Nice Makes Write: Interviewed by Robert Runté

Here it is! Robert Runté's interview of me in today's issue of Strange Horizons. The photo was taken by Patrik in La Vale de Jakmel, Ayiti (Haiti) in 2006. That's mayi boukonen I'm eating and it is yummy and CHEWY!

Nice Makes Write: An Interview with Casey Wolf

By Robert Runté

8 February 2010

Casey Wolf is the author of numerous speculative short stories, several of which were recently collected as Finding Creatures & Other Stories by C. June Wolf.

Wolf’s stories represent a uniquely Canadian approach to fantasy: where others write about the astronaut hero, she writes about the father who is left behind; where others write about planetary conquest, she writes about multiculturalism and the respect for alien life; where others write about revenge, she writes about reconciliation; where others write stories filled with sound and fury signifying nothing, her stories quietly engage the reader in the real lives of ordinary people—who become extraordinary because they have imagination, perspective, courage—and above all—integrity.

Yet, unlike a lot of CanLit, her stories are never depressing or dry. The speculative element makes her stories both more interesting and, in some strange sense, more real than other Canadian literature exploring the same themes. Consequently, I really wanted to ask Casey about her writing, and how her settings, themes, and characters reflected her Canadian upbringing. She graciously agreed to this interview.

Wolf: Not all of my characters do the right thing. But when they don’t, there are repercussions—not in terms of divine (or authorial) retribution, but in the same terms as life. I don’t see this as being about niceness, or characters putting others ahead of themselves. It’s more about integrity, something some of my characters summon up with ease where others struggle with it. When we live without integrity, we suffer the consequences: greater isolation, with all the lack of resource—emotional and psychological, at least—that that implies; lower self-regard (on whatever level we are honest with ourselves); an extinguishment of a sense of belonging and all-for-oneness that gets human communities through long periods of difficulty and want. In other words, supposedly selfish behaviour actually drags the individual down. We don’t like ourselves as much, and no one else holds us in such high regard, either. And we don’t heal from our wounds, but carry them around sequestered behind our defenses.

To read the whole article go to Nice Makes Write.

Dr. Robert Runté is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge and co-edited (with Yves Meynard) the Tesseracts5 SF anthology. He has won two Auroras as an SF critic and was Fan Guest at the 52nd WorldCon. He is a regular reviewer for NeoOpsis Magazine.

Strange Horizons (www.strangehorizons.com) is a weekly web-based magazine of and about speculative fiction. The term "speculative fiction" refers to what is more commonly known as "sci-fi," but which properly embraces science fiction, fantasy, magic realism, slipstream, and a host of sub-genres. The magazine was founded in September 2000, and as we said then:

[Speculative fiction is] important to the world. These stories make us think. They critique society. They offer alternatives. They give us a vision of the future—and warn us of the potential dangers therein. They help us understand our past. They are full of beauty, and terror, and delight.

Even as the print publishing market for speculative fiction has contracted, the genre has expanded. A new generation of writers and artists has emerged: multicultural, non-traditional, willing to step past clichés. Strange Horizons hopes to give these rising stars another place to shine.

Strange Horizons has an all-volunteer staff, which enables us to pay our fiction and poetry writers professional rates. We are committed to expanding the readership, professional status, and literary appreciation of speculative fiction in all media, for all people.

Women Who Run With the Werewolves: My BBB Video Interview

Here she be. The Dreaded Webcam Interview. Worked out pretty well, all in all. If you look carefully you will see a hand-made clay pot in the background. I did that! With a little help from Persimmon Blackbridge, many long year ago. It's a copy of a neolithic owl goddess pot.

If you want to read the comments and questions post-interview, they're at:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11068

Cheers!
Casey

Chat & Interview a Raving Success! (Or am I Just Raving 'Cause I'm Tired???)

Who'da thunk typing for 14 hours could be so FUN?

OK, I was a wreck afterward, but I had a wonderful time talking with the people who came to my chat. We racked up over a hundred comments, and the conversation ranged over some really interesting stuff. I suppose it will remain up there on the Bitten By Books site - it's rather too long to post here! - so if you are curious you can pop over to Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf and leaf through the comments.

I find I am on tenterhooks, waiting to see who won the contest and what I will be writing for them. It's neat to be as eager about the prize as the particpants were!

I'm grateful to everyone who came and participated, and to Rachel for making the whole thing possible. And now I think I'll sleep for a thousand years.

Cheers!
Casey

We're Live!

Wow. What an interesting experience this interview, chat, & contest at Bitten By Books is turning out to be! Rachel (our bitten leader) knows what she is doing, and offers so many ways for readers and writers to connect. I'm just blown away.

If you are around between now and 11 or so tonight, come on-site and leave a comment, ask a question. I look forward to writing the prizes!

Cheers,
Casey

Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf

Posted under Contests, Interviews, Videos, Vlogs by Site Hostess on Wednesday 23 September 2009 at 8:33 am

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:30 am CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat.

PLEASE KEEP SPOILERS TO A MINIMUM. Not all of the readers today have read Casey’s book.

Interview:

Hi Casey!

Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!

