Episode 186 Notes and Links to Stephanie Feldman’s Work
*Content Warning-Please be aware of discussion of sexual assault*
On Episode 186 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Stephanie Feldman, and the two discuss, among other things, her early trajectory towards becoming a writer, formative and transformative writers and writing, genre and genre-less writing, the balance between allegory and plot in Saturnalia, the book’s focus on Philadelphia and on the world at large, hedonism/inaction in the wake of climate disasters, the long echoes of sexual assault, class and power in her book, and whether the book has a sense of optimism.
Stephanie Feldman is the author of the novels Saturnalia and The Angel of Losses, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, winner of the Crawford Fantasy Award, and finalist for the Mythopoeic Award. She is co-editor of the multi-genre anthology Who Will Speak for America? and her stories and essays have appeared in or are forthcoming from Asimov’s Science Fiction, Catapult Magazine, Electric Literature, Flash Fiction Online, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, The Rumpus, Uncharted Magazine, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Weird Horror, and more. She lives outside Philadelphia with her family.
Buy Saturnalia
Stephanie Feldman's Website
Review of Saturnalia from John Mauro at Grimdark Magazine
At about 1:55, Stephanie describes her early reading and writing, and being “fated” to be a writer
At about 4:00, Stephanie shouts out Anne Rice, Jeanette Winterson, and others as formational and transformational writers
At about 6:00, Stephanie cites the “world building and atmosphere” of Rice’s work that inspired Saturnalia and the Philadelphia of the book
At about 7:20, Stephanie highlights Sofia Samatar, her work regarding Uzbekistan especially, and Jeffrey Ford as beloved contemporary writers
At about 9:00, Stephanie responds to Pete’s questions about the importance (or lack thereof) of genre
At about 11:55, Stephanie gives background on/seeds for Saturnalia, including The Masque of Red Death and the Covid pandemic
At about 15:00, Pete asks about the balance/timing involving the book’s allegory/symbolism and its plot/premise
At about 16:30, The two discuss the epigraph from Umberto Eco and its connection to hedonism and climate change
At about 18:40, The exposition is laid out, and Stephanie discusses connections to Saturn and fortune telling’s importance in the book
At about 22:45, Pete summarizes the night of the winter solstice, including The Lord of Misrule, and Nina’s tough times that lead her to do a job for Max
At about 24:30, Pete connects a telling quote from Faulkner to the book’s pivotal violation and gender roles and power dynamics
At about 30:50, Stephanie responds to Pete’s musings about the book’s commentary on social class and power
At about 33:00, Stephanie and Pete speak about Philadelphia’s small-town feel and Niña’s feelings of being “trapped”
At about 36:55, Stephanie responds to Pete’s questions about any optimism/pessimism that comes from the book
At about 38:55, Alchemy and myth and the stories are discussed
At about 40:00, Stephanie talks about the ways she and readers continue to experience the book some seven months after publication
At about 41:40, Pete shares the book’s blurb from Carmen Maria Machado
At about 42:00, Stephanie shares an exciting future project
At about 43:00, Stephanie gives the history of the “blue laws” in PA
At about 44:00, Stephanie shares social media/contact info and places to buy her work, including Main Point Books, A Novel Idea, Weird Horror “The Getaway”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 187 with V Castro. She is a two-time Bram Stoker award nominated writer born in San Antonio, Texas, to Mexican American parents, and she has been writing horror stories since she was a child, always fascinated by Mexican folklore and the urban legends of Texas. Her latest is The Haunting of Alejandra.
The episode will air on June 13.
Episode 74 with Memoirist and Journalist and Dogged Pursuer of the Truth, Jean Guerrero, Author of Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, and Crux: A Cross-Border Memoir
Episode 73 with Roberto Lovato: Lightshiner and Truthteller-The Brilliant Excavator of Past Travesties and Author of the Incredible Memoir, Unforgetting
Episode 72 with Precise and Impassioned Poet, Creative, Radio Host, Teacher, and Founder of Southern Collective Experience, Clifford Brooks
Episode 71 with Music and Book Reviewer Extraordinaire and Author of the Dynamic, Educational, and Deeply-Researched Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded
Episode 70 with The "Master Craftsman with Astonishing Depth," and "Writer of the World," John Domini, the Author of 2021's The Archeology of a Good Ragù
Episode 69 with Observant Veteran Sportswriter Based in Tokyo and Author of the Well-Researched and Engrossing Going 15 Rounds with Jerry Izenberg, Ed Odeven
Episode 68 with The Hilarious, Profound, and Talented Writer of the Standout Debut Short Story Collection, Give My Love to the Savages, Chris Stuck
Episode 67 with Keen Observer, Fearless Fighter for Justice, and Food and Culture Writer, Esther Tseng
Episode 66 with Deep-Thinker, Aesthete, and Passionate Poet and Podcaster, Gabrielle Bates
Episode 65, with Natalie Lima, Master Essayist and Chronicler of the Universal and the Personal
Episode 64 with Director, Producer, Writer and Passionate, Award-Winning Storyteller for ESPN's 30 for 30 and E60, Martin Khodabakhshian
Episode 63 with Detail-Oriented, Master Storyteller about Sports and Beyond, and Author of Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between, Eric Nusbaum
Episode 62 with Poet, Activist, Actor and Powerful Performer, Donté Clark, Inspiration for Romeo is Bleeding
Episode 61 with Humor Writer for The Onion, Mad Magazine, and More: Funnyman, Dave Croatto
Episode 60 with the Immensely Cerebral and Passionate Poet Andrew Liu, Creator of California Metaphysics
Episode 59 with The Standout Crime Fiction Writer and Creator of Countless Compelling Characters, Tod Goldberg
Episode 58 with The Talented Writer and Comic Genius (and also WWE's Dr. Shelby!) Mike Aspinwall
Episode 57, with the Brilliant, Reflective, and Thoughtful Writer and Craftswoman of White Dancing Elephants: Chaya Bhuvaneswar
Episode 56 with Tireless Journalist, Raconteur, Voracious Reader, and Man of California and Orange County, Gustavo Arellano
Episode 55 with Scott Ellsworth, Writer of Moving, Impeccably-Researched Historical Novels like The Secret Game, Death in a Promised Land, and May 18th's The Ground Breaking
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends