Indie Authors Uncovered - Meet the person behind the pages - Iris Retzlaff - Mixed Emotions
Where were you born?
I was born in Germany.
Where do you live?
In a forgotten little corner of Germany, nestled in between Austria and Switzerland.
Do you have fur babies?
I used to.
Sadly, Harley, my grumpy bunny granny, just recently crossed the rainbow to join the little bunny gang. I miss them all so much, but especially Kiyo and Harley.
Do you use a pen name?
No, I don't.
What kind of writer are you?
- Old School Notebook and pen Writer,
- Modern Day Laptop/PC Writer.
Name one book you loved as a kid - one you loved as a new adult - and one you love now.
- Krabat (Otfried Preußler)
- Luck in the Shadows (Lynn Flewelling)
- The Last Sun (KD Edwards)
Is there an author you look up to? Or had an influence on your craft?
Not really, but Lynn Flewelling - amongst a few others - showed me that yes, you can write fantasy in a queer normative world with queer MCs without making their queerness the main focus, at a time when there was hardly any queer sff at all
How would you describe your craft in one sentence
A mixed bag - either, some of my stories are very humorous and lighthearted, others dark and heartbreaking.
At The Dreamer's Bookshop, we embrace diversity and advocate for invisible illnesses. How do you feel about those topics? Do you include messages in your writing?
Diversity is very important, and it makes no sense to me as a sff author not to include diversity in my books as much as I can. The same goes for invisible illnesses and any form of disability. By trying to include them as much as possible in our stories, we can educate others and dissolve the stigmata.
Do you have red lines when it comes to writing/reading?
Books that follow or glamorize harmful ideology, or from which ppl profit who actively use this money to cause harm to others. When it comes to writing - well, I only write what my muse dictates anyway.
Was there a review that touched you more than others?
The first review I received for Moon's Lament, which is unfortunately gone because the user's account has been deleted.
If someone asked you why you write, what would you answer in one sentence?
Simply to tell the stories that are in my head and make their world come true.
Which book are you most proud of and why?
All of them, but especially Moon's Lament. I spent more than 15 years working on this book, its world feels like home to me, its characters are my friends and family.
What would you tell an aspiring writer?
Don't give up, be stubborn, and tell the story only you can tell.
What's a wish you have for yourself as an author?
That my books find the readers who appreciate them.
What's a wish you have for yourself as a person?
To find my place.
Do you have a message for your audience?
Give indie authors a chance, you never know what unique gems you might find.
