1. Introduce yourself to the audience.
I’m a South African writer of fantasy in a variety of sub-genres, but the theme that ties together all of my books is linked to my vocational work in transformational life coach. I call my writing transformation fiction: exploring our human capacity to transform our lives and achieve success in the face of adversity through fictitious characters and fantastical settings.
2. Apart from Voices of Children, what other prominent charities have pledged help to Ukraine?
UNICEF, Red Cross and Save the Children all are collecting donations to support Ukraine, particularly seeing to children’s safety. However, all of these relief initiatives are temporary. Once the war ends, they will cease to support. This is why I chose Voices of Children because they are a permanent charity organization based in Ukraine and have been working since 2015 (annexation of Crimea) on lessening the effects in children of Post Traumatic Stress caused by war. At the moment, they continue their work in bringing counseling to trauma victims while also providing food and shelter to families specifically.
3. Can you give more details about ‘Astrid’s fantasy fair’ and how it is beneficial to the indie authors?
My August Fantasy Fair is an annual by-invitation-only event for the indie authors I recommend most highly. This is usually exclusive to the authors who make my top picks selections. In 2022 I teamed up with Indie Fantasy Addicts, a group dedicated to fostering support for fantasy authors in the indie community, to support some of their most supportive and engaged authors, as well as debut authors. This fair gives authors I am able to endorse because I’ve either read their books (and highly recommend them) or have worked with them in the indie community of fantasy authors and provides an opportunity for readers to find great books at a good price to be able to try out some new authors.
4. What other charity anthologies have you contributed apart from ‘Children of War’ and ‘Enchanted Forests’? What cause do they contribute for?
The charity projects I’ve worked on this far:
2021: Enchanted Kingdoms, a limited edition boxed set of 20 novel-length fairytale retellings. Raised over $5 500 for Puzzle Peace United, a children’s autism charity. It achieved the USA Today Bestseller listing and won Best Anthology of the Year at 2022 UTOPiAcon.
2021: Enchanted Waters, a permanent anthology of short, illustrated fantasy stories about magical water creatures raising funds for Oceana, a non-profit working on keeping fishing sustainable.
2021: Iron Walls, a limited edition anthology of short dystopian stories, which raised funds for Voices of the Martyrs, a charity supporting Christians persecuted for their faith.
2022: Enchanted Forests, a permanent anthology of short, illustrated fantasy stories about magical forests and the creatures living in them, which is raising funds for Rainforest Foundation and their work in preserving rainforests in collaboration with their indigenous inhabitants.
2022: Children of War, a permanent multi-genre anthology about the effects of war on children to support Voices of Children Foundation, Ukraine and the long-term healing of the Ukrainian people.
2023: Twice Upon a Name, a permanent collection of 20 very short fantasy stories about namesakes and mistaken identities to raise funds for Book Aid International. Release date, 18 May, 2023. Available to pre-order.
2023: Enchanted Flames, a permanent anthology of short illustrated fantasy stories about magical fire creatures to support a charity providing support to communities threatened by wildfires (charity still to be selected). Release date, 18 June, 2023. Available to pre-order.
5. Tell us about your story ‘Child of Destruction’ and what inspired you to write it?
Child of Destruction is a short character sketch that fits into the world I’ve created for my interconnected series. It is specifically linked to the Wordmage’s Tale novella, “Warring Lions”, where the same character makes an appearance a few years after the events described in this short story.
I wanted to honour the experiences of child soldiers. Since that is a particularly big threat for children, especially boys, in conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, I wanted to give voice to that. From an emotional level, the story is heavily influenced by to songs of fellow South African, Johnny Clegg: “Warsaw 1943” and “Boy Soldier”
6. The United Nation reports that 90 percent of people who have fled Ukraine are women and children. What are the psychological affects of war on women and children in the absence of a male figure in their lives?
I cannot answer the psychological effects of the absence of male figures, as that is very specific and didn’t feature in my research for this story. UNICEF did release a very comprehensive report on the effects war has on children and the risks children face in conflict zones. 25 Years of Children in War is available for free online and has the most up-to-date information, as it was published in June this year.
7. The state of refugee camps does not provide a good environment for children to spend a part of their childhood. What should the world leaders do to step in to combat this crisis?
This is a very complex situation. I do not have all the knowledge required to speak on the matter. The concept of refugee camps is based on the idea that people fleeing conflict require a temporary safe haven before they are able to return to their homes. Of course, the reality is very different, with people becoming stuck in limbo, unable to do anything because they are not truly welcome in the host country nor able to pick up the pieces of life back home. Of course, every person and every family unit has different experiences, and some are able to make new lives for themselves while others will be stuck for decades, especially since violent conflicts can last for very long.
In terms of children specifically, although refugee camps are not an ideal environment for children, they are certainly safer and more stable than zones of violent conflict. Yes, people abuse their power, but I think the best way to avoid these pitfalls is to try to stop conflicts in the first place. If politicians were to really, honestly think of the wellbeing of children, they would find peaceful solutions to their conflicts. Instead, we find so many cases of individual megalomania taking precedence over the lives and safety of the most vulnerable, who will live with the consequences their whole lives long. That is something we adults should take more seriously and hold accountable those who cause such long-lasting trauma.
8. What other works did you read to educate yourself on the repercussions of Russia-Ukraine war?
I have been following the news and what some of my Ukrainian expat friends are sharing on social media. My heart hurts too much to research this topic too deeply.
9. What factors did you keep in mind while writing the story? How did you incorporate them?
Getting into my character’s skin was difficult for this story. I couldn’t shy away from the awfulness so many child soldiers experience in being used for the purposes of adults’ evil. I also had to keep the story short and simple for the requirements of the anthology. For that reason, it is an emotionally obliterating piece, but I hope it opens readers’ eyes to the lives too many boys and girls face even in our modern times.
10. Any parting words?
It has been an honour to work with these amazing authors and editors to put together this anthology. The whole experience has been eye-opening in terms of the range of ways in which warfare affects children and empowering in the knowledge it provides and the realization that it is our duty to protect children from living the horrors of war, but at the same time being aware of what does happen. I’ve been very open about what is going on in Ukraine so my children at least know it is happening and that it upsets me because it’s wrong. If we shelter our children from the hard truths of reality, they will end up repeating these things themselves or being scarred by those who do repeat history.
Voices of Children are a permanent charity organization based in Ukraine and have been working since 2015 (annexation of Crimea) on lessening the effects in children of Post Traumatic Stress caused by war. They continue their work in bringing counseling to trauma victims while also providing food and shelter to families specifically.
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