Ef Deal – Fifteen Second Feature #1

I am thrilled to have received the first 15 second feature reply from my dear friend and talented writer, Ef Deal. I should note I had the unique privilege of workshopping and beta reading two of Ef’s novels and, as she mentions, she has contributed to three Speculation Publication stories. I can attest to Ef’s talent, drive, and overall kindness as a human being.

But please note, you don’t have to be my friend, associate, or even someone I’ve met to participate. You just have to love your writing work and want to talk about it.

With that said….

Ef Deal
Links: efdeal.net efdeal.blogspot.com

Tell us about the project/idea/publication etc. you’ve been working on:

Currently working on a steampunk short for an Arthur Conan Doyle-themed anthology based on the Hound of the Baskervilles, and I have to come up with a new steampunk story for Other Aether, an anthology of steampunk set anywhere but Victorian England.

Tell us about any publications or finished works you would like to talk about:

I’ve published a number of pieces in this last year, but the one that excites me the most is “One More Ghost Story” in the Soul Scream Antholozine. Forty years ago I began the Chronicles of Gwynna Lionshadow, a misanthopic minstrel-mage who wields her body as viciously as she wields a sword and magic. At the time, no editor wanted to touch it. I was asked to make her kinder, to give her some romance, dull the edge a little. This year, the editor of Soul Scream told me how much he loved Gwynna’s kick-ass power. I am hoping this will open some more doors for her stories or novels.

What books and movies would you like to recommend?

I just got hold of Gregory Frost’s Rhymer. That man has such a powerful style. It’s a great read.

Tell us something cool you’ve been into recently:

At my age, I’m not sure what’s cool or not, but I’ve had a bad year health-wise; so, I’m just looking after me, and it’s frustrating as blazes getting doctors to take me seriously. And today I learned there’s no such thing as getting an annual physical with my doctor. I can either go and complain about something, or I can get a free Medicare “wellness check,” which means they ask me if I’m a drooling idiot yet, or if I trip over air when I walk.

Tell us about an issue you’re trying to draw attention to:

One theme I like to pursue is that women are not de facto servants, even to other women. Another is that all people are people; no one is less than, greater than, better or worse than. Different from does not equal evil.

Tell us a few things about yourself that you are really proud of:

I’m really proud of my role in old-school drum and bugle corps activities. As music director / horn instructor, I took two small corps to championship titles. As a performer, I’ve won a few championship first- or second-place titles. My biggest high is playing in the soprano line for the Golden Knights, and sometimes they let me teach / rehearse the horn line. I’ve been in love with that corps since I was 8 or 9 years old, and to be part of it is a high.

Anything Else?

I am thrilled to be included in three Speculation Publication projects. Every anthology you’ve published has been a polished product with fabulous stories. The poet Agha Shahid Ali once described a ghazal as a lovely necklace of individually exquisite gems. That’s what SP’s collections are, and I’m so chuffed you’ve included my work among them.