Today we talk to author Frances Pauli about what furry fiction means to her, and how she comes up with her stories.

Tell us a little bit about your most recent project (written or published). Was there a particular inspiration for it?

My most recently written work (finished just this morning) is the third Serpentia novel. That world and its characters were inspired by my own snakes, and many years of keeping and admiring reptiles in all their variations. My most recently published book is the Pocket Shot from Goal, called Of Birds and Branches. That one came from one of the weirdest dreams I’ve ever had, and the idea just wouldn’t let me go until I sat down and wrote it out in its entirety.

What is your favourite thing about the furry fandom? Why write furry fiction?

My favourite thing about the fandom is its kindness. I am relatively new to the furry experience, having found it only a few years back, but I have been struck from day one by how inclusive, helpful, and fun the furries I meet are. I like a place that lets everyone play, and where everyone is welcome and can find a corner to snuggle up in. I have lived with social anxiety my entire life, and it is often hard for me to feel comfortable or welcome in groups, even virtual ones, but I’ve found that the fandom, of all my communities, puts me at ease the most.

I write furry fiction because I love to read it. All of my favourite books contain animal characters of some kind. Given a choice between a book about people and one with animals in it, the animal story wins every time. I think there is something deeply rooted in our literary history which makes animal stories both comforting and powerful. There’s a rich symbolism and a nostalgic pleasure in reading about characters that could easily have stepped out of our childhood fantasies, our myths and our fables.

What is your writing process like? Do you outline and plot, or are you a “pantser”?

I call myself a reformed pantser because I’ve learned to structure and plan a great deal more than when I first began writing. In truth, though, I rarely outline. My normal process is to create a world and characters and then make note of their pivotal scenes. I line out the major plot points like road signs to keep me heading in the right direction, but in between those goals, I still do quite a bit of “on the fly” plotting.

What do you consider your biggest strength as a writer?

Oh, that is a tough question. I mentioned the social anxiety, right? Since I have to answer it, I’ll go with my ability to empathize with the character, to put myself into the skin of the snake, or the spider, or bear (Okay, bear is a little easier) and really imagine what it means to crawl around and experience that life. I like to think (hope?) that that transfers to a believable character on the page.

What is your favourite kind of story to write? Does it align well with what you like to read?

I like to write love stories. It’s cheesy, and I’ve fought with the urge off and on, but a little happily ever after makes me, well, happy. I don’t read much of the romance genre, but most of my favourite books have a strong central love story.  Outside of the romance, I like to write about underdogs, and outsiders, lost children and found family. I’m a sucker for a story about justice and revolution, too. But as a reader, please give me a heartfelt romance along with it.

Which character of yours do you most identify with, and why?

Stella from Queen of Arts. She’s a mama bear like me, and we both have a history of domestic violence and recovery. Stella is a fighter, but mostly on behalf of other people. She’s a little co-dependent, a little too involved in her friends’ business, but she has a lot of love to give, and beneath her shields and boundaries, she’s a hopeless romantic.

Which authors or specific books have most influenced your work?

I read a lot of Andre Norton. A lot. I have a shelf devoted to her books, and I tend to pick up one as comfort reading from time to time. I think she’s had the biggest influence on me. I also love Tanith Lee, Patricia McKillip, Christopher Moore, Shakespeare, and I read Mitchener from time to time as a guilty pleasure. He’s terribly dated, but I inherited my mother’s collection, and I think those stories are a way to feel connected to her still.

What is the last book you read that you really love?

I adored Ape House by Sara Gruen. She wrote Water for Elephants which I haven’t read, but which received far more press than Ape House. I loved it so much. It’s about a family of bonobos who are abducted from their language lab and put on TV as a reality show. The apes ‘talk’ in a variety of ways and spend the book trying to contact the scientist who worked with them and is desperately trying to save them. The book was heartbreaking and heart-warming at the same time. Whimsical and tense and just a fantastic read. Also, I’m a sucker for talking apes.

Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

If I were dead honest, I’d say talking about writing and thinking about writing, but that really focuses on my obsessive nature. So I’ll stick with the hobbies. I have a lot of pets and houseplants, I am currently breeding my rosy boas and collecting model horses, crocheting, drawing again after many years, and learning how to cook excellent vegan food. I also build fursuit heads and love suiting so much it’s ridiculous. In addition to that I have two amazing children that I try to spend as much time with as possible, playing games, watching shows, and just enjoying them before they go and grow up on me.

