Author Interview: Steven Amsterdam

Winner of the 2009 Age Book of The Year, Steven Amsterdam's debut novel Things We Didn't See Coming launched in the US this month following critical acclaim in Australia. Amsterdam sends us his thoughts from his New York promotional tour on what's new, old and still the same for a debut novelist.

Things We Didn’t See Coming (TWDSC) spans 30 years and 9 stories, a sort of post-apocalyptic ‘coming of age’ narrative set in the not-too-distant future. Eschewing familiar caustic visions of depopulated futures, the narrative of TWDSC covers multiple ends and beginnings (including the ‘failed’ Y2K apocalypse) with less focus on death, and more on the relationships between survivors as they etch out their own unique visions of a troubled future.

Each story in the collection can be read in isolation, but together they span a grand narrative, expertly paced and consistent in tone despite the variety of environments and characters covered; from disease ridden badlands to flooded forests and lavish mansions, all populated with an eclectic cast of characters.

“The stories, once I realised I was writing a longer narrative, were kept in the same tone, ” says Amsterdam. “Some consistency was added in the editorial process. This included fleshing out enough to make sure the reader felt there was some overall narrative to adhere to.”

Top Shelf Fiction

Backed by the independent Melbourne-based Sleepers Publishing, Amsterdam’s original take on the genre has earned him praise at home in Australia and now abroad with the February release of the book in the US through Pantheon.

Amsterdam’s debut has been described as “bold and daring”, his writing “tight, calculated and compelling” “with a voice that’s both authentic and absorbing”. More recently he has been compared with the likes of Chuck Palahniuk, Stephen King and, perhaps predictably due to the genre, Cormac McCarthy.

So has the positive reception of his first novel altered his perceptions of himself as a writer?

“Since I’ve been writing for so long, I think I’ve remained circumspect. I’m more or less the same writer I was a year ago–before I’d had any reviews–and the book was done about a year before that. I’m definitely more conscious that there’s a possibility that what I’m working on now will see the light of day, and that’s a new feeling. I’m not sure if the quality of my writing has changed. I suppose I’ll have to wait till the next book is published and reviewed to find out.”

I’m not one of those people who sits down every morning at five with green tea and absolute silence in a white room.

“If the success of the book thus far has changed me in any way, it’s made me feel guilty about my lack of consistency in my writing habits. I’ve been writing a long time, without worldly success so I have evolved into a writer who writes to please himself. I write when I feel like I’m ready to write, when I have the time.

“I’m not one of those people who sits down every morning at five with green tea and absolute silence in a white room. I sneak up on my writing, write some, then leave it alone for as long as a few weeks. I have an outline for what I’m doing, and at this point, faith that I’ll get there.”

TWDSC constitutes three and a half years of the Melbourne-based, New York-born, writer’s life. So what does it feel like to finally see it on the shelf?

“People have been asking me how this feels and I have to say it’s all come on gradually. There was a big moment when I first held the book, but since then I’ve been pretty rational. When I first saw it in a stack (near the entrance!) of Readings in Melbourne, I called my publisher to complain that the 20% off sticker was blocking the beautiful cover. (I’ve calmed down, as it seems like 20% off stickers come with lots of books.)”

“Even when I got the hardcover Pantheon edition, I was more involved with seeing what quotes they’d used than letting the emotion wash over me. Maybe I’m a no-feelings lemon.”

On Self Promotion

Whilst holding down a regular job as a nurse, Amsterdam maintains what he calls his ‘double life’ as a new author. The success of the book has earned him an invitation to the ‘inner circle’ of authordom; in addition to book signings, guest workshops and launches, Amsterdam has appeared at writer’s festivals in Brisbane and Melbourne and will feature at the upcoming Sydney Writer’s Festival in May.

It’s a bit of a learning curve for a first-timer—the website, the interviews, the little bios one is asked to write, the relationships involved in trying to maintain visibility and coverage for the book.

Amsterdam suggests self promotion has its own unique learning curve for a first time novelist:

“Despite having spent ten years working in various aspects of publishing, I’m amazed at how much collateral work is required with book promotion,” he says. “It’s a bit of a learning curve for a first-timer—the website, the interviews, the little bios one is asked to write, the relationships involved in trying to maintain visibility and coverage for the book. I’m surprised that I’m so surprised about it.

“The time and mental energy that this takes is not small. In addition to working on the next book, I have a regular job as a nurse. I enjoy having the double life and don’t see that changing anytime soon, but the promotional stuff is like another whole corner of my life these days.

“Since the book is being released one country at a time, Australia last March, US last week, UK in August (with French and Dutch editions next year), this kind of thing will continue.”

In spite of this, he is quick to assure other writers perhaps eager to walk in his shoes:

“I am not complaining.”

***

Things We Didn’t See Coming is available at all good bookstores in Australia, through Sleepers, and in the US, by Pantheon. You can find out more about what Steven Amsterdam is up to on his very pretty website.

No related posts.