Interviews & Articles

Mary Robinette is one of the hosts of the Hugo-award-winning podcast Writing Excuses. Listen to her talk about writing, her process, and her advice here.

If you are interested in her process, taking monthly writing classes, or just want to support her in her creative endeavors, find Mary Robinette on Patreon.

Interviewing Experts with Thomas Wagner (Video)

Mary Robinette talks with Thomas Wagner About Mars

February 2022

I talked to Dr. Thomas Wagner, who works for NASA, as part of my research for a new science fiction novel set on Mars. The fourth Lady Astronaut novel, The Martian Contingency, takes place on Mars about ten seconds after the end of Fated Sky. Of course something goes wrong, because it’s a novel, and I wanted to know how NASA would handle it in order to give as much science in my fiction as possible.

Interviewing Experts with Kip Bradford (Video)

Mary Robinette talks with Kip Bradford about breaking HVACs on Mars

January 2022

To settle on Mars, one of the big needs for effective space colonization will for HVAC. In this episode of interviewing experts, award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal talks to Kipp Bradford about how to creating and break HVAC on Mars.

Interview with Wil Wheaton (Video)

Mary Robinette & Wil Wheaton Discuss Audiobook Narration, Acting, Writing, & Audible

December 2022

I recently had a chance to sit down with the wonderful Wil Wheaton in an interview put together by Audible. Wil and I had a fantastic time talking about audiobook narration, writing, and acting.

Interview with Diana Gabaldon (Video)

Mary Robinette & Diana Gabaldon in Conversation about The Spare Man

November 2022

I was delighted to be hosted by the Poisoned Pen bookstore and got to sit down and chat with Diana Gabaldon about The Spare Man

Ringling Counseling Center – Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Billy Palmer, Ringling College of Art + Design

APRIL 2021

In which Mary Robinette talks about destigmatizing mental health (both to the world and to yourself), how to define normal, building accommodations that work for you and those in your life, and how she prioritizes caring for her self.

Shelf Healing – Mary Robinette Interview (audio)

with Rebecca Markwick

APRIL 2021

In which Mary Robinette discusses the books she read at exactly the right time, how narrative distance allows the reader to reflect on current issues, interpreting story in different media, being invisible in the spotlight, and the various places she finds joy.

Relentlessly Good Fiction with Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Kevin Tumlinson, Draft2Digital

MARCH 2021

In which Mary Robinette discusses gate-opening vs gate-keeping, Disney Must Pay, how she juggles plates with butter on her fingers, myths around the author mystique, and author collaboration and anthologies.

Puppet Podcast #103 – Mary Robinette (video)

with Caroline Bernier-Dionne

MARCH 2021

In which Mary Robinette talks about how she first got into puppetry, the difference between a puppet show and playing with dolls, what a puppet is and isn’t, and where Lee the Puppet shops for their outfits.

Eating the Fantastic – Episode 138: Mary Robinette Kowal (text, audio embed)

with Scott Edelman, Eating the Fantastic

FEBRUARY 2021

In which Mary Robinette nibbles hors d’oeuvres at a virtual cocktail party and has a wide ranging conversation about her pandemic writing space, the advice she would give her 2008 self, reading reader reviews productively, writing relationships between people who actually like each other, how the meaning of stories change as the context of their reading changes, and the particular joy of a perfect beverage pairing.

TACP 2021 – The Engineering of Worlds By Mary Robinette Kowal (Science Fiction Writer) (video)

NASA: Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program

FEBRUARY 2021

In which Mary Robinette talks about how to create fiction that resonates with readers, applying the MICE quotient to real life, how knowing your areas of intention can guide effective problem solving, and which questions you must constantly ask yourself as you engineer the world.

Puppet Time Online #32 – Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

Puppet Kitchen

JANUARY 2021

In which Mary Robinette discusses how she got into puppetry, how her puppetry career has influenced her writing and vice versa, what puppeteers and vampires have in common, and lots and lots of breath.

An Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal, Author of ‘Ghost Talkers’ | FBOM Ep. 19.5 (Bonus Episode!) (Audio)

Fantasy Book of the Month Podcast

JANUARY 2021

In which Mary Robinette talks about the research she did for Ghost Talkers, what kinds of research she does before writing and what kinds of research she does during or after, Lady Trent and Phryne Fisher mash-up fanfiction, her favorite Terry Pratchett book, and how writer Mary Robinette and narrator Mary Robinette get along. Plus, some of her favorite books from last year!