Do you have any advice to give other writers?

So much advice, but really, the best thing I could tell other writers is to trust themselves. There are a lot of things in this business that can wear down your sense of self, make you question and feel about as big as a flea. So come at it from a place that is completely selfish. Do it for you, how you want to, and while I recommend listening to those who have come before, I also recommend filtering their advice and focusing on what works for you. Find your own process. If whatever you’re being told to do doesn’t result in you writing and finishing books you are happy with, then toss that advice aside and do what you need to to get there.

Is there anything you would like to see more of within furry fiction?

Sweet romance. Love stories. Stories with females that are strong, individual characters and not props or prizes. (To be fair I want that in all fiction) But what I want to see most in furry fiction is more of it. I want to see furry books landing and sticking with mainstream readers. I want to flood the shelves of Barnes and Nobel with Fox in Starbucks stories and put a Slice of Life furry romance in the Amazon top 100. I don’t even care who writes it. I love this genre, and I want the world to love it too.

Where can readers find your work?

All of my work can be found from my website at: francespauli.com. Many of my furry works are over at Goal Publications, my amazing and supportive publisher. I have books on Amazon and at most e-tailers and free stories on FA and SF under Mammabear. There’s a lot, so if you can’t find something you want, you’re also welcome to email me and just ask.

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Tomorrow, we have an interview from an author and publisher who is pushing forward into the fully professional markets. We hope you’ll come and check out what she has to say then.

Today, we hear from adult writer Tagenar, who is able to give us a look into his interests and processes as a writer.

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Tell us a little bit about your most recent project (written or published). Was there a particular inspiration for it?

Tagenar: “Solid Magic” is the kinkiest thing I’ve ever done. The story is the adult version of a subplot from my alter-ego’s Archeons series: a human ends up sharing a body with a dragon. Because the series is not explicit, most of their relationship happens between chapters. I wanted to see more of their sex life, so I wrote a story about a man who ends up losing his own body and becoming soul-bound to a dragon who happens to be in heat. It ended up being something completely different, with less body-sharing and instead the former human takes on whatever form the dragon desires, but I still got my explicit human/dragon story.

What is your favourite thing about the furry fandom? Why write furry fiction?

I have always been more interested in the nonhuman characters who are typically sidekicks or NPCs. I enjoy creating for people who also want to know more about them.

What is your writing process like? Do you outline and plot, or are you a “pantser”?

I used to improvise from start to finish, but after so many rewrites I learned to make a loose outline first and then improvise within that. Saves me a lot of rewrites later. Best of both extremes, but each book is different. For my first three Tagenar novels (Jake’s List, Exposure, and Don’t Call Me Coach), I don’t think I had much of an outline at all. I had a setting and a hook, and I let the story grow out of those ingredients. Still, there came a point at about the halfway mark for each book where I had to stop and figure out what I was doing and where everything was going before I went too far.

For C C S (my newest book in print), I had a plan for each chapter and an overall plan for the whole story, and I improvised within each section. A few twists and developments happened that I didn’t plan, and that’s when writing is most fun. I want to be surprised while writing it. If I am, there’s a good chance the reader will be, too.

What do you consider your biggest strength as a writer?

I’m a concept writer, so I think that’s where my strength lies. The big ideas. Probably why I haven’t written very many short stories. Most of my ideas just keep growing. In fact my first attempt at a short story grew into an 80,000 word novel.

What is your favourite kind of story to write? Does it align well with what you like to read?

I prefer stories that have their own sense of internal logic. When a story defines its own rules, you can understand anything, even if it’s outside your favorite genre. I got into Dilbert in the 90s, long before I got my first job, simply because the comic strip does such a good job building the office as a world unto itself. Then I read 1984, and that book spends a third of its pagecount setting up its world. I’ve always been drawn to stories like this, so it’s what I prefer to write as well. My first three novels as Tagenar didn’t do very much with that, mostly because I wrote them to break out of rigid, well-defined worlds I was writing under my real name. Taking a break from that was what I needed, so those books are character/situation pieces. The new books I’m working on very much focus on worldbuilding and big concepts.

Which character of yours do you most identify with, and why?

