Interview with Jessica Fiegehen

Khayrun Gure: What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?

Jessica Fiegehen: The first author I disliked but grew into was James Herriot. At first I thought he was prissy and vulgar when doing his vet job with farm animals, but he grew on his life and on me.

KG: Where did your idea come from? What was your inspiration when writing your novel?

JF: The poetry collection I wrote was inspired both by my own struggles with mental health, and with the science of the universe. While we're pretty sure how stars are created; how entropy takes down systems; and how the universe will die in ice, there are still thousands of things we don't understand.

KG: Why did you think it is important to write in this genre?

JF: I love science, so I wanted to mash together science and poetry. The poems also discuss my relationship with mental health. Which is important both for me to let the past go, and for others to see that it's possible to one day be ok.

KG: What is your favourite underappreciated novel?

JF: My favourite novel is definitely Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. The depictions of fae creatures as violent and dangerous, and their guardians—humans who understand the need to protect them while also needing to be safe from them—was really clever.