Disney Must Pay – The Full Story (video)

with Daniel Greene

DECEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette joins Alan Dean Foster to discuss the Disney Must Pay hashtag, which was created after Disney Publishing refused to pay Foster overdue royalties for his previous work in Star Wars and other franchises. Mary Robinette talks about her involvement in the case as SFWA’s current president, as well as the role of SFWA’s Grievance Committee.

Interview with Hugo award winning author, Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Molly Southgate, Read Between the Lines

NOVEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about why she wanted to write about Lady Astronauts, how being a puppeteer informed her career as an author, and how we are all made of narratives.

SciFi4Me Interview: Alan Dean Foster & Mary Robinette Kowal and the Problem with Disney (video)

SciFi4Me TV

NOVEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette and Alan Dean Foster discuss Disney Publishing’s refusal to pay Foster’s overdue royalties for Star Wars and Alien novelizations and novel tie-ins. Mary Robinette talks about SFWA’s Grievance Committee and its role in advocating for authors.

World-Building: How Science Sculpts Science Fiction (video)

KISSCaltech Webinar, moderated by Phil Plait

NOVEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette joins Simon Guerrier, Becky Chambers, John Scalzi, and Phil Plait to discuss planetbuilding, how they decide when and where to deviate from reality, and how science fiction helps science.

43-Talking Creativity With Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Shauna Hoffman, A Journey to Awareness

NOVEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses pursuing creative joy, the difference between creativity and talent, the collaboration process behind Writing Excuses, and starting with one change.

The International Space Station: 20 Years of Promise, Peril and Fun

The New York Times

NOVEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette, along with several other authors, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the International Space Station by recounting some significant moments in its history. Mary Robinette writes about women in the space program, brewing coffee in space, and the orbital perspective.

A Message from Mary Robinette Kowal for NaNoWriMo Writers (video)

NaNoWriMo

OCTOBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette gives WriMos some words of encouragement for National Novel Writing Month!

WXR20 Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal

by WXR20

OCTOBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about the most helpful piece of writing advice she’s received, the first story she ever wrote, and what she’s looking forward to at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference 2020.

Ignyte Interview Series: Mary Robinette Kowal

by Eboni Dunbar, FIYAHCON

OCTOBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses what she hopes to accomplish as SFWA president, why interrogating internal biases is important in good storytelling, and how she tries to “pay it forward” in the SFF community.

PLAYfest: Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

PLAYfest, Playful Learning Lab

OCTOBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette and Lee the Puppet talk about the four principles of puppetry and how to use those principles to make your video communication as effective as possible.

In Conversation: Mary Robinette Kowal and Jenn Lyons (video)

with Sarah Dunaway, Southern Festival of Books

OCTOBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette and Jenn Lyons talk about how the worldbuilding and the characters are inextricably linked, the visceral and specific details that make a world feel real, organizing their research and information and keeping things consistent across books, and the importance of individual and collective choices.

SiliCon Virtual Panel: The Inner Workings of Space Suit Design (video)

with Adam Savage, Silicon

SEPTEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette joins Cady Coleman and Adam Savage to discuss how difficult it is to wear a spacesuit, who spacesuits are designed for and what consequences that has, and what NASA could learn from cosplayers.

The Relentless Moon | Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Michelle Findlay-Olynyk, Talks at Google

SEPTEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette reads an excerpt from The Relentless Moon and then talks about the most difficult parts of the research she did for the book, the key differences between the Lady Astronaut timeline and our own, and her favorite sci-fi reads of the moment.

Mary Robinette Kowal: 2020 National Book Festival (video)

Library of Congress

SEPTEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about trying to write Golden-era sci-fi with 100% more women and people of color, American ingenuity and its relation to changes in society and hope, and why she decided to focus on the unrest happening on Earth and the Moon for the third book in the Lady Astronaut, The Relentless Moon.

A Chat w/ Mary Robinette Kowal! (video)

with Daniel Greene

SEPTEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses her first day on Sesame Street, choosing the time period in which to set the Lady Astronaut series, when writer’s block is a gift, and collaborating with Brandon Sanderson on The Original.

Brandon Sanderson – Live Signing Session #18—With Special Guest, Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Brandon Sanderson

SEPTEMBER 2020

In which Mary Robinette and Brandon Sanderson talk about writing for different media, how they go about making major revisions, when a cliché is not a cliché, why fantasy is important, and their collaboration on the audio-first sci-fi thriller The Original.

University Book Store Presents Mary Robinette Kowal in conversation with Fonda Lee (video)

ubookstore

AUGUST 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses making the kinder choice, managing fictional and nonfictional timelines, and how she writes characters who have expertise in fields she herself doesn’t.

