In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, host Terry Bartley interviewed queer YA sci-fi author, Michael Solís (This is Why They Hate Us). They talked about Michael's journey as an author, the opportunities presented by the expansion of self-publishing, and how to decide what path to take. They also talked about what defines dystopian literature and what makes a good dystopian story.
I especially enjoyed this conversation because Michael kept drawing parallels between dystopian fiction and the world we live in today. Authoritarian leaders, violence against innocent people, and the villainization of marginalized communities all feel ripped from the pages of a novel.
The thing about dystopian stories that makes moments like these feel slightly more hopeful is the emergence of a leader. The districts were able to place all of their hopes on Katniss because of how she regularly defied the capital. What makes it so hard to live in this environment, is how unclear it is if that hero will ever appear.
The truth is, the real world is a lot more complicated than a YA novel, and it takes all of us collectively working together to create real change. But that's so much harder than one person showing up and saving us. And the reality is that many small heroic moments is whats to ultimate triumph over the forces trying to oppress us, and those aren't always easy to recognize.
Watching Ayo Edebiri redirect a racist interviewer might not feel like Katniss raising her berries to defy Snow, but moments like that still matter.I don't expect Ayo Edebiri, or AOC, or Hasan Piker to single-handedly lift us out of the current moment we're in, but I do think that thousands of people like them never accepting the way things are as normal can create a better world.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano