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An Interview with A. Lee Martinez

Saturday, Oct 20, 2007 at 3:57pm

I recently had the pleasure of conducting a short interview with fantasy author A. Lee Martinez, the Alex Award winning author of Gil's All Fright Diner(a staff pick at McNally Robinson), A Company of Ogres, The Nameless Witch and, forthcoming in February, The Automatic Detective.

CG: First off, could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

ALM: This is always a bit awkward because there's just not much to know about me. I'm 34. I write. I like video games and monster movies and giant fighting robots. That's about it. I've never been married, don't have any kids, have never climbed Mount Everest, or done one other interesting thing in my life than write.

Many people think we writers are fascinating people. I'm sure a lot are. But me, I'm boring. So let's move on, shall we.

CG: You are in the minority of modern fantasy authors given that all of your books are stand alone tales, rather than parts of larger series. What made you decide to buck the trend?

ALM: Practicality. When I first started writing, I wanted to produce as much material as possible. The more stuff you have out there, the better chance you'll catch that lucky break all aspiring writers are looking for. I figured that while it would be good to have many books available to show, it would weaken my prospects some if all of them were based on one idea or setting. I kept picturing the following conversation:

POTENTIAL PUBLISHER: "Your writing is very good, but we just don't like this idea. Do you have anything else?"

ME: "Well, I have seven more books, but they're all in the same series."

POTENTIAL PUBLISHER: "Next."

Since it took me so long to get published, I wrote many different manuscripts, each a standalone entity. I didn't actually consciously choose to NEVER do a series, but by the time I was finally published, I realized it just wasn't something that interested me.

I am not a fan of the dominance of series on fantasy /science fiction shelves. If I may be honest, I think many talented writers of my generation have quickly fallen into stagnation. Plus, I love not knowing what to expect when I sit down to write a novel, and I hope that my readers feel the same way when they sit down to read it.

Add to this that I don't like "To Be Continued..." stories, and when I write with the intention of creating a stand alone novel, I can avoid that trap.

I've nothing against series, but I want to offer an alternative. I think readers are beginning to appreciate that.

CG: I have found myself laughing aloud at many moments in each of your novels, yet you don't seem to view yourself as a comedic writer. Could you explain the distinction?

ALM: My definition of a comedic writer is someone who sets out to make you laugh. They might write a story around the humour, but the humour is the intention, not the story. There's nothing wrong with that. It certainly takes talent, but it is not my goal.

I write stories to surprise and entertain. Sure, there's some humour in there because that's a big part of my personality. Even if I tried writing a grim and gritty crime novel, no one should be surprised if some black humour popped in. But it's more of an aspect of my personality and perceptions rather than a deliberate attempt to make the reader laugh.

I don't mind being considered a "funny" writer, except that I think it can give some people the wrong idea about what to expect from my books. I'm not a satirist or a humourist. I'm a fantasy adventure writer with some humour in the mix.

Labels are tricky. They can hinder as much as help. So I try not to think about them very much. If someone loves my books because they're "funny" that's cool with me. Just don't expect me to agree. But, hey, what do I know? I'm only the writer. And, all kidding aside, my opinion on my work is only one of many. And not even the most important in the end.

CG: Like many science fiction and fantasy writers you are very giving with advice both on how to write and how to build a career as an author. What would you say was the most important piece of advice you received when you were starting out?

ALM: I suppose it wasn't so much a piece of advice as a warning: Writing is hard work.

Especially in the beginning, you're basically on your own. There's no one there to hold your hand, no encouragement. When and if you finally do finish something, and you work up the courage to send it out, you are most likely going to be rejected. Over and over and over again. And if you want to write, you can't let that stop you.

Writing is not for the weak of heart or easily discouraged. So think about that before you dare take up the pen. Or word processor.

CG: As a bookseller I work every day against the common belief that fantasy literature is nothing but child's fare. What do have to say about authors who use the "speculative fiction" label to dance around the fact they are writing science fiction or fantasy?

ALM: More labels.

I don't know how I feel about it. I don't like the term "Speculative fiction" myself and never use it. I don't even know if I like "Science Fiction." I usually just say "Fantasy" and move on.

I say Fantasy is a good, strong label, and I use it without hesitation. Sure, some people will dismiss my stories as kid's stuff, but that's their loss. Slapping a fancy term on my novels probably won't get around that. It's kind of like labeling things "Mature content" when it usually means "Sex and swearing inside."