‘The Relentless Moon’ imagines a lunar base with Apollo-era technology

by Meghan Bartels, Space.com

AUGUST 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses the main character of the newest Lady Astronaut novel, equity in the context of space exploration, and how changing the status quo is about making deliberate choices.

Future Telling: Past, Present and Futurism (video, panel starts at 21:21)

with Gillian King-Cargile for NIU STEAM

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette takes part in a panel discussion, alongside with Lynne M. Thomas and Maurice Broaddus, about how art reflects a moment in history, how the pandemic has changed how we think about and build community, and self-care and motivation for creators.

After Dark with Mary Robinette Kowal (Instagram video)

torbooks

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette gives a tour of her family home while answering questions about the other what-ifs she thinks about, her recommendation for how to approach writing a first novel, and dealing with writer’s block. Then she reads an excerpt from The Relentless Moon!

John Scalzi and Mary Robinette Kowal Chat About Sci-Fi, Writing Processes, and More! (video and transcript)

Tor.com

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette and John Scalzi talk about why they write speculative fiction, why they do or do not outline their stories, and how they both build the rhymes of history into their books.

Dragon Talk: Mary Robinette Kowal, LYSK on Heliod (audio)

with Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about her early experiences with Dungeons and Dragons, how leveling up in real life is different than leveling up in games, why she only plays one-offs, the only thing that matters in writing, and how the latest Lady Astronaut novel The Relentless Moon fits into the series.

Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal

by Bonnie McKnight, Northern Colorado Writers

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses common traps for aspiring writers, her writing process and how it changed after the publication of her first book, and what success looks like to her.

Author Q&A: Mary Robinette Kowal on her Lady Astronaut novels

by Melinda Baldwin, Physics Today

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about researching the early space program, the inspiration for Nicole Wargin from The Relentless Moon, and digital book tours.

Reading List: Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal

by Andrew Liptak

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses the appeal of historical genre fiction, her deep rooted fascination with space, how unexamined or unintentional bias has institutional impact, and some highlights of researching the Lady Astronaut novels.

Just Keep Writing Episode 38 – The Lady Astronaut: Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Marshall Carr, Nick Bright, and Wil Ralston

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about totally random surprises, seeing yourself in stories, emotional labor and doing the work, the most rewarding responses she has gotten for the Lady Astronaut series, and her newest novel The Relentless Moon.

The Piss Problem: The Politics Behind Peeing in Space

by Mary Robinette Kowal for The Mary Sue

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses Constellation Urion, the historical exclusion of women from the space program, and how sometimes the best solution is the simplest one.

Fact and Science Fiction Podcast: Lady Astronaut Series with author Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Karly

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about her current TV and book recommendations, why she likes to write novels set in the past, how The Relentless Moon differs from the first two Lady Astronaut novels, and how representation is about choosing to acknowledge instead of ignore reality.

Narrated Podcast Episode 73: The Relentless Moon with Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Scott Ullery

JULY 2020

In which Mary Robinette discusses how the truth in fiction lies with people, the audiobook production process, why audiobook narrator Mary Robinette does not get along with author Mary Robinette, and the third Lady Astronaut novel, The Relentless Moon.

TorCon 2020: Books and Brunch with Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Natalie Zutter (Den of Geek, Tor.com)

JUNE 2020

In which Mary Robinette reads an excerpt from her upcoming novel The Relentless Moon, and then discusses developing Nicole as a character, the origins of her punchcard punk universe, the parallels between the polio outbreak of the 1950s and COVID19, and how she is advocating for and promoting diversity within SFWA.

Daniel & Jorge Explain the Universe — The SF Universe of Mary Robinette Kowal’s “The Calculating Stars” (audio)

with Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham

APRIL 2020

In which Mary Robinette talks about the science behind the meteor strike in The Calculating Stars, the human reaction to conflict versus disaster, and exploring Mars. Plus, a brief teaser of The Relentless Moon, book three in the Lady Astronaut series!

The Takeaway: NASA is Accepting Applications for New Astronauts: Extensive Travel Required (audio)

with Duarte Geraldino

MARCH 2020

In which Mary Robinette and Cady Coleman, a retired NASA astronaut, discuss the impact of gender on NASA’s astronaut selection program, why representation is important, and what the space program of the future might look like.

Putting the “Science” in Science Fiction: Part Two

by Kelly Lagor for Locus

MARCH 2020

In which Mary Robinette and several other authors talk about writing hard science fiction, how to figure out what you need to research, and not letting research distract you from getting words down on the page.

