Seanan McGuire is the award-winning author of the October Daye urban fantasy series, the InCryptid series, and the Wayward Children series. In addition, she writes darker fiction under the pseudonym Mira Grant. Seanan lives in Seattle with her cats, a vast collection of creepy dolls, horror movies, and sufficient books to qualify her as a fire hazard. In 2013 she became the first person ever to appear five times on the same Hugo ballot. Her latest novel is Middlegame and she recently agreed to be interviewed by Daryl Maxwell about it for the LAPL Blog.
What was your inspiration for Middlegame?
Middlegame was largely inspired by the song “Doctrine of Ethos” by Dr. Mary Crowell, available on her album Courting my Muse.
Are Asphodel Baker, Roger, Dodger, James Reed, or any of the other characters inspired by or based on specific individuals? Did you name Leigh Barrow after author Leigh Bardugo?
No, they are not. That isn’t how I work. As for Leigh Barrow, she’s named for an artist named Leigh Anne Hussey who sadly passed away several years ago, far too soon. She was very important to me, and I miss her desperately.
How did the novel evolve and change as you wrote and revised it? Are there any characters or scenes that were lost in the process that you wish had made it to the published version?
There was some fun stuff about Dodger’s fondness for broccoli that turned out not to truly serve the story in a meaningful way, and so didn’t make it into the final drafts. I sort of regret that.
If you could be inhabited by one of the aspects of The Doctrine, which would you choose: Mathematics, Language, Order or Chaos?
Chaos and Order are not aspects of the Doctrine of Ethos. I think I’d be a better fit for Language, although of course, the Doctrine remakes people to suit their own needs.
A bit of your work (The title song from your Wicked Girls album and The Wayward Children series and now Middlegame) deals with children and young adults, how they experience childhood, adult parental responsibilities, and classic children’s literature. What is it that draws you to write about these themes?
I enjoy them.
What’s currently on your nightstand?
I don’t have a nightstand. I have a headboard, and it’s currently occupied by six My Little Ponies, some earplugs, an Emma Frost statue that I hang my keys on, and a reheatable grain pillow.
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
It, by Stephen King.
Was there a book you felt you needed to hide from your parents?
Well, I did go through a curious phase as a tween and got a few interesting things from the library…
Can you name your top five favorite or most influential authors?
Stephen King, Tanya Huff, Terry Pratchett, Robin McKinley, Kelley Armstrong.
What is a book you've faked reading?
Moby Dick. It just didn’t do it for me, but I didn’t want people to realize I’d given up.
Can you name a book you've bought for the cover?
I was first interested in John Dies at the End because of the cover.
Is there a book that changed your life?
There are quite a few. The one that springs most immediately to mind is The Return of the Black Death: The World’s Greatest Serial Killer.
Can you name a book for which you are an evangelist (and you think everyone should read)?
I tell everyone to read Winter Tide, by Ruthanna Emrys.
Is there a book you would most want to read again for the first time?
I would love to be able to read We Are All Completely Fine, by Daryl Gregory, for the first time, again.
What is your idea of THE perfect day (where you could go anywhere/meet with anyone)?
I’m at Disney World, with dinner reservations and good Fast Passes, and then who’s that next to me in the single rider line for Flight of Passage? It’s Stephen King! And somehow he wants to hang out for the rest of the afternoon!
What is the question that you’re always hoping you’ll be asked, but never have been? What is your answer?
Would you like to write The Uncanny X-Men, as sole writer, starting tomorrow? Why yes, of course, I would. Thank you for asking.
What are you working on now?
An as-yet-unannounced book that I am not cleared to announce via this interview.
Book Review: Middlegame