Episode 95: Geek Interview: Redefining Genres with New York Times Bestselling Author Madeleine Roux

Serial killers and murder clowns? Nah. The real fear is sexual assault and living with trauma. We’re joined by New York Times bestselling novelist, Madeleine Roux, who’s redefining the horror genre one fear at a time.

About Madeleine Roux

Madeleine Roux is the New York Times Bestselling author of the ASYLUM series. She received her BA in Creative Writing and Acting from Beloit College in 2008. In the spring of 2009, Madeleine completed an Honors Term at Beloit College, proposing, writing, and presenting a full-length historical fiction novel. Shortly after, she began the experimental fiction blog Allison Hewitt Is Trapped. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped quickly spread throughout the blogosphere, bringing a unique serial fiction experience to readers.

Madeleine’s most recent release is Shadows Rising, a World of Warcraft novel preceding the latest expansion, Shadowlands.

We’re so excited to have Madeleine with us on this episode! It is literally full of the most incredible knowledge bombs (kinda hate that phrase but we’re going with it) possible.

Madeleine shares what it’s like being a horror writer in such a male-dominated craft. In fact, Madeleine is making damn waves in her industry and topping bestseller’s lists.

She’s literally redefining the horror genre. What is fear? Actually, though. Ask yourself what are you truly afraid of?

Madeleine doesn’t write safe horror. Her books aren’t abstract. Madeleine’s horror can actually happen: sexual assault, consent, privilege, abusive relationships, and gaslighting.

You know, real world things that women go through every single day. This is way scarier than the mainstream horror of a serial killer at a summer camp.

We also talk about how art and writing is subjective. It all comes down to how you perceive the works. Will Madeleine ever tell you what she wants you to experience? Probably not, unless it’s plot specific!

Something Madeleine believes is so necessary is putting real world scenarios in fiction writing. That’s why she writes about such hard truths. It’s how she makes her writing so honest, real, and raw.

Madeleine’s not here for your bullshit theory that politics don’t belong in art: There is ALWAYS politics in art and anyone who tries to tell you different is lying. Any creator will put their own values and views into their work.

We also talk about our former love of Harry Potter and what it’s like experiencing the downfall of a favourite author in real time. It’s even harder to discover JK Rowling is a total shithead in real time as a culture than knowing that, for example, Lovecraft is a dick. It feels like an extra betrayal, extra hurt, extra sore.

Madeleine also gets a full rant in about how this author started the train of deciding plot points and other things about your books after interpretation. It’s shitty and it’s lazy and we are NOT having it up in here!

Some of the other truths coming out this episode are about fanfiction (we all love a good fanfic – and some of us write them!), the BEST advice for new writers (read all different authors and genres, READ ROMANCE, and writing book recommendations), and how you can be mobile as a female writer in such a damn misogynistic industry.

Writing Resources Mentioned

• Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) by Lisa Cron
• Wonderbook (Revised and Expanded): The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction by Jeff Vandermeer
• The Kick-Ass Writer: 1001 Ways To Write Great Fiction, Get Published, And Earn Your Audience by Chuck Wendig
• Damn Fine Story: Mastering the Tools of a Powerful Narrative Paperback by Chuck Wendig

Find Our Guest Online

Find Madeleine Roux Online
Fine Madeleine Roux on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

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If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please check out some of our others!

• Episode 92: Geek Discussion: All Hail the Scream Queens with Michael from AllHallowScream
• Geek Interview: Life as a Professional Feminist with Virginia Mendez from The Feminist Shop
• Episode 87: Geek Interview: An Insight into Second Wave Feminism with Professor Taliep

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Geekily yours,
Amanda & Monika