We’re joined by Alexandra Brandt, author of “The Shape of Her Shadow” in The Future Fire #70, for a quick chat about monsters, #metoo and magic.
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| Art © 2024 Fluffgar |
TFF: What does “The Shape of Her Shadow” mean to you?Alexandra Brandt: I wrote this story in early 2018, in the middle of all the #MeToo revelations, and completed it the day after the Women's March in Washington, DC. We know who was in power in the US at the time. As an American and a woman, I was… really angry. Prior to that, I don't think I'd ever written a story while angry! I felt powerless (and to be honest, I still do)—but I needed to write something in the face of all that. Something that didn't give in to despair. For me, “The Shape of Her Shadow” is both rage and hope.
TFF: Who or what is your favourite monster?
AB: I don't think I have a favorite, but I did just watch Nimona last night, and she's pretty delightful.
TFF: What magical power would you like to possess?
AB: To open a door and have it go anywhere in the world in an instant. Preferably in a way that I could bring people along with me. (If I asked for any world-changing powers, I fear that I would abuse them in the name of "fixing" everything…)
TFF: What are you working on next?
AB: I have these three Sapphic fey historical romantasy novellas out right now, but they really need to be a proper novel. So my next goal is to make the novel happen and publish it by December.
Extract:
I wonder which monsters they mean: the shadowy creatures lurking deep in the Wilds that I and mine must soon enter… or these warlike men who now claim to protect my daughters from them.
Reminder: You can comment on any of the writing or art in this issue at http://press.futurefire.net/2024/07/new-issue-202470.html.
![[ Issue 2024.70; Cover art © 2024 Fluffgar ]](http://futurefire.net/images/f70cover.jpg "[ Issue 2024.70; Cover art © 2024 Fluffgar ]")
Issue 2024.70