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This is a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. DMZ welcomes Gail Carriger, an author who, if you’re a fan of steampunk, I’m sure you already know!
Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Introducing Gail Carriger
Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and millions of books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes book hugs – comedies of manners mixed with steampunk, urban fantasy, or sci-fi (and cozy queer joy as GL Carriger). Gail is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. You can find her at gailcarriger.com.
Before we discuss her new book, I must applaud Heartless. Dark Matter Zine was an infant when Heartless came out. I don’t like reading books out of order. However, there was a stir about the Parasol Protectorate. I accepted Heartless as the first book in the series to review. And what a first book! The opening chapter had me snorting and nearly rolling on the floor laughing although I didn’t know these characters, didn’t understand their relationships and had no clue what a claviger was.
Interview highlights
Who am I kidding? This entire interview is a highlight. However, some points:
Gail’s recommended reading order is NOT the order in which she wrote the books AND the order is controversial. For more information – and a choice of reading orders – check out Gail’s in-depth discussion here.
We also discuss archeology, disruptive events and, of course, Gail’s new book. To my delight, Gail delved straight into the nitty gritty of writing this new book/trilogy and some of her philosophies regarding her process. Then I asked her – again 
– to tell us about the premise of the book and the protagonist. Sold!
I planned to ask “What stories – in any format – do you love? Who are your favorite story creators?” Gail delves into generalities of what attracts her to read a book and what doesn’t. If I recall correctly, throughout the podcast she only names a few authors, including Travis Baldree and Bec Cameron.
Thanks
Thank you to today’s guest Gail Carriger! Guests coming soon include Suzy Zail, Wendy Orr and many more, so watch this space. This has been a Dark Matter Zine podcast and I’m your host Nalini Haynes. Thank you for listening, stay safe and have fun.
Acknowledgement of Country
Dark Matter Zine Acknowledges this recording is taking place on the unceded Country of the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
(I have occasionally acknowledged Country in podcasts. This year I aim to lift my game in many areas, so I plan to Acknowledge Country in every podcast. An Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners can be done by anyone. It’s a way of showing awareness of, and respect for, the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the land where a meeting or event is held. For more information about Country and respect for Australia’s First Nations, read this post that also has links to useful websites.)
