Talk Nerdy To Me: Seanan McGuire

By Clair McLafferty

Seanan McGuire is one of the most prolific modern-day science fiction novelists. In the past two years, she’s published six (full-length) novels, written a few others and composed many short stories. Last year, she was nominated for five Hugo awards.  Most impressively, she did it all while holding down a full-time office job.

Earlier this year, a friend gave me Feed, the first book in the Newflesh trilogy. Published under McGuire’s pseudonym/darker alter ego Mira Grant, this novel focuses on a team of bloggers chosen to cover a presidential election. In a world where zombies are a fact of life, this assignment could – and does – go wrong pretty quickly. I read the entire trilogy in less than a week.

I recently spoke with McGuire via email. Her newest novel, Half Off Ragnarok, was just released on March 3.

Clair McLafferty for See Jane Write: I heard you quit your day job! When did that happen? How awesome is it to be out?

Seanan McGuire: My last day at the day job was January 15th, 2014, and it has been so awesome. So, so awesome. I’m actually sleeping again, which is a miracle, and I now feel like I can sustain my current pace for a lot longer, and with a lot less damage to my psyche.

SJW: I’ve read that you’re a horror movie and epidemiology nerd. How did these subjects first catch your attention?”

SM: I’ve been watching horror movies for as long as I can remember–literally.  One of my first memories is of watching Alien with my uncle, who had a very curious idea of what as appropriate for toddlers.  I was sick a lot as a kid, and I got extremely interested in viruses.  I could either be scared of them, or I could love them completely.  I went with the latter.

SJW: Which is more likely: end of the world by massive power grid or zombie virus?

SM: Neither.  Economic collapse leading to social unrest, coupled with the dawn of the post-antibiotic era.

SJW: What personal guides to surviving the zombie apocalypse would you recommend?

SM: I don’t really have any personal guides to recommend.  I mean, I love reading them, but I haven’t tested them, and everyone has a different starting point.  Just prepare for your local area and the challenges it’s likely to face.  Earthquake/zombie kits are never a bad idea.

SJW: What skills would you add to a survivor group during the initial outbreak?

SM: I own a lot of machetes, can identify most edible plants in North America, and I’m really good at dealing with snake bite.

SJW: Your works as your given name, Seanan McGuire, have a lighter and slightly more supernatural bent. What mythological, fictional and historical references have you used to write works like the InCryptid series?

SM: All.  Of.  Them.  I don’t discriminate when it comes to my cryptids.

SJW: What are some of your personal fandoms?

SM: Right now, Haven, Sleepy Hollow, Elementary, Monster High, Doctor Who, and So You Think You Can Dance.

SJW: What advice would you give to writers and bloggers looking to pursue their passions full-time?

SM: Don’t quit your day job until you can pay your bills with your royalties, after deducting the appropriate amount to pay your annual taxes.

Clair McLafferty is the author of our geek girl culture column Talk Nerdy To Me. When she isn’t writing, Clair can usually be found nerding out on programming, cocktails, physics, comics and movies. Some of these interests spill over into her writing at clairmclafferty.com and on to her Twitter feed @see_clair_write.