Brandon Sanderson’s BYU 2020 Creative Writing Lectures on Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy — Lecture #7: Short Stories with Special Guest Instructor Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

MARCH 2020

In which Mary Robinette teaches a class on how to write and structure short stories. Writing is fractal: once you understand the principles that make something work at one length, you can apply it to other lengths. She discusses the elements of the MICE quotient, weaving plot threads together, how to maintain tension through the muddy middle, and satisfying endings. Also, everyone writes a story in class! Yes, really!

BBC: The Food Chain – Fantasy, Fiction and Food (audio)

with Graihagh Jackson

JAN 2020

The familiar and the strange, using food to immerse a reader in the world, MRK reads a scene from The Fated Sky and discusses it, the liminal space between an author and a reader

Future present? How science fiction sees our world in 2050.

by Harry Bruinius, The Christian Science Monitor

DECEMBER 2019

In which Mary Robinette and several other science fiction authors discuss how present technology shapes future society, walking the line between disaster and hope, and what the world might look like in the year 2050.

The Worldshapers Episode 41: Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Edward Willett

DECEMBER 2019

In which Mary Robinette discusses her lifelong connection to science fiction, how puppetry informs her storytelling, the mechanics of turning an idea into a story, and the creative process behind her punch card punk universe and its multiple award-winning first novel The Calculating Stars.

Why NASA’s First All-Women Spacewalk Made History

with Jessica Bennett, New York Times

OCT 2019

Women in space, spacesuits, First Lady Astronaut Trainees

Breaking the Glass Slipper — Alternate histories with Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Charlotte Bond, Lucy Hounsom, and Megan Leigh

SEPTEMBER 2019

In which Mary Robinette talks about writing alternate histories, how divergent points shift society, using real historical figures in fiction, and why genre stories can create space for thinking about social issues.

Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal (The Fated Sky)

by Jonathan Thornton, The Fantasy Hive

SEPTEMBER 2019

In which Mary Robinette talks about the genesis of The Lady Astronaut of Mars, space science geekery, and using a historical frame to talk about contemporary issues.

The Imaginaries Podcast Episode 91: Mary Robinette Kowal (Makes Us Cry) (audio)

with Tony and Kend

JULY 2019

In which Mary Robinette discusses how representation in narrative impacts our understanding of the world, why she writes alternate histories, and why writing inclusive fiction is really about realism.

Up All Night on BBC (audio, timestamp 24:49-32:42)

Richard Foster

JULY 2019

Apollo created for men by men, NASA’s current attempts to rectify, in-depth on spacesuit sizes

Nebula-Winning Author Mary Robinette Kowal is Bringing More Equity to Space

Belle Dieppa Betancourt

JULY 2019

The Lady Astronaut series, the process of writing the book, sexism then and now, the importance of science fiction, 

To Make It to the Moon, Women Have to Escape Earth’s Gender Bias

Mary Robinette Kowal for New York Times

JULY 2019

How NASA has been designed for men, challenges women astronauts have had, what we can learn as we go forward with Artemis and Commercial Space Program

In Space, Nobody Picks Up Your Trash

Daniel Dern

MAY 2019

How to recycle in space, ISS junk drawer, difference between policy and how people actually live. 

Black Tribbles — Mary Robinette Kowal Interview @C2E2 (video)

with Len Webb

APRIL 2019

In which Mary Robinette talks about The Lady Astronaut novels and creating the character of Elma York. Also, she also gets her official Tribble title!

More of a Comment, Really… — C2E2: Mary Robinette Kowal on Her “Lady Astronaut” Series, “LazyTown” and More (audio)

with Clint Worthington

APRIL 2019

In which Mary Robinette talks about correcting historical erasure, writing female characters, and some of her puppetry experiences.

The Practical Creative Podcast — Playing in different worlds with puppeteer and sci-fi author Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Jeremiah Krage

MARCH 2019

In which Mary Robinette discusses how she gets creatively unstuck, tools for getting traction on a project, managing mental health as a creative, and trusting your own taste as a reader.

Opinion: If space is the future, that future needs to include everyone.

Mary Robinette Kowal for The Washington Post

MAR 2019

Restaffed spacewalk because of suit fit issues, history of women astronauts at NASA, things we need to change

Sword and Laser Podcast — #345 Math as a Magic System with Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

FEBRUARY 2019

In which Mary Robinette talks about using math as a magic system, learning to be aware of personal and structural biases, the stigma around mental illness, recording audio books, and whether or not she would go to space.

Talks at Google | Mary Robinette Kowal: “Lady Astronaut of Mars” (video)

Talks at Google, moderated by Jason Gessner

JANUARY 2019

In which Mary Robinette reads an excerpt from The Fated Sky and then discusses the research that went into writing the Lady Astronaut novels, the evolution of her punchcard punk universe, how she decides what to write, and what she’s learned from dealing with third graders.

