The Elder Scrolls and the steampunk technology of the Dwemer, the aetherpunk technology of the Final Fantasy series and from the world of Arcane.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
Ooh so many, but looking at queer indie fantasy, I have a lot of respect for AK Faulkner (pictured), Al Hess, Finn McLellan, Gabriel Hargrave, Johannes T. Evans, Steve Hugh Westenra, and Space Wizard Press amongst others! These authors inspire me to keep writing queer fantasy, and that the indie space is full of successful and creative authors that trad publishing keeps overlooking.
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 gaslamp fantasy of bad manners with aetherpunk vibes. They’re brash, queer, and full of swearing, with a little bit of whimsy and humour to balance out the dark lens on working-class characters fighting their oppressors. And they usually involve killing a god or two.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on The Chosen One Con, which is due for release summer 2026. This is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—a gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions. Two working class lads con their way into a televised contest of mages designed to find a prophesized chosen one.
Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?
My Cruel Gods series is another gaslamp fantasy based around a portal that leads to twelve unique domains, featuring twelve races ruled by twelve cruel gods. The story begins with The Thirteenth Hour and Kayl, a godless woman who opposes the gods and discovers she has the strange ability to take the powers of each domain with a touch, and Quen, a man with time manipulation powers in service to the gods who is sent to find her. The two team up to discover the mystery of her godless nature, and together, they’ll bring down the reign of the gods—while drinking tea and arguing over how to pronounce the word scone.
Most people comment on the sheer worldbuilding (12 worlds!!) but I love that I can make people laugh and cry with these quirky characters. I’m also weirdly proud of the massive list of content warnings, so do bear those in mind! The Thirteenth Hour was also a runner up in the eighth Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off contest hosted by Mark Lawrence, and won an award for best setting and wittiest character.
Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?
I work from my desk in my spare time if my two cats (pictured) let me. It’s a constant battle.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
Read a lot, write a lot. Learn the rules but ignore them.
What’s your writing soundtrack?
I prefer ambient music, such as rain against a cyberpunk background. But I also recommend Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, which you can get on Steam.
The Quick-Fire 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 (can’t eat rewards lol)
Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction
Poetry or prose?
Prose
Plotter or pantser?
Plantser
Reading or listening?
Reading
Notebook or computer?
Computer
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
Last book you read?
The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle by Steve Hugh Westenra
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
AK Faulkner
Favourite podcast?
None (Sorry!)
The Home Stretch
What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?
The fantasy community is full of creative and kind folk who lift each other up. As an author, I’ve never seen my fellow authors as competition, as we support, encourage, and promote each other, especially when the going gets tough. As a reader, the imagination of writers and artists continues to make the world a better place, and I thank them for inviting me into their worlds. Being part of a community like this means you’re never alone. There is someone here just like you.
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 me on my website at www.TrudieSkies.com or on Bluesky at @trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com
- I run a blog promoting indie SFF at Read Indie Fantasy.com
- My Cruel Gods series can be bought online anywhere, and The Chosen One Con is releasing summer 2026 after a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Leave a Reply