Phoebe Xavier is among other things a writer, comic book publisher, and comedian. This interview is occurring due to her being the author of the upcoming book Superliminal Latency (2023). It is a book that deals with a variety of genres including sci-fi and horror. Superliminal Latency also somewhat ties into her comic series Sidereal Apogee (2019-Present). Also there is some adults only material in some of the stories in the book.
Cover of Superliminal Latency (2003)
(+++WARNING: some of the following answers might contain content that is not be safe for work +++!)
Benjamin Hall: How would you describe this collection to someone unsure about buying your book Superliminal Latency?
Phoebe Xavier: It is an enthralling 17 short story anthology composed of Cyberpunk, Horror and Horror Porn. There is an easy way to avoid the porn stories if you choose, built into the Table of Contents.
Hall: What makes this collection different from other horror/sci-fi collections besides its connections to your comics?
Xavier: Well the introduction of Horror Porn, centered on graphic sex, graphic violence and graphic substance abuse I reckon is a benchmark.
Hall: Do you find that your abilities as a comic creator is helping your prose writing? Specifically has it been helpful in characterization and/or plotting?
Xavier: I have been a song writer, poet, comedian and seriously trying to write both comics and books all along. For me most of these things date back thirty years to my teens in the nineties. So, yeah, hopefully my varied skillset compliments itself, (drunk Phoebe types in all seriousness.)
Hall: Not that it isn’t apt, but why use the word “Allocution” instead of either “foreword” or “introduction” at the beginning of the book?
Xavier: So, I subscribe to a few science blogs and a word-a-day definition site. This past summer ‘allocution’ came up in the word-a-day email on the same week my editor Joseph and I were working out details on the introduction and I made the switch there. He opposed it initially but I think it works stylistically insofar as how fluid in tone and genre this book is.
Hall: Which story do you remember having the easiest time with?
Xavier: ‘Dinnertime’ maybe. Least research, most of me. ‘Train Wreck’ same reasons. But I did breeze through ‘Targeted Adverts’. I felt hella Tony Hawk with how easily and certainly I landed my intent there.
Hall: Do you believe that self-censoring via trigger warnings, or as you say in the allocution “codes,” should occur for certain works or genres?
Xavier: I think trigger warnings are good. Some of us do have severe trauma we have to deal with everyday. With that said I do have a story named ‘triggerwarning’ partially plotted for the next collection. #NoSpoilers
Hall: Who is your favorite character from this collection that does not originate from your work in comics?
Xavier: They are kind of symbiotic, so that’s a hard question, but the character that is not in Sidereal Apogee but who is at least nominally in Superliminal Latency that I think is worth further consideration if I may rephrase your question? That would be Tara Stone. I can envision writing comic book shorts that tell us more about her before her death in The Slipstream Fiasco.
Hall: Where and when can people buy the book?
Hall: Finally you mention a possible second collection sometime in the future. Would it be in the same genres, and is it dependent on this one’s sales?
Xavier: That is something I’m working on doing no matter what any other sales are. All of my projects occur in that space. If issues 1-4 of a book only sold twenty copies a piece that is no reason to halt work on it. If I still love the content then I am on board for my team’s ideas.
The next collection has a tentative title and three sections outlined; short stories, non-fiction and a screenplay. It will most likely be called (Imp)erfect Mathematics. Articles, poems and essays I have written will go in the nonfic portion. There are also at least 8 short stories for that and a 120 page screenplay about tweaker vampire graffiti artists in L.A.
Please stay tuned for that.
Hall: Thanks to Phoebe Xavier for her answers!
Phoebe Xavier is among other things a writer, comic book publisher, and comedian. This interview is occurring due to herCOMICON
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