Space the Nation: Mary Robinette Kowal on Astronauts, Social Justice, and Needing Glasses

with Ana Marie Cox on Syfy.com

JAN 2019

The Lady Astronaut series, current politics, apocalyptic fiction, doing better for and in the world

The Secret Library Podcast (audio)

with Caroline Donahue

DEC 2018

MRK’s multiple careers, The Lady Astronaut series, alternate history, “We Interrupt this Broadcast”, women in the space race, scifi as thought experiments, not being ashamed of reading scifi, using experts to help your writing, fixing “write what you know”

Space.com: A Mars Journey Before Computers?

with Meghan Bartels

NOV 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, punchcard punk, international collaboration, writing toward a hopeful future, mental health, writing in history.

The Writer Librarian

with Karen B. McCoy

NOV 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, having a true vision, Hidden Figures, current projects.

Writers, After Dark Podcast (audio)

with Summer Brooks

OCT 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, meteorites, women in history, Mercury 13, best stuff Mary Robinette learned while writing

Write-Minded podcast – Changing the World by Writing Alternate Histories (and Prepping for NaNoWriMo) (audio)

with Brooke Warner and Grant Faulkner

OCT 2018

How Mary Robinette choses what historical period to write in, how to be fearless, make an outline work for you, writing in different mediums, favorite puppet personas (with voices), what a rocket launch is like. 

The Arts STL – Mars and Martinis with Mary Robinette Kowal

with Jenny Noga Davinroy

SEP 2018

Research Mary Robinette loved, writing Mad Libs style, writing and puppetry, The Lady Astronaut novels

‘An Optimistic Book About Disaster’: Chatting with Mary Robinette Kowal

by David M. Perry, Pacific Standard

SEPTEMBER 2018

In which Mary Robinette discusses The Calculating Stars, writing characters that struggle with mental illness, and optimistic science fiction.

Girl Tries Life Podcast #80: Storytelling, Structured Procrastination and Legacy with Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Victoria Smith

SEPTEMBER 2018

In which Mary Robinette talks about structured procrastination, her first role on Sesame Street, balancing mental health with solitary creative pursuits, behind the scenes at Writing Excuses, and the legacy she hopes to leave.

The Verge – Return to an Alternate History Space Race with Two New Lady Astronaut Novels

with Andrew Liptak

SEP 2018

Announcing two new Lady Astronaut novels, The Relentless Moon, The Derivative Base, writing in history, “The Phobos Experience” short story

SYFY Fangrrls

with Swapa Krishna

SEP 2018

Lady Astronaut novels, Parker Solar Probe launch, NASA, using experts 

Ask Me Anything on Reddit

on r/books

AUG 2018

Lady Astronaut novels, lots of writing advice, narrating for audiobooks

John Scalzi and Mary Robinette Kowal discuss their work (video)

The Poisoned Pen Bookstore

AUGUST 2018

In which Mary Robinette has a conversation with John Scalzi about the Lady Astronaut novels and reads an excerpt from The Fated Sky. Then, John Scalzi reads his short story “Regarding Your Application Status.”

Stuff You Missed In History Class (audio)

with Tracy V. Wilson

AUG 2018

Mary Robinette’s research process, narrating historical books, changes in the timeline, Rise of the Rocket Girls, Mercury 13, Jackie Cochran, Mildred Hemmons Carter, Miltown and anxiety drugs

Happily Ever After with USA Today

with Veronica Scott

AUG 2018

Influences for Lady Astronaut novels, pets, Elma and Nathaniel interview each other

Fantasy & Science Fiction

with Stephen M

JULY 2018

The Phobos Experience

Den of Geek Book Club – audio

with Kayti Burt

JULY 2018

Building the Lady Astronaut novels out of a novelette, axes of power, Lady Astronaut reading order, importance of Southern woman as mathematician, Doctor Who cameos

Writing Excuses Project in Depth – audio

with Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, and Kjell Lindgren

JULY 2018

Writing The Calculating Stars, astronaut as beta reader

Mary Robinette Kowal and Robyn Bennis on Anxiety, Representation, and Fearless Women

on Bookish.com

JULY 2018

The Calculating Stars, By Fire Above, anxiety, writing relationships and sex, researching little details

The Functional Nerd Podcast #371 – audio

with Patrick Hester and John Anealio

JULY 2018

Blurbs, The Lady Astronaut novels, the beginning of the space program, astronaut ad-libs, publishing a duology

Breaking the Glass Slipper – 5 Questions

by Megan Leigh

JULY 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, women-centered fiction, writing Science Fiction vs Fantasy

B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

with Alasdair Stuart

JULY 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, their original structure, writing historically, writing Dr. Elma York

The Author Stories Podcast (audio)

with Hank Garner

JULY 2018

In-depth: how Mary Robinette started writing, puppetry + writing, short stories vs novels, The Glamourist Histories, The Lady Astronaut novels, what Mary Robinette wants you to take away from them

Uncanny Magazine Podcast (audio, starts 34:24)

with Lynne M. Thomas

JULY 2018

“Nails In My Feet”, research, historical scifi vs historical fantasy, The Lady Astronaut universe

Scalzi’s The Big Idea 

by Mary Robinette Kowal

JULY 2018

The ideas behind The Calculating Stars

Ink Feather Podcast (audio)

with Lauren Zurchin

JULY 2018

Being a professional freelancer, structured procrastination, audiobook recording, The Calculating Stars, book recommendations

Tor.com – Five Really Cool Things I Learned at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab

by Mary Robinette Kowal

JULY 2018

NASA, Neutral Buoyancy Lab, Astronauts, general squeeing over amazing SCIENCE

Rocket Fuel: Cooking the Books (audio included)

with Fran Wilde and Aliette de Bodard

JUNE 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, rocket innuendo, food as narrative, recipes for pound cake and chess pie, the food at NASA and in space

Tor/Forge Blog – The Responsibility of Narratives

by Mary Robinette Kowal

JUNE 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, Hidden Figures, narratives and gender

Strange Horizons

with Vanessa Rose Phin

MAY 2018

The Lady Astronaut novels, space, representation, SFF community

Q on CBC Radio (audio)

produced by Elaine Chau

MARCH 2018

A Wrinkle in Time

B55 Mini Interviews with Mary Robinette Kowal, R.W.W. Greene, Marianna Martin PhD & Craig Miller

by Brenda Noiseux

FEBRUARY 2018

In which Mary Robinette briefly talks about the Boskone convention, her multiple careers, an excellent witch costume, and her superhero dream team.

Guest of Honor Interview at Boskone

with Cady Coleman

FEBRUARY 2018

Puppets, the Lady Astronaut books, finding the stories that have been erased, reclaiming history

Storypunks Podcast ep. 8 (audio) (video) (show notes)

with Cindy Grigg

FEBRUARY 2018

Manners as technology/social engineering, the Lady Astronaut books, worldbuilding, diversity, story creation, a tour of Mary Robinette’s typewriters and the story of the Qwerty keyboard

NPR – The Influence of Ursula K. Le Guin (audio)

with Petra Mayer

JANUARY 2018

Ursula K. Le Guin’s influence

NPR – Ursula Le Guin, Whose Novels Plucked Truth from High Fantasy, Dies at 88

with Colin Dwyer

JANUARY 2018

Memories of Ursula K. Le Guin

Fantasy & Science Fiction

with Stephen M

JANUARY 2018

A Feather in Her Cap

THE GEEK SHOW – Mary Robinette Kowal talks about her book Ghost Talkers! (video)

VStheUniverse

OCTOBER 2017

In which Mary Robinette talks about Ghost Talkers, tragic stories from World War I, and Doctor Who cameos.

THE GEEK SHOW – Mary Robinette Kowal talks about her Puppet-related Injury (video)

VStheUniverse

OCTOBER 2017

In which Mary Robinette talks about her severe puppet injury and makes the crowd collectively cringe multiple times.

GeekDad’s Great Big Beautiful Podcast ep 144 (audio)

with Jamie Green and Shiri Sondheimer

SEPTEMBER 2017

Ghost Talkers, Shades of Milk and Honey, Puppeteering, Regency Era

Uncanny Magazine

with Julia Rios

AUGUST 2017

“The Worshipful Society of Glovers”

Why Mary Robinette Kowal Traded in Puppets for Science Fiction

by Kelly Prosen, Rewire

APRIL 2017

In which Mary Robinette discusses how a puppeteer injury led to a career in writing, gender bias in SFF publishing, and getting through writer’s block.

Read For Pixels 2017 (IWD Edition): Mary Robinette Kowal Reading+Q&A Session (video)

The Pixel Project

MARCH 2017

In which Mary Robinette reads an excerpt from Ghost Talkers, and then talks about reading out loud effectively, managing reader expectations when writing about specific historical periods, what the “strong” in “strong female character” actually means, recognizing and dealing with structural and internalized gender bias, and why she writes healthy committed relationships.