Garth, from Don’t Call Me Coach, may be the character I feel for most. He’s a take-charge kind of person who discovers that the real world doesn’t always value people like that. More recently, Paul from C C S represents different aspects of who I am and who I wish I could be. I recognized this early on, so I brought it out more. All of my characters have a little bit of me in them in some way, but those two in particular hit close to home.

Which authors or specific books have most influenced your work?

I grew up reading the sci-fi greats (Clarke, Asimov, Crichton). They were outstanding at building worlds and trying to imagine how technology will change humanity, even while most of them were terrible at characters. I like to think I’ve struck a better balance. Sci-fi writers are paying more attention to characters these days, so we don’t have to settle for concept stories alone.

What is the last book you read that you really love?

I just read Kafka’s “Amerika.” I enjoyed it way more than I expected, even knowing it was an unfinished novel.

Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

Mostly video games, but I took up wine-drinking a few years ago to make myself less boring, and an excuse to get out and explore the city. I never used to go out and do things, but since moving closer to a big city, I want to experience city life as much as I can.

Do you have any advice to give other writers?

Yes. Don’t be in a hurry to show people your work! Social media encourages us to put everything out there as fast as possible, but resist the temptation! Keep your work under wraps until the thrill of creation wears off. Then read it again and see if you’re still thrilled with it. I’m glad not many people saw my early works.

Is there anything you would like to see more of within furry fiction?

Furry has branched out from foxes and wolves, which is a good thing. Now it’s time for the scalies to get more attention!

Where can readers find your work?

I’m on Sofurry and Furaffinity as well as Goodreads and twitter. I use the Tagenar name for explicit works. I save my real name for material that I want to reach beyond the furry community.

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Tomorrow we’ll have an interview with another of our talented authors from within the community. We hope you’ll check it out then!

The furry writing community is fortunate to have a variety of publishers to provide the community. The past 18 months without conventions and the bulk of their sales have of course been difficult for so many of them, but they are an important part of our community and deserve our support.
Today, we hear from Armoured Fox Press – who can also be found on Twitter.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself, and the publisher you are representing.

My name is Tarl “Voice” Hoch. I am a writer and editor both inside and outside of the fandom. I am one of the four hosts of Fangs & Fonts – a writing podcast – , and also write for the online dating sim ‘Hentai Diaries’.
I am the owner of Armoured Fox Press, which is a Canadian small press specializing in Anthropomorphic and Anime fiction.

What is your favourite thing about the furry fandom?

I would have to say the fact that I have made lifelong friends in the fandom. They started out being my friends because they were furries and it was a good introduction, and are they are now my friends because they are good people who I can trust. The fact they are furries is just the cherry on top.

What made you decide to get involved with the furry publishing scene?

After I edited my first anthology (Abandoned Places), I started thinking about what it would be like to be a publisher. I mean, I had been a writer, now an editor, why not publisher? Plus at the time, Canada only had a distribution company and no furry publisher to represent us Canuk furs. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how much work and time it would be…                                                   

What do you believe makes a good story?

Strong, relatable characters with an interesting story hook. It needs to engage the reader and keep them interested. It is said that there are two different kinds of writers, those who are good storytellers, and those that are good writers. Stephen King is an example of a good storyteller, hence his success.

What are some of the biggest challenges with publishing in a relatively niche market?

I think the biggest is that the furry publishing world has to do with a lot of the attitudes of the writers. We’ve seen things like payment and such come up over the years and a lot of people compare the furry publishing world to the big publishers like Tor and Penguin instead of comparing them to other small presses. I think part of that issue is that people don’t realize just how small furry publishing companies are, and because of that, seem to either not know, or don’t care, about the details of how small businesses are run/maintained. That, and most don’t try to publish in small press markets outside the fandom and thus don’t know that most small presses only do contributor copies, if at all.

Furry publishing is a unique thing in the world of fandoms. You don’t have small pubs publishing Star Trek novels, Dr. Who novels, etc. The only other fandoms that come close are the Lovecraft and Anime fandoms, and the Anime publishing world is relatively super new. This is something I think we should be quite proud of.

What are some of the best parts of publishing furry books?

Getting to know the writers. Be it at conventions, during panels, or talking online, there is a level of passion that furry writers have that is infectious. There is nothing more wonderful than talking to someone at a convention while they try to decide on what to purchase. They are like kids in candy stores, and it’s always a pleasure to help them discover a new favourite or talk about ones you sold them last year that they enjoyed.

