by msk | Jul 8, 2025 | Shifter Fantasy
Let’s talk about werewolves, shall we? Or shifters, if you prefer the broader umbrella. Whether it’s wolf packs howling at the moon or panther clans hiding in plain sight, most YA fantasy treats these groups like magical biker gangs. You’ve got the Alpha leading...
by msk | Jul 2, 2025 | Fantasy Deep Dives
There’s something magical about a good map. Even before we meet the hero or learn what terrible thing is about to befall the kingdom, a map gives us a vibe. It whispers, this world is real. It has history. And you’re invited. That little compass rose in the corner?...
by msk | Jun 26, 2025 | Fantasy Deep Dives
I’ve been thinking about magical systems a lot lately as I mull over a new book, Leprechauns and Magic, Oh My! It’s a wild ride with enchanted shoelaces, a grumpy rain cloud that follows one character around, and a spellbook that refuses to be helpful unless bribed...
by msk | Jun 22, 2025 | Shifter Fantasy
People love to talk about alpha males in shifter fiction like it’s all ripped torsos and growly dominance, but if you’ve ever actually written one, you know it’s not that simple. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. In Moonshifter Academy, I didn’t want to just slap a label...
by msk | May 6, 2025 | Analysis, Harry Potter
When most of us think of magical academies, it’s almost impossible not to picture Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling’s iconic school for witchcraft and wizardry from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the gold standard, enchanting readers worldwide with its...
Recent Comments