One of my short stories, ‘The last monster you shall slay’ is critiqued and analysed in the new book from Eugen Bacon, ‘Writing Speculative Fiction:Creative and Critical Approaches‘

This is a big honour for me, and I’m thrilled that my work is used in Eugen’s analysis about characterization.

The story was published in issue 70 of Andromeda Spaceways Magazine. It’s the tale of an ageing monster hunter, who reflects on the life he’s led and what he’s amounted to. The story begins when he’s a child, the scion of an infamous monster hunter named Bunyip Bill. The story follows our character through his life, which he is never truly in control of, and which leads him to a place of unhappiness and emptiness.

It’s a story of destiny and regret, that first came to me late one summer evening.

I was listening to music and Johnny Cash’s cover of NINs ‘Hurt’ started playing. I remember the music video – so vivid and powerful, of a frail and mournful Cash mixed with footage from his life and career.

As I listened, night creatures called out in the darkness – yips and howls, caws and scuttles. A vision came to me of Johnny Cash not as a musician, but as a monster hunter. What happens to the monster hunters when they get old? When their lives reach the final pages?

I’m enjoying Eugen’s book which looks at various elements of storytelling as it relates to speculative fiction. Go grab a copy of her book and enjoy!