What is the ideal writer to work with like?

I’ve worked with my share of amazing authors over the years and to me, the ideal writer is one who is open to critiques, and if they disagree, handles it professionally. Most disagreements can be handled with a discussion as long as both parties are civil and understanding. That and patience are really the two things I look for. Publishing is not an instantaneous process, and someone who understands that and is willing to wait (within reason) is a blessing.

Novels vs Anthologies. Which do you prefer working on, and how do they compare in terms of sales?

That’s a tough one. Personally, I prefer anthologies as I find them easier to go through, though the logistics of payment/contracts/etc are more of a hassle. Novels sell far more than anthologies, which is why I think other publishers in the fandom have reduced the number of anthologies they do, but I think it’s a good way to get an author’s name out there and introduce people to their work. Think of it as a business card, literary style.

What do you believe is the biggest misconception about the process of publishing, either specific to furry publishing or generally?

Cost and time. I often get people submitting novel queries and then asking me a day or two later if they are accepted or not. There is a process which we use to go through our slush pile and it can take us a month or two to get back to people depending on what we think of their initial chapters. As for cost, I sort of mentioned that earlier. Basically, there are small things that come into play when it comes to publishing a book that you don’t really think about until you are dealing with it. These can be the shipping cost for contributor copies, misprints, additional staff, etc.

It’s always said “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but just how important is cover art to the success of a book?

Cover art is very important. A good cover with good art can make or break a book. A good example of this was an author submitted a press package to a fairly well-known online news site. They posted the cover as well as the blurb about the book, giving it a little promo. All of the comments were criticizing the artwork (specifically, of all things, the character’s chins). No one cared about the story, all they cared about was the cover art.

Good artwork will draw a reader in, and people have bought books simply because the cover art appealed to them. Certain genres also have certain styles of covers and if you write a fantasy action adventure and have the naked torso of a man on the cover, people are going to assume it’s either romance or erotica.

Is there anything you would like to see more of in furry fiction?

Hmmm… good question. I would like to see animals we don’t normally see all that often, or at all. Also, I would like to see more stories that take place outside of the United States. Some of my favourite furry literature are ones that take place in other countries and explore other cultures. 

What has been your favourite book to work on recently? Why?

A Swordmaster’s Tale. The stories in it are absolutely some of the best I have read and people really have given each story a unique spin. There is something for everyone in that anthology and any person who grew up loving swords will love it I think. There is a real potential for other anthologies along this vein and I look forward to seeing what people bring to the table for those.

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Writers and readers are not always aware of the inner workings of publishers, so we hope this has provided a bit of insight into the process. A few other publishers will be pitching in with their thoughts over the course of the month, but tomorrow we’re back to one of the furry fandom’s many talented authors.

Welcome to the first of the Furry Book Month Q&As – we’ll be running plenty of these over the next month, from a range of different people with different experiences within furry writing.
First up, we have author Ben Goodridge.

Tell us a little bit about your most recent project (written or published). Was there a particular inspiration for it?

I came up with “Akela” when I was seventeen. At the time, he was a response to Eastman and Laird’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which was itself a parody of Frank Miller and “Daredevil” comics. The novel itself, I wrote over six weeks in the summer of 2016, and there’s a lot in there about making a space for yourself when the status quo sees you as a threat.

What is your favourite thing about the furry fandom? Why write furry fiction?

Putting big pointy ears and a long fluffy tail on a character gives you a whole new world of body language to work with. They can react to a room differently, through scent and sound and noticing small details. A writer can explore themes of alienation and difference in a whole new way. My anthropomorphic characters aren’t interested in being more like humans, they’re interested in relating to humans in their own way. That’s my favorite thing about the fandom, as well, is how it creates its own space. It can be simultaneously inviting and exclusive.

What is your writing process like? Do you outline and plot, or are you a “pantser”?

Usually I’ll write the first five to ten pages, enough to introduce the characters and setting and get the ball rolling. I’m the first person I have to sell my idea to, so I have to convince myself that the idea is going to work. If I’m still enthusiastic, great. Press on. If that’s as much as I get, that’s fine, too. The idea can go into a drawer until I think of a way to rekindle that enthusiasm. I’ve got bundles of these little firestarters within easy reach, and every once in a while I’ll take one out, give it a read, think, “Hey, this is pretty good. But what if…” and start working on it again.