Mary Robinette Kowal: The Familiar & the Strange

excerpt from Locus Magazine

JANUARY 2017

Ghost Talkers, WWI, women in history, the Lady Astronaut novels, audiobook narration styles

Inside a puppeteer-novelist’s at-home creative workshop (video)

Chicago Reader

DECEMBER 2016

In which Mary Robinette shows off her Chicago apartment in the Ukrainian village, her typewriter collection, and some of her puppets.

Sci-fi Fantasy Network (audio and print)

with Joel Cornah

NOVEMBER 2016

Finding a gateway into reading SFF, puppetry and writing, writing process, short stories, The Glamourist Histories, diversity, the cycle of bookselling

Signing Station — Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Blake Hausladen

NOVEMBER 2016

In which Mary Robinette discusses the conception of Ghost Talkers, the different roles women had during World War I, and some of her favorite ciphers.

“Ghost Talkers” Mixes Fantasy, Spycraft and World War I

by Christina Kloess, Chicago Review of Books

SEPTEMBER 2016

In which Mary Robinette talks about the spiritualism surge in World War I, developing Ginger’s character, and the tension between what the reader knows and what the characters know.

Nerd for a Living Episode 76 — Mary Robinette Kowal, author of “Ghost Talkers” (audio)

with Adron Buske

AUGUST 2016

In which Mary Robinette talks about Ghost Talkers, researching women’s roles in World War I, the British spiritualism movement, and one of the most beautiful pieces of paper she has ever handled.

Unbound Worlds

with Shawn Speakman

AUGUST 2016

Ghost Talkers, writing within known history, narrating her own books

Silly Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal, Intermittently Teal Storyteller

with Rachel Swirsky

MAY 2016

Short stories, puppeteering, sewing, Jane Austen, Ghost Talkers as an animal

How a 3-time Hugo Winner learned to Write Great Stories – An Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal

by Filip Wiltgren

NOVEMBER 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about systematically improving writing techniques, trusting her own reader responses, and advice for writers.

Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen Pt 1 – Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

NerdCon

NOVEMBER 2015

In which Mary Robinette, Patrick Rothfuss, Hank Green, Paul Sabourin, Joseph Fink, and Maureen Johnson play the Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

Uncanny Mini Interview with Year Two Contributor Mary Robinette Kowal!

by Michi Trota, Uncanny Magazine

AUGUST 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about the different story structures of her Glamourist Histories series, how improv relates to writing, and her favorite pie.

Uncanny Magazine Podcast #5A (audio, starting at 58:10)

interviewed by Deborah Stanish

JULY 2015

In which Mary Robinette discusses her story “The Midnight Hour,” subverting fairy tales, writing characters with mental illness without losing sight of their humanity, the intersection of puppetry and writing, and paying it forward to create a richer community.

Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing 302 — Mary Robinette Kowal (part 2) (audio)

with Brent Bowen and Kristi

JUNE 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about ending the Glamourist Histories series with Of Noble Family, drawing inspiration from Mansfield Park and making the context accessible to modern readers, and her new gig on Sesame Street.

Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing 301 — Mary Robinette Kowal (part 1) (audio)

with Brent Bowen and Kristi

MAY 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about going on a Steampunk cruise, getting involved in the Hugo Awards controversy, and diversity in speculative fiction. 

Negotiating Social Media for Writers: A Conversation With Jim C. Hines, Mary Robinette Kowal & Kameron Hurley

by Erin Bellavia (Billiard), Toasted Cheese

APRIL 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about which social media platform she uses most, how her relationship to social media has changed since being published, self-promotion, and dealing with trolls.

Guest Post: Mary Robinette Kowal On Saying Goodbye to the Glamourist Histories

by Mary Robinette Kowal and Joel Cunningham, B&N Sci-fi & Fantasy blog

MARCH 2015

In which Mary Robinette talks about Of Noble Family, why she’s closing out the Glamourist Histories series, and why she’ll miss writing about Jane and Vincent.

Lightspeed Magazine #52

with David Barr Kirtley

SEPTEMBER 2014

Valour and Vanity, The Glamorist Histories, Lord Byron, impersonating famous people

“Fix it or Feature It” – Mary Robinette Kowal talks puppets, fantasy and safer spaces

Ada Initiative

SEPTEMBER 2014

In which Mary Robinette talks about turning things that go wrong into positives and why anti-harassment policies are important.

