I hadn’t expected to be attending World Fantasy Convention 2020, set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah. But with Covid-19 stamping out social gatherings, the organisers created a virtual event, that I was pleased to attend from the comfort of home.
I had the opportunity to give readings from Blood Gift Chronicles. In Return of the Mantra, we heard from Suni, a young woman who has to come to terms with the fact that the fate of her homeland depends on her. This was followed by a sneak preview of the sequel, The Warder, where we face the question: are they gifts, are they curses, are they both? It was heartening for the readings to receive such a warm reception, and for the themes to evoke discussion and questions that kept me on my toes.
