Seren follows an art dealer whose pursuit of a dead painter’s final work leads him into a surreal spiral of obsession, identity, and the dangerous power of the muse. What was the inspiration for the set-up of your story?

SEREN is a follow-on to the short story, “Deadfall”, which appeared in the New Guard anthology published a few years ago. Four of the major characters in “Deadfall”—Moss, Seren, Bainbridge, and Haller—are part of the main cast of SEREN. Moss only makes a cameo appearance in the short story but was thrust into a larger role in the novel.

How did your background as a visual artist shape the way you wrote the more surreal or atmospheric passages in the book?

As a painter and Art Professor, I’ve long been intrigued by the nature of artistic inspiration. To personify such a mysterious and elusive element requires the creation of a powerful, and equally mysterious and elusive creature—someone who, through various attributes, can assist artists in transcending themselves. With her, they are able to enter a state of intense limerence where no effort to please is too great.

The muse/artist relationship has generated much interest over the years, by both art critics and social critics. The idea of a deadly muse isn’t original on my part, but the concept of a personification of inspiration/genius always seemed a two-edged sword to me. The fact that history often chooses to diminish or ignore the role of the muse made the job all the more intriguing. The muse’s true story is only hinted at in the novel, but she inhabits the book as much as Moss—just in a different way. The relationship is very much that of lovers.

Margaret Atwood in her essay “MacEwen’s Muse” examines the nature of the muse (this time male) as experienced by Gwendolyn MacEwen the Canadian poet.

“I now know a language so beautiful and lethal

My mouth bleeds when I speak it.

Gwendolyn MacEwen

“You now comprehend your first and final lover

In the dark, receding planets of his eyes

And this is the hour when you know moreover

That the god you have loved always

Will descend and lie with you in paradise.

Gwendolyn MacEwen

I think the ecstasy of the muse could be described as a euphoria so intense it could easily be mistaken as agony.

Fairchild is such a vivid character. Did you always envision him as the protagonist, or did he evolve during the writing?

Moss is  composite character loosely based on three individuals I’ve known for a long time. The art world is full of eccentrics, posers, and charlatans, as well as intelligent and talented individuals who are willing to sacrifice much of normal life for their calling. Moss is a flawed and failed human being who hopes to find meaning for his life. Selling the work of creators, but not able to create yourself is a heavy burden. Through Claudine he finds purpose, and connection. With Seren the last vestiges of his middleclass vanities are burned away.

What is the next book you’re working on, and when will it become available?

I’m currently in the middle of a follow-on novel to SEREN—working title AIX—which follows Moss and Claudine to Aix-en-Provence, France, where they pick up the trail of the muse. Given the verities of the publishing process, I’m guessing it will be released in 2026-27.

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