Interview with Nicole Lewis

Khayrun Gure: What were some challenges you experience in your role for the anthology?

Nicole Lewis: As the Head of Editorial on Tessellate, I think the main challenge was just working with the sheer volume of manuscripts (33, to be exact). I feel like I have read each of them at least 10 times, and especially, doing this alongside my regular school work was tough. However, it was also a great learning experience for me as an aspiring editor.

KG: Are there any publications that inspire you?

NL: In terms of novels, my all-time favourite book (series) is Harry Potter, and my favourite poetry is by Amanda Lovelace. I love the magical aspect of Harry Potter and the fairytale-aesthetic of Lovelace’s poetry.

KG: What does a novel need to include for you to finish the novel?

NL: Nowadays, with my short attention span, a novel usually needs to be my exact niche interest in order to finish it. It usually works with stories that include mythological aspects, magical schools, fairytale-esque aesthetics, and sometimes even superhero stories. I actually read more graphic novels than novels, currently.

KG: Do you prefer ebooks, print, or audiobooks? Or all?

NL: I will always prefer print books over any other medium. However, if I can’t get a physical copy of it, I don’t mind reading it in the ebook form.

KG: Do you have a book that you have read more than once?

NL: That would probably be the Harry Potter series. There was a time where I would re-read it every year. I think I could still do it, but I have to stop after the fourth book because it gets too sad otherwise.

KG: What do you require in a room to stay focused?

NL: Before, I used to listen to piano covers of k-pop songs (specifically songs from girl-groups). Now, like I said before, my attention span is very short and I easily get distracted, so I have to do my school and editing work in complete silence.

KG: If you could spend one day with a popular author, who would it be?

NL: Molly Ostertag is one of my favourite graphic novelists who wrote and illustrated The Witch Boy series, among other LGBTQIA+ graphic works. I really like how she created her own definition and community of witches and shapeshifters, and I feel like I'd really learn from her in terms of how to develop my own story-telling.