VP Anderson writes in multiple formats and in multiple genres; but all her works have the following elements in common: queerness, neurodivergence, intersectional feminism, and irreverence. She also works as a consultant helping people sell themselves and their creations. We were overjoyed to have her take a break from her hectic schedule to hang out for a bit.
Q) I saw that you participate, and coach Roller Derby and it even made its way into your graphic novel, Blood City Rollers. How did you get started in the sport and what do you get out of it?
I started playing roller derby as soon as I moved back to the US from the Caribbean, around 2015 I think? I’d always wanted to play but never stuck around in one place long enough, so my “birth league” was Salt City Roller Derby in Syracuse, NY. For the first few years, I played (loaner skated) for as many additional local leagues as I could to get as much time on skates as possible. It’s nearly impossible to fully describe the experience, having always wanted to be a sporty kid but being limited to more “feminine” pursuits (like ballet and such) until adulthood, of working with my body’s natural shape instead of against it. I can’t recommend roller derby enough to those who always felt “too much” or too heavy, too thick, etc. Learning to play helped me love my thick thighs, my extra-long arms, and my seemingly uncrackable skull. (So far, anyway. Always wear your helmets, kids!) As for playing and coaching in 2025, I’m currently taking a break from derby since it unfortunately conflicts with my firefighter one training. (Still rocking a helmet and protective gear, just PPE of a different type!) My helmet collection is about to be unparalleled!
Q) Your previous job titles include award-winning community theater actor, professional lecturer on cruise ships, indie film producer, literary agent, and creative project manager. Are there any other creative opportunities you would like try someday?
In case it wasn’t clear, yes, I am Kind of A Lot. In addition to becoming a firefighter and serving my community, I’d love to learn how to use a pottery wheel at some point. Also, I’ve been working on indie films since college and am in the process of producing several short form film projects, as well as some really fantastic audio documentary projects with my company, Rogue Sparrow Productions. We’re proudly based in Buffalo NY and excited to begin launching our slate in early 2026.
Q) You have done lots of freelance work as well as your own books and poems. Have you learned anything from helping people polish their stuff that you have applied to your own writing?
As literary agent for nearly 10 years, I learned so much about advocating for creatives in systems that don’t usually prioritize creatives’ needs or lifestyles over profits, so I’d say the experience equipped me with many tools to help myself and others navigate the current economic climate. It was one of the greatest honors of my life to be trusted with my fellow creators’ dreams and aspirations, and I hope to continue advocating for my communities in everything I do. As someone who prefers collaborative creation (and has many wonderful “creationships” that yield different types of outcomes for different goals), I’d say the main takeaway I’ve internalized is that creators are NOT each other’s competition. Creativity is not finite, and in fact, the more you use and share the more you get. That’s my experience-based truth.
Q) What skills do you think are the most important for a writer to develop to help their craft?
A lot of people will say rejection is inevitable, and you should grow a thicker skin, etc. But I no longer believe that. I think learning your creative process and figuring out which projects are more for you to learn vs. meant for public consumption is a great first step. So many people feel pressured to shove these fragile, fledgling ideas out into the world and force them to earn their keep before they’ve even figured out what they’re meant to be. Ideas can be like kids that way. We all need to treat our intellectual babies a little more kindly, if they’re gonna grow into their bravest, weirdest, most authentic, and shareable versions. Now, I sound like a motivational speaker, don’t I?
Q) I saw that you used to post poetry to your blog, have you ever thought about putting out a collection of them?
Oh man, sometimes I forget that all my angsty college poetry is still on my blog. Which I believe I started fresh out of high school, so please don’t judge too harshly. I did actually have a dark comedy poetry series published with a small press that went out of business like a year later, lol. It was called “I hope you choke” and was a lot of haiku about breakups. I’ll let you use your imagination about the potential inspiration for those pretty bad in retrospect poems. (My advice? Don’t kill your cringe. Kill the part of you that cringes.)
Q) what is your next project you are working on?
I’ve got a few novels which will soon be going on submission, one MG that has a similar tone to Blood City (horror/comedy), and a more adult feminist horror based on a classic tale about an iconic female villain. #NoSpoilers
Q) If people want more information about your or your projects, where should they go?
You can follow me on Bluesky @Veronikaboom, but most other socials I’ve stepped away from to spend more time on creative projects and firefighter activities.
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
I actually have an entire book about that, ironically, which may or may not be BCR-related. Stay tuned for more news on that front! (In the meantime: cardio.)
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
This is a tough one for me, since I’m so fandom polyamorous, but I did love Nancy Drew enough to co-host an entire podcast about it, and would commit any number of crimes to write under that IP someday. (Call me, Stratemeyer, we could be such good sleuths together!)
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?
I know I should probably name a piece of classic art, like “Judith Slaying Holofernes” by the Italian early Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi for example (my mom teaches art, can you tell?), but given the fact that so many modern artists are being cheated out of royalties by corporation, I’m gonna say everyone who loves nerdy stuff and wants to see artists paid fairly should subscribe to more independent publishers, more independent studios, more indie game developers, and more independent streaming services that make glorious, geeky, gay content you want to see more of in the world. (For example: A24, Annapurna Pictures, SuperGiant, Dropout, etc.)
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
Given my background and absolutely banana pants resume, not a lot, tbh. I guess maybe that I’m a huge fan of capitalism? That’s how my friends would know I’d been brainwashed. (I’m prone to Brennan Lee Mulligan-like speeches on the regular, fwiw.)
Paper Phoenix ink 