I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Casey’s book Finding Creatures & Other Stories.

Please Note: For best results in watching the video. Hit play and let the video load completely. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to load depending on your internet service.

RSVP for extra chances to win AND See Me Make a Fool of Myself on Video!

I just got wind that anyone hoping to be there for the interview, chat, and contest on the 23rd will get 50 extra entries into the draw if you RSVP ahead of time. Here is the link:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=10376

You still need to show up for the online event, write a comment and ask a question to be entered into the draw. To my delight there are already 20 people signed up, each eager for a story written for her. I'm so psyched! This has got to be the most fun promotion I've done. See you there!

(Oh, and I've acquired a webcam and am making bad but friendly videos for the event.. See the bottom of this post.)

Toodles, Casey

The Full Poop:

RSVP For: 9/23 Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf

Posted under Contests, Site News by Site Hostess on Saturday 19 September 2009 at 7:42 pm

UPCOMING EVENT: 9/23 Interview and Contest with Author C. June Wolf. Event starts at 10:30 am Central on 9/23. Contest runs until 11:59 pm PDT on 9/27.

Description: Join us with author C. June Wolf for an interview, chat and contest at http://bittenbybooks.com/. She is also giving away some amazing prizes to THREE lucky readers! Contest is open to readers worldwide except where noted.

Prize 1: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.)

Prize 2: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See Prize 1 above for details.

Prize 3: An Amazon gift card worth $40.00 CDN at the Amazon that serves your area (.ca, .com, .uk).

RSVP below and get 50 entries to the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, you won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out Casey’s website here and get your questions ready for Wednesday. http://cjunewolfden.blogspot.com/

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1. Comment by Lexie — September 19, 2009 @ 9:27 pm

   RSVP

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2. Comment by Shaine K. — September 19, 2009 @ 9:28 pm

   WoW what great prizes!! RSVP!!
   Can’t wait to find out more about this Author =)

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3. Comment by Melanie Schultz — September 19, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

   I love the idea for this contest.

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4. Comment by Raonaid Luckwell — September 19, 2009 @ 9:33 pm

   That is actually sort of neat, prize 1, though I really doubt I have the luck for that.. But RSVP!

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5. Comment by Alejandra — September 19, 2009 @ 9:42 pm

   RSVP! It sounds so exciting!

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6. Comment by Rose G. — September 19, 2009 @ 11:54 pm

   RSVP
   Oh my God, the prizes are amazing!!!!!! This is will be awesome! Thank you so much for doing this!

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7. Comment by LouLou — September 20, 2009 @ 4:12 am

   Love the idea to help another good author write in the genre I love.
   would love to win the 1st prize as it would make my sister green with envy lol

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8. Comment by Cyd J — September 20, 2009 @ 4:46 am

   RSVP

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9. Comment by Cyd J — September 20, 2009 @ 4:48 am

   RSVP Those are some wonderful prizes.

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10. Comment by Tracey (bl0226) — September 20, 2009 @ 5:48 am

    RSVP

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11. Comment by Dina — September 20, 2009 @ 6:58 am

    sounds like fun, I’ll be there.

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12. Comment by Elie N — September 20, 2009 @ 8:06 am

    rsvp

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13. Comment by Patricia Barraclough — September 20, 2009 @ 8:44 am

    This is my RSVP. Will be there.

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14. Comment by Bridget H. — September 20, 2009 @ 10:37 am

    I’ll be here

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15. Comment by Candy Gorcsi — September 20, 2009 @ 1:01 pm

    RSVP!!! Awesome prizes, would love to win!

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16. Comment by Kate Boardman — September 20, 2009 @ 1:08 pm

    I really like this competition idea…how bloody marvellous. Count me in.
    *Kate is sending her RSVP loud and clear*

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17. Comment by Sharon K — September 20, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

    I’ll be here for sure
    RSVP

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18. Comment by Heather C — September 20, 2009 @ 3:18 pm

    rsvp

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19. Comment by Michele H — September 20, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

    RSVP

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20. Comment by Lisa Richards — September 20, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

    RSVP

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21. Comment by M.A. — September 20, 2009 @ 6:41 pm

    RSVP

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22. Comment by C. June Wolf — September 20, 2009 @ 7:06 pm

    Wow! So cool! Actual people! I look forward to talking with you all on Wednesday.

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Want Me to Write You a Story? Come to My Interview & Chat

It's true. If you enter, and win, I will write you a poem or a story (after consultation with you), and send you a copy of my book. Heck, I'll even phone you up and read you what I wrote, if you like. Or you may win a gift certificate for the Amazon of your choice. (You don't even have to tell me her name.)

So, Casey, tell me more.

On 23 September I'll be doing an interactive interview with Rachel at Bitten By Books, then settling down to answer questions and chat with whoever logs in to talk with me that day. If you have some spare time I'd love to have you stop in for a blab.

When it came time to decide what treasures to give away for the contest part of the event, I thought, why not do something fun? I could give a gift bag or gift certificate - but with a gift bag, what's fun for me might be ho hum for someone else. Could I be sure I wasn't the only one who'd enjoy an Insects of the World shower curtain???

