Stark Holborn Explained

Stark Holborn
Occupation:Writer
Notable Works:
  • Nunslinger (2014)
  • Triggernometry (2021)
  • The Factus Sequence trilogy (2021–2024)
Genre:

Stark Fairweather Holborn is a pseudonymous British writer of Western films and science fiction. She is known for her novel series, Nunslinger (2014)[1] and the British Fantasy Award shortlisted Triggernometry (2021). She was on the judging panel for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2021 and 2024.[2]

Early life

Holborn cites influence from Tamora Pierce, J. R. R. Tolkien, Philip K. Dick, Halo Jones, and Alan Garner.[3] She has also cited classic sci-fi films including Aliens and The Thing.[4]

Career

Holborn started writing at 19. After four years of drafting an unpublished book, she began writing Nunslinger.[5] The novel was first published as a series and later in a single volume.[6] The Guardian praised her work as "Witty and atmospheric, with a cliffhanger every few chapters."[7] She wrote and self published Triggernometry, which was nominated for the British Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 2021.[8] It was followed by Ten Low (2021), and subsequently sequels Hel's Eight (2023) and Ninth Life (2024).[9] [10]

Holborn is a games writer for the BBC, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Games, and the lead writer of Shadows of Doubt.[11] In both 2021 and 2024 she was one of the judges for the Arthur C. Clarke Award.[2] [12]

Themes

Themes in Holborn's work include choices, guilt and redemption, and how decision-making becomes harder under duress,[13] as well as the issues of free will and the 'importance of atonement'.[14] There is a strong feminist theme to her work, and a challenging of traditional gender roles.[15] On this topic she says: 'Maybe it's because the concept of the frontier has, for so long, been portrayed as a male-dominated space.... Female characters have also been used in the past as shorthand in the concept of manifest destiny: men deal with threats, often violently, clearing the way for women to bring the "civilising" concept of home and procreation to establish the future of a community".[15]

Reception

Holborn's novels have been variously described as Space Westerns,[16] weird fiction, horror, fantasy, and with literary elements.[17] They have been praised for their experimental structure, strong writing and fast-paced style.[18] Publishers Weekly describes Triggernometry as: "a crisply written space western brimming with hard living, villainy, and the search for redemption", and praises Holborn's ability to create "an immersive world".[19] Author Joanne Harris described Hel's Eight as: 'a wonderful fusion of Firefly and Joanna Russ, with an Ennio Morricone soundtrack'.[16]

Identity

Since the publication of Nunslinger, Holborn's identity has remained elusive. In 2014, The Guardian speculated that the author was probably male,[7] with The Herald making the same assumption.[20] The Irish Times commented on Holborn's mysterious identity, saying: "What is it with creatives from Bristol...? First Banksy, now Stark, hiding their true identities? Mind you, with work this good, who cares?"[21]

Personal life

Holborn lives in Bristol with her partner.[22]

Bibliography

Nunslinger

Triggernometry

Factus Sequence

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shurin . Jared . 2014-10-16 . The Best of the West: Jawin' with Nunslinger Author Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . Reactor . en-US.
  2. Web site: Stark Holborn . . 27 August 2024 .
  3. Web site: Dumpleton . Elise . 2021-05-30 . Q&A: Stark Holborn, Author of 'Ten Low' . 2024-07-11 . The Nerd Daily . en-AU.
  4. Web site: 2023-05-06 . Interviewing Stark Holborn — Runalong The Shelves . 2024-07-12 . Runalong The Shelves . en-US.
  5. Web site: Reader . Civilian . 2020-04-08 . Interview with STARK HOLBORN . 2024-09-07 . Civilian Reader . en.
  6. Web site: Dumpleton . Elise . 2021-05-30 . Q&A: Stark Holborn, Author of Ten Low . 2024-07-11 . The Nerd Daily . en-AU.
  7. News: Baddeley . Anna . 2014-03-30 . Meet the nun on the run who's a serial offender . 2024-07-13 . . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  8. News: 2021-09-27 . 2021 British Fantasy Awards Winners . 2024-07-12 . Locus Online . en-US.
  9. News: Lough . Carrie Chi . 2024-06-23 . Review: Ninth Life by Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . . en-AU.
  10. Web site: Ninth Life (The Factus Sequence) By Stark Holborn . . 2024-08-27 .
  11. Web site: An Interview with Stark Holborn . 2024-09-04 . IZ Digital . en-GB.
  12. Web site: 2024-05-13 . Arthur C. Clarke Award: Shortlist announced for sci-fi book award . 2024-07-11 . SciFiNow . en-GB.
  13. Web site: 2023-03-31 . The Big Idea: Stark Holborn . 2024-07-10 . John . Scalzi . John Scalzi . en-US.
  14. Web site: Lough . Carrie Chi . 2021-07-12 . Review: Ten Low by Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . Grimdark Magazine . en-AU.
  15. Web site: Hounsom . Lucy . 2020-04-02 . Five questions with Stark Holborn Breaking the Glass Slipper . 2024-07-12 . en-GB.
  16. Web site: Hel's Eight by Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . BSFA Review #21 . .
  17. Web site: Lawardorn . Damien . 2023-03-31 . Hel's Eight Review: A Thrilling Space Western Hard-Nosed Firefly . 2024-07-13 . The Escapist . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2021-08-29 . Book Review: Ten Low, by Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . At Boundary's Edge . en.
  19. Web site: July 13, 2024 . Ten Low by Stark Holborn . July 13, 2024 . www.publishersweekly.com.
  20. Web site: 2014-12-27 . Stark Holborn: Nunslinger (Hodder & Stoughton, £8.99) . 2024-07-13 . The Herald . en.
  21. News: Nunslinger by Stark Holborn . 2024-07-13 . . en.
  22. Web site: Dumpleton . Elise . 2021-05-30 . Q&A: Stark Holborn, Author of 'Ten Low' . 2024-07-11 . The Nerd Daily . en-AU.

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