Author interview: Hanna Delaney
Writing, history, and haunting narratives into Liverpool's past.
A spooky and dramatic afternoon to you, dear readers. I’ve been saving this interview for this exact week in keeping with the Halloween vibes. Hanna is a versatile writer, switching between sci-fi, fantasy and historical horror here on Substack. You can order her debut novel, Oceanus, on Amazon and subscribe to her latest serial, The Spider, here on Substack.
A talk with: Hanna Delaney
There was a very popular book that came out, last year, and it was a ghost story.
I was reading it and I thought; this is infuriating. It was just, you know, set in Victorian times, and it was so frustrating and run-of-the-mill. And it was one of those moments where you think ‘I can do a better job,’ because I want to write a story that I would enjoy. I just thought: ‘yeah, I'm going to write supernatural horror.’
Audio Highlights
(0:00:02) - Author Hanna Delaney
Hanna Delaney, a mother, former teacher, and knitwear designer, shares her journey to becoming a successful fiction author with sci-fi inspiration from The Tempest.
(0:14:43) - The Spider
Supernatural horror story set in Victorian Liverpool, inspired by personal connection and historical research, with strong character development.
(0:22:20) - City Library Events
Hanna shares plans for a book event at a historic Victorian library in Liverpool, along with the next step for her book series and future updates.
Show Notes
Dedicated fiction author Hanna Delaney joins us for an exhilarating chat about her multifaceted life as a mother, teacher, and creative entrepreneur. As the runner-up in the 2023 Gibberish Writing Competition, Hanna offers both practical advice for those juggling various life roles while writing novels. Hanna candidly shares how her foray into microfiction on Substack was a game-changer, providing both a creative outlet and a new source of income while raising her young family.
Hanna also takes us into Victorian Liverpool; a vivid and underrated backdrop for supernatural horror. In her latest serial; The Spider, she draws on Liverpool's rich history and her personal family ties to the city, to craft a chilling narrative. Despite technical hiccups cutting our chat short, Hanna teases more books in the pipeline, leaving listeners eager for more.
Book review
Oceanus: A sci-fi adventure story inspired by The Tempest
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Most debut authors can pat themselves on the back if they tell the story and create a handful of good characters. Hannah goes much further with crisp descriptions, intriguing characters (a few of which you will want to punch) and plot twists that will leave you gasping. English students will also love the There’s also the unexpected bonus of Tempest references (and names) throughout the book, like a sweet trail for ex-English students.
If you want a satisfying sci-fi romp that takes sadistic glee in turning your expectations upside-down, read Oceanus.
Notes and transcripts were produced with the help of Podium. Recorded with Riverside FM.
Thank you for having me, Natalie! When you mentioned Red Dwarf I think I was saying "ohhh yeah" for hours afterwards. So funny. I'm probably going to watch that entire series again, soon.