What do you consider your biggest strength as a writer?

Probably just taking it seriously, but not too seriously. Getting published means keeping your eye on publishing, but writing doesn’t have to be grueling.

What is your favourite kind of story to write? Does it align well with what you like to read?

Comedies are both my favorite kind of story to write, and the hardest kind of writing to do. It’s one of those styles where either everything works or nothing does.

Which character of yours do you most identify with, and why?

I almost hate to say Akela, because he’s literally the opposite of me in every way – he even lives on the other side of the planet. But I’ve had him around for a long time, and I’ve gotten a lot of work out of him.

Which authors or specific books have most influenced your work?

Douglas Adams was a big early influence, and the Hitchhiker’s Guide is the zenith of Western literature in my eyes…but he’s a terrible writing teacher. Isaac Asimov’s doorstop autobiography was a big boost. But it was Eastman and Laird who introduced me not just to anthropomorphics, but to the whole indie comics scene in the 1990s, which was a wild place to explore.

What is the last book you read that you really love?

I just re-read the Foundation trilogy. Hits different in 2021 than in 1993. Asimov was genuinely concerned about fools replacing progress with dogma, and he’d have a bird if he could see America in 2021.

Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

Video games. I just got done with “Spiritfarer.” I also spend a lot of time hiking in the woods, when I can find the energy.

Do you have any advice to give other writers?

It may seem cliche, but “don’t give up” has worked for me. It’s a big world. You have an audience somewhere, you just have to find it.

Is there anything you would like to see more of within furry fiction?

Not really. I think anthropomorphics is trending in a very positive direction right now, with all kinds of new opportunities available for creatives. Like I said, I just got done playing “Spiritfarer,” which was this incredibly unique anthropomorphic experience. I plan to stick around long enough to see what’s being done with anthropomorphics in the future.

Where can readers find your work?

Found: One Apocalypse is at furplanet.com, and Akela is from goalpublications.com. My full bibliography is at my hopelessly outdated website at ben-goodridge.com.

We would like to thank Ben for his time in answering these questions, and we hope you’ve learned a little more about his processes and his works. We encourage you to check out his books at the links given if you have not already done so.
Tomorrow, we have some words from one of the many publishers within the furry writing community.

Oxfurred Comma 2021 isn’t too far away now!
We hope you’re all looking forward to the weekend, as we have some wonderful panels planned – with a schedule likely being announced within the next week. (There is still the possibility of more panels being added, so if you have a good idea for one, get in contact with us urgently!)

Of course, Oxfurred Comma is not all about panels. We have a couple of other things that were put in place last year, and we would like to carry them over for 2021.

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Firstly, we have the Flash Fiction Contest.
In conjunction with Thurston Howl Publications, Oxfurred Comma will be running a Flash Fiction Contest with the winner receiving $25.00! All stories that follow our guidelines will also be collected within an e-book, which will be distributed for free download after the competition.

We will be accepting one piece of Flash Fiction per entrant. Our definition of Flash Fiction is a fictional story written in 500 words or less. The title does not count towards the word count. There is no genre the submissions must fall under, though we have a theme of HOPE for this competition. Authors may choose their own interpretation of the theme, and do not need to include any justification or reasoning for how their submission fits in the theme. Our only requirements are that the story is 500 words or less and is non-erotic. We want to keep things PG-13 within reason. We encourage everyone to submit, especially BIPOC, disabled, trans, or any other marginalized authors.

Some of these stories will be read during a special convention panel. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges.

Please send all submissions to the FWG email, with the words Flash Fiction included in the topic.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday 14th October.

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Oxfurred Comma will also be presenting the Oxfurred Comma Inclusivity Award (OCIA). This award will be given to a person that has done work to advance recognition for marginalized peoples and groups within the furry writing community.

Last year, the OCIA was given by the Oxfurred Comma staff. This year, we are going to be taking nominations from the public.
All FWG guild members are eligible to nominate someone for the OCIA, though the nominee is not required to be a member to be eligible.
Please send all nominations to the following form: https://forms.gle/hAFDFhVA6ZvLvhod8
The deadline for nominations is Thursday 14th October.

