Karen is another author whose works I haven't read yet, but is most definitely on my "To Read" list. I also haven't met her. However, she's someone I can't wait to sit down with somewhere quiet and have a long conversation. I've been having fun getting to know her through the few emails we've exchanged. Unfortunately, this first round of questions doesn't do her justice. I'll do better on the next batch, I think. That said, you really should read her novel. It sounds facinating and unusual.
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How does it feel to be nominated for the Campbell Award?
Very surprising, pleasantly surprising! I forgot about the two-year eligibility, so it feels as if this comes during a career lull (my debut novel was 2010, my next novel will be early 2013).
Tell us about the work (2010-2011) which contributed to your nomination.
Redemption in Indigo is based on a West African folk tale about a woman who gets rid of a bad husband. I read the original in an anthology of folk tales from around the world and it stood out from the traditional happy-ever-afters. The original tale was very realist – no talking insects, no trickster spiders, no undying beings – but I added them and changed the setting to a fictional Afro-Indo-Caribbean continent. Information on award wins and nominations, and links to reviews can be found on my website at http://merumsal.wordpress.com/redemption-i
Where can your work(s) be found?
Small Beer Press published the US edition of Redemption in Indigo and has the paperback and ebook available on their site. There’s an audiobook by Recorded Books, narrated beautifully by Robin Miles and also on Amazon's Audible.com, Barnes & Noble, etc.) The UK edition was recently published by Jo Fletcher Books/Quercus. A larger list of bookseller and publisher links is available in the sidebar of my website.
What book did you read as a child that made you into a reader?
I honestly can’t pick one book. I’ve been a reader as far back as I can remember. I can tell you the oldest book I’ve kept out of sheer affection, and that’s Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss.
How did you learn how to improve your writing? Did you study writing in school? Attend workshops?
I’ve written a lot of non-fiction for research and academia in the social sciences, and also the military and civil service. That’s been excellent practice for learning structuring, clarity, varying styles and operating within the bounds of jargon. I’ve only done a few courses and workshops, some more useful than others.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?
For editing and plotting, I listen to music I can sing along to, like musicals, good R&B, some power ballads, and (when no-one can hear me) opera. If I’m trying to de-stress, I listen to dance music: soca, salsa, zouk. If I’m focusing really hard writing something just-so, I prefer jazz or classical music in the background with no lyrics to distract me.
If you were a super villain, what kind of secret lair would you have?
Definitely an underground lair with a library and a supercomputer! I’d need at least two sidekicks to run it efficiently, and one of them better know how to cook.
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How does it feel to be nominated for the Campbell Award?
Very surprising, pleasantly surprising! I forgot about the two-year eligibility, so it feels as if this comes during a career lull (my debut novel was 2010, my next novel will be early 2013).
Tell us about the work (2010-2011) which contributed to your nomination.
Redemption in Indigo is based on a West African folk tale about a woman who gets rid of a bad husband. I read the original in an anthology of folk tales from around the world and it stood out from the traditional happy-ever-afters. The original tale was very realist – no talking insects, no trickster spiders, no undying beings – but I added them and changed the setting to a fictional Afro-Indo-Caribbean continent. Information on award wins and nominations, and links to reviews can be found on my website at http://merumsal.wordpress.com/redemption-i
Where can your work(s) be found?
Small Beer Press published the US edition of Redemption in Indigo and has the paperback and ebook available on their site. There’s an audiobook by Recorded Books, narrated beautifully by Robin Miles and also on Amazon's Audible.com, Barnes & Noble, etc.) The UK edition was recently published by Jo Fletcher Books/Quercus. A larger list of bookseller and publisher links is available in the sidebar of my website.
What book did you read as a child that made you into a reader?
I honestly can’t pick one book. I’ve been a reader as far back as I can remember. I can tell you the oldest book I’ve kept out of sheer affection, and that’s Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss.
How did you learn how to improve your writing? Did you study writing in school? Attend workshops?
I’ve written a lot of non-fiction for research and academia in the social sciences, and also the military and civil service. That’s been excellent practice for learning structuring, clarity, varying styles and operating within the bounds of jargon. I’ve only done a few courses and workshops, some more useful than others.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?
For editing and plotting, I listen to music I can sing along to, like musicals, good R&B, some power ballads, and (when no-one can hear me) opera. If I’m trying to de-stress, I listen to dance music: soca, salsa, zouk. If I’m focusing really hard writing something just-so, I prefer jazz or classical music in the background with no lyrics to distract me.
If you were a super villain, what kind of secret lair would you have?
Definitely an underground lair with a library and a supercomputer! I’d need at least two sidekicks to run it efficiently, and one of them better know how to cook.
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