Interview: Seanan McGuire, author of the InCryptid series

With the announcement of Glitter and Mayhem, Apex Publications ventured into the world of Kickstarter. The anthology is the brainchild of editors Lynne M. Thomas, Michael Damian Thomas, and John Klima, encompassing a literary world of Roller Derby, nightclubs, glam aliens, (literal) party monsters, drugs, sex, glitter, and debauchery.

If the goal of $15,000 is met by February 16th, the anthology will feature a standalone novella by New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire set in her InCryptid universe. We had the chance to ask Seanan a couple of questions about her novella “Bad Dream Girl”, Glitter and Mayhem, and roller derby.

Back Glitter and Mayhem on Kickstarter.

Q: For fans of your InCryptid series, can you tease us with a little of what we can expect in “Bad Dream Girl”? Are there any cross-overs we can look forward to?

A: “Bad Dream Girl” is Antimony’s first starring turn, and I’m totally excited about it.  She’s the youngest member of the current generation, still living at home, and still trying to figure out what she wants to do–apart from cryptozoology, of course.  For the moment, roller derby is taking the edge off.  I’m not sure what you mean by “cross-overs”?  This is a totally stand-alone novella, and it doesn’t share any central characters with the two InCryptid books that are currently available (Discount Armageddon and Midnight Blue-Light Special, both of which focus on Antimony’s older sister, Verity).  There are talking mice, of course, but that’s legally required.

You can expect cryptids, snark, chaos, and of course, lots and lots of roller derby, mostly focusing on Antimony’s team, the Slasher Chicks.

Q: How did you get involved with Glitter and Mayhem?

A: Not a very interesting answer, I’m afraid: Lynne and Michael asked me to, and I’m easy, I’ll take any excuse to write about Antimony strapping her skates on.

Q: How often do you roller skate?

A: I have the physical coordination of an animatronic zombie and serious issues with my spine and heels.  So the answer to this would be, sadly, “never.”  I last hit the rink when I was nineteen, and I mean literally hit the rink; I faceplanted during couples skate, and never went back.

Q: What sort of mayhem do you hope to bring to John Klima’s Glitter Party at Worldcon?

A: I…uh…I am not a mayhem sort of girl.  I’m a wandering into swamps, playing in traffic, look at this snake I just found, I think it’s venomous, let’s go to Disneyland, do you dare me to eat the road berries sort of girl.  I go to bed very early, because it’s easier to go frogging at dawn. So maybe frogs?  I don’t know.  The frogs probably wouldn’t have a good time.

Q: If you had the choice of delivering one solid hip check to somebody inside a derby ring, who would it be?

A: Plausible deniability says “Look!  A bunny!”

To read “Bad Dream Girl” back Glitter and Mayhem on Kickstarter.