Q&A: Maddie Martinez, Author of 'The Maiden and Her Monster'

We chat with author Maddie Martinez about The Maiden and Her Monster, which is a gorgeous, atmospheric debut fantasy rooted in history, folklore, and sapphic romance—perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Ava Reid, Hannah Whitten, and Naomi Novik.

Hi, Maddie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi, sure thing! I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico but live in New York City now. I have a bachelor’s in political science from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and a master’s in international peace and conflict resolution from American University in Washington, DC. I enjoy using both my academic background and my personal interest in folklore and history to inspire my fiction work.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember. Words have always been such an integral part of my life, and I’ve always found such catharsis in hearing and telling stories. I was told a lot of stories growing up, and I’ve never been able to tame my imagination since.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

The first book you ever remember reading: Probably one of the Junie B. Jones books!
The one that made you want to become an author: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Daevabad Trilogy by Shannon Chakraborty!

**Your debut novel, The Maiden and Her Monster, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?**

Dark, atmospheric, hopeful, folkloric, tender!

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a dark fantasy filled with political intrigue, a bit of horror, and a subplot sapphic romance full of yearning.

**Where did the inspiration for The Maiden and Her Monster come from?**

I was inspired by a combination of things! The story is loosely based on the late medieval ages in Prague, which was a very interesting time politically. The Catholic Church was losing its grip on power, and the Protestant Reformation was beginning to take shape. I wanted to examine what it means to be in this transitional period and what people are willing to do to maintain their grip on power. This is also, of course, a reimagining of the Golem of Prague story, so that–along with other elements of Jewish folklore–was a great inspiration as well!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

My favorite moments to write are always the quiet ones, the scenes that subtly shift the dynamic between the characters–that are intimate in their exploration of themes and growth. There are several of these scenes in The Maiden and Her Monster that come to mind.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

So many challenges, at every stage! I rely a lot on my friends, who are lovely and help pull me out of the dark spots and encourage me to keep going. Discipline is also important to pushing through, especially during revisions that are particularly daunting. (Currently trying to muster this discipline on a project I’m working on now!)

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

I still can hardly believe I’m a published author! The road was emotional, but relatively straightforward knowing some of the experiences my friends and colleagues have had. It’s hard to share your work and be judged on it, especially when the story feels so close to your heart. But it’s been an amazing experience to find an agent and editor who loved this book as much as me and wanted to advocate for it, too.

What’s next for you?

I can’t say too much yet, but I’m currently working on my next book with Tor which is another dark sapphic fantasy standalone, but is more of a traditional gothic horror romance! It retells a very popular gothic tale… I think readers of The Maiden and Her Monster will enjoy it, but it’s been fun to explore a different side of my writing!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem was an absolute page-turner, heartwrenching and satisfying end to the Scorched Throne duology–I absolutely loved it! The Lamb by Lucy Rose–gory and inventive.