But, as I said before, writing is hard, and if a writer feels they can widen their audience by creating a different term for it, then I'm all for that. Whatever helps to get your work out there.

CG: In a similar vein, I have noticed a stigma among genre writers for shared world books, like the Star Wars or Forgotten Realms novels as lesser works. What are your thoughts on that very large market of sci-fi/fantasy?

ALM: I've never given this much thought. I suppose I'm not a fan myself. It's not that these novels can't be good. It's just I feel as if it's too easy for readers and writers to become safe and unchallenged.

And for every Shared World book that's sold, that's another possible original work that might be getting the shaft.

For me, fantasy is all about newness and exploration. The problem these shared world books have is that they're built on familiarity, the antithesis of what I love about writing fantasy. Well, maybe antithesis is too strong a word, but I still wanted to throw it out there because it sounds very much like something a writer would say.

On the other hand, it's hard for me to dislike anything that gets readers excited to pick up a novel.

There's certainly a market for this category of fiction, and if there are writers who want to write it and readers who want to read it, then good for them.

I don't know if I consider them "lesser works." Not even sure what that means. If people are buying and enjoying a book, it has done its job and should be respected for it.

CG: Your first two novels were written in the third person, while in your last two you chose to use a first person narrator. Is this an evolution of your writing style or simply a case of the right tool for the job?

ALM: Whatever works. It's as simple as that.

My first two novels were third person because that's how they should've been written. They revolved around multiple protagonists, and it would've been hard to just stick with one and tell the whole story.

The second two feature a more personal journey for the heroes. Plus, nearly all the action centers on them, so it just seemed the natural choice.

Plus, The Automatic Detective is a detective story, and I almost always think those should be in first person. I just feel it's traditional.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any narration style. I don't want to get trapped in any because there are many different stories with many different themes and goals. I want to use whatever works best.

Also, I'm not sure I agree that there's much difference between first and third person narration. It's just a style choice mostly, I believe.

CG: You've used Lovecraftian elder evils, zombies, epic quests and high fantasy in your novels. Forthcoming The Automatic Detective is a brilliant mash up of pulp science fiction and hard boiled crime. Can we get a hint of where you plan to take us next?

ALM: After The Automatic Detective comes Curses and Other Inconveniences. It's a fantasy story about a castle full of cursed people and the trouble they get into when the evil wizard that cursed them dies. They're left trapped in a castle full of dark magic and not sure how to handle it.

I'm not sure in what category I'd put this one. I just don't think in those terms, so it's not always easy for me to answer a question like this. It's fun, exciting, and unique (I hope), and I think people will really like it. I know I did!

CG: Your fellow Tor authors Cory Doctorow and Will Shetterly have been notably in favour of publishing with the Creative Commons License. Is this something that you would consider?

ALM: I just don't know enough about this to give a good answer. I'm not against it. I saw a recent documentary that said with the new copyright laws, public domain is shrinking rapidly. I'm not sure I'm happy about that. Copyright should be there to protect original material long enough to make some money off it, not to keep it from ever being part of the public sphere. It also leads, inevitably, to stagnation.

It's something that's had a big effect on comic books, one of my favourite storytelling mediums. It's hard to find new and exciting characters because the publishers would rather just publish another Spider-Man or Batman title because they're guaranteed money-makers. But it also means if you don't like Spidey or Bats, you're basically screwed. If copyright wasn't so all-inclusive and long-lasting, I think it would only be a good thing in terms of spurring creativity. So I can see someone getting behind the Creative Commons License.

CG: You have been on the record saying there will not be sequels to Gil's All Fright Diner or any of your other books. However, your short story The Cranky Dead is set in the town of Rockwood and Gil's Diner plays a role. Will we be seeing more of The Automatic Detective's Empire City? Even if it is without protagonist Mack Megaton.

ALM: Actually, for the record, I have said I have no plans for any sequels. I'm sure at some point a sequel will be in the works for something. My rule for that is that either A) I have a great idea for a sequel OR B)I don't have any other ideas that I consider better OR C) someone offers me a dump truck full of money to do so. Yes, I'll sell out, at least a little, but it better be worth my while.

The Cranky Dead is set in Rockwood all right, and I'll tell you something. I regret doing that. A party was interested in buying the rights to that story, but couldn't because another production company owns everything Rockwood-related. I could've written the exact same story, removed any Rockwood references, and made some money that way. Yes, it sounds mercenary, but it would've just been practical.

