Welcome to the author interview with Edward Willett as he shares with us about his book Shapers of Worlds Vol. 5!
Blurb
The fifth and final installment in a series of powerhouse anthologies featuring some of today’s top authors of science fiction and fantasy
From outer space to inner space, from realms of the never-were to those of the here-and-now and the soon-to-be, the twenty-four authors in this fifth and final collection of science fiction and fantasy by writers featured on the Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers plunge readers into fantastic worlds filled with unforgettable characters.
Teenagers are disappearing in a mysterious grove, and no one knows why—not even those who escape it. The god of love finds magical arrows just don’t cut it in the modern world of digital matchmaking. A prisoner discovers he has been stripped of thirty-five years of memories as punishment for a crime he cannot remember. Far from being a refuge from humdrum reality, dreams become a trap for one young man when he encounters those who dwell there. A man who hunts angels for a living has the tables turned on him by the last angel he corners. Talking beasts from the island of a certain infamous doctor arrive in London to make their way in the world of men, only to be caught up in the ongoing Martian invasion . . .
Shapers of Worlds Volume V showcases stories by Brad C. Anderson, Edo van Belkom, J. G. Gardner, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, Chadwick Ginther, Evan Graham, M. C. A. Hogarth, M. J. Kuhn, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Kevin Moore, Robin Stevens Payes, James S. Peet, Omari Richards, Lawrence M. Schoen, Alex Shvartsman, Alan Smale, Richard Sparks, P. L. Stuart, Brad R. Torgersen, Hayden Trenholm, Brian Trent, Eli K. P. William, Edward Willett, and Natalie Wright. Every story is illustrated with an original black-and-white drawing by Wendi Nordell.
Travel into the past, the present, and the future in stories set in our world, in deep space, in the land of dreams, and in worlds of pure imagination, shaped by an outstanding roster of authors featuring many bestsellers and award-winners. All you have to do is turn the page . . .
Ready to learn more about Shapers of Worlds Vol. 5 and the author behind it? Keep reading for our interview with author Edward Willett!
Greetings and hello, author, editor, and podcaster Edward Willett! We here at Scribbles are thrilled to be able to sit down (so to speak) and pick your brain on the anthology – Shapers of Worlds Volume V!
Q: Shapers of Worlds Volume V has quite the collection of stories tucked up inside. How did you decide on which stories would make the cut? The quality of the stories found inside?! We can only imagine how hard a decision it must have been!
Author Willett: Actually . . . not a hard decision at all. Unlike most anthologies, Shapers of Worlds Volume V (and the previous ones in the series) are not built around a call for submissions from authors. Rather, they are showcases for a particular set of authors: those whom I interviewed on my Aurora Award-winning podcast, The Worldshapers. So there was no selection process. I asked all authors who were guests during the fifth year of the podcast if they would be interested in contributing a story, and then accepted the stories they provided.
Okay! That is definitely uniquely different from how most anthologies are put together, so that’s an interesting way of doing things. Affords readers are reading something that the authors themselves feel strongly of. Nice!
Q: The first story out of the gate in Shapers of Worlds Volume V is a story about a rusalka. Of course, we had no idea what a rusalka was, but we got a quick informative crash course. Why did you decide to lead off with this particular story?
Author Willett: The opening story needs to be one that eases the reader into the realm of the fantastical, and I think “The Rusalka Wakes Up” does that very nicely. In addition, I particularly like the illustration for this story, by artist Wendi Nordell (who illustrated all of the stories in both this volume and the previous one in the series).
“The Rusalka Wakes Up” is definitely an interesting story, and we have to say, a good one to start off Shapers of Worlds Volume V. As the young woman tells her story, we’re given quite a few surprises throughout this rather tragic tale.
Q: What were your thoughts when you read this story for the first time?
Author Willett: Like you, I didn’t know what a rusalka was, and it was fascinating to discover these creatures from Russian folklore. Rather tragic, as you say, but also highly enjoyable.
The way that author Gilmore writes “The Rusalka Wakes Up” weaves a story set in a poorer time, but gives us readers a taste of magic without diminishing the young woman’s story. The way that it reads like an origin story while giving well-placed explanations, it becomes a beautiful tragedy.
The next story that we discovered in Shapers of Worlds Volume V is sure to be one that many readers would be eager for, we think. We say this because of one word – dragons. The simple promise of a dragon is sure to draw readers in. But there’s a twist!
Q:Was one of the reasons why you chose “The Bones of Heroes” for this anthology because of the blending of horror and fantasy? We have to admit that this particular story became a fast favorite for us. LOL!
Author Willett: Again, I didn’t exactly choose the story—it was simply the one that Chadwick Ginther provided. He wrote it as a showcase of the kinds of stories he likes to write, so it sounds like he might be an author you’d particularly like to check out.
Author Ginther weaves such an engaging storyline with “The Bones of Heroes”! We just never really knew what to expect when it came to this story!
Q: Was there a particular stand-out character that you favored in this particular story? If so, who and why?
The stand-out character we were drawn to was Marganne. Author Ginther really had us suspecting her of being more than she appeared for a minute or two.
