Dragon Soul Press had a chance to interview Andria Kennedy, an author featured in Song of the Siren!

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1) Introduce yourself!

Hi! I’m Andria (Andi) Kennedy. I live in Portsmouth, Virginia (don’t worry—unless you live there, you don’t know where it is, either) with my husband, four cats (one is definitely a flerken), greyhound, and Cavalier King Charles spaniel. I am a proud Spoonie and neurodivergent, though I admit both can get in the way at times of what I want to do. (Never believe that nonsense of “your body and mind know what’s best for you”)

2) What prompted you to begin writing?

In second grade, I turned in an assignment—a typical essay on patriotism. Never thought anything of it. Except my teacher submitted it to the local essay contest. Which it won—and went on to win at the county, regional, and state level. (We’ll overlook the whole without my permission thing) She presented me with the award and told me I should consider becoming a writer…as did most of my teachers in school. And I did, but I told myself writing wasn’t a viable career. It was only meant as a hobby. Rhetoric I fed myself until 2020, when I retired as a veterinary technician and finally started writing full-time, courtesy of the encouragement (that’s a nicer word for it) of my best writing friend and husband.

3) Do you have a favorite story or poem you’ve written? What’s it about?

This will sound strange, but the favorite story I’ve written I’ve actually written three times. (And I’m
still hunting around for a home for it, so I’m going to be a little sparse on the details) The first iteration of “Glissando” dates back to 2005. I wanted to try my hand at flipping a fairy tale, so I chose “The Nightingale” and turned it sci-fi. During a workshop at PhilCon, Darrell Schweitzer (he was at Weird Tales at the time) proclaimed it “Not bad.” (From Darell, that’s a high compliment) It also received an Honorable Mention from the Writers of the Future contest. Then I tabled it. Until 2020 when my brain wanted to take a new stab at it. The core story idea remained the same, but I changed the POV, the tense (terrible idea), and the timeline. It made it to the Associate Editors round at Escape Pod (about 15-20% of stories get that far). A year later, with a long string of rejections, I set it aside again, figuring it was officially done. But my mind couldn’t let it go. So earlier this year, I tackled it again. The original idea was all that remained. Everything else changed, with more adherence to the theme of music. And honestly? This is the version I wanted from the beginning. The push and pull between technology and creativity (so relevant these days), the question of sacrifice for dreams, and the quiet lives of those who support us. Nineteen years to achieve perfection? Why not?

4) How many projects do you have planned over the next few years? Tell us about one.

Are we counting short stories in this project list? Because I don’t always have control over when a new idea will pop up (see below). As of this moment in time, though, there are twelve short stories and one flash piece on my list with full brainstorming completed (one additional is still in the “mulling” stage). Otherwise, I’m currently working on a YA sci-fi duology loosely titled Hostage Situation and Hostage Negotiation, set in a world of enhanced abilities. But Variance City has finally sorted out the annoyance of villains kidnapping random people off the street. Mostly.

5) What is your writing process like?

This is where I’m supposed to provide an uplifting response about how I write every day, have a collection of notebooks (okay, that’s true), and follow a regimented routine, right? Yeah, I can’t—with a clear conscience—do that. I don’t write every day. My body doesn’t always let me. Sometimes my brain interferes. So instead of getting chapters or scenes written, I might end up penning a character bio,
brainstorming a story, or writing up a query letter for my next novel idea. Maybe I’ll spend a few hours re-reading something I’ve previously written and overhaul it. Or I may not write at all and spend the day sketching or drawing. My process is to follow what my mind wants to do. Maybe that sounds un-writerly, but it’s what keeps me from burning out—or facing a ton of writer’s block.

6) Where do you draw inspiration from?

It probably sounds like bragging, but I don’t look for inspiration. I never have. Ideas pop out from literally everywhere, usually without prompting. I’ve written a story based on one word my therapist made in a session (which I stealthily scribbled down so I wouldn’t forget it). I came up with two others while watching reality show competitions. I saw a cartoon episode title once that demanded a story (utterly unrelated to the show). And then there are the usual twisted fairy tales and dream inspirations most writers credit. My notebooks are filled with ideas, and I keep adding more—without trying.

7) Who is your favorite author / what is your favorite book?

This always sounds strange when I start talking to genre people, but my favorite author will forever be Victor Hugo, with Les Misérables the top of his books (and, yes, I’m talking the unabridged version which tops out at 1,463 pages). He was the first author I read who created honest characters—rife with flaws—and made them unapologetically human. He broke your heart because you found yourself attached to everyone, regardless of their role in the narrative. To this day, I sob through re-reading the book.

8) What is one goal you have for your writing future?

What else? I want my name splashed across book covers on those shelves. Everything I do works toward that future.

9) What do you hope readers enjoy most from your work?

Reading, for me, has always been an escape. From a world that doesn’t understand, or a world that’s overwhelming, or a world that doesn’t make sense. I’m not claiming I provide those things in my writing
because I don’t. All I’m hoping readers get is the same chance to escape and not have to think about anything horrible for a little while. (Well, except for the few times I dabble into horror. My bad on those because…yeah, my brain goes into terrible places sometimes)

10) Where can readers learn more about you?

You can find me in the places you’d suspect: My website, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, and my invisible illness newsletter on Substack. And if you’re interested in art, Cara and Instagram (again—but because of Meta’s terrible AI policy, you’re going to see watermarks and less content).