We are sharing our recent interview with Brian Fence, an author of fantasy and science fiction novels, short stories, and poetry.
Pro Media Mag : First of all, please introduce yourself to our readers.
Brian Fence : I’m Brian Fence, a bunny-lover from a small Pine Barrens town in New Jersey. I spent my teens being a complete Japanophile and my formative teens to my thirties living in Japan, where I studied and worked, and England, where I studied at the University of Oxford. I consider myself a Third Culture Kid (TCK), in that I’m more of a global citizen than someone bound to any one nation. Also, and this is very important to mention, my husband and I have five cats, so we’re well on our way to becoming old cat ladies. And happily so.
Pro Media Mag : Who or what inspired you to get into writing?
Brian Fence : I’ve been writing since my fingers could grace a keyboard. I had originally intended to be a doctor; then, that changed into wanting to be a Japanese interpreter/translator. Ultimately, I took my parents’ route and ended up in finance, which pretty much crushed every fiber of my soul. I quit and turned to writing full time and haven’t looked back since.
My primary inspiration for writing would be my upbringing as a queer man and the talents of the late Diana Wynne Jones, with whom I was a penpal. My style of the fantastic and magical realism mimics hers in a way that I hope she would be happy with.
Pro Media Mag : You wrote your debut novel, Librarian in 2013, what kind of response did you get from that release?
Brian Fence : It received a glowing review from Kirkus, of which I’m immensely proud, and extremely positive feedback online on sites like Amazon and Goodreads. The best response, though, was being invited to give a talk at the library I spent my youth in, tearing through novels at an insane pace.
Pro Media Mag : The sequel, Apprentice, was that equally successful?
Brian Fence : Similarly, Apprentice received positive reviews, and I actually had a more personal response to its completion due to the nature of one of the characters and his evolution (no spoilers here, thank you!). I wrote a lot of me into Apprentice, and I think its message is deeper. The chapter I’m referencing also secured me a scholarship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I earned my MFA.
Pro Media Mag : Tell us about your writing style, have you noticed any changes in your writing style over time?
Brian Fence : My first book was much more flippant and carefree than the tone of my upcoming conclusion to the trilogy, Freewoman, which is considerably darker as my humors are dark these days with the loss of my parents. It’s about succumbing to grief and then learning to live again.
Pro Media Mag : What is the best part of being an author?
Brian Fence : I get to write in my underpants! But seriously, sharing stories that people can relate to, especially marginalized peoples, is reward enough in itself. I feel like everyone can find some representation in my works.
Pro Media Mag : Any thing else you would like to share with our readers?
Brian Fence : There may not always be happy endings in life, but love and friendship are paramount.
Fore more information on author or read his work, you can visit brianfence.com
