I was lucky to get an interview with Joanna Maciejewska, the author of Humanborn, one of this year’s #SPFBO9 entries.
Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m Joanna, and I’m originally from Poland. When I was 26, I moved over to Ireland where I lived for 8 years. Then, I moved again, this time to the USA, and I already managed to live in two different states, one in the west, and one in the east. I’m a fantasy and science fiction writer, published in two languages, my native Polish and in English. When I don’t write, I’m probably either making art (traditional, digital, or 3D), playing video games, or reading. I’m definitely one of those recluse authors who sit all their days in their cozy “caves”: my social outings average one per year (if we’re being generous).
“...if you’re tired of settings in which the city is not much more than a name tag for a location, you might be pleasantly surprised by Humanborn...”
Why should I buy your SPFBO9 entry?
One thing that seems to echo in the reviews is that Humanborn is not a typical urban fantasy, and though it will appeal to the fans of the genre, it also offers something different than the usual vampires, werewolves, fae, and others somehow managing to exist in a hidden world within our own. Also, if you’re tired of settings in which the city is not much more than a name tag for a location, you might be pleasantly surprised by Humanborn as I lived in Dublin for 8 years and I strove to show it through an immigrant’s eyes in as authentic manner as possible.
Have you participated in the SPFBO before and where did you hear about the competition?
Yes, my debut book, By the Pact, which starts a now complete epic fantasy series, was in SPFBO 7. I don’t remember where I first heard about the competition, since I’ve been following it for a few years from a reader’s perspective. But I’m guessing it was Twitter. After all, sometimes it feels like all the good and bad comes from Twitter.
Why did you choose to write fantasy?
I always struggle to understand this question, as to me one writes what they know and what they love. I can’t imagine writing in a genre I don’t know or like, and on top of that, to do it well enough for the genre readers to love it. I’ve been reading fantasy and science fiction for over 30 years now, so it was natural that speculative fiction would be my genre and not, let’s say, thrillers or literary fiction. And I use the term speculative fiction on purpose, since what I am as a writer is a reflection of what I am as a reader. When I read, I don’t limit myself to a particular subgenre of either fantasy or science fiction, and I don’t intend to do so when I write. My first series was epic fantasy (more on the adventure and intrigue side than grimdark), and my second series is open world urban fantasy. There are such subgenres like portal fantasy or dark fantasy in my plans, and on the science fiction side, there’s cyberpunk and science fantasy… I just need time to write them all.
Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
I think every book I read influences me in some kind of a way. Sometimes it’s the feeling of having had a wonderful time reading that I want to gift to my own readers. Sometimes it’s inspiration. Sometimes it’s a lesson learned of what to do or not to do. A new word to add to my vocabulary. A new perspective of how things and situations can be described. I know the saying is “we are what we eat”, but we might also be what we read?
If you were to win the SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
Win? I’ll be delighted if my book makes it to semifinals! But to answer the question, I hope that it would help make readers aware of my books. Other than that, I can’t even imagine the possible effects… I’m just a small, introvert author telling her stories to bring escape to those who pick them up.
What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge is the fact that I’m a second language speaker. I might be fluent in English, but there will always be grammar slips that I won’t be able to spot myself. The solution, of course, is an editor who is familiar with working with non-native speakers, and I have a great one. The other challenge is reaching readers. As I decided I should serve all the readers in the world, regardless of where they live or which is their favorite online store, my books aren’t available in Kindle Unlimited which makes marketing a bit more tricky. And with many reviewers closed to requests, it’s hard to get the word out in an organic kind of way. This is, of course, an ongoing and never-ending challenge, and I guess it’s all too familiar to all the authors out there.
And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
At the moment, I’m focused on sequels to Humanborn which are Myth-touched and Snake-bitten. Next is a standalone portal fantasy, Memories of Sorcery and Sand, which I jokingly call my puzzle book as it’s a story about a woman who lost her memories told in dual timelines that will allow the reader to put the pieces together along with the main character. After that? I’m not sure. I have some projects started, and I’m currently in the process of building an exciting new world, so anything can happen.
Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
My biggest dream is to have enough time and resources to finish all of my creative projects. It’s not limited to all the books I want to write, but also includes other expressions of art and some craft as well: painting, sewing, digital and 3D art… It’s also a bit of an impossible dream, because as soon as I’m done with one project, I try to squeeze two more in.
That was some interesting answers. I wish you the very best in the SPFBO. I hope a lot of readers discover your writing. Thanks for doing the interview.