I discovered some time ago that I like writing to themes. Normally I sit down and just write. But sometimes there is a theme that attracts my attention and I decide to write a story for it. I end up in places I might never have gotten to otherwise. (No, not the St. John's jail. That was something else altogether.) I like that.

So here is what I'm offering:

One Prize: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.) Another Prize: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See One Prize above for details. And Another Prize: An Amazon gift card worth $40 CDN at the Amazon that serves your area (.ca, .com, .uk…).

There are a number of ways you can enter the contest - I don't recall them all but they'll be posted on the day. They involve things like buying a copy of my book, blogging or tweeting about it, asking me a question - nothing too painful.

So think about it. What genre would you like to test me on? Want to be in your own story? Want to hear about Giant Pandas on the moon? Whatever. Ask, and you shall receive.

Cheers,
Casey

Amazing Interview Stats

I was in touch this week with Irma Arkus, of HiSciFi.com, who interviewed me at VCon 33. In the course of conversation I remarked to her that although there was only one comment left below my interview, I knew of several people who had listened and enjoyed it. This is her reply:


Feedback is the hardest thing in the world. But to make you feel a bit better, the interview itself has been downloaded 168 times, and on Mininova, the show that features the interview has been downloaded 751 times and counting.

 The general interviews receive over 500 downloads off site, and are listened to over 100 times - it just takes a little while. That is only the "tip of the iceberg" so to speak, because most of them on average are downloaded (in a course of a 60 day period) over 3000 times. That is of course, only based on information available from sites I monitor, and these files tend to travel wide and far.

 I've worked at CTV for Vicki Gabereau show, and this nation-wide broadcast program, that was distributed daily, kind of like Oprah, had but a handful of emails and responses. So, trust me, even though it may seem like little, the fact that there are thousands of people who go out of their way to visit the sites and intentionally download the interviews, is quite amazing. This is not a show that is handed to listeners on a silver platter. They don't "incidentally" hear bits and pieces of it, but look for it, intentionally. I always thought that that is amazing.

 Anyways, I just hope that makes you feel a bit better. And do let me know if you write any new material that you would like to promote.

Sincerely,
Irma Arkus

HiSciFi @ VCon: C. June Wolf, author of Finding Creatures & Other Stories

• Great interview!

New Stories Seeking Heat; Interview on HiSciFi.com

Hi! Too many silent nights since posting.

Not a lot to report in my quiet little world. A visit to family, four new stories and creeping along on The Novel. (I never pictured myself in that situation. A draft of a novel done and then tons more to do on it. I've always been a hit and run short story gal, myself. Lucky I like the book!)

The stories are "Spirits Rising" (changed to "Dreamcatcher", about a white artist who uses Haidi designs in her work--work that has deeper effects than she dreams, a metaphorical horror story that I am publishing under a pseudonym, a look into Irish culture in "Brideóg"*, and a nonspeculative story of a simple woman and her love of books.
(This wonderful picture, by the way, shows the station at KDLR radio, 1971.)

To my delight, HiSciFi.com has posted the interview they did with me at VCon in October. It is weird to listen to myself, but perhaps you will enjoy it. Here's a quote from one satisfied listener:

Just finished listening, and really enjoyed it. You handled yourself very well. I know the feeling of listening to your own interview--they could do that instead of waterboarding--but truly, you came off as very intelligent and self-assured. The kind of writer where people say, I trust that person to write something I'll enjoy.



Melanie Fogel,
Past Editor, Storyteller Magazine

HiSciFi @ VCon: C. June Wolf, author of Finding Creatures & Other Stories

• Artist: Irma Arkus
• Title: HiSciFi @ VCon: C. June Wolf, author of Finding Creatures & Other Stories
• Length: 14:50 minutes (13.59 MB)
• Format: Mono 22kHz 128Kbps (CBR)
• We got to meet C. June Wolf during V-Con and she is not only an incredible author, but an amazing human being to boot! Wolf travels and often work in Haiti, which is of course, why so many of her stories are filled with the myth and voodoo of foreign lands.
  Tune in and check out her upcoming book: Finding Creatures & Other Stories
  
   

  • Tue, 01/13/2009 - 22:27 Posted by irma | Books | Download audio file
    
  
  
  
  

* "Brideóg" will be published in Escape Clause, edited by Clelie Rich and published by InkOinkArt. The reading period is still open. If you would like to submit your work of poetry or fiction 2000-5000 words, check out this link.Happy writing, reading, listening, and publishing. Be well, all!

Casey

Internet Interview

I was interviewed at VCon by Irma Arkus of Hi-Sci-Fi (Friday is Alright for Nerding): The Ultimate Geek Radio Show. We were in the swanky penthouse boudoir of Con Chair Danielle Stephens at Surrey's Compass Point Inn. The show airs on the internet Fridays 5-6 PM PST at 90.1 FM (CJSF) and my interview will be archived on the website when it is done being edited.

I am as curious as anyone else to know what I said. I'd been told it was for a student radio program, so I thought, great! No one will ever hear it! Consequently I was fairly playful and unguarded in my thoughts...

Oh, oh.

Well, time will tell.