Nikky Lee's Blog, page 11

10 Questions with DM Siciliano

DM is a lover of all things creative. From the moment she could speak, growing up in Massachusetts, she had a passion for flair and drama, putting on concerts for anyone who was even remotely interested (and even for those who were not). A storyteller by nature, she first pursued her young dream of becoming a singing diva while living in Arizona. She soon found that stage life wasn't the only form of storytelling she craved, so she dropped the mic and picked up a pencil instead. She still hasn't...

10 Questions with K S Nikakis

Karen Simpson Nikakis grew up in NE Victoria, Australia. She spent her working life in various roles in the Education Industry before leaving to write full time in mid 2017. She holds a BEd, an MEd (Hons) in dragons, and a PhD in Campbell’s hero structure applied to the female hero. She writes Deep Fantasy novels (where the hero’s psychological journey is expressed through symbolism and metaphor), short stories, poetry and nonfiction. Her novel I Heard the Wolf Call My Name and short story Glass...

Sci-fi books with animal and creature companions

In a continuation from my mega-list of books of fantasy with animal companions, below is a list of science fiction books that feature animal and creature companions—from dogs to flying snakes to aliens and more!

The animal companion trope is less common in sci-fi and harder to find, so I plan to keep adding to this list as I discover more books that fit the bill.

Tags to help you navigate: dog, cat, dingo, alien, slug, snake, wolf, sloth, spider, monkey, dolphin, invented creature.

1. Skyward by...

10 Questions with Marlena Frank

Marlena Frank is the author of books and novellas that span genres from young adult fantasy to horror. Her debut novel, Stolen Book 1 of the Stolen series, has hit the Amazon bestseller charts twice. She has two books coming out in 2021: Chosen , the final book in the Stolen trilogy, and The Impostor and Other Dark Tales , a collection of dark fantasy and horror short stories.

Marlena has also written several fantasy and horror short stories, which have been included in notable anthologies such a...

10 Questions with Leanbh Pearson

Leanbh Pearson lives on Ngunnawal Country, in Canberra, Australia. An LGBTQI dark fiction author inspired by mythology, folklore, archaeology, history, and the environment, her short fiction features in numerous anthologies. Partially fictional, she is a keen nature and wildlife photographer, bookshop, and Museum devotee, and enjoys the Australian wilderness with her dogs (the canine assistants). Leanbh’s alter-ego is an academic in archaeology and prehistory.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself! Wh...

102 fantasy books with animal companions (part 2)

Tags: dog, cat, wolf, horse, bat, frog, toad, magical creature, invented animal, monster, demon, imaginary, bird, bear, salamander, rat, mice, crow, raven, unicorn, pegasus.

85. Rylee Adamson series by Shannon Mayer

Companion: magical creature/werewolf

“My name is Rylee and I am a Tracker.”

When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I’m the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot.

I’m on the FBI’s wanted list.

I have a werewolf ...

102 fantasy books with animal companions

As both a fantasy and animal lover, it may come as no surprise that I adore the animal/creature companion trope, be it a bond partner, a familiar or simply a beloved pet. What began as an entertaining story element in my childhood reads, such as Narnia and The Jungle Book, turned into full blown love once I read The Immortals by Tamora Pierce in my early teens. Since then, I've always been drawn to books that hint at any sort of animal companionship (anyone else a Nighteyes fan?). It's also a tr...

10 Questions with Janna Ruth

Once Janna studied the boundaries of this world, now she creates her own worlds. The Berlin-born author and translator lives in Wellington, where she writes fantasy and coming-of-age novels in both German and English. If she can tear herself away from the computer, you might find her in the kitchen decorating book cakes or hanging upside-down from the aerial silks.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself! Where do you call home and what do you write?

Hi everyone, I’m a German Kiwi. My hometown is Berlin...

Ditmar Awards 2021 are open for nominations!

There are only a few more days to go until nominations for the 2021 Ditmar Awards close. If you want to see your favourite novel, novelette/novella, or short story be among the finalist, get your vote in before midnight of August 15!

What are the Ditmar Awards?

The Ditmar Award (formally the Australian SF ("Ditmar") Award) has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction (including fantasy and horror)...

10 Questions with Douglas W.T. Smith

Douglas W.T. Smith is an Australian author of speculative fiction and short stories. His short stories have been published in a variety of magazines such as Movement, SuckerCo, Tertangala, and Needle in the Hay. Smith was shortlisted in the 2015 Historical Faction Award and the 2015 Science Fiction Award. His first book, Shadow Of The Wicked, was self-published in July 2021. When Smith isn’t enjoying the Australian outdoors with his wife, son and dog, he loves to share his writing journey and in...