E. C. Hibbs is an Amazon bestselling fantasy author, with a penchant for fairy tales, history, and a dash of darkness. She is also an artist and traditional storyteller, with over 1000 performances under her belt from across the UK and Finland. When not writing novels, she can often be found in the library or wandering through the woods.
What got you into writing your own stories?
I don't think there was ever a specific moment when I got into it. It's something I've done since I was very young, and it spoke to me in a way no other outlet did. As I became older, I was able to refine my skills, develop my interest and learn from each new story.
What genre do you write?
Fantasy, but within that, anything goes! I've written historical fantasy, steampunk, vampire thrillers, Gothic mysteries, dark academia, Arctic mythology and more.
Tell us about your WIP.
I'm currently multi-tasking with a few! A collection of short stories set in the world of Run Like Clockwork; and the remaining three books of the Nightland Quartet are currently in development.
How would you describe your writing style?
Descriptive, lyrical, and layered. I like to weave my research and lots of Easter eggs into the story, to create immersion in a natural way. And I think that growing up reading Victorian poetry has rubbed off on me!
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
Both tend to walk hand in hand, and inform each other accordingly. It's always an interesting balance to strike.
How do you write your characters?
I always try to find the humanity and emotion in them. It's what makes villains scarier and heroes stronger. No matter how intense and fantastical the scenarios may be, that basic ability to relate is the magic which brings all characters to life.
Tell us about the setting your stories take place in.
It's pretty varied! We have Renaissance valleys; the frozen Northlands; a clockwork city; the Cornish coast; a Gothic tapestry of England, Hungary and Germany; the borders of Faerie; a massive secret library; and most recently, a dark enchanted forest!
Have you written any animal characters? Tell us about one of them.
Perhaps my most distinctive is Phoebe from Run Like Clockwork: a 300-something shapeshifting cat, who also has a seat in the government. She's very sarcastic, but hides a dark past and lots of secrets. She is one of my favourite characters I've ever created.
What is your "writer's den" like?
As if a hobbit discovered a dark academia library. Edwardian writing desk, candles, old books, quirky trinkets, gifts from readers, calligraphy sets, and antique frames filled with artwork and poems. And a cat trying to steal my second breakfast!
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
My headphones are never far away when I'm working. I sometimes need to write in rather noisy environments, so music is very important for me - both to keep my concentration, and to draw me into the world of the story.
How do you do research for your writing?
In a word, meticulously. I spend years researching every book. I adore the process of learning, and even if I don't use all the information in an obvious way, I like to think it gives my writing voice a sense of confidence. I'll read, watch and listen to everything I can, and if possible, I'll experience things first-hand. It almost feels like method acting! For various books, I've blindfolded myself for hours; practised walking with a cane; brushed my teeth with charcoal; learned archery and bushcraft; and even suffered frostbite (NOT intended and NOT recommended, but nevertheless enlightening!)
Do you have examples of minority representation in your writing?
My latest series features a neurodivergent LGBT protagonist. I myself am both of these things, and I wanted to have her experiences as being very close to mine. I also tend to frequently feature disabled characters, or those dealing with mental health issues. To me, the representation itself is not only important, but so is showing that differences can realistically contribute to strong characters.
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
I've been so lucky to have had many unbelievable experiences during my writing career thus far. I've appeared on panels, given presentations, and co-written charity anthologies alongside my own novels. But for me, the greatest thing - and which will always be the greatest - is when I speak to readers. To hear comments such as, "I've been telling everyone they need to read this," "That book helped me through a difficult time," "You're my favourite author,"... It means so much to me. Whenever I get those genuine moments of connection, I take a moment to imagine my younger self, who would dream about being an author, and I tell her, "We did it."
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
I'd love for my stories make it to the screen or the stage. Not just because of how amazing it would be, but also because I'd be fascinated to see how other creatives might interpret my characters and worlds. I love fan art for the same reason: it's the story living on in a new way, while still being true to its essence.
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
My readers. Their support means the world to me and I am so thankful that they make all this possible.
Do you have a day job? What is it?
I work in the heritage sector. It's wonderful to be surrounded by so much history, and to share it with others.
Has a real-life experience informed your writing? Share the scene it inspired.
