Janeen Webb

answers the Usual Questions

Janeen Webb

Janeen Webb is the author or editor of 10 books and over 100 short stories and essays.

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

Conventions are great for finding out what fans are reading, what's hot and what's not. I always pay attention.

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

The comment that took me most by surprise came from a reader who cornered me and demanded to know how Red City 'really' ends - the story is deliberately open ended (and may possibly morph into a novel one of these days).

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

I go back to early fantasy writers for inspiration: William Morris, E.R.Eddison, Mervyn Peake, J.R.R.Tolkien - for the beauty of their language, the scholarship that underlies their stories, and the sheer complexity of their designs.

book cover, Death at the Blue Elephant by Janeen Webb, cover by Nick Stathopoulos; 220x320

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

I would hate to be trapped in an elevator with anyone - so I'd choose a mechanic who could fix the thing and get me out of there !
A spaceship would be more fun: I'd choose a Time Lord to be my tour guide through time and space.

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

Anyone boring!

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

I'd pack my IPad and/or e-reader - loaded with as many books as possible. I'd take a supply of the usual staples - coffee, red wine, chocolate.... And I'd take my dog - I'm sure he could easily become a space beagle.

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

I'd like to think I can produce something that resonates with readers, something that can surprise and delight.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

It's the only thing that keeps me (relatively) sane.

submitted by Janeen Webb

8 July 2014

Book cover by Nick Stathopoulos

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Just the facts:
Born: Charlestown, NSW, Australia
Resides: On a small farm overlooking Wilson's Promontory, Vic. Australia
Bibliography/Awards:
Select Publications:
Fiction:
Janeen Webb, DEATH AT THE BLUE ELEPHANT (Ticonderoga Publications, 2014)
Janeen Webb, SAILING TO ATLANTIS (Harper Collins, 2001)
Janeen Webb, THE SILKEN ROAD TO SAMARKAND (HarperCollins, 2003)
Non-Fiction:
Janeen Webb & Andrew Enstice, ALIENS AND SAVAGES (HarperCollins, 1998)
As Editor:
Jack Dann & Janeen Webb, DREAMING DOWN UNDER (HarperCollins, 1998)
Janeen Webb & Andrew Enstice, THE FANTASTIC SELF (Eidolon, 1999)
Andrew Enstice & Janeen Webb, THE YELLOW WAVE an annotated new edition of Mackay's 1895 scientific romance (Wesleyan 2003)
Janeen Webb has won the following awards: World Fantasy Award;
Peter MacNamara SF Achievement Award (the Mac);
Aurealis Award;
Ditmar Award (3 times)