Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Books about dogs when I was a child, and books about spiders and sloth-people in adulthood. It was an easy decision to begin writing in the series overseen by my husband (Julian Fernandes), Earth’s Final Chapter, first. The world is rich in sci-fi and dystopian elements, the vast universe offered many ways to contribute to the series while also getting creative freedom, and each EFC book is illustrated, which made it even more enticing. I wrote Book 16 for the series and felt encouraged to write more.
What inspired you to write your book?
We (Endless Ink Publishing House) needed a dark fantasy short story for the collection, Dark Tales of Whimsy. After spending a morning thinking about what I’d write, I remembered Anansi the Spider. I only learned of his character during the pandemic, when my daughter and I stopped going to the library and read some ebooks on my laptop. This children’s book featured a naughty spider who tricked animals, only to be outwitted by a quiet little bush deer. My daughter and I loved his character and I looked for more of his stories just out of my own curiosity. The list of tales of this arachnid god abound, and I decided it was time to write my own out of an admiration of his character. Little Miss Muffet seemed a good starting point. The original limerick was short, and needed that same eight-legged foil.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The theme of Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi the Spider is to protect those who are weak, to rebuke evil-doers, and have fun doing it. Although some Anansi stories depict him doing despicable things, others show him to be a storyteller, and a friend of those disenfranchised. The other function of this short story is to introduce this complex character of Jamaican folklore to more readers.
What drew you into this particular genre?
This was my first time writing in the fantasy genre, but I was excited for the challenge.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
If I could sit down with Anansi, I would ask him if I’ve been pronouncing his name wrong all this time.
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Twitter/X seems the most receptive platform for self-promotion for the time being.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just start. Read your stuff out loud to yourself. Don’t get down on yourself for making mistakes. You’re human, and your story would be less interesting if you were (always) perfect.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I am working on a story for an EFC short story collection about an inventor whose use of her shrinking invention comes at a price. I am eager to finish and see the art that will accompany it!
About the Author
Remy Fernandes lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, daughter, four turtles, two dogs, and one killer cat. Her published works include the sci-fi western, Earth’s Final Chapter: Book 16: Blink With A Capital O, and the short story, Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi the Spider, featured in Dark Tales of Whimsy. Although she has earned an Associates Degree in Elementary Education, Remy works in the home health industry while also editing and contributing for Endless Ink Publishing House.
