Flora Fyrdraaca

Author Letter

Dear SFBC Member,

I was trained as a historian and practiced as such for several years. But after a while the truthfulness of history began to compare unfavorably to the shining lies of my imagination. I decided that instead of doing research, I would make things up. So I became a fantasy writer. I still use historical nuggets: 18th century military culture, 19th century clothing, 16th century empires, and 21st century slang. But with these details I mix decidedly a-historic things such as blue tinted butlers, eagle-headed soldiers, female generals, sentient squids, and magick.

Thus: Flora Fyrdraaca, the adventures of Flora, her best friend, and her red dog. I like Flora-she's gutsy and silly, brave and reckless, fearless and obnoxious, loyal and passionate. And she likes a good snack. In short, she's as human as the rest of us. Even though the world in which she lives in is full of decidedly non-humans! (To say nothing of the red dog.)

Flora Fyrdraaca contains the first two books of Flora's schemes. A third book is currently in the works. No spoilers, but let's just say that as usual Flora manages to improve upon her troubles and continues to find new and dangerous ways to further her ambitions. But, being a girl of spirit, no matter how tough the going, Flora never gives up. And that is the thing that I like about her the most!

My stories have been described as "screwball comedy for goths", but I like to think of them as fantastical historicals or historical fantasticals, take your choice. After all, history is a type of fantasy. For all the primary source research, in the end, the past world the historian builds is as weird and remote from our own as Middle Earth or Narnia, yet oddly familiar. I hope you will find Flora's world to be all of that, too. And Flora's escapades entertaining and alarming.

Enjoy!
 
--Ysabeau Wilce