Overview
This is a Chicago Public Library virtual Pride Month program featuring an interview with Yoon Ha Lee, a Korean American science fiction and fantasy author. The discussion covered queer identity in fiction, folklore, genre blending, writing process, recent and upcoming books, and reader engagement.
Author Background and Identity in Writing
- Yoon Ha Lee is known for integrating queer characters and societies in their speculative fiction.
- Influences include Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books and Ann McCaffrey's Pern series for their queer representation.
- Lee values stories where queer and non-binary characters live ordinary lives rather than serving purely as vehicles for trauma narratives.
- Secondary world settings facilitate inclusion of queer characters without focusing on societal acceptance struggles.
Representation and Community in Literature
- Stories by authors from their own marginalized communities bring authenticity but are not monolithic; experiences vary widely.
- The pressure to disclose personal identities for "authenticity" can be harmful, particularly regarding safety and privacy.
- River Solomon ("An Unkindness of Ghosts") and S. Qiouyi Lu ("In the Watchful City") cited as favorite contemporary queer authors.
Folklore and Genre Blending
- Lee incorporates diverse mythologies and fairy tales, especially Korean folklore, into their fiction.
- Inspiration comes from reading global myths, fairy tales, and Korean folk stories.
- Enjoys weaving multiple genres—science fiction, fantasy, folklore, mystery—often making traditional categorization difficult.
Writing Process and Character Complexity
- No strict system for managing genre blending; ideas are combined organically.
- Prefers morally gray or complex characters, focusing on transformation arcs rather than clear-cut heroes or villains.
- Inspired by both children's and adult fantasy and recent fractured fairy tales by other authors.
Recent and Upcoming Works
- "Dragon Pearl" (middle grade) blends space opera and folklore and is followed by "Tiger Honor," featuring a non-binary main character.
- "Phoenix Extravagant" shifts to art-driven magic and explores imperialism, cultural appropriation, and the significance of pigments in art.
- A new fairy tale collection, "The Fox's Tower and Other Tales," is forthcoming in October, featuring uplifting stories.
- A new novel in progress, but details are yet to be announced.
Decisions
- Use "it" for the mechanical dragon in Phoenix Extravagant to avoid pronoun confusion and emphasize its mechanical nature.
Action Items
- TBD – Readers: Check out Yoon Ha Lee’s books at the Chicago Public Library or online.
- TBD – Viewers: Visit the CPL YouTube page for the recorded program and further virtual events.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Announcements about Lee's next novel will be shared when officially available.