Creating Monsters with Julie E. Czerneda
Finding Inspiration in Biology PLUS 5 Open Monstrous Calls
There are some fun calls that ask for “monsters” or “cosmic creatures”.
(See end of this post for a few)
But how do we create authentic monsters that resonate?
Julie E. Czerneda is a Canadian author with prolific story-telling skills, an impressive background in science, and a passion for life. She is inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame (CSFFA). I met Julie when I took her Creature Features Master Class at Fyrecon just over a year ago. She taught me how to turn a tomato into a speculative hero. My writing will never be the same.
You can listen to my strange, flash fiction tale here:
She’s written more than twenty novels and her latest book, A Change of Place is out now.
I wanted to learn more about this exceptional Canadian author, so she graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions. This interview originally took place when she had just released To Each This World, but her answers are still very relevant:
AF: What was your inspiration behind “To Each This World”?
JC: Way back, I was pondering how we might live on a planet that already had biology of its own and came up with the idea of a barrier, to keep ours and theirs separate—at least until we understood where evolution was taking each of us.
The idea itself evolved, as they do. What if we encountered a world with such a barrier already in place? Who put it there and why? Also how, but that became more relevant once we’d sold the book and I knew I’d be writing it.
AF: How long did it take for you to write and what was your process?
JC: Parts of the research and background thinking took place over a couple of decades, but I’m always tucking away bits and pieces of stuff for future stories. I wrote up the proposal for EACH Nov 19, 2017—I’ll never lose that date, because I did it for my brand-new agent Sara Megibow of KT Literary. Sheila E. Gilbert of DAW Books bought it shortly afterwards and suddenly, I had a project to write. Along with several others already underway, so for the first three years, I worked on worldbuilding and ideas for EACH in between writing the first three titles of my new Web Shifter’s Library, plus other stuff.
Other than waiting for a window to devote myself to it, my process was similar to other books. I put the worldbuilding details in a journal, stood at my desk, and jumped in. And out. And in. And out.
One new part? The sale announcement didn’t happen for a couple of years, Sara wisely aware I wasn’t able to write it immediately. I felt ever-so-pro.
AF: How has your background in Biology affected your writing career?
JC: I started writing biology, for textbooks and other non-fiction publications, so that’s how I became a professional writer. For my science fiction, I’ve always looked for biology questions or problems that interested me. And of course, building aliens and their worlds is kinda my thing.
AF: What is your favourite genre to create in and why?
JC: The one that’s behaving itself and zipping along. Right now, I’m back to fantasy and it’s taking me a bit to feel fully comfortable there, after four straight years of science fiction. I’ll get there. I just have to be patient with my brain.
AF: I took your master class Creature Features. How does a writer create a compelling and believable monster?
JC: "laughs" And you did a great job!
I find it’s the small details. How it moves. What gives it away. Where you find it—and why you’re there, you being the protagonist about to face a monster. Anything that bridges what we know, or believe, with the uncanny.
AF: What advice would you give writers looking to find profitability and success in publishing?
JC: To not look for profit or success. Sincerely. Writing is a slow, personal, intimate process (unless it’s non-fiction, then you’re in teams and writing what you know). If what you want from writing fiction is more important to you than the story, do something else. Work in a bookstore. Anything.
But if you love what you write more than anything you read, trust that passion. Write those stories. The rest, if it happens, is totally out of your control. On the plus side, only you can write your stories. It’s a huge advantage.
AF: How do you market your books, and what do you find the most effective?
JC: My publisher has a publicity team and they look after selling books to booksellers. I have nothing to do with that. My most effective role? Being accessible as myself, while writing the very best stories I can.
It’s not hard. I love my readers. When I have a chance to meet them, or read what they have to say, or answer questions, that’s fabulous and such an inspiration. We (my husband/partner Roger and me) work hard on making treats, be it bookmarks or cards, to give out as tokens of appreciation. And I celebrate booksellers and librarians. LOVE THEM.
AF: What is in the future for Julie E. Czerneda?
JC: Writing fantasy novels. Getting out to more bookstores and conventions as well. Camping. All good things.
AF: Any final thoughts or comments you would like to leave our community with?
JC: Be proud. Writing is a powerful skill, one you can apply everywhere. And trust your heart.
AF: Are there any differences or barriers to being a Canadian author vs. American?
JC: I haven’t seen any barriers. There are differences. The ‘u’ in words. When working with a US publisher such as DAW Books, I change my Canadian spellings before sending in my manuscript. If I forget, my publisher will take care of it, but it’s part of being respectful of the process. Once everything turned electronic, the cost of sending my paper manuscript is gone. That’s great and speeds up production as well.
