Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Zilla: From a gorgeous cover art to a thrilling plotline, F. David Schultz’s political fantasy Crown of Horns stands out. We got him here to tell us all about it—so David, take it away!

David: I recently published my first novel: Crown of Horns. It’s a political fantasy-–think 1984 meets The Witcher—about the fight against authoritarianism in a world inspired by the history and culture of Ukraine. 

Zilla: What inspired you to write this book?

David: My partner introduced me to her family’s rich, Ukrainian culture, and I fell in love. Not only with her, but with her traditions and the joy with which she celebrated them. I got to join in those celebrations and learn a lot along the way. 

Growing up, I didn’t have a cultural identity. Canadian was the only meaningful descriptor, offering little beyond national pride. It wasn’t until adulthood that I learned that much had been stripped away in the name of assimilation. 

This became one of the central themes in my book: the celebration of culture versus the forces that strip it away in the name of unity. 

Zilla: I know that you’re creative in a lot of mediums—why do you write?

David: I have a theatre background. Acting offers an opportunity to explore ideas outside my own, and to step into the mind of another person. I adjust my thinking, feeling, and actions based on the playwright. When I’m writing, I can shape the direction of my exploration. 

It’s funny. Sometimes I slip so fully into my characters that I stop thinking about them objectively. I once had a reader call Siranna, a young artist in Crown of Horns, incredibly naïve. I was shocked. Her actions felt so justified and honest. Looking back… yep, she’s very naïve. 

Zilla: And after writing comes the dreaded editing! So what’s the secret to editing well?

David: I took a wild approach while editing my novel. Realizing my early changes had big impacts on the ending, I jumped to the last chapter. Then to the chapter right before that. Before I knew it, I was spinning a wheel to decide what I’d edit next. While a little bonkers on the face of it, the method left me more aware of the sequence of events. 

If someone were looking for advice, I wouldn’t necessarily suggest spinning a wheel. I would say that a good working knowledge of the piece is key, so you are aware of how changes will impact other parts of the work.

Zilla: What’s your next writing project? Is there a next?

David: I didn’t plan to write a sequel… but I fell in love with the world. Since publishing, I’ve written the first draft of a sequel, with ideas for two to three more books after that. 

I’m excited for my next, still unnamed, novel. Crown of Horns was a political fantasy with an underline beneath political. This next one has an underline beneath fantasy. Less political thriller and more magic, monsters, and mystery. I love the change in tone—and the alliteration! 

Zilla: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

David: Check out my website for more on the book. You can follow me in many places, as @EmpyClaw. I’m most active on Mastodon and would love to connect: