"I've always loved fantasy. I've always loved history, which are both... in my mind, there were always separate fascinations. And then, when I finally read Lord of the Rings after college... I felt like suddenly Lord of the Rings unlocked for me in a way it never really had when I was younger."
- Eric on fantasy influences
What happens when you blend a history buff with a pulp fantasy author and a movie critic? Especially if you toss in word-smithing with a sense of humour?
Well, if you are lucky, you get Eric Falden.
Eric’s one of those impressive people who manages to be good at several complex topics at the same time. It’s impossible to read any of his work on Substack without being handed a fresh fact or a new insight into an old subject. He thinks deeply, writes well and makes it look effortless. Outside of Substack, he’s an educational writer and managing editor who is deeply invested in a healthy narrative culture.
In my recent interview with him, we covered:
How he bridges the gap between literary fantasy and pulp sword-and-sorcery (it’s a genuine dilemma)
His insights on what makes battle scenes historically accurate. We also go into where Hollywood gets it wrong.
His upcoming plans for completing his popular fantasy serial, The Samyuzot
Why fantasy is experiencing a renaissance in 2025
Eric's top reading recommendations if you are new to fantasy
Eric Falden’s Links
Explore Falden’s Forge - there are short stories, essays and commentaries
Binge on the Sayuzot: an epic tale about a cursed warrior sent into exile. Six books have already been written, and the seventh is coming on May 6th.
Get writing tips (from someone who walks the talk) - this is one of my favourites from him.
"I'll be happy to wear that label of being in between kind of like the pulp and raw fantasy action and also the literary themes and deeper narratives... because that fascinates me too. I want to be able to deliver things that have an impact and make you think beyond the adrenaline of any given story."
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