Patricia Leslie

Urban fantasy is a type of speculative fiction set in “real worlds” with fantasy elements. You might prefer storyline and characters that flirt with the paranormal. Perhaps you're more interested in Science Fiction or magic realism. Whichever genre you prefer, urban fantasy writers have it covered. If you'd like to try your hand and at writing in this genre, simply follow these step by step instructions to get started with your first urban fantasy novel or short story. 1. Loc

I use a lot of traditional hearth magic in my stories. It's often recognised as witchcraft, but to an outsider who doesn't understand or who has differing beliefs, witchcraft is more an accusation hurled to belittle, alienate, and hurt. Looking around at various belief systems it seems that contemporary religious types often refer to pagan or indigenous practices as witchcraft: placing them on the primitive, or worse, ignorant superstition shelf. Primitive and tradition do no

I have a problem; reading. I love to read, preferably fiction, but anything that catches my attention is fair game. I like reading more than nearly anything else including writing. There. I’ve said it. It’s off my chest and I feel better. Now I’m off back to the book I’m part way throwing the… just kidding. I’ve just finished reading a novel, which is why I felt the need for this confession. I was meant to be writing this afternoon, not reading, and I can’t use my well worn e

I'm very pleased to be hosting this book reveal for Anne Marie Andrus. Congratulations are definitely in order! AnneMarieAndrus.com Anne Marie Andrus Facebook Happy October 11th  and Happy 1 st Book Birthday to Monsters & Angels! To celebrate the occasion, I’m thrilled to share my brand-new cover for Raimond…the prequel to Monsters & Angels. Wait—prequel? Yes—prequel. Why am I writing books out of order? Let me explain... After the successful release of Monsters, exactly on

This article was originally posted at Anne Marie Andrus's site: Monsters and Angels What is the draw of magic in stories? Why does it attract us? What does it say about the human condition that no matter who or where we are in this world, we so love a story with magicians and witches, elves, sorcerers, and various monsters causing mayhem? Magic is the potential of dreams and desires. We wish for our heart’s desire as we blow out candles and after a successful hunt for a four-

Heart of Brass is a fun, historical steampunk fantasy set across London and Australia in the 1850s. Author, Felicity Banks has managed to combine all the elements of a great story in such an innovative way, the series as a whole is destined to take pride of place in everyone’s family fantasy collection. Emmaline Muchamore is a well-bred young woman from an eccentric London family. Determined to move past the stain on their reputation (and economic status) brought about by the

I thought that, as a woman, writing strong female characters would be a snap. What I didn’t figure, was how easy it was to fall into stereotypical gender roles. After writing my latest historical fiction work with the plan to let women tackle adventure and adversity head on in true urban fantasy style, I came to the conclusion that focus was required with every page. Without focus, I found scenes appearing where the women were being saved, or at least helped an awful lot by t