Check the book out here https://amzn.to/3cIdzNQ Bethany C. Morrow writes speculative fiction and young adult fiction. Her debut novel was Mem and her latest novel is A Song Below Water. We spoke about the book, her science fiction passions, her writing process, and the fiction publishing industry. 0:35 – Bethany talks about what the novel is about. 3:54 – Bethany talks about the use of mythology and contemporary fantasy in the novel. 8:44 – Bethany explains the idea of a Mami Wata. 11:08 – Bethany talks about vitriol against black female authors on twitter and on online forums. 13:25 – Bethany talks about how she writes for black girls. 17:00 – Bethany talks about the editing of her book who can understand the themes she is exploring. 22:04 – Bethany explains why she chose Portland Oregon for the setting of the book. 27:32 – Bethany talks about what prompted her to write contemporary fantasy. 32:55 – Bethany talks about her love of science fiction and the Planet of the Apes series. 37:55 – Bethany talks about the speculative fiction she loves. 38:57 – Bethany talks about growing up with Star Trek. 41:15 – Bethany talks about the musical aesthetic of the book. 42:19 – Bethany talks about her writing process. 46:33 – Bethany talks about how her writing process has changed over time. 48:58 – Bethany talks about how her ideas develop. 50:51 – Bethany talks about her interest in sociology and clinical psychology. 52:56 – Bethany talks about spending time in Wales and what cultural relations were there. 56:04 – Bethany talks about the editing of her book. 56:40 – Bethany talks about loving the Star Trek holodeck and replicators. 59:38 – Bethany talks about disliking future sci-fi characters who are into 80s and 90s culture. 1:01:41 – Bethany talks about her future writing projects. 1:04:09 – Bethany talks about the strong interest in A Song Below Water and the obstacles for black female writers in getting published. 1:10:15 – Bethany is on twitter and instagram @bcmorrow and at bethanycmorrow.com.   Links of interest https://amzn.to/3cIdzNQ https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250315328 https://www.bethanycmorrow.com/ https://twitter.com/BCMorrow https://instagram.com/BCMorrow For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast Guests: Bethany C. Morrow Host: Cris Alvarez Tags: fantasy, writer, novel, novelist, fiction, sister-friends, Portland, magical, sirens, cosplay, mermaids, Mami Wata, Portland, progressive racism, buffy, true blood, Planet of the Apes, The Expanse, Star Trek, The Avengers, Containment, Lewis Duncan, Christopher Pike, Asimov, Wales, reclaimed classics, publishing