Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Want to be featured? Email us: online@britishfantasysociety.org
Name:
Carmelo Rafalà (he/him)
Which region are you based in?
East Sussex, UK
If you write, which genre:
Sci-fi, fantasy, a touch of horror.
If you don’t write, what do you do?
You might find me at the cinema or hanging in a bookstore. I get together with two good friends every few weeks to have lunch and talk about the field of speculative fiction (books, film, writing, what’s newly published and what’s been rediscovered, stories we’re working on, etc).
Are you drawn to any specific SFFH sub-genres?
I try and read everything.
Your influences
Tell us about the book/film/thing that got you into SFFH: What was it? How old were you? What impact did it have on you?
I was about ten years old, at home with the flu, when I read a series of children’s books called “Dig Allen, Space Explorer” by Joseph Greene. There are six books in the series. They were already pretty dated when I read them, and the books are long out of print. But they were great for firing up a kid’s imagination.
Later books range from Ray Bradbury, Ursula Le Guin, Samuel R Delany, Leigh Brackett, C.L. Moore, Harlan Ellison, JG Ballard, Stanislaw Lem, Philip K Dick.
My early favourite films are 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Gattaca, Alien, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
How does that early influence show up for you (in life/writing/agenting/publishing/editing/reading) now?
I think it shows up for me in how my characters grapple with identity, displacement, truth and the need to belong. I am fascinated by the way myth and memory shape personal and cultural narratives.
Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
It can come from anywhere, while on a walk, spending time in Sicily (as pictured), sitting and staring into space, a conversation with someone. A memory. Anywhere, really.
Who do you look to as a genre hero? Why?
That’s a difficult one. They all contribute something to the field that I admire. It could be how they use language, characterisation and dialogue, world-building, etc.
Your Work
You’re stuck in an elevator for 60 seconds with that hero, and they want you to describe your work. Give us the pitch.
Identity, survival, transformation, the struggle of the individual against the vastness of a cold and indifferent universe.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on a short novel. It is science fiction but may not immediately come across as science fiction. I am also working on a science fiction novella, which may or may not become a novel. (That’s what’s truly interesting about writing; you never know what’s going to happen.)
Thinking about all the stories/work you’ve done, what sticks out most in your mind? Why?
My most recent collection, The Stars Must Wait (pictured, with cover by Ben Baldwin), stands out because it shows me, personally, where I have come from as a storyteller and where I might be heading.
Where and when do you create/are you at your most creative?
I do the bulk of my writing in my home office. I am usually more creative during the morning and late in the evening. I prefer peace and quiet. I only listen to music if it is ambient and has no drumbeat, as that will distract me. A nice droning ambient sound works best.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about creativity?
There is no one size fits all approach; work the way that suits you best. If anyone tells you they have the magic formula and want to sell it to you, laugh at them and walk away. Grifters are best avoided.
What’s your writing soundtrack?
If I listen to music, it’s usually from YouTube and, as mentioned, does not have a drumbeat. There are some good channels for this type of ambient music, like NEOUS or Symbology Cinematics.
The Quick-Fire Round
Sci-fi, fantasy or horror?
Sci-fi and fantasy, some horror.
Quiet or loud?
Quiet
Dark or light?
Dark
Strict lines or genre blend?
Genre blend
Awards or bestseller?
It doesn’t matter, really. I never let “award-winner” or “bestseller” influence what I choose to read. However, these days I try and read more books that are published by smaller publishers, books a bigger publisher will never take a chance on.
Fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction
Poetry or prose?
Prose
Plotter or pantser?
Pantser (my characters tell me their story; I simply write it down)
Reading or listening?
I prefer reading, though I occasionally listen to podcasts.
Notebook or computer?
Laptop
Favourite SFFH book of all time?
It’s a three-way tie! Nova, by Samuel R Delany, Solaris, by Stanislaw Lem, A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula LeGuin
Last book you read?
The Ballad of Black Tom, by Victor Lavalle
Any SFFH author on auto-buy?
Nope. I might go broke if I did that.
Favourite podcast?
Escape Pod and PodCastle
The Home Stretch
What’s the best thing about being part of the SFFH community?
Chatting with people who are of like mind and who you click with.
Time to plug your stuff! Where can we find you and your work? What have you got coming up? Consider this your advertising space.
My collection, The Stars Must Wait, launched yesterday, 30 October, at World Fantasy Convention.
My recent short story, The Clarity of Ice (pictured), was released in August as a stand-alone e-short.
More information about my stories on my website: carmelorafala.com
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