Will I be writing anything more on Empire City or Mack? Again, hard to say. I do plan on posting something on my website, most likely a short story before The Automatic Detective comes out. But that's a few months off and I have other things I'm working on right now.

CG: Finally, my home town of Winnipeg will be hosting World Horror Con in 2009. Any chance we'll get to see you there?

ALM: I would love to come, but financially, it just doesn't seem possible. I'm not sure I'm really a horror writer , but like I keep saying, labels are mostly artificial.

I'll go anywhere I'm invited if I can. I love going to cons, meeting fellow writers and (hopefully) fans. It's usually a lot of fun. But right now, my range is limited, and Canada is awfully far away. Maybe not in terms of galactic distance, but far enough for a mote of protoplasm like myself to notice.

I'd like to thank A. Lee Martinez for taking the time to do this interview. Anyone interested in more things Martinez should check out his website and blog.

Categories: Interview, Authors, SciFi & Fantasy

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See:

Gil's All Fright Diner

- A Lee Martinez

Trade paperback $27.25
Reader Reward Price: $24.53

Bloodier than Fried Green Tomatoes!
Funnier than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Welcome to Gil's All Night Diner, where zombie attacks are a regular occurrence and you never know what might be lurking in the freezer . . .

Duke and Earl are just passing through Rockwood county in their pick-up truck when they stop at the Diner for a quick bite to eat. They aren't planning to stick around-until Loretta, the eatery's owner, offers them $100 to take care of her zombie problem. Given that Duke is a werewolf and Earl's a vampire, this looks right up their alley.

But the shambling dead are just the tip of a particularly spiky iceberg. Seems someone's out to drive Loretta from the Diner, and more than willing to raise a little Hell on Earth if that's what it takes. Before Duke and Earl get to the bottom of the Diner's troubles, they'll run into such otherworldly complications as undead cattle, an amorous ghost, a jailbait sorceress, and the terrifying occult power of pig-latin.

And maybe--just maybe--the End of the World, too.

Gory, sexy, and flat-out hilarious, Gil's All Fright Diner will tickle your funnybone--before ripping it out of its socket!

In the Company of Ogres

- A Lee Martinez

Trade paperback $35.25
Reader Reward Price: $31.73

An uproarious new novel in the tradition of Robert Asprin and Terry Pratchett!

For someone who's immortal, Never Dead Ned manages to die with alarming frequency--he just has the annoying habit of rising from the grave. But this soldier might be better dead than face his latest assignment.

Ogre Company is the legion's dumping ground--a motley, undisciplined group of monsters whose leaders tend to die under somewhat questionable circumstances. That's where Ned's rather unique talents come in. As Ogre Company's newly appointed commander, Ned finds himself in charge of such fine examples of military prowess as a moonstruck Amazon, a very big (and very polite) two-headed ogre, a seductively scaly siren, a blind oracle who can hear (and smell) the future, a suicidal goblin daredevil pilot, a walking tree with a chip on its shoulder, and a suspiciously goblinesque orc.
Ned has only six months to whip the Ogre Company into shape or face an even more hideous assignment, but that's not the worst of his problems. Because now that Ned has found out why he keeps returning from dead, he has to do everything he can to stay alive. . . .

In the Company of Ogres does for fantasy, what A. Lee Martinez's previous novel, Gil's All Fright Diner, did for horror--and elves and goblins may never be the same!

A Nameless Witch

- A Lee Martinez

Trade paperback $32.50
Reader Reward Price: $29.25

A tale of vengeance, true love, and cannibalism

Being born undead can have its disadvantages, such as eternal youth and flawless beauty ---things most unsuitable for a witch. Hiding behind the guise of a grimy old crone, the witch is content living outside Fort Stalwart with her unlikely band of allies: a troll named Gwurm, an enchanted broom, and a demonic duck named Newt. She leads a simple life filled with spells, potions, and the occasional curse.


So when a White Knight arrives at Fort Stalwart, the witch knows her days of peace are at an end. The Knight is just days in front of a horde of ravenous goblings, and Fort Stalwart lies right in the horde's path. But the goblings are just the first wave of danger, and soon the witch and the Knight must combine forces on a perilous quest to stop a mad sorcerer from destroying the world.

Filled with menace, monsters, and magic, A Nameless Witch is a properly witchly read by the award-winning author of Gil's All Fright Diner and In the Company of Ogres.