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy Episode 109: Doctor Who Is Even Better When You Add One of History’s Greatest Sexaholics (article, audio)

Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy, Wired

MAY 2014

In which Mary Robinette talks about Valour and Vanity, women in science fiction and fantasy, and things she learned at a Sesame Street puppetry workshop.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

with Carrie S

JUNE 2013

In depth about The Glamourist Histories, Jane Austen and Regency, Doctor Who cameos, romance, procrastinating effectively, favorite authors

Artificial Intelligence and You w/Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

The Skiffy and Fanty Show Podcast, ep 146

MAY 2013

Artificial Intelligence, Pre-Victorian examples of AI, Without a Summer

Ask Me Anything

on Reddit r/fantasy

APRIL 2013

Puppeteering, writing tips, Writing Excuses, The Glamourist Histories, creativity, general silliness

The Mad Scientists Guide to World Domination

with John Joseph Adams

JANUARY 2013

We Interrupt This Broadcast

5 x 5 – MARY ROBINETTE KOWAL & the Five Books That Inspired Her

by Lee, She Wolf Reads

JANUARY 2013

In which Mary Robinette talks about the five books that have influenced her as a reader and a writer.

Apex Magazine

with Maggie Slater

OCTOBER 2012

Weaving Dreams, Mary Robinette’s many talents and interests, reading your own work

Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing 168 — Jennifer Brozek, Mark Teppo and Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Sandra Wickham

MAY 2012

In which Mary Robinette talks about focusing on writing in a rainforest, why she uses a timer while writing, how she makes the most of a writing session, and which book she rereads.

A Conversation with Patrick Rothfuss

with Patrick Rothfuss

APRIL 2012

Glamour in Glass, writing in historical eras, writing with an outline, random delightfulness

JordanCon 2012 — An Hour with Guest of Honor Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

JordanConVideo

APRIL 2012

In which Mary Robinette discusses communication with a fan, her Glamourist Histories series, the cover design process, and how she picks the historical periods she writes in. She also reads an excerpt from Glamour in Glass!

Grasping for the Wind – [SFFWRTCHT] Another Chat With Author Mary Robinette Kowal

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

APRIL 2012

In which Mary Robinette talks about writing Jane Austen inspired fantasy, the writing process behind Glamour in Glass, why she wanted to serve as a SFWA officer, and writing in different genres.

RT Book Reviews – Interview with Mary Robinette Kowal (video)

with Morgan Doremus

FEBRUARY 2012

In which Mary Robinette discusses the reception she has received for Shades of Milk and Honey, shadows puppets and how they play in her novels, and the second book in her Glamourist Histories series, Glamour in Glass.

Fantasy Magazine

with Catherine Bollinger

2011

Novels vs Short Stories, Shades of Milk and Honey, writing 

Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing 112 — Laura Resnick, Mary Robinette Kowal (audio, starts at 28:48)

JANUARY 2011

In which Mary Robinette talks about Shades of Milk and Honey, building a magic system that would fit into a historical period, and what got her into writing.

Amazon Book Review: Quick Three Interview

with Jeff VanderMeer

SEPTEMBER 2019

Shades of Milk and Honey as a meal, a piece of music, and an animal

The Agony Column – Mary Robinette Kowal Interviewed at SF in SF (audio)

with Rick Kleffel

SEPTEMBER 2010

In which Mary Robinette discusses the research involved in writing Shades of Milk and Honey, writing in period voice and with period language, and designing a magic system that wouldn’t break history.

The Bat Segundo Show #356: Mary Robinette Kowal (audio)

with Edward Champion

SEPTEMBER 2010

In which Mary Robinette talks about writing with Jane Austen’s language and style, writing tics, the historical divergence point in the Glamourist Histories, and using the principles of puppetry in her writing.

The Big Idea: Mary Robinette Kowal

by John Scalzi, Whatever

AUGUST 2010

In which Mary Robinette discusses why she wanted to write an intimate character story in the fantasy genre, working magic into a historical world, and how restrictions made for a stronger story.

WIRED

with Jenny Williams

JULY 2010

Shades of Milk and Honey, Lazytown, Puppeteering, SFWA, creativity

Locus Magazine

AUGUST 2009

Puppeteering, Lazytown, art background, Shades of Milk and Honey, Glamour in Glass

Subterranean Press

with Alethea Kontis

NOVEMBER 2008

Random delightfulness, props and set design, books on Mary Robinette’s nightstand

Bibliophile Stalker

with Charles Tan

OCTOBER 2008

Puppeteering and writing overlap, art major, Campbell award, narration

Dogslandia

with JM McDermott

MAY 2008

Puppeteering, video of Mary Robinette with a puppet

Mind Meld

SF Signal

APRIL 2008

Short fiction market

Strange Horizons Podcast (audio)

with Susan Marie Groppi

SEPTEMBER 2007

Very in-depth on puppeteering, love for editing process, making the Coraline puppet and puppets in general, audiobooks

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