Everyone, there is a new entry for your TBR! Rae Wilde (also known as Rae Knowles) has just released her latest blockbuster. Lies That Bind, which she co-authored with April Yates, has just hit the shelves in the last week, and is already receiving great reviews! What better time to interview the wonderful Rae herself? Keep reading to find out how Rae feels about writing!
Rae, tell us more about yourself! Who are you and what do you do?
Rae Knowles (she/her) is a queer woman and author of The Stradivarius (May ‘23), a modern retelling of Gaslight, Merciless Waters (Nov '23), a sapphic folk horror tale set aboard a pirate ship, and coauthor of Lies that Bind (Feb '23) a very spicy, sapphic Edwardian horror story. She was the co-editor for Scissor Sisters, an anthology of sapphic villains (Jan '23) and her short fiction has been featured in Dark Matter Ink, Nightmare, Ghoulish Tales, Seize the Press, Taco Bell Quarterly, and Nosetouch Press, among others. Rae is an Active Member of the Horror Writers Association and is represented by Laura Williams at Greene & Heaton.
How did you become an author?
I began writing in high school, mostly poetry and short horror stories, then majored in English and minored in Creative Writing in college. After a detour from writing, I began my journey in earnest in 2020 by writing a thriller novel so terrible it will never see the light of day. Thankfully, my next book was better, and I've been learning and growing ever since.
Who’s your favourite character that you’ve ever written?
This is such a tough question because I truly love all of my characters, especially the ones most flawed. There is something intoxicating about Lily of Merciless Waters. I admire her aloofness and unashamed self-centeredness, which is an odd thing to say, but I find her rejection of social norms courageous even though it makes her something of a villain.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Writer's block is a sign for me that I need to rest and refill the well. Reading for pleasure, watching movies or TV, spending time outside are things that leave me feeling recharged.
What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?
For me, the hardest part of writing is the isolation. And I don't mean the hours alone actually typing out the thing. I mean the complexity of publishing, and the way the most important people in your life won't truly understand the height of the wins (when you have them) or know best how to support you those very long days when the inbox is quiet.
And how about the most rewarding?
By far the most rewarding thing is hearing a reader connected emotionally to my work. There is no way to sufficiently describe it and nothing else like it in the world.
Is there anyone you’d like to highlight, while you’re here?
My original group of author friends, The Coven, have been foundational for me. I cannot thank them enough for their support or over-emphasize the importance of finding a group of likeminded writers. This past year, my writing mentor, C.S. Humble has helped me grow in leaps and bounds. Of course, my family, especially my wife, who is unwavering in her support. I could write thank you letters every day and never be able to adequately express my gratitude to each of them.
How can people connect with you?
I'm on twitter, instagram, & Tiktok at @_Rae_Knowles and my website is www.RaeKnowles.com!
If you enjoyed this interview, then make sure you’re following my social media accounts (@kblakemanwriter on Twitter and @katherineblakemanwriter on Instagram) to get all the latest updates! And if you want to support my own Sapphic Fiction journey while you’re here, The Summer We’ve Had is available now, and Love You However is coming on March 22nd!
