About Elle F. Kingsley:
Elle F. Kingsley is an award-winning emerging tech researcher, journalist, presenter, and speculative fiction author recognised among the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics and TechWomen 100 honourees. She draws on her experience working with cutting-edge technologies like large language models in big tech, weaving her deep understanding of technology, society, and policy into her dystopian sci-fi narratives—as well as her legal technology studies specialising in cyberlaw, AI, data protection and privacy. These legal insights inform her work on the ethical and regulatory frameworks that will shape the digital future.
As a futurist, Next Generation Foresight Practitioner, and Next Generation Champion with the School of International Futures, Elle explores the complex interplay between humanity and emerging technologies, crafting stories that examine their impact on our future.
What inspires you to write?
The interplay between technology, policy, and the human condition inspires me. My background as a futurist and technologist allows me to envision alternative worlds — plausible futures where innovation, societal values, and the fragility of humanity meet. As such, writing allows me to explore these "what-ifs" in depth, offering readers an imaginative yet reflective lens into the possibilities ahead.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Mostly, I gravitate toward thinkers and dreamers — those who challenge reality's boundaries and our moral compasses. Orwell, Huxley, and Kafka are staples in my literary diet, as are Voltaire and Zamyatin.
Equally, I enjoy works that provoke thought, such as Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 or Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation. There’s something exhilarating about books that cause you to question everything you know!
Tell us about your writing process.
Somehow, I balance meticulous planning with creative chaos. My process begins with a collection of notebooks that are as much a reflection of my thoughts as they are tools — filled with sketches, mind maps, and fragments of ideas. There's something particularly grounding about traditional pen and paper which fuels my imagination throughout the planning stage.
Although my preparation is precise, the writing itself is immersive. I write in bursts of intense focus, often disappearing into the worlds I’ve created for hours — or even days. Time tends to slip away as I explore those spaces completely. After these creative sprints, I let the story rest, stepping back to let it breathe. Returning to it later feels fresh, as though I’m rediscovering it alongside my readers.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Absolutely. For me, writing feels like a blend of method acting and lucid dreaming! My theatre background likely plays a role as my process includes embodying each character, playing out interactions as though live on stage or watching a film unfold.
This immersive process brings a sense of authenticity and nuance to every scene, making it an exciting journey of discovery for both me and my characters.
What advice would you give other writers?
Rejection is part of the journey, and sometimes, it simply isn’t your time yet, but that’s okay! Every rejection is a stepping stone. The only way forward is to continue trying and experimenting with different styles while exploring new ways to tell your stories.
Furthermore, never underestimate the power of reading. Read widely across genres and styles to find inspiration and learn what works and what doesn't. What do you enjoy? What made your favourite story unforgettable? Every book you read becomes a silent mentor, helping you grow into the writer you’re meant to be.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Publishing, for me, is about alignment. Each story has its own path, its own journey, at the time that's right for you. Sometimes, it's not always meant to be, and that's okay.
Applying to publications and publishers has allowed me to collaborate with those who share my vision, lending credibility and connection to my work. My writing journey from If It Flies, It Dies, which won a runner-up award in Voice Magazine, to Spun Stories by Myth & Lore and now The Last Garden, first featured in Futurescapes Zine and now extended with Pariah Tales, reflects this balance between creative control and the right partnerships.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
We’re at an intriguing crossroads for the future of storytelling. Technology has democratised storytelling, and now doors are opening for diverse voices and unconventional narratives. There's now a reader for any story.
However, this abundance is creating many challenges, such as oversaturation, fleeting attention spans, and a thirst for the next big thing. I believe the future belongs to those who create with intention, blending the old-world craftsmanship of storytelling with innovative ways of reaching readers.
The question isn’t just how to stand out but how to create work that is so timeless that it demands to be found.
What genres do you write?: Sci-fi, dystopian, dystopian sci-fi, specultative fiction, literary short stories, Science Fiction
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Elle F. Kingsley Home Page Link
Link To Elle F. Kingsley Page On Amazon
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