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Oxfurred Comma and Furry Book Month are right around the corner. We hope to provide a fantastic month to help and uplift furry writing.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Last week on Twitter, we asked you to recommend some of the best furry fiction that you’ve recently read. We’ve compiled these recommendations into one place, complete with links and information on how to buy these great books. We hope that you can find your next favourite in this list.

Note: In some circumstances, books were recommended that were later parts of a series. In these cases, we have linked to book 1.

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Disbanded – Frances Pauli (Goal Publications).
Winner: Leo Awards (2020).
Finalist: Ursa Major Awards; Coyotl Awards (2020)

Come forth, for you are special.

Sookahr the architect is just one of many snakes within Serpentia, an underground society where snakes and their rodent companions have lived in peace for as long as anyone can remember. Their destinies are preordained at birth, when they are fit with skymetal bands to enhance the telekinetic powers that aid them everyday.
Given an opportunity unheard of for a snake of his caste, Sookahr and Kwirk, his mouse aid, venture to a recently-destroyed outpost at the far edges of Serpentia, hoping to redesign the structure and prove his skill as an architect. But something watches from the jungle, and whatever attacked the outpost is poised to strike again. Will Sookahr’s drive to rise above his station get his team killed? Or will he respond to the call he’s heard since birth, and be the hero who can save them all?

Purchase in print.
Purchase in ebook.

The Pride of Chanur – C.J. Cherryh
Finalist: Hugo Awards (1983)

No one at Meetpoint Station had ever seen a creature like the Outsider. Naked-hided, blunt toothed and blunt-fingered, Tully was the sole surviving member of his company of humans―a communicative, spacefaring species hitherto unknown―and he was a prisoner of his discoverers and captors―the sadistic, treacherous kif―until his escape onto the hani ship, The Pride of Chanur.
Little did he know when he threw himself upon the mercy of The Pride and her crew that he put the entire hani species in jeopardy and imperiled the peace of the Compact itself…for the information this fugitive held could be the ruin or glory of any of the species at Meetpoint Station.

Purchase in ebook.
Purchase in audiobook.

God of Clay – Ryan Campbell (Sofawolf Press)
Winner: Coyotl Awards (2013)

Driven to the borders of an unfamiliar forest by an ever-expanding drought, two rival brothers find their fortunes and that of their tribe entwined in a long-forgotten conflict between the old gods of the world. Clay’s fervent belief in devotion to the gods does nothing to prepare him for their true natures, while Laughing Dog’s self-assured insistence that his destiny is his own leads him on a very different journey. As battle lines are drawn, each brother must decide where his allegiance truly lies — a decision that will change each of them forever.
Meanwhile, Doto, the son of the sullen and wrathful forest god Kwaee sets out to capture a member of the brothers’ tribe and bring them back to his father for interrogation, believing the humans to be in league with the insatiable fire god Ogya. In the process, he begins to doubt the stories he has always heard from his father about the original conflict, and the mysterious places in the heart of the forest that he was forbidden to ever visit.

Purchase in print.
Purchase in ebook.

Traitors, Thieves, and Liars – Rick Griffin
Finalist: Leo Awards (2019)

Centuries ago, we lost our world. Planetary Acquisitions keeps us alive solely to maintain their vast fleet of gate ships in an endless quest to find them new worlds to settle—or to conquer. Years flutter by like a tree shedding its spring petals, and so we desperately cling to this chunk of dirt-and-machine we call home.And all those centuries since, we’ve been looking for a way out, risky as it might be. Are we fools?Traitors, Thieves and Liars is the first book in a trilogy retelling the events of Ten Thousand Miles Up in a grand epic.The geroo have been trapped in slavery for centuries, searching for useful planets for their krakun masters. And then one day, pirates contact Captain Ateri with an opportunity that may prove too good to be true.Includes the short story Whatever Happened To Commissioner Sarsuk? Which details the downfall of the former commissioner of the fleet.

Purchase in ebook.
Purchase in audiobook.

