What makes an author’s world unique?

Fantasy Genre Blog Hop2019 About The OWSCyCon Fantasy Blog Tour

As part of the OWS CyCon 2019, we asked our fantasy authors to write about what  makes their world, or the world of another author unique. Each of them has come up with very different answers which reflect their writing processes, their research methods, and their views on world building.

We hope you find these insights interesting, and that they maybe give you some new things to think about when you pick up a new book, or even start writing your own.


After reading this interview, be sure to check out the responses from our other fantastic writers, including yours truly. You’ll find the link to my comments here: https://owscycon.ourwriteside.com/fantasy-events-at-cycon/fantasy-blog-tour-what-makes-an-authors-world-unique/


Creating a Unique World – The P.A.W.S. Universe
By Debbie Manber Kupfer

P.A.W.S. is the Partnership of Animagi, Werewolves and Shapeshifters. It is an international organization of shifters that runs institutes of learning hidden in every continent of our world.

Each institute has its unique flavor and often times students choose forms that are indigenous to their local area. (Making it so much better to blend in.) Thus there are kangaroos, koalas, and wombats in the P.A.W.S. Institute of Australia located in Alice Springs, and a plethora of penguins in the P.A.W.S. Institute of Antarctica!

This I feel is what sets P.A.W.S. apart from other fantasies based around schools or academies. In P.A.W.S. we don’t just focus on one location, and so far in my series we have visited the P.A.W.S. Institutes in St. Louis, New York, London, and Vienna and have met exchange students from Egypt, Canada and Australia (though sadly no penguins so far!)

Also in every city P.A.W.S. has emissaries in the local zoos. In St. Louis Zoo, for example we meet Ian the Chimp (But make sure if you visit him to bring a big bunch of bananas and be prepared to listen his groan-worthy monkey jokes.) In London Zoo the emissary from P.A.W.S. is Shirley the Camel. Stop by for a nice pot of tea, some rhubarb scones and a natter.

In the upcoming episode of P.A.W.S., Cotula (Book 5) we’ll also visit Clifford, an otter animagus who hangs out in his lagoon attached to Central Park Zoo.

So here’s the other big difference between P.A.W.S. and other fantasy worlds focusing on shifters. Much, much more variety. Most worlds feature werewolves and maybe cats and I have those too, but a whole lot more. Because when you study at P.A.W.S. you choose the animal you are drawn too. So we have a squirrel, a flamingo, a toucan, a mole, to name but a few.

Part of what I love here is delving into the process. What makes a shifter at P.A.W.S. choose a particular animal? I love shifters in other series, but can’t really remember anyone else dealing with them in quite this way.

And then there’s my world in itself. With each chapter I add, or story I write I add more to my world. So we have a lost village of Manus Wu, a shadow world beneath or own called Umbrae and my most recent addition a wolf sanctuary called Lycanthia.

Everything I write. Even when I think it’s not connected ends up being part of this world. And I adore the discovery! I hope you come visit some time.


About Debbie Manber Kupfer

Debbie Manber KupgerDebbie grew up in the UK in the East London suburb of Barking. She has lived in Israel, New York and North Carolina and somehow ended up in St. Louis, where she works as a writer and freelance puzzle constructor of word puzzles and logic problems. She lives with her husband, two children and a very opinionated feline. She believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything!


Meet Debbie Online

OWSCyCon2019 Author Booth: https://owscycon.ourwriteside.com/for...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieManber...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CiciCat42
Author Blog: https://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress....
Get the Latest News by Joining Debbie’s Newsletter http://eepurl.com/cRhORP

Learn More About the OWS CyCon 2019 Event

CyCon is the biggest online book event of the year, bringing together authors and readers from all over the world for an entire weekend of book-related fun. Between the organizers, and 230+ writers, you’ll be able to:



view live (and recorded discussions),
listen to samples of their stories,
vote in the various genre tournaments,
browse the author booths, and
discover some amazing books and writers.

We hope you enjoy this event as much as we enjoy bringing it to you. For more information, and links to all of the activities, visit us at: https://owscycon.ourwriteside.com/abo...

You never know, you may just find your next best read!

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Published on May 09, 2019 07:35
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