Sandra Kasturi

answers the Usual Questions

Sandra Kasturi

Sandra Kasturi is a poet, writer and editor. She is the co-publisher of the British Fantasy Award-winning press, ChiZine Publications. Her work has appeared in various venues. She is also the co-creator of the children's animated TV show, Sinister Horde. Sandra's two poetry collections are: The Animal Bridegroom (with an intro by Neil Gaiman) and Come Late to the Love of Birds. She is currently working on two books: Snake Handling for Beginners, and her first novel, Medusa Gorgon, Lady Detective. She likes red lipstick, gin & tonics and Michael Fassbender.

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

Not really. The bulk of my work is poetry, which most people hate. Heck, even I hate most poetry, and I write the stuff!

So normally no one really approaches me about that. Every so often I get someone who's actually read my work, and that's really gratifying ... especially if it's someone I don't know. I get more compliments as the co-publisher of ChiZine Publications -- people really seem to like what we're doing and they like our books. That helps us keep going, especially when we're tired and things are tough -- it makes the slog worthwhile.

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

Not from a fan, exactly, but Ray Bradbury wrote me a couple of letters after I sent him my poetry -- they were really lovely. He also left me a voicemail once telling me he loved my work! If only I'd been home to take the call! I still have an mp3 of the message.

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

Jonathan Carroll (all his work); Agatha Christie's 4:50 from Paddington; Anne Sexton's Transformations.

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

An elevator repairman. Or Michael Fassbender. I'd love to be trapped on a spaceship with Gene Roddenberry.

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

Any of the Kardashians. Any of the Kardashians.

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

Tampons. (How long is this trip?) The ingredients to make Manhattans. Comfortable shoes.

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

That I made a difference in someone's life.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

It's the old saw: "I hate writing, but I love having written." So I feel smug whenever I've finished anything. And sometimes, I have the sneaking suspicion that I might just have created something really good...that's a great feeling.

submitted by Sandra Kasturi

6 August 2014

For other answers to The Usual Questions Click here

Just the facts:
Born: Pôltsamaa, Estonia
Resides: Toronto, Canada
Bibliography/Awards:
Come Late to the Love of Birds (Tightrope Books, 2012)
The Animal Bridegroom (Tightrope Books, 2007)
Carnaval Perpetuel (chapbook; Junction Books, 1999)
Awards:
Lydia Langstaff Memorial Prize
Rhysling Award (3rd place)
Bram Stoker Award (for editing)
ARC Poetry Magazine's 10th Annual Poem of the Year Contest (first prize)
Troubadour International Poetry Prize (runner up)
World Fantasy Award (3-time nominee, for ChiZine Publications)
British Fantasy Award (winner, for ChiZine Publications)
THIS Magazine's Great Canadian Literary Hunt (shortlisted)
Glimmer Train's Very Short Fiction Award (finalist)
The Whittaker Prize (1st place in poetry; 7th place in fiction)
Aurora Award (winner, best fan organizational)
Elgin Award (3rd place)