Author Willett: Ha! Well, yes, that was my favorite character, too, though probably not for the reason you might expect. Shapers of Worlds Volume V, like all the anthologies in this series, was Kickstarted, and as part of that process, I asked authors if they had any rewards they’d like to offer to encourage backers to support it.
Chadwick agreed to offer what’s called a “Tuckerization”—the use of a real person’s name for a character in the story. As it happens, his proffered Tuckerization was taken by Margaret Anne Hodges—my wife. To make her name seem more fantastical, Chadwick shortened it into Marganne—who therefore became my favorite character. And, apparently, yours, as well!
Oh wow! LOL! That’s so cool that your wife’s name got worked into the story that way! Seems like a fun subtle way to also encourage readers to jump on this Kickstarters when one comes along that has some offerings that tempt you! LOL! You just never know! You might gain the opportunity to be a character in your favorite author’s story!
“The Bones of Heroes” is dark, twisted, and an absolute page-turner! We have to say it was a really good choice for the anthology.
Alright, editor Willett, let’s talk about “Mad Dog” by author Graham for a minute. That story…oooo…it’s a good one! LOL!
Readers who are concerned about AI are going to snap this story up! It will absolutely tease their fears of AI and will also pique their interest in what could possibly be going on!
Q: How hard did you laugh while reading “Mad Dog”? This story is so unexpectedly good with a dark humor wrapped up in it! It’s so unexpected! Is that how this particular story earned its place in the anthology?
Author Willett: “Mad Dog” is a ton of fun in so many ways, though not without its darker side. It’s exactly the kind of wild outer-space adventure that drew me to my love of science fiction as a young reader, and it’s exactly the kind of story that I continue to love today. Again, I didn’t exactly choose it—it was simply what Evan provided. But I’m very glad he did!
Well, we’re glad that this story was the one provided by author Graham, because it was definitely one that we enjoyed and we’re sure that our readers will, too!
Q: Author Graham leaves things pretty vague concerning Maddie at the end of “Mad Dog”, but is there any way you could give us any hint as to whether Maddie survives? Please? LOL!
Author Willett: You’ll have to ask Evan that!
Okay! We will make a note to track down author Graham (metaphorically speaking of course LOL) and see if we can’t get an answer or two about Maddie!
Okay! Let’s pivot for a minute. We’re going to try to abstain from giving readers too many teasers about the stories they’ll find in this anthology for a minute.
Q: Let’s talk about the illustrator – Wendi Nordell. Obviously, illustrator Nordell read the stories. The illustrations reflect that, but was she given free rein to decide which scenes to depict, or was there a discussion first?
Author Willett: I gave Wendi free rein. As a writer myself, one of the things I love about seeing cover art or illustrations for my stories is the way they give a glimpse into what kind of images my words are evoking in a particular reader’s mind—and, presumably, in other readers’ minds. Occasionally, she asked me my thoughts on a sketch or two when she wasn’t entirely sure which way she wanted to go, but my editorial hand was very light.
That’s awesome that you allowed her free reign on the illustrations. We think that readers tend to benefit the most when artists are allowed to let inspiration speak to them and provide what it leads them to. So thank you both for that!
Q: (a) For readers who haven’t read the previous anthologies, did illustrator Nordell also illustrate images for the other anthologies as well?
Author Willett: As I noted earlier, Wendi also illustrated Shapers of Worlds Volume IV. The first three anthologies, alas, are unillustrated.
While it is disappointing that the first three anthologies don’t have illustrations, we’re sure that the stories still speak for themselves. But it’s good to know that she illustrated the stories for Vol. IV, so that should be an incentive for readers who want to see more of her drawings.
We have to say that the illustrations bring just the right amount of pop and drama to the stories throughout this anthology. They have quite the ability to stick in your mind.
Q: Readers who enjoy Lovecraftian-style stories will find something that tempts them in this anthology. One standout story that falls in that particular category is The Grove. Blending a heavy dose of horror with just the right amount of fantasy, this story is quite the page-turner. What were your thoughts when you read this one for the first time?
Author Willett: I loved this story. It’s a YA story, given the age of the characters, and that’s a genre I’ve done a lot of writing in. The characters are memorable, and you don’t want anything bad to happen to any of them. (Spoiler: it does.) And I thought the story’s twist was very well executed, making the whole thing a gem of a tale.
We couldn’t agree more! Definitely put the author of this story on our “watch list” so that we can check out more of their work!
Q: There is quite the dynamic cast of books in Shapers of Worlds Volume V. Do you personally have a favorite story out of this particular anthology? If so, which one?
Author Willett: That’s a difficult question. I liked all the stories in this anthology. I just took another look at the table of contents and . . . I don’t think I’ll attempt to choose my favorite child from this particular found family.
LOL! Okay. We can understand that.
Q: Some readers are rather finicky, and tend to not want to read every single story…well, at least not always at once. For those types of readers…what is one story that you would absolutely recommend that they read?
