This is a special treat as publisher and author Radclyffe took a moment to visit and talk about fiction romance and furry hats/
I saw that you were writing novels while you were a surgeon what made you decide to do that and how did you find the time?
I did write my first full-length novel (Innocent Hearts) while I was a surgery resident, although I had been writing stories and plays for my own amusement since I was a teenager. Heart when I first started publishing, I had no intention of being “published” as I was writing lesbian romances for my own satisfaction. I enjoyed the process of creating characters and writing love stories that featured women I could relate to. There weren’t very many lesbian romances at the time, and the ones that were, were slow in coming and didn’t often depict graphic sex between the two main characters. I wanted to see more of everything! I would write during down times when I was on call and nothing was happening, and on my days and evenings off. As time progressed, I would write on vacation and sometimes finished a full manuscript during my time off that way.
What made you decide to form your own publishing house?
By the time I began actually publishing my original fiction, I had been writing steadily for twenty years. I was very interested in the publishing process and the more I learned, the more interested I became in finding ways to reach more and more readers. I also enjoyed interacting with other authors and sharing experiences and expertise. That led to my desire to start a publishing company modeled after mainstream publishing houses that had access to international distribution, widespread marketing, and the kind of exposure that I felt queer writers should have. I also wanted to establish an environment where authors could develop their craft over time, enhance their skills, and build their author brand. Those have been our major goals and remain so after 15 years.
You wear two hats as a writer and a publisher what do you wish writers knew about publishers and what do you wish publishers knew about writers?
I think authors do not realize how much publishers invest, not just monetarily–although that is certainly true–but also emotionally in making every book they publish a success. In a market like ours, where even in a larger publishing company like ours, every author is known and receives individual attention, the desire to see every author succeed is even greater. As to what I wish publishers knew about writers, I suppose it would have to be an appreciation for what motivates each author to write, because it’s often very different from individual to individual. Understanding that some authors write simply because they love to write and aren’t really thinking about the market versus those who are very market savvy and write specifically to appeal to the broadest market–that allows publishers to better position each author within the overall structure of the publishing house. The bottom line of course, is that both publishers and authors appreciate that only by working together, by communicating, and by respecting each other’s needs and goals, can the most successful relationship be forged.
I saw that you had done some x-files fan fiction what inspired you to try your hand and do you have any other pop culture worlds you would like to put your spin on?
If I were to write fan fiction today, it would be based on epic fantasy–and that would be a really tough job! I particularly enjoyed Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, and those have such sweeping canvases there would be tremendous material to work from, but also more of a challenge.
One of my greatest sources of inspiration comes from the readers who enjoy what I’m writing, tell me so, and ask for more. Knowing there is someone out there who is waiting for what I’m writing makes it far easier to sit down to work on those days when you don’t feel inspired. And, of course, having a deadline always helps :-).
You have published over 50 stories, what is your secret to staying inspired?
One of my greatest sources of inspiration comes from the readers who enjoy what I’m writing, tell me so, and ask for more. Knowing there is someone out there who is waiting for what I’m writing makes it far easier to sit down to work on those days when you don’t feel inspired. And, of course, having a deadline always helps :-).
What authors do you like to read when you have a moment?
I read widely–both mainstream and queer fiction. Of course, I love to read lesbian romances, queer science fiction and fantasy, and mysteries. In terms of mainstream. I tend to gravitate towards thrillers, epic fantasy, and paranormal.
What is you latest project? Where should people go to find out more information about your work?
I read widely–both mainstream and queer fiction. Of course, I love to read lesbian romances, queer science fiction and fantasy, and mysteries. In terms of mainstream. I tend to gravitate towards thrillers, epic fantasy, and paranormal. I am presently working on Book 6 in the Rivers Community medical-romance series, which is an ongoing series featuring established characters, as well as a new romance in each book, set in a rural community where the hospital is the social and economic center of the community, and everyone is somehow connected to it. These are medical romances, heavy on the romance with a medical background. This particular series has become very popular because one of the major subplots involves the trans son of one of the local doctors, and explores his experiences establishing friendships and dealing with the physical, psychological, and sexual aspects of his identity. The last time I read from a book in this series, several people in the audience specifically asked for more about him. I’ve been very gratified that a character such as this has found his way into the hearts of so many readers.
Final four questions –we ask everybody
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
When the zombies arrive, I will be deep in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, where I am already stockpiling firewood, canned food, and batteries for the generator at my house on Lake Champlain.
Q ) How do you identify Jedi, lesbian, Ninja, gay, vampire, bisexual, were-wolf, transgender, pirate, asexual, fairy, aromantic, sith, intersex, Spartan, non-binary, wizard, genderfluid, time lord , queer, …? ?
As to how I identify, lesbian about covers everything.
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
What piece of art? The things that come to mind almost instantly are natural or historic wonders (which might be art in its truest form) –the kinds of things that make us think about our humanity as well as instill, hopefully, humility, because each of us individually are so transitory, and history reminds us of that. So I would say Stonehenge or Easter Island, or the Galapogos.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I suppose one of my deepest, darkest secrets is my particular passion for those furry winter hats with ear flaps that attach underneath your chin. I have them in multiple colors including hunter orange and camo green and fake fur and other things. But on days like today, when we just had 18 inches of snow overnight, everybody needs a hat like that.