Thank you to everyone who tuned into our exclusive interview with the brilliant Angela Yuriko Smith! Whether you watched live or are catching up now, we deeply appreciate your support, especially to our paid Substack members who make these interviews possible. Your dedication allows us to continue bringing insightful conversations with some of the best in the writing world!
For those who missed it, we had an incredible chat with Angela Yuriko Smith—an award-winning poet, author, publisher, and mentor—who shared invaluable insights into her writing journey and the importance of community within the literary world. Angela’s career is an inspiring one, and it was a privilege to hear her discuss her path, from discovering her love for writing as a child to becoming a two-time Bram Stoker Awards® winner and a respected mentor in the Horror Writers Association (HWA).
Key Takeaways from Angela's Journey:
Angela emphasized the importance of authenticity in writing, encouraging writers to be true to themselves and find their unique voice. She reflected on how her passion for writing has always been deeply personal, starting from her childhood and evolving as she found her niche in speculative fiction and horror.
Her advice? Find what resonates with you and lean into it—that’s how you create stories that feel alive and connect with readers.We also discussed Angela's role as a mentor. Through her work with the HWA, she’s dedicated to helping emerging writers overcome the challenges of the industry. For Angela, building a supportive community is crucial to success, as it empowers writers to grow and thrive. She reminded us that writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one when you have a strong network of fellow creatives.
A Closer Look at How to Laika Dog:
One of the most moving parts of the interview was our conversation about her latest book, How to Laika Dog: One Night Family. Part of her How to Fix This series, this installment tells the emotional story of Laika, the stray dog sent into space on a one-way mission aboard Sputnik 1. Angela beautifully captures Laika's final moments with a family before embarking on her tragic mission, blending historical fact with deep emotional resonance.Angela shared how How to Laika Dog fits into her series of cautionary tales, with each book offering a powerful message wrapped in speculative storytelling. Laika’s story, in particular, touches on themes of sacrifice, empathy, and the far-reaching consequences of human decisions. It’s a testament to Angela's ability to take real-world events and weave them into compelling, reflective fiction.Looking Ahead: Upcoming Projects and More.
Angela also gave us an exciting glimpse into her future projects! She has more cautionary tales in the works, continuing her exploration of human nature, history, and the supernatural. Her involvement with the Horror Writers Association remains a big focus, where she continues to uplift the horror genre and mentor the next generation of writers.A Final Word on the Power of Writing:
Throughout the interview, Angela emphasized that writing is not just about telling stories—it’s about leveraging your words for a desired outcome. Whether you're writing to entertain, inform, or provoke thought, your work has the power to make a real impact. Her advice to writers was clear: stay authentic, find your community, and use your writing to achieve what matters most to you.
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