Author Willett: Also a difficult question, because the stories run such a gamut, from humorous fantasy to horror to sword-and-sorcery to near-future science fiction to outer-space adventure. So it depends on the reader’s personal taste. Still, I think the story I led off with, “The Rusalka Wakes Up,” is one that might appeal to a wide range of readers.
Q: Editor Willett, you wear many hats in the literary world, so we’d be remiss in not asking you this – are you currently working on any fresh projects that readers can look forward to you authoring?
Author Willett: My latest novel, Fireboy, just came out. It’s a middle-grade/young YA modern-day fantasy set in a small town in Alberta, about two 13-year-old girls who have to outwit an ancient evil and rescue their classmates from magical enslavement.
This fall, one of my novels originally published by DAW Books, Magebane, will come out in a new edition. Don’t be fooled: it says it’s by Lee Arthur Chane, but that’s one of my pseudonyms. It’s the longest novel I’ve written, and it’s that rarest of rare things, a stand-alone fantasy.
And I’m currently in the throes of writing a new adult fantasy called The Fifth Magic, which a publisher has already expressed interest in. I should polish that up and get it submitted by this fall.
Awesome! So, readers! Looking for something new from author Willett? Check out Fireboy! It definitely sounds like it’s going to be an exciting story and perfect for readers who enjoy middle-grade/YA fantasy novels!
Sounds like we have quite a lot to look forward to reading from you author Willett! Fall sounds like it’s going to be an interesting time for readers to be on the look out for your books and we’re sure that us and our readers will be doing exactly that so that we can eagerly devour your books!
Let’s take a minute and talk about your contribution to the anthology, Shapers of Worlds Volume V.
Q: What was the inspiration behind your story “Quid Est Veritas”?
Author Willett: This is drawn very much from my observations of how governments and establishment media work in today’s world. There is a kind of top-down attempt to define reality; certain things you are expected to believe simply because you are told to believe them, about current events, political philosophies, even science. Then there is the reality that computer/brain interfaces are already here and will continue to develop. From those two threads, I wove a story of a near future where everyone is required to have a brain implant so that the powers-that-be can force the public to believe whatever it is they currently think it is best for them to believe. And, naturally, a story about how that might be resisted . . .
“Quid Est Veritas” definitely reads like a mix of modern and futuristic elements especially when you look at the media. It’s both chilling and riveting at the same time which makes for quite the intriguing story that will probably put readers more on alert should such a future attempt to come to pass.
Q: Your story is quite intriguing, and you leave readers on a bit of a cliffhanger. Is the intent behind this to allow readers to draw their own conclusions as to what happens next?
Author Willett: What happens next is entirely up to the readers to decide. Since I haven’t written a sequel, I don’t myself! And it’s interesting you see it as a cliffhanger. I didn’t when I wrote it, but others seem to.
That’s really interesting and a touch humorous that the ending of “Quid Est Veritas” isn’t really intended to be a cliffhanger. Haha! Though it is pretty cool that readers can create their own story per say on what happens next.
Q: (a) Are there any plans to continue the story and make it into a full-length novel? Would you mind explaining your decision?
Author Willett: I have no plans in that direction right now, but it intrigues me that I’ve been asked that more than once, so . . . maybe. But it’s not on my agenda at the moment.
Okay, so while readers can hope for a sequel we shouldn’t really expect one any time soon. That’s fair to say. But there’s always the possibility, right? So, who knows what the future holds, right? LOL!
Shapers of Worlds Volume V has quite the surprises in store for readers, doesn’t it? The stories have quite the range and more than a few will surprise readers the deeper they delve. These stories blend science fiction and fantasy with other subjects that readers won’t see coming.
Shapers of Worlds Volume V has such a dynamic collection of stories that readers are sure to find at least a few authors that they will happily be “stalking” to discover more of their works!
Editor Willett, you are a man of many hats, and we look forward to reading more of your works in the future! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and our readers about Shapers of Worlds Volume V! Good luck with your future endeavors! We know we’ll be keeping a close eye out for whatever comes next in your literary world!
We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read and review Shapers of Worlds Vol 5, and you can check out the review here.
About the Author
Edward Willett is the award-winning author (under his own name and as E.C. Blake and Lee Arthur Chane) of more than sixty books of science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction for readers of all ages, including twelve novels for DAW Books. He has been shortlisted multiple times for Saskatchewan Book Awards and won for his young adult fantasy Spirit Singer (Shadowpaw Press). He won Canada’s top science fiction and fantasy award, the Aurora, for his second novel for DAW, Marseguro, and has been shortlisted several times since, including for his most recent young adult science fiction novel, Star Song (Shadowpaw Press). Ed has also won an Aurora Award for his podcast, The Worldshapers. In addition to being a writer and editor, Ed is a professional actor and singer. He lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Margaret Anne Hodges, a professional engineer.
About Shadowpaw Press
Shadowpaw Press, located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, was founded in 2018 by award-winning author Edward Willett. Shadowpaw Press is a member of Literary Press Group (Canada) and the Association of Canadian Publishers and publishes an eclectic selection of books by both new and established authors, including adult fiction, young adult fiction, children’s books, nonfiction, and anthologies. www.shadowpawpress.com
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