Interview with Priya J. Sridhar
Today, I’m talking with Priya J. Sridhar, who is a prolific writer spanning fiction and nonfiction, and much more! Read on to learn more!
DV: Tell me a little about yourself and your writing.
PJS: I am a speculative fiction writer with eight books under my belt, a nerdy nonfiction writer, and a copywriter in my day job. Speculative fiction is one of my passions, and I also am practicing my comics art on the side. In short, I do a lot.
My most recent book is Understudies, about a theater troupe making a deal for performance space and free rent, in exchange for giving up body heat, and other people in some cases. It is a companion to my book Offstage Offerings, but you don’t need to read Offstage Offerings to understand the Understudies continuity.
DV: In addition to fiction, you write extensively on popular culture topics. How did you get started in that field?
PJS: I think I have to thank the A.V. Club for that. The A.V. Club in its heyday used to post detailed recaps of animated and live-action shows. Writers would note things that we had missed, and identify cultural references. I saw they weren’t doing Amphibia, however, and wanted to rectify that. Since the A.V. Club wasn’t hiring, I did the recaps on my own. They are still ongoing, since I post other materials.
In addition, I was writing for a dream website for several years, Book Riot. As a result, I started a NetGalley account to request review copies and interviewing authors. After I started a publication on Medium, the Permanent Nerd Network, I found out that I like reviewing books in detail, on my own terms.
DV: You’ve recently started a newsletter. What can subscribers expect to find within it?
PJS: Currently my newsletter has little updates about what I’m doing, along with the most recent links of blogs, articles, and recipes. I sometimes post pictures of birds and mangos from our mango tree at home, or the food that I am trying while traveling. Mind that it’s a work-in-progress and I want to make sure the newsletter is interesting.
DV: What is the coolest thing about being a writer?
PJS: The coolest thing about being a writer is the emotional connection. You can create something that will connect with people you never meet, to bring them joy, sadness, catharsis, or all three at once. A horror story can stay with you at all hours in the night, while an optimistic tale can carry you through tough times. You never know who you may help, or who may help you with a new world of wonder or terror.
DV: What are you working on next?
PJS: Currently I’m researching for a potential children’s story about a sinking castle with a mysterious treasure within the walls. Hoping that it will be fun and I can use it as a break from the agent submission trenches. (If an agent wants to read my work, please email me!)
In addition, I’m finishing up some freelance nonfiction for two publications. One will be an interview with an elusive game developer named Jan Bauman, and I’m proud of that one since it took a while to track down.
DV: Where else can people find you?
PJS: Website: http://priyajsridhar.com/
Medium: https://priyasridhar-9044.medium.com/
Superjump: https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/author/priyasridhar/
Newsletter signup: https://buttondown.email/PSridhar
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/priyajsridhar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFF_Sridhar
Mastodon: https://wandering.shop/@Priyajsridhar
Thanks so much, Priya!
Comments