Edward Ahern, a celebrated author, combines a lifetime of adventure and imagination to craft unforgettable and diverse stories.
A Life of Adventure Shapes a Prolific Writing Career
Edward Ahern discusses his fascinating transition from intelligence and international roles to a celebrated writing career, offering insights on crafting stories, overcoming rejection, and melding life experiences into his creative process.
Edward Ahern, the acclaimed author of over 550 stories and poems and 12 books, is redefining the art of storytelling with his unique blend of life experiences and boundless creativity. From his earlier work in foreign intelligence and international sales to becoming a celebrated literary voice later in life, Ahern’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ahern’s impressive bibliography spans numerous genres, including fantasy, horror, noir, and literary fiction, with titles such as The Witch Made Me Do It, The Witches’ Bane, Capricious Visions, and Cautionary Visions. His exhilarating thriller, The Will of the Wisp, draws heavily from his work in international business and intelligence, delivering a snarky, noir-tinged narrative infused with suspense and romance. His most recent collection, As Noir As It Gets, cements his talent for weaving short stories that enthrall and grip readers.
In a recent interview, Ahern opened up about his decision to pursue writing at age 67, having already crammed a lifetime of adventures into pursuits including diving, distance running, international travel, and fly-fishing. “At 67, I’d done almost all of what I wanted to do, except for writing, which I’d put on hold,” Ahern said, reflecting on the turning point that launched him into his now-prolific literary career.
Ahern credits his global experiences—living in and visiting more than 75 countries and speaking four languages—with shaping his perspective as a writer. “Dealing with people in four languages knocked most of the provincial barnacles off my shell,” he shared, noting how this cultivated his appreciation for the richness of cultures and languages.
Despite his success, Ahern remains refreshingly humble, admitting the challenges of breaking into publishing. “Rejection is editorial comment… Once I receive more rejections than the fingers on one hand, I revisit the story and/or change the type of publication I submit to,” he explained, sharing useful advice for aspiring authors navigating the competitive literary landscape.
As lead editor of the Fairfield Scribes Micro Zine and a review board member at Bewildering Stories, Ahern also dedicates his expertise to mentoring other writers, reinforcing his role as a literary champion. For aspiring authors, he emphasises: “It’s important to write for oneself and then find the right audience.”
Praised for his originality, genre versatility, and commitment to the craft of writing, Edward Ahern is a beacon of inspiration to writers and readers alike. His imaginative works, nurtured by a rich tapestry of life experiences, continue to captivate audiences, proving that storytelling is timeless, boundless, and endlessly rewarding.
