© 2025
Ihor Sniatynchuk is a Ukrainian writer specializing in the genres of mysticism and horror and the author of the short story collection "Beznizhnist", which combines works with diverse atmospheres. In his writing career, Ihor strives to develop literature and organizes a series of literary evenings where authors can read excerpts from their works to an audience. Currently, Ihor is working on a new short story collection that will include both previously published works and new ones that have yet to see the light of day. He shared with Drive Music Media his thoughts on his writing journey, the collection Beznizhnist, his love for Ukrainian literature, and the challenges he has faced during russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Interviewer: How and when did your writing journey begin? Why did you choose this field?
Ihor: My writing journey began in my youth when I loved creating plots and imagining "what if" scenarios. I started writing my first stories when I felt my ideas "begging to come out". After that, I had a long break from creativity that lasted over ten years. Eventually, I realized that I couldn't live without writing. Now, at 37, I proudly call myself a writer. This field brings me immense satisfaction, as the time spent creating something new energizes and fulfills me.
Interviewer: Tell us about the short story collection Paper Topchik 4, where you contributed as an author. How did the work on this anthology begin, and what was your story about?
Ihor: The story of Paper Topchik 4 began with the literary competition Horrific Romance, which I co-organized with another author, Daria Hulvis. The competition aimed to combine love stories with dark, suspenseful plots. The best entries were selected for the anthology. As an organizer, I contributed my own story, Deadline, which appears in the second part of the collection, titled Finity. This felt symbolic, as the story itself is about endings. It tells the tale of a young man working for his father and a vengeful girlfriend.
Interviewer: Apart from collaborations, you are the author of your own short story collection, BezNizhnist. Tell us about it. What was the creation process like, and who are the main characters?
Ihor: BezNizhnist (ed. – Without Tenderness) is my debut collection of short stories, published in late 2023 after Serhiy, the founder of Flotilla, suggested I create a book. Although I primarily write mysticism and horror, this collection features 10 stories with diverse atmospheres – from light and almost naïve tales like The Little Witch and Coffee with a Bird to darker, more intense pieces such as Apple Compote. There are also classic horror stories, like Toothache. The characters are just as varied, from a superpowered goblin to metaphorical and literal monsters living within people.
Interviewer: How difficult is it to create characters? Are they inspired by real people, or do they come entirely from your imagination? Do you have a favorite character? Why?
Ihor: Creating characters is a fascinating process. Most of them come from my imagination, but occasionally, certain traits are subconsciously inspired by people I know. I describe my characters the way I see them in my mind. I love all of them – some are kind and sweet, others are cunning and cruel, but most are complex, embodying both good and bad traits.
Interviewer: Tell us about the anthology 100 Shades of Darkness. What was the writing process like?
Ihor: I was invited to contribute to 100 Shades of Darkness by its compiler, Zorian Kostiuk. He aimed to gather 100 chilling stories from various authors into one book. At the time, I was working on a horror story, Hotel "Vatra", featuring a protagonist who had previously appeared as a secondary character in BezNizhnist. When the opportunity arose to add another story, I reworked Frozen in the Mountains, expanding it and making the ending even more terrifying.
Interviewer: You also write poetry. Why did you decide to combine such different genres, and which is closer to you – poetry or prose? Why?
Ihor: Poetry allows me to express my inner feelings and experiences through rhythm and rhyme. Many of my poems revolve around love – mutual, unrequited, or nostalgic. For me, poetry reflects my internal emotions, while prose is about the external world. Both hold a special place in my heart, depending on the phase of life or mood I’m in.
Interviewer: How difficult is it to publish a book in modern Ukraine based on your experience? What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Ihor: Publishing a book in Ukraine has its challenges, especially with obstacles like rising printing costs, blackouts, and delays caused by events like the bombing of the Kharkiv printing house. However, there is also opportunity: readers are more eager to support Ukrainian authors. My advice to beginners is to share your work fearlessly, find beta readers, collaborate with illustrators, post on platforms like "Arkush", and create social media content. Most importantly, keep writing – only you can tell your story the way it should be told.
Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?
Ihor: I’m working on my second collection of short stories, which will include previously published pieces alongside new ones, as well as a story written back in the mid-2000s that I’ve never shared before. I’m also compiling a poetry collection and have several other projects in the pipeline, including two fantasy novels and another short story collection. My creative plans for 2025 are ambitious!
Interviewer: What is your mission as a writer?
Ihor: I want people to read more Ukrainian literature, and I strive to bring it closer to them. I organize literary evenings where authors can read excerpts from their works. One such project, PubLiturnyk, was held in a Lviv pub, allowing even casual visitors to experience Ukrainian literature in an informal setting. I believe literature should be accessible to everyone.
Interviewer: What single word best describes your professional activity, and why?
Ihor: Can it be two? Progress and self-improvement. Constantly, with every passing minute and every written word, I try to progress and improve myself. I believe that as long as I am developing, I am living, and I can create something for others. It is often said that life is movement. And indeed, it is. But this movement can either be constructive – leading to development and progress – or destructive, leading to decay and regression. So, I try to ensure that my movement forward leads to progress! I create new works and progress as an author, but I also live my life day by day, absorbing more and more new information, interacting with different people, and constantly striving to improve myself so that tomorrow I will be better than today.
Pictures were taken from social networks of Ihor Snyatyncuk
Milante Gothem is a Ukrainian writer and one of the authors of the mystical fantasy anthology 100 Shades of Darkness. She believes that, as cruel as it may sound, russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to the awakening of Ukrainian literature by cleansing the literary market of hostile works. Beyond her writing career, she also moderates a book club in her hometown and considers herself a highly versatile person. Milante shared with Drive Music Media the story of her writing journey, her contribution to 100 Shades of Darkness, and her plans to compile an anthology about mystical creatures in Ukraine.
Serhiy Kelmin is a Ukrainian writer and anthropologist who firmly believes that it is impossible to write science fiction while keeping a respectful distance from science. Anthropology is an essential part of his literary work, with its foundations reflected in his book Homo Eroticus: Love Attachment in the Mirror of Evolution. Serhiy shared his thoughts with Drive Music Media on the nuances of science fiction, his book Homo Eroticus: Love Attachment in the Mirror of Evolution, and the process of finding a publisher.
MOSAICS – a British rock band with indie elements, whose members aim to unite people through their music and actively participate in charity work. The band consists of two vocalist-songwriters, Stu Smith and Owen Castillo, drummer Josh Seetanah, and bassist El Modena. On January 31, they released their new song, "Different People", as a duet with British singer-songwriter James McCartney. The song is based on the autobiographical story of Stu and Owen’s move to London and the distance that had put in their relationships. Very soon, the band will perform live in London, where they will present "Different People" on stage. In an exclusive conversation, Stu, Owen, Josh, and El shared insights into the birth of MOSAICS, their collaboration with James McCartney, their charity work, and the meaning behind their band's name.
Sana Dutka is a Ukrainian writer and the author of the young adult novel Just the Way She Is, inspired by her friend, who became the prototype for the main character. Currently, she is working on children's books and does not want to limit herself to a single genre. Sana shared with Drive Music Media her thoughts on the beginning of her creative journey, her debut book Just the Way She Is, and the importance of communication with readers.
Olesia Reznichenko and Yuliia Rudakova are the Ukrainian founders of the transformational board game "Your Move". Each of them has a different professional focus – Olesia is an energy practitioner and MAC therapist, while Yuliia is a psychologist and the founder of the Academy for Transformational Game Facilitators. Despite their different backgrounds, they joined forces to create the "Your Move" transformational games festival. The festival's goal is to provide a space where people can not only have fun but also transform their lives through games. Your Move will take place in Düsseldorf on February 8. Olesia and Yuliia shared with Drive Music Media the story of how their collaboration began and the vision behind the festival.