Claudia Nicholson is a fiction writer based on the sunny island of Rhodes in Greece. Inspired by mythology, craft, and everyday moments, her work blends warmth, humour, and imagination. She has been writing since childhood and is currently at work on her debut fantasy novel.

Claudia’s story ‘War of the Needles’—in which a little girl connects her grandmothers to a mythological history of sewists versus knitters—features in THE BARE BONES BOOK OF SPECULATIVE FICTION. The anthology’s editor Tejaswinee Roychowdhury interviewed her to find out about her literary influences.

How do you perceive speculative fiction vis-à-vis the world around you?

Speculative fiction, to me, is a way of holding up a slightly crooked mirror to the real world. It takes the familiar—our habits, conflicts, relationships—and stretches them just far enough that we can see them more clearly. Introducing the impossible or the absurd often reveals truths that might otherwise go unnoticed. I’m especially drawn to the quieter side of speculative fiction, where the extraordinary slips into the everyday. A small magical detail or an unexpected twist in reality can illuminate something deeply human—curiosity, rivalry, love, or even the comfort of routine. In that sense, speculative fiction doesn’t feel like an escape from the world, but rather a different lens through which to understand it.

Who and/or what are some of your influences while writing speculative fiction?

I’m drawn to writers who blend imagination with humour and heart. Authors like Stephen Fry have influenced the way I approach mythology—treating ancient stories with both reverence and playfulness. I also admire the warmth and whimsy found in the work of Katherine Rundell, particularly in how she brings a sense of wonder to the smallest details. Beyond specific authors, I’m inspired by everyday creativity—craft, storytelling traditions, and the quiet magic of making things by hand. Sewing and crochet, in particular, often find their way into my work, shaping both the imagery and the themes I explore.

Tell us about the creative process behind your story.

‘War of the Needles’ began quite unexpectedly with a dream, not long after I had been reading Mythos by Stephen Fry. That same day, I had also been crocheting, which led me to idly wonder how far back crochet and knitting actually go—and whether one came before the other.

Somewhere between those thoughts and the dream, the idea of a mythological rivalry began to take shape. The story initially started out as something quite different, but as I wrote, it gradually took on a life of its own. It evolved naturally, eventually becoming ‘War of the Needles’ as it is now.

I often find that my creative process begins with a small spark—an image, a question, or even a passing thought—and then grows through exploration. In this story, a mix of mythology, craft, and imagination came together in a way that felt both playful and unexpectedly cohesive.