2021 Mentee Interviews

Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you, what do you write, and what are you working on right now?

I'm a scientist who spies on wildlife using cameras, and, I guess, an author? I write the kind of things that I want to read: ecological science-based fantasy with some cosmic horror and very little romance. Right now, under the guidance of my agent Ernie Chiara, I'm working on editing my first novel for submission to editors this fall.

What kind of stories are you interested in exploring in your career as an author?

(laughs awkwardly at 'career') I'm interested in exploring the way intimacy can hurt and heal? I want to look at relationships between people who you would not want to be close to. I'm also interested in exploring how people and societies face huge upheavals.

What's the best thing about you as an author?

I've heard I'm really good at writing characters with distinct voices.

How have you developed as an author during this mentorship period? Is there anything that you didn't think before about the craft that you think now?

I developed a lot during this mentorship period. I learned how to incorporate feedback into my writing, how to query, how to write synopsis and query letters.

If every book is a book baby, then it takes a village to raise a book. Are there any people who stand out to you as people who helped you in your writing journey?

I had a Patreon back in the day, and the people who supported me then definitely helped me finish this book (I kinda needed them as a punishment to entice me to finish). Other than my mentors from this program, Mylan Kohler and Kelly Brenner also helped with beta'ing Red Sun.

What do you think is the biggest necessity for a group of writing friends? (This answer can be anything from "trust and communication" to "a sweet slack server")

An easy way to communicate.

Any parting words for young writers looking for guidance, or a community?

Apply to everything you feasibly can because you never know what will end up helping you.

What about your own craft, interests, and abilities drew you to your mentee and their work?

Amanda: I loved the weirdness of the worldbuilding in RED SUN, and the complexity of the characters' personalities and motivations. Nothing was black and white. It's something I always aspire to pull off in my own books.

Vaishnavi: Asia's voice captured me from the first page. As a writer, the first thing I try to figure out when I draft is a voice. Once I know the voice of a character, the rest falls into place. The voices in RED SUN were nothing like the voices I usually write for my characters, and yet I felt in them that same sense of story rooted in voice. Everything else about Asia's story - the fantastic world building, the distinctive characters, the compelling plot - quickly won me over as well. But from page one, I was sold by the gripping voice.

Do you have a message for anyone interested in your mentee's work?

Amanda: Asia is also a scientist with a PhD in ecology, and that really shows in RED SUN. The ecology of the world is expansive, trippy, and JUST SO COOL.

Vaishnavi: This story is unique and compelling, and I just know that readers are going to love it. But beyond just this story, Asia's mind is full of new, weird worlds and stories, combining scientific brilliance with incredible writing. Asia is not only a fantastic writer, but a fantastic person to work with, and I can't wait to see what's next!