‘A force to be reckoned with’– fantasy world pays tribute to Storm Constantine

Storm Constantine, the fantasy author and book publisher who has died at the age of 64, was a prolific novelist and short-story writer. Her work, dealing deeply with gender and sexual politics, was far ahead of its time.

Constantine came to prominence with her 1987 novel The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, which introduced her androgynous Wraeththu race and spawned two sequels, The Bewitchments of Love and Hate, and The Fulfillments of Fate and Desire. In a 2016 interview with the writer and editor Nerine Dorman, Constantine said of her bestselling series: “Wraeththu are simply how the human race would be if I could design it myself; androgynous, beautiful (mostly), magical and housed in a more efficient vehicle of flesh and blood.”

The author, who adopted the pen name Storm Constantine as her legal name, was initially published by the Orbit imprint of Macdonald Futura. Running the imprint just after her debut came out was John Jarrold, now a literary agent, who described her as “amazing, so original and full of life – that sums up both Storm and her writing … I remember with a smile on my face as I say this a Goth weekend in Leicester that she invited me to. She will be hugely missed.”

Although garnering a huge fanbase in the 1980s and 90s, Constantine became disillusioned with the publishing industry and in 2003 created the independent imprint Immanion Press. Through this she republished some of her own work and that of other writers. She actively encouraged her large fanbase to write fan fiction featuring her characters.

I had my first encounter with Constantine after she set up Immanion. I mainly knew her through Silverheart, her 2000 novel collaboration with Michael Moorcock. I had written my first novel, Hinterland, and struggled to get the attention of mainstream publishing companies. I submitted to Immanion in 2004 not knowing who was behind it, only realising when I got an email from Constantine saying she was going to organise an editor to look at it before publication.

“Erm, does this mean you’re publishing my novel?” I said. She replied immediately, “Well, of course I am!” as though it was the most ordinary thing in the world.

When Hinterland was published in April 2005, Constantine and her Immanion crew rocked up to Waterstones in Bradford for a launch do. She cut a colourful, flamboyant figure, enthusing loudly about pretty much everything. “It’s the first time we’ve had a book on display in Waterstones!” she yelled delightedly at the sight of the copies front-facing on the shelves.

Constantine was never less than wildly enthusiastic about all her books, including the three of mine that Immanion published. If her imprint had started as a way to get her own work back into print, it quickly evolved into a personal mission to bring books to readers that the mainstream publishers often overlooked.

Donna Scott, now a writer, editor and standup comedian, was assigned by Storm to edit Hinterland. “It’s no exaggeration to say she changed my life. She was so encouraging and supportive to new writers, and fan fiction writers, which is rare among writers held in similar esteem,” said Scott. “The heart of fantasy literature is going to ache from the loss of Storm. Not only was she one of the most powerfully unique and creative voices we had, but also a welcoming friend to new talent.

Constantine’s death was announced via her Facebook account on 15 January. She was described by her husband, Jim Hibbert, as a very private person whose death would come as a shock to many, except those who were closest to the couple.

His statement described her as “always an artist and a dreamer at her core”. He added: “Her creativity extended in many directions. She was distinctive for her gothic style and individual, alternative sensibilities. Although she referred to herself as a sceptic, she became a witch in her late teens, joining a local coven, but soon found it to be too restrictive for her taste. Instead she took an individual path, forming groups of like-minded friends, before going on to teach a range of esoteric subjects to others.”

In the 90s, Constantine also founded a fiction magazine with Jamie Spracklen, called Visionary Tongue, allowing her to publish fiction from the likes of Freda Warrington, Graham Joyce, and her great friend Tanith Lee, who died in 2015.

The tribute on her Facebook page added: “Storm was a vibrant presence, a force to be reckoned with. She was an artist and a dreamer who manifested her unique vision in her work and shared it with everyone. Writing was her passion and her impressive body of work is her legacy.”