Writer
Where
Costi Gurgu was born in the ancient city of Tomis (now called Constanta), on the Black Sea. He later moved to Bucuresti (Romania), then London (UK) and finally Toronto (Canada).
How
He first discovered SF through “The Overlords of War” by Gerard Klein, which is an unusual time travel novel. He then read extensively through a large selection of Romanian and European SF&F writers before reading his first North American author. He actually thought for many years that his first American was A.E. Van Vogt, before discovering that Van Vogt was Canadian and Isaac Asimov became his first American SF author.
Beginings
Costi began writing while in primary
Short Story Debut
In 1993, while in university, Costi made his debut in the Science Fiction Journal, with the short story Wonderful
Awards
Costi has won 26 awards for his writing and has published over 50 stories in different magazines and anthologies across two continents.
Book Debut
His story collection entitled “
His debut book was soon followed by several anthologies and shared-world novels coordinated by him.
Novel Debut
Costi wrote his first novel, “Retetarium” (Recipearium), in 1994 and was awarded the Nemira Award. It was published in 2006, by Tritonic Publishing Group. It gathered two more awards after publication, the Vladimir Colin Award
Recipearium represents a
Where
Costi lives in Toronto with his wife, Vali, in a flat turned design studio/art workshop.
Email Costi:
costi(at)costigurgu.com
European Writer
Although he wished there wasn’t any difference between European and American genre writing, the reality is different. Costi has learned the differences and the specifics, and wishes to appeal to North American readers as he’s done with his Romanian ones. He hopes one day to combine the two different cultures and produce glorious hybrid stories that will appeal to both readership groups equally.
Until then, he only insinuates some Romanian fantastic and mythological nuances into his North American stories.
Art Director
In his day job, Costi is an Art Director / Graphic Designer / Illustrator.
He has been the Art Director of publications like Playboy Magazine, Madame Figaro (French fashion magazine), and Tabu (life style women magazine) and has co-created the graphic concepts for several other brands, such as Canadian Investment Guide Magazine and ETF Guide Magazine.
He also designs and illustrates magazine and book covers, being twice finalist for the Aurora Awards.