Many times! The Shade Between Shadows portrays neurodivergence in a fashion very close to my own. The Tragic Silence Series has been informed by my own photosensitive conditions, which I used to create my vampires. And perhaps the most notable is the Foxfires Trilogy, as I used to live in the Finnish Arctic.
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Some of my favourite authors are in the indie scene, and it's so important for us all to support each other.
Is there an author who inspires you?
Neil Gaiman, the Brontes, and Marcus Sedgwick.
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
I'm a 2nd Dan black belt in karate.
One of my ancestors was on board the Titanic.
I can't whistle!
What's one of your funniest experiences?
During my time in the Arctic, I was lucky to have some very memorable experiences with reindeer and huskies. But one of the strangest was with a snow ptarmigan (essentially a real-life Angry Bird, with fluffy feet and red eyebrows), which became obsessed with attacking my hat!
What is something about you that few people know?
I can watch films and read books in my head. I have a photographic memory, so once I've seen something a few times, I can recall it, as though I'm pressing a play button. Disney movies are my particular speciality!
Do you have any hobbies?
I love practising many different art mediums - I paint, draw; do calligraphy, pyrography and papercutting, among others. I also enjoy going for walks in nature, and making my own clothes. I just wish there were more hours in the day, so I could pursue them all equally!
What's your favorite holiday?
It's a tie between Halloween and Christmas! I love how much fun they are; how full of creativity and celebration.
What's your favorite season?
Winter. I adore the cold and the darkness, and the pristine silent beauty which falls over the world. My heart lifts when I see the first frost, and I feel so alive when the freezing air slices my lungs.
What's your favorite book?
My favourite series (I can't narrow it down to a single favourite!) is the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver. I will always sing the praises of those books. They are a masterclass in world-building, simple but powerful language, and they feature the best animal character POV I have ever seen in fiction.
What's your favorite movie?
The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I'm a huge Tolkien fan and those movies are my comfort watch. And yes, I mean the extended editions!
Is there a cause that's important to you?
I've followed the Sophie Lancaster Foundation since its inception, which works to support alternative people, promote acceptance and tackle bullying. I believe that everyone has the right to express their individuality without stigma or fear.
Do you have pets?
I have one fluffy desk buddy: a cat named Millie-Moo. She sometimes climbs onto my knee and tries to kick the laptop away!
Connect with E.C. Hibbs here.
Featured Book: The Shade Between Shadows (The Nightland Quartet, Book One)
The Shade Between Shadows is my latest release. It came into the world in early April, and already, I'm blown away by the positive reception it has received. I'm extremely proud of it and would love to share it with more people.
Gorgeous writing, a gripping adventure with deeply memorable characters, full of bravery, wit and magic.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Although told from the POV of Beatrice, who was a beautiful character to write, my favourites are a tie between those around her. The first is her friend, Greta: a half-goblin with a heart of gold and a very fiery personality! I think she steals every scene she's in! The second is Beatrice's master, Prince Edward. Suave and seductive, it's clear that he is hiding something. How much of his personality is genuine or carefully controlled was such an interesting line to walk.
What's the message you worked into this book?
That what makes you different can be your greatest strength, and there will always be people who will accept you for who you are - often in the unlikeliest of places.
What was your favorite scene to write?
It comes not long after Beatrice has entered the Nightland forests and met Greta. Since she is mute and illiterate, in a time before unified sign language, Beatrice draws most of her communication, but she also uses her notebook to capture things which mean a lot to her. After being shown true kindness and acceptance for the first time in her life, she sketches a sleeping Greta on the final page of her book. It's a simple scene, but filled with meaning, and its implication will echo through the entire series.
What was the spark that started this book?
For several years, I've been fascinated by fairy tales: their histories, cultural origins, and all the ways they can connect. Then I wondered what it might be like, if those tales were combined with real history and other classic literature. A number of potential story ideas had been floating in my head for a while, but that moment was the catalyst which brought them together into the Nightland Quartet.
What was the most interesting random fact you researched for this book?
At the beginning of the third act, we see the coronation of Queen Victoria. I was determined to write that event as accurately as possible, with as many small details as I could cram in without it being distracting. But I couldn't resist mentioning that Prince Esterhazy attended the coronation dressed in diamonds from head to toe - literally! Even his boot heels were encrusted with gems!
I didn't think myself truly silent. I possessed a voice, as sure as any other. It was simply not the same as any other I had met.
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