It is nice to be paid in US dollars when the exchange is in our favour. (Not so much the odd time it isn’t.) I need to keep up with things like taxes—we have a treaty that means I pay my taxes in Canada, not the US, but the paperwork for that changes. We have supportive programs in Canada, such as Access Copyright and Public Lending Rights, that are a help.
I’ve found Canadian readers are delighted to find out that I’m Canadian, but many authors of SF and F are. Maybe it’s our winters.
Plott Hound Magazine
Spec Fic Starring Animals - closes March 15! - 1000-5000 words - 8c a word
What We’re Looking For:
-Stories with anthropomorphized animals as protagonists
-Animal-centric speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror)
-Underrepresented voices (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent) that engage with animal myths, tales, and futures
-Stories with uncommonly written about animals as protagonists- Stories that dig deep into the senses and experience of animals
-Stories that explore the cultures and societies of animals, not just cultures and societies with animals. Think of rabbit language and warren infrastructure in Watership Down, or the clans and warrior code of feral cats in Warriors.
I sent them in my weird space opera sci-fi short starring a lizard lady and her furry sidekick. Number 21 in their queue! (I did study the personalities of lizards and caterpillars before I crafted this, always remembering Julie’s lessons.)
INKY BONES PRESS
Creature Feature Anthology - pay 1c a word - 1,500 - 3,500 words - March 1 - April 30 -Situations where something is being sought out by a person/group. They could be grave robbers, treasure hunters, archaeologists, cryptozoologists, entomologists, biologists, hide-and-seek fanatics, anything you choose—as long as their plans go awry. Get weird and creative!
Must Include:
Bones: you can mention the word itself or be more specific. Ex: spine, skull, vertebrae, ribs, skeleton
A creature of your choice: tiny, monstrous, an alien—just make sure it’s scary
APEP Press
Horror - Feline Frights - deadline March 31 - pay $20 original, $10 reprints - 2000-5000 words - "Feline Frights: Whiskers Between Worlds" is the first of a planned series of cat-themed horror anthologies.
In this inaugural volume of Feline Frights, we delve into cosmic horror through the eyes of our feline companions. We seek stories exploring cats as witnesses, harbingers, and agents of incomprehensible cosmic forces. From cats that stare into dimensional voids to felines that serve as vessels for ancient entities, show us how these creatures exist at the intersection of our reality and the unfathomable beyond.
Wet Screams (Little Ghosts Books)
Monsterfucking Stories - (how can you not be already in love with this call?) - deadline April 14th - 2000-6000 words - 10c a word Cdn
Submissions with fade to black sex scenes will not be accepted. BDSM/CNC/dubious consent is permitted, but rape submissions will be rejected. No bestiality (creatures should be sentient and able to consent), no incest.
We encourage folks to explore the boundaries of creature feature intimacy! Vore, multiple appendages, suspenseful encounters, flying intercourse, prowling beasts… be creative. Blending horror & erotica is a plus. This anthology is intended to be risqué and fun. HEAs are not required, or can be redefined (a character could want to be devoured, for instance- dying happy could be a HEA/HFN).
Pieces in “first draft” phase are welcome! Time for in depth edits will be allocated in the publishing process. Don’t be scared to submit if you have never done this before- we are always excited to be your first time ;)
My Insights: besides being intrigued and slightly horrified… nothing.
AND A SALE!! I sold a story to Horrific Scribblings, and if you have some trunk stories, this is a good place to try. The editor is looking for inventory. PS> This was a really dark story and had necrophilia, murder, and a bit of non-PG language. Here are a few excerpts from my acceptance letter:
“Thank you for submitting "Final Rites Fan." I am delighted to offer to include it as one of the foundational works in Horrific Scribes.”
He also added this, “I am accepting a larger number of authors and works to build a foundation…”
Check out the call here:
Horrific Scribes
Horror: Horrific Scribes magazine - $25 pay - 1500- 5000 word count - couldn’t see a deadline - This looks like a new venture: This is what they are asking for:
Most of the stories will have elements of horror, ranging from bloodless slow burns to raucous extreme romps, but related genres–dark fantasy, dark sci-fi, surrealist and other experimental writing with dark tendencies–are likely to appear. Ordinary, formulaic fiction conceived to please the masses has its place, but it is not here. If it’s here, it offers a challenge. If it’s here, the author deserves your attention.
Congrats on that acceptance Angelique.
Here's a little unrelated rant, I get a kick out of some of these calls for submissions. They go on and on. And on. Then half the time you can't find the email. It's buried somewhere, or even on another page(!). Come on people.
Lifestyle mags are the opposite, with their own problems. There's often no submission page at all. I've sold to these, but you're always wondering what gives. If I was an editor (there's a good future 'stack) I would just say submit here, with the email. A pro will deliver a pro product. An amateur... Well, that's why you have the delete button : )
She is absolutely magical!