In the vibrant world of online literary discussions, Adrian M. Gibson has emerged as a significant voice, especially with the release of his new novel, *A Murder Most Fungal*, available starting today. Known as the father of fungalpunk, Gibson has shared insights into his journey as an author, the inspirations behind his latest work, and his experiences in the publishing realm during a recent interview.
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Gibson, a Canadian residing in Ecuador, has a diverse background that includes roles as a book designer, illustrator, podcaster, and tattoo artist. He recently joined Grimdark Magazine as Publishing Project Manager for their line of sci-fi and fantasy novellas. His first novel, *Mushroom Blues*, released over two years ago, has sold over 5,000 copies and gained critical acclaim, even tying for first place in Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off.
Reflecting on his growth as a writer, Gibson noted the balance between marketing and creativity. He mentioned that while promoting *Mushroom Blues* was fruitful, it at times hindered his creativity, leading him to doubt his capability to follow up with a new story. Nevertheless, working on both *A Murder Most Fungal* and his piece in the upcoming *Book of Spores* anthology rekindled his creative spirit and allowed him to build a sustainable writing routine.
Food is a central theme in *A Murder Most Fungal*, seen through the perspective of a fungal chef named Pocho Jiro. Gibson expressed his passion for food as a lens through which cultural understanding can flourish, stemming from formative experiences of cooking and traveling worldwide.
Throughout the interview, Gibson addressed themes of moral complexity in his characters. He delves into the dark aspects of humanity, highlighted by the duality of his protagonists Henrietta and Pocho. The multifaceted nature of storytelling and the challenge of portraying flawed characters reflect Gibson’s own experiences and observations.
He shared that collaborations with other authors and creators, including for his podcast, have significantly influenced his writing. For instance, Jim Butcher's insights into scene structure deeply impacted his approach to character dynamics and narrative pacing.
Gibson’s future projects include a graphic novel set in the Fungalverse and an audio drama, alongside plans for more anthologies. He aims to see the Fungalverse extend beyond literature into multimedia platforms such as comics and video games.
In closing, when asked about his favorite meal, Gibson reminisced about an unforgettable octopus stew he enjoyed in Croatia. The experience intertwined the beauty of local culinary traditions with personal significance, a testament to his philosophy where food acts as a universal connector among people.
With *A Murder Most Fungal*, Gibson invites readers into a world of culinary exploration intertwined with intricate narratives, showcasing the powerful impact of storytelling.