Entanglement Bound – Mary E. Lowd (Aethon Books)
Winner: Leo Awards (2020)
Finalist: Ursa Major Awards (2020)

Clarity’s home is her spaceship. Living on the move. Planet to planet.
When money trouble forces Clarity and her traveling companion, Irohann, to take on passengers, Irohann worries his secret identity will be revealed. He’s a canine alien on the run from an empire of sentient plants, and their queen has a personal vendetta against him.
But Clarity believes his fears are unfounded and the Doraspians gave up on him long ago.
Heartsick at the idea of losing their ship, Clarity accepts an offer that’s clearly too good to be true, and they find themselves swept up in the crazy schemes of a rogue AI in a stolen robot body and her haphazardly assembled team of disparate aliens, including a hive-minded swarm, a giant insect, a rabbit-like alien, and a living spaceship who loves bunnies. Together the team must break into an abandoned science station, mangled by an entangled particle trying to destroy the universe.
When disaster strikes, Clarity steps up to pull the team together, but it may come at the cost of the very home and friendship she was trying to save.

Purchase in ebook.
Purchase in audiobook.

Eyrie – K. Vale Nagle

A bloody massacre. A looming civil war. Can two opposed gryphons work together to save their kind? Zeph thrills at the wind in his wings and the hunt for wild parrot. As a simple forest gryphon, he never thought much about his sophisticated city-dwelling cousins living in the lofty eyrie at the edge of the woods. But his carefree life turns upside down when he comes across a young city gryphon stunned by her discovery of a field littered with slaughtered animals. Kia always has her beak in a book. But when her best friend goes missing, she flies down to the woodland and gets tangled up with a wild country gryphon and a shocking conspiracy. With food in short supply and war on the horizon, Kia must choose between forsaking her own or allowing Zeph’s people to be wiped off the map. Forced to overcome their prejudice and misconceptions, the unlikely pair races against time to prevent an apocalypse. Can Zeph and Kia unite their species before a fiery conflict destroys them all? Eyrie is the first book in the high-flying Gryphon Insurrection epic fantasy series. If you like mythical creatures, graphic battles, and moral dilemmas, then you’ll love K. Vale Nagle’s darkly compassionate tale. Buy Eyrie to soar into action today!

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Song of the Summer King – Jess E. Owen
Winner: Global Ebook Award for Fantasy (2013)
Winner: Ursa Major Award (2013) – for Skyfire, book 2.

Shard is a gryfon in danger. He and other young males of the Silver Isles are old enough to fly, hunt, and fight–old enough to be threats to their ruler, the red gryfon king. In the midst of the dangerous initiation hunt, Shard takes the unexpected advice of a strange she-wolf who seeks him out, and hints that Shard’s past isn’t all that it seems. To learn his past, Shard must abandon the future he wants and make allies of those the gryfons call enemies. When the gryfon king declares open war on the wolves, it throws Shard’s past and uncertain future into the turmoil between. Now with battle lines drawn, Shard must decide whether to fight beside his king . . .or against him.

Purchase as print or ebook.
Purchase in audiobook.

Shadow Cast – R.A. Meenan

All Matt ever wanted was to become a Golden Guardian, like his father before him. With decades of experience in battle and his powerful wind magic, Matt excels in every task given to him. Well, almost everything – Matt struggles to follow orders. But sometimes following the Guardian Oath means violating those orders when it’s important. However, Matt isn’t a Guardian yet – and he may never be if the Master Guardian has a say in it.
Izzy Gildspine, Matt’s partner, is also bidding for Guardianship, but she understands the Master Guardian’s worries. After all, how could Izzy be a proper Guardian anyway? Her healing powers can’t hold a candle to Matt’s wind powers. It didn’t matter how good she might be in battle – Making her a Guardian would just be a disgrace to the position if she didn’t have elemental magic.
But when their world is invaded, Matt and Izzy have one last chance to prove they deserve the Guardianship. Only their enemy is not what he seems…
Now they have a choice to make – save themselves, their home, and their final chance at Guardianship, or risk it all for the life of an enemy.

Purchase in ebook.

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There are obviously so many more books we can recommend. We encourage readers to let us know which furry books they have enjoyed recently. We want to see that enthusiasm shared across our platforms, so if there are any other authors you want to see on lists like these, do let us know!

For now, we hope you support some of these authors and give their books a look. Leave reviews or ratings if possible. Happy reading!

Today we heard the sad news that Dwale (it/its), a veteran writer and poet, recently passed away. If next of kin requests donations be sent to a particular cause, we will share those details.

Dwale was a friend to many and had a strong impact within the furry and furry writing communities, including the Guild as former President. Its writing can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5354982.Dwale

Please, stay safe. If you or someone you love is struggling, please, please reach out. You are not alone. Help is available.
For US: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-8255
For international: https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp