VN Alexander reads the opening of her novel Naked Singularity on The Strange Recital podcast. Afterwards she sits down to talk with hosts Brent Robison and Tom Newton.

Listen now.  Here’s snippet of the interview.

BR: I imagine most listeners will have the same question I do – how much of this story is autobiographical? And it’s completely acceptable if your answer is that it’s irrelevant because this is fiction. In fact, in the fiction arena, does so-called “truth” even matter?

VA: Well, I suppose the statute of limitations has run out?  My father did die of cancer.  He did ask me to help him die. But the cast of characters is completely different. 

TN: Both of my parents have departed, and I know that’s true for Brent as well. This is natural when we reach such advanced ages. You’re much younger, of course. But anyway, people disappear, the queue shuffles forward, and soon we find ourselves at the head of the line. Any thoughts about that?

VA: That’s one of the reasons losing a parent is so tough.  It says “you’re next!”  There should be lots of readers for this story.  Everyone goes through this and when they do many start obsessing about their own mortality and want to share the experiences of others.