Navigating the Chaos

Over at Sci Fi Pulse, videogame designer and Pyr author Erin Hoffman is interviewed about her Chaos Knight series -- Sword of Fire and Sea, Lance of Earth and Sky,and the forthcoming Shield of Sea and Space. They talk about her career in the videogame industry, her novels, advice for young writes, and more. Here is an intriguing taste:

Yanes: Despite more and more women being involved in the creation and consumption of fantasy novels and videogames, both industries are still thought of as a boys club. Do you feel this image is still accurate? And if so, what do you think fans can do to change it?

Hoffman: There is a rather fascinating war going on around this very subject. I think it’s a measure of progress that there can be a war with two sides, whereas before there weren’t enough people fighting for equality to have a measurable impact. I think the image is still more or less accurate, but the balance is shifting rapidly. Fans can help most just by being open-minded in their consumption of media, and being vocal in their demand for more diversity in the market. It’s a lot of work to sensitize yourself to the way cultures other than your own can be marginalized. You have to read, research, listen, and stretch beyond your immediate self-interest. But it is a powerfully rewarding thing and will make you a better person beyond the immediate goal of leveling the playing field. It is so important to chase down and question your assumptions. I worry that “geek culture” is calcifying in its maturity into exactly the thing against which it initially rebelled, binary mainstream ideas of right and wrong. Try something new; it keeps your mind young!

Hoffman's Debut Has All the Right Elements

Erin Hoffman's debut fantasy, Sword of Fire and Sea, is plling up some good reviews.

"Many fantasy novels, especially high fantasy ones, can suffer from bloat and padding, with far too much detail given, making the reading something of a slog. By comparison, Hoffman's novel reads much like Lou Anders, her editor, compared her to: Michael Moorcock. The writing is crisp, sharp, and the text is replete with new and interesting things around every corner. Fire priestesses, gryphons, mind magic using mages, Goddesses, magic weapons, Air knights...Hoffman never lets up in the narrative in introducing us to her world and new characters. The strong elemental theme to the magic put me in mind of the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher, and, yes, to Avatar the Last Airbender." SF Signal, Four Star Review

"Despite its short length, under 300 pages, Sword of Fire and Sea uses its space wisely. It doesn't waste words or build in details that will have more significance later in the story. Hoffman focuses quite squarely on the here and now for Vidarian and Ariadel, giving us just enough to understand their situation(s) and motivations. This is definitely more like the fantasy series of when I was younger and will likely appeal to anyone who enjoys RPGs (Role Playing Games) or MMO's games (Massive Multipleplayer Online)." Night Owl Reviews, Four 1/2 Star Review

"This series debut by video game designer Hoffman features well-drawn characters, both human and mythical.  VERDICT: Introducing a world of elemental magic, intelligent gryphons, and warring forces, this fantasy adventure is suitable for both YA and adult readers." Library Journal

And if you want a taste of Erin's world, head to Beneath Ceaseless Skies, where her story "Sightwolf" is online for free.