An Interview with Myka Silber: Author of Soft & Rage – Silver Winner in the 2022 SPR Book Awards

Myka Silber grew up surrounded by the forests, mountains, and ocean of the Pacific Northwest. They now live in Ontario, Canada, with a mercurial cat. Myka holds both a BA and an MA in International Relations. They are an emerging writer of fantasy fiction of all kinds, and you can follow them on Instagram @myka.silber.

Tell us about your book.

Soft & Rage is a collection of sixteen short stories in a diverse range of genres, with a focus on atmosphere. The stories were written at different points in time, with the oldest story having been written in 2007 and the newest in 2022. They weren’t initially conceived to be a cohesive lot, and I spent a lot of time picking through my collection of short stories and flash fiction pieces to find a grouping that made sense together. The uniting theme, as described in the introduction to the collection, is an emphasis on setting. Every story has a rich, immersive feel to the place where it is happening, even if it’s just in a car.

Why did you want to write a book?

I’ve been writing stories since I was in primary school. It’s just always been something I’ve enjoyed doing, but I didn’t take it seriously for a long time. It was more of a hobby that I did for fun. It was really in 2020 when everyone was forced to re-evaluate their lives due to the pandemic that I figured why not, I’d give publishing my work an actual shot.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I knew it was unlikely that a collection of short stories from a debut author would get picked up by a traditional publishing house, and I very much believe in the collection i put together in Soft & Rage. It was also a little bit of curiosity – I wanted to work through all the different steps of the publishing process on my own, and be able to have full artistic control over the final product.

Would you self-publish again?

Yes, I would. Self-publishing means I can work at my own pace and have a lot more artistic control over the final product. I also like being able to find editors and cover artists who have the right vibe for what I’m trying to put together, and it’s been really great working with small companies who specialize in working with indie writers to get my work as polished as it can be. I think the process has also given me a better appreciation for all of the work that goes into producing a book, regardless of the method of publication.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

Traditional publishing has entire teams of people that take care of the different portions of the publishing process, whereas indie writers who self-publish have to do all the work themselves. It’s also necessary to do a lot of research to understand the platform you’re using to publish, and to find reputable editors and cover artists. All of the marketing is also an indie writer’s responsibility, and it can be a bit daunting to know what the best plan is for getting your work to a broad audience. There is also a certain amount of a cost hurdle – if you want to hire a professional editor, get custom cover art or interior formatting, or pay for marketing services, the costs can add up.

What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?

Do your homework. Check to make sure that any company you’re hiring is legitimate, that they fit with the brand image you have in mind, that they work with the genre you’re writing. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you get to hold a book you wrote in your own hands.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

I’m allergic to scheduling blocks of time for writing. Or most things, really. I write when I feel like writing, which means it generally takes me a very long time to finish pieces. I have multiple WIPs on the go, and if I decide I want to write, I’ll generally pick up the project that best suits my frame of mind at that particular point in time. I primarily write for the enjoyment of creating something, and I’m not interested in trying to force the process. I also spend a lot of time just thinking about my stories. Even if I’m not actively writing, I am likely to be considering different elements of the story and plot points.

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

Soft & Rage has stories in genres from fantasy to sci-fi to literary and historical fiction, with some strong horror elements scattered throughout. I think it’s very indicative of my broad range of interests. I don’t necessarily just write in one genre, though fantasy is my preferred genre overall. Ultimately, I find the way people interact with one another to be incredibly fascinating, regardless of what the background setting is. People can be on a spaceship or in a World War 1 trench or flying on a dragon’s back and all of those settings provide different and interesting ways to explore how the characters interact with one another and with their environment and overcome challenges. Even though all of the stories in Soft & Rage have a strong atmospheric sense of place, they are all still explorations of people.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

Writing might be a solo activity, but publishing is not. Having author friends to be able to ask questions is incredibly valuable. Beta readers who will provide you with honest feedback are also definitely a necessity, as is hiring a professional editor to make your work the most polished version of itself it can be. There’s also just generally a lot of work that goes into producing a polished final product.

What’s next for you as an author?

I”m currently working through the editing phase of a Fantasy Horror Western novel that will be titled Rider’s Blood, Moonlit Black. I haven’t announced a publication date yet, but I’m anticipating it’ll be in the second half of this year. I’m also working on a few other longer novels on and off, but those are in the drafting stage still.