PHOTO: Author P.K. Silverson, blending timeless myth with contemporary vision, photographed in Los Angeles, his creative base among stars both literal and literary.
A Visionary Voice Reimagining Fantasy Through Filmic Precision And Emotional Depth
Award-winning author and screenwriter P.K. Silverson shares insights on crafting his six-part fantasy epic, reworking fairytales, and blending myth with human truths across richly imagined literary worlds.
P.K. Silverson is an author unafraid to trace the shadows behind the shimmer of fairytales. With a background steeped in the structured creativity of advertising and screenwriting, he brings to literature a precision that meets imagination head-on. His works, whether short stories that unpick the seams of folklore or epics that stitch new worlds from the thread of myth, pulse with both intellect and emotional depth.
At the heart of Silverson’s narratives is a fascination with transformation—be it moral, magical or mortal. From Truly Grim Tales, which strips fairytales of enchantment to reveal their raw human truths, to the six-book Magic Triangle saga where fable, fantasy and existential themes entwine, Silverson’s characters journey not only across realms but through the darkest corners of the self. There is wonder, yes, but always a reckoning.
His latest novel, On the Ball, marks yet another evolution in a career defined by reinvention. Through strong female protagonists, morally grey tricksters, and worlds tottering between ruin and rebirth, Silverson challenges genre conventions while staying tethered to the emotional heartbeat of his characters. His stories are more than escapism—they are invitations to reflect, reimagine, and believe anew.
Truly Grim Tales reimagines classic fables; what challenges did you face in balancing homage with originality?
Before there was the six-novel The Magic Triangle trilogy, my attention was drawn to short stories. I was working as an advertising copywriter, and short stories were a more practical way to channel my imagination into prose. The intention behind all the Tales was to remove the magical element from familiar stories to see how the characters would fare without fantastical intervention. Various styles were applied to the individual stories to complement their unique… and dark… character.
Troll Story shifts focus to a vengeful ex-Fairy Princess; what motivated this change in narrative perspective?
The first novel in The Magic Triangle trilogy was The Fairy’s Tale, created to present a happy ending as opposed to the Truly Grim Tales. I had no intention of writing a sequel, until I began wondering what happened to Silky, the wicked fairy princess doomed to exile by the Seelie Court. Not only was she cast out, she also turned into a troll. As it happens, trolls are quite telepathic, and quickly absorbed Silkie’s knowledge, turning them into formidable adversaries for the Fairy Fae, one of whom had induced their horrific fall from grace.
The Magic Touch culminates the trilogy with a battle against evil forces; how did you craft this climax to resolve the overarching themes?
Once empowered with fairy grace, the trolls seek revenge on the Seelie Court. That Silky has delivered a hybrid offspring more malevolent than his progenitors, things not only look bleak for enchanted sprites, they are all but wiped out by novel’s end. Magic has again passed from the narrative. Those who remain do so in mortal form.
The Book of Djinn introduces a dystopian world; how did you approach blending fantasy with social commentary?
This, of course, created a massive vacuum in fantasy. Further expansion was called for. Exploring the origins of fairies and generating the return of the Fae required a bleak real world desperate for new enchantment. The discovery that fairies share their hearts with genies created an opportunity to reintroduce magic into a hopeless world. I find it unsettling that the desolate projections in this book have actually come to pass.
The Mermayden’s Tayle features an immortal ocean deity; what drew you to intertwine mythological elements with human emotion?
Fortunately, magic has healing powers which can change the course of a story. The final two books in the Trilogy follow the course of events which led to this story. Mayim has a unique perch, descended from Djinn, able to move between worlds. It’s her fate to learn the true price of mortal love which must be paid in her immortal life. I have always gravitated toward strong, capable female characters and my Mermaid is one of my true favorites. She anchors my longest novel, and proves more than worthy.
In Lazy Fairy, Puck’s mischief leads to chaos; what inspired this deeper exploration of his character?
Constant to the Triangle is the meddling of Puck, he of Shakesperean fame. Born into the human world and then cast into the fairy realm, Robin Goodfellow brings a rage born of abuse and despair. Captivated by the beauty and malevolence of Silky, he sets out to destroy his rival by laying the blame for the trolls’ misfortune at Frisque’s feet. He is at the core of the inciting incident which sets off a story which radiates forward and backward through time and all six novels, showing the linear nature of daily life is but an illusion. To his surprise, and ours, he redeems himself despite his worst intentions and becomes that merry prankster he was always meant to be.
Your background includes screenwriting and musical theatre; how have these disciplines influenced your prose style?
Any writing project requiring a script automatically discards the rules of both prose and poetry. Screenwriting is a specific discipline with a rigid format and woe to anyone arrogant enough to think they can do it better. The movie industry requires conformity in this regard and turning in something outside the lines no matter how much “better” it might be is automatically ignored. The general mindset is that renegades are hard to work with and movie-making is collaborative. Most if not all movie executives will choose someone easy to work with over genius every time. As to the actual writing, moving back and forth between the two disciplines requires the flexibility to shift gears, and it isn’t always easy.
What advice would you offer aspiring authors seeking to create rich, fantastical worlds?
You gotta believe. Follow your bliss and for God’s sake come home to reality at night. Isolation sucks. Be a part of your world and enjoy those worlds you seek to create.
