In 2021 Bethany G. Rogers, one of Queenstown Writers Festival’s founding trustees, was awarded a prestigious New Zealand Society of Authors mentorship for emerging writers.
Out of that programme grew Kaleidoscopes in the Dark, a blackly humorous short-story collection filled with remnants of fairytales and gothic themes.
Published under the pen name B. G. Rogers, Bethany’s début book is certainly not her first foray into writing. Her prose and poetry has been published internationally, commended by Aesthetica magazine and shortlisted for the Manchester Fiction Prize.
We’re delighted Bethany will be launching her new book with us at the festival this weekend. She answered a few questions for us ahead of the big event!
What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox and am starting To Wield a Crown by Helen Scheuerer.
Who are your literary heroes and heroines in fiction?
That’s a tough question! Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), because she’s human and lives up to her mistakes. The traveller in [Shaun Tan’s graphic novel] The Arrival, because he strives so hard to find a better life for those he loves. Sherlock Holmes is a delightfully out there character and my hat goes off to Mrs. Tiggy-winkle (Beatrix Potter), because she’s a total legend for doing all that laundry.
What writers do you admire?
Again, there are too many to mention! I do love that Beatrix Potter did a lot for the environment, there’s a lot of green space in England that wouldn’t exist without her.
I’m a fan of Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl (his twisted short stories specifically), Angela Carter, Sarah Hall, Arundhati Roy.
Which writers would you take on an epic road trip?
I have an epic road trip planned with author and editor Sara Litchfield – does that count?
What’s the book you wish you had written?
None! It’s better that my favourite books were written by their authors, because that context is part of what makes them special.
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
She’s my mum’s age and doesn’t look like me at all, but I bet Emma Thompson would make my life look like fun.
What’s your life motto?
Oh, it’s so cheesy but it’s always worked for me: Plan like you’ll live forever, but live like you’ll die tomorrow.
– Bethany G. Rogers will launch her new book with an interview by Sara Litchfield on Saturday 12 November. The event is free but registration is essential.
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