Liesel Schwarz

answers the Usual Questions

Liesel Schwarz

On her web site, Liesel Schwarz says of herself, "A life-long fan of 19th Century Gothic literature, she is a hopeless romantic and loves Victorians, steampunk, fairies, fantasy monsters, the Fin de Siécle, and the correct way to drink absinthe. "

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

It has and it hasn't. It's very interesting to see how people respond to the books and with social media this is easier than ever. I still write stories as they emerge from my imagination, but my interaction with fans has made me more mindful of them.

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

Someone once asked me for an autographed copy of my book to give to a young girl who was going through a tough time. Her parents were getting a divorce and she was being bullied in school. For me, signing the book was such as small gesture and I hope that it made a difference.

Also, it was unbelievably cool when a major national newspaper named me "The High Priestess of British Steampunk".

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

I consume media at a rate that is voracious, so it is hard to say that I have just one source of influence. I am however a huge Firefly fan!

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

I think I'd prefer being trapped on a space ship, because then I could fill it with cool people. Then I'd sit back and watch them interact. And minions. There'd definitely have to be minions...

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

That's a hard question to answer because there are so many objectionable people in this world. I think it might be rather fun to be trapped for hours in a lift with someone you intensely disliked. It would be a fabulous opportunity to tell them exactly what you thought of them... they would, after all, have no means of escape...

book cover, A Conspiracy of Alchemists, by Liesel Schwarz; 140x219

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

I'm a bit of a pragmatist when it comes to such things, so I think I'd pack things that would mostly assist in keeping me alive. I would however be rather tempted to bring my cats along for the ride. Just think how much fun chasing a squeaky mouse in zero gravity could be.

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

I love everything about writing. It is something integral to who I am and if I don't write, I become very unhappy.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

Every stage of writing has its own special satisfaction: The rush of having a great story idea. The exhilaration of writing a first draft. The pleasure one gains from polishing and editing a manuscript. The sheer unbridled joy of having one's work accepted for publication. Seeing your book in print. It's all awesome!

submitted by Liesel Schwarz

25 August 2014

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Just the facts:
Born:
Resides: Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom.
Bibliography/Awards:
See www.lieselschwarz.com/books

Web site:
www.lieselschwarz.com
Facebook
Twitter: @Liesel_S

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