It's with particular pleasure that I welcome Kathe Koja to Friskbiskit's Author Spotlight. Kathe and I have been friends for a long time. Back in the day, when I was a wet-behind-the-ears wannabe and she was a published author, Kathe was a generous and insightful mentor to me. Now I am proud to be her colleague.
When I found out that the new book she was writing included a romance between men, I immediately asked her to do an Author Spotlight. I've been hearing tantalyzing little snippets about Under the Poppy for some time, and now that it's out, I can't wait to read it. You should know that there is also an immersive theatrical production in the works, and be sure to check out the luscious book trailer.
BLURB:
Under the Poppy is the story of orphaned brother and sister Istvan and Decca and their childhood friend, Rupert, set in a Victorian-era brothel called Under the Poppy. The brothel is owned by Decca, who¹s in love with co-owner Rupert, who¹s in love with Istvan, who comes to town, louche puppet troupe in tow. Their desires clash against a backdrop of approaching war, as hearts are broken and lives are lost, and the townsmen seek refuge from it all by watching the floozies of the Poppy cavort with Istvan¹s naughty puppets
. . . It¹s a love story.
BUY LINK:
http://smallbeerpress.com/forthcoming/2010/05/06/under-the-poppy/
INTERVIEW:
1) Tell us about your recent publication.
Under the Poppy is a romance novel, a historical novel, a theatrical novel
of theatre: it's the love story of Istvan and Rupert, from their days as
busking street boy puppeteers to the risky world of highest society, through
war, separation, jealousy, and betrayal: sometimes apart, but never to be
parted.
Under the Poppy is literally hot off the presses as I write this, being
published by Small Beer Press, a well-respected publisher of fantasy and
literary fiction, founded by Kelly Link and Gavin Grant. Small Beer Press
books have been chosen as best of the year by Booklist, Time Magazine,
Salon, Village Voice, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Locus, so my
gentlemen of the road are in very excellent company. It's my first time
working with Gavin and Kelly, and it's been a wonderful ride.
2) What gave you the idea for this story?
I can never really point to the genesis of any of my novels, but I
absolutely remember a little yellow sticky note that read "les mecs", the
collective identity of Istvan's traveling puppets. Once I had them, I had
him; and once I had him, I had Rupert. And away we go....Having that
partnership between them of theatre, of passionate performance, since their
very earliest days together, was a wonderful way to be able to explore their
intimate relationship as well. We all wear masks for our lovers, we all
enact roles, but for these two, the masks are visible. And the stage is a
juicy arena for confrontation and desire, especially at a brothel!
This is also my longest novel ever - by far - and the chance to explore a
long, rich, conflicted relationship between these two men was a marvelous
challenge. We go through stages as we go through life, we change, we
regress, we struggle, and we hurt each other, even the one we love most in
the world. Love doesn't mean everything will always be all right, but it
does mean that the commitment, the daily passion, is always there. For a
writer, this is intensely fertile ground, and I tried to make the very best
of it that I could.
3) Who has inspired you, and how?
I'm always inspired by reading strong and original voices: Emily Bronte,
Arthur Rimbaud, Emily Dickinson, Flannery O'Connor, Christopher Marlowe,
Oscar Wilde; I consider them, if it's not too presumptuous to say so, as
literary patron saints. Reading and studying their work makes me know what's
possible, what heights fiction and poetry can reach, and I can't help but be
inspired to work harder every time out.
4) How did you start writing?
I moved from reading to writing at about age five; as soon as I knew what it
was, I wanted to do it. I didn't start trying to do it professionally until
my twenties, though, after attending the Clarion Workshop (then held at
Michigan State University, since moved on to UC San Diego). Clarion gave me
the confidence to actually get out there and market the work I was doing.
My first novel came out in 1991, and I've been lucky enough to work in all
sorts of genres, from SF to horror to YA to contemporary fiction, now to
historical romance, and even for the stage - I've adapted Under the Poppy
for an immersive theatrical production that will be staged in 2011 at the
Detroit Opera House, so now I'm a playwright, too! My work has allowed me to
dream enormous dreams, meet very cool people, travel, and stretch myself as
a reader as well as a writer - I'm really grateful to Clarion for putting me
on the path, and to Mom for putting those first books into my hands.
5) Was there a time when you almost gave up? What made you keep going?
I wouldn't say give up - I could no more voluntarily give up writing than I
could give up breathing - but I've certainly had times of confusion and
discouragement throughout my career, times when I wondered why a book wasn't
going at all as I'd hoped and planned, or why a book I'd written hadn't
sold, or what the hell was going on with publishing anyway?! And every time,
what brought me back was love. I love so much what I do, what I attempt to
do every day - remake the world in words - that that pleasure and that
commitment is always strong and vital enough to overcome any momentary
despairs. And what love affair doesn't have its ups and downs, right?
6) If you could change one thing about the publishing industry, what would
it be?
I would like publishing as a whole to remember that it's a business based on
truthful fantasy and eternal ephemera, and then act accordingly. We're not
selling tire gauges here, dudes; let's take some chances.
7) What have you always wished someone would ask you? Now answer!
Would you like Emily Dickinson's private email address? Yes! Oh hell yes I
would.
Thanks Kathe! Great having you here and all the best with the book.
Here's a link to an excerpt from Under the Poppy.
And here are some upcoming appearances Kathe will be making:
Oct. 28-31 World Fantasy Convention
— Columbus OH
Nov. 10 Common Language Bookstore
— Ann Arbor MI
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