Author Claire Winn Says…
Describe the content of your latest book and what can readers expect from it.
City of Shattered Light is a graffiti-smeared, neon-drenched fever dream led by two fierce girls—a runaway heiress, Asa, who’s fled home to save her test-subject sister, and Riven, a gunslinging smuggler who needs a hell of a bounty to secure her place in one of the city’s matriarchal crime syndicates. The girls clash when one kidnaps the other (oops), but they end up with bigger problems when a brilliant, tech-corrupting A.I. monster locks down the city and begins pursuing them. The book is infused with so many of my favorite things—glowing-but-grimy settings, a ride-or-die misfit team (mostly queer characters, including two bisexual leads), heist banter, and strong character relationships.
As a debut author, what advice would you give aspiring authors who want to write but might be afraid to try to start their own written story?
Start with a story you love. Writing a book is a long, uncertain, and lonely path, and the only guaranteed fan you’ll ever have—and the one spending the most time with the story—is you. Plus, a story you’re in love with will feel authentic, and it means there’s a greater chance it’ll find readers who love it. So write a book you’re passionate about and pour your heart into it, even if it feels daunting.
What does feminism mean to you? How does a character in your book represent feminism?
To me, feminism is about giving women and girls the freedom to make choices and pursue goals without gender-based hurdles or scrutiny. It’s about ending sexual violence, as well as valuing and supporting women of all races, abilities, and backgrounds. CoSL features a range of flawed, messy women with different talents and backgrounds, all driving the story and making things happen. A major theme of Asa’s character arc is self-discovery. She learns to break free of toxic societal expectations, discovers her own talents and desires, and ultimately becomes a person she’s chosen for herself.