Short, Sharp Interview: K A Laity

PDB Can you pitch your latest publication IT’S A CURSE: DRUNK ON THE MOON 7 in 25 words or less?

I take your werewolf detective through the wringer, give him happiness, a chance for redemption, then grind him into the dirt. Just like real life.

PDB: Which books, films or television shows have floated your boat recently?

The extremely weird PENDA’S FEN, tv play from 1974 that you pointed me to via Iain Rowan’s blog; been reading lots by the bard of Galway’s mean streets, Ken Bruen (also your fault). Finally reading Georgette Heyer mysteries. Fun stuff — I had only read her romances. Some P. G. Wodehouse because I am always trying to learn from the masters so also some Flann O’Brien as well. My pal Nancy Holder’s new series DEADTOWN which is a hoot!

PDB: Is it possible for a writer to be an objective reader?

No — I am a ruthless reader because I won’t let anyone waste my time. If it’s not good, I get back to writing. Bad writing is the single best spur to get to work.

PDB: Do you have any interest in writing for films, theatre or television?

Yes -- unfortunately, they’ve no interest in me. I exaggerate: I have written plays and had some performed (mostly very silly stuff) but I am thinking of trying to write more for television and radio as it pays better (allegedly). I’m sketching out a radio series.

PDB: How much research goes into each book?

Years. I never write anything until I have lived it fully. I spent five years in silent contemplation in a monastery in Tibet just to write a flash fiction piece. I cut my own leg off for a chapter in a book and then killed a man just to watch him die. Then wrote a poem about it. Or was it a song? I forget.

PDB: How useful or important are social media for you as a writer?

It is the single best way of avoiding actual work that I have found.

PDB: What’s on the cards in 2012?

I will apparently meet a tall dark stranger. Also OWL STRETCHING, my sf/urban fantasy/alt-history/road trip retelling of the Descent of Inanna >_< will be out from Immanion Press and my alter ego C. Margery Kempe’s sequel to the sexy spy novel CHASTITY FLAME will be done (or else I’ll have to murder her). It’s called LUSH SITUATION (my publisher may disagree on that, we’ll see). I’m starting a new ghost story novel that’s inspired in equal parts by Angela Carter and Kingsley Amis, and there’s a bunch of non-fiction stuff blah blah. And I’m always writing short stories because they grow out of my head like mushrooms (two at the moment, one noir, one romance). They’ll all show up on the website eventually when someone publishes them. Thanks, Mr B.

(find out more about K A Laity here)