Emerging Writers Series: Annie McCann
“I feel with, experience and advice from amazing editors and authors, I am better than what I was yesterday and I am on a trajectory with my writing. Mentorship programs like this don’t only help with the short story you’re editing, you take the skill with you and apply to every other piece you work on.”
If you caught my review of Clan Destine Press’ anthology of horror,‘This Fresh Hell’ (2023), you’ll know that Annie McCann’s story, ‘Twisted Elegance of the Deep Green Sea’ was a stand out favourite!
Expertly weaving her West Java heritage and mythology, McCann’s story was nuanced, fresh and engaging. I was delighted to have the chance to chat with her more about her storytelling prowess, diversity in Aussie literature, and what’s next on the cards in her writing journey.
I love to start these interviews with a bit of an easy one that helps our readers get to know you, so could you share a little more about your background and what got you started as a writer?
This takes me back to 2008, the time when me (and probably the rest of the world) were all caught up in the Twilight Saga. My friends and I would flock to online chat rooms such as MSN and Yahoo Messenger to discuss our latest chapters reads and debate on whose team we were on, Team Edward or Team Jacob – I was Team Sam – it was then I thought how great it would be if we could meet up instead of chatting online about what we love but not restricting to one prescribed read, let’s get together and do/talk about what we love most – books.
In April 2009 I launched a network of readers called Read3r’z Re-Vu which is still running today, a network which evolved into a community of friends who love to read, write and create. We get together once a month to share book recommendations that correspond to the month’s theme. We also engage in other activities like book blogging, bookstore crawls (going bookstore to bookstore in Sydney City) and even contributed to charity book drives.
Over the years we had authors join us as special guests in person and during our virtual festivals, sharing their writing experience and journey to publication. It was truly inspiring, especially when I levelled up from interviewing authors in bookstores to taking the stage emceeing literary panels at major conventions, I learnt so much from each writer I interviewed however it wasn’t until 2018 when I had the inspiration to pick up the pen and write.
As an avid reader and book blogger, one who loves fantasy fiction, particularly fantasy fiction deriving from or inspired by cultural legends, folklore and mythology, I spent years looking for exactly that which represented my own Indonesian culture to no avail. It was then, I thought ‘why can’t I write my own story?’ I started writing my first full length novel then which opened a gate and myriad of other ideas flooded through my mind.
Writing is like Pringles: once you pop, you can’t stop!
You’ve recently been published in the international anthology ‘This Fresh Hell’ from Clan Destine Press, which explores the horror trope in new ways. Can you tell us more about your experiences getting published in the anthology and what this means to you as an emerging writer?
As someone new in the writing and publishing game, seeing my own work get published – even if it’s just a short story – feels like an achievement unlocked. It’s the result of months (or years) of creativity finally coming to fruition and yes, it is an emotional experience. I never thought I would find myself published in a horror anthology. I always thought my first piece to debut to the world would be my full-length novel, however, this publication gave me the boost I needed to keep on writing.
Getting my story ‘Twisted Elegance of the Deep Green Sea’ published in this anthology meant two things – a) yes, I finally got a piece published but most importantly b) I finally put my West Javanese, Indonesian culture on the map! It was during lockdown when I hosted a panel for the Read3r’z Re-Vu virtual festival, I had an offline chat with one of my dear friends (and virtual guests), author Katya de Becerra, who had an idea to curate a horror anthology with another dear friend and author Narelle M. Harris. The purpose was to showcase diverse horror stories. I told Katya my idea of a reimagining of the West Javanese horror legend of Nyai Roro Kidul – Goddess of the Southern Sea – and intertwine it into a contemporary creepy short story which starts in Western Sydney where I am from and travels to Pelabuhan Ratu which is a costal harbour in West Java. It was one of the contributing ideas that got the anthology to publication, and they accepted my story upon initial review.
I enjoyed the editing experience as Katya and Narelle’s feedback and direction was so valuable. I feel every conversation, every piece of feedback they provided, improved me as a writer. I had the substance in the story, they helped me make it better and I am forever grateful for them.
I’d love to hear more about your recent participation in the Writers NSW Emerging Writers from Diverse Backgrounds Program. How has this mentorship helped to shape your writing journey so far?
With my continued search for more legends from where my mother is from: West Java, Indonesia, I came across another legend my own family aren’t very familiar with and another story was inspired while editing my short story for Clan Destine Press and writing my full length novel. This short story, I like to pitch as ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ meets the legend of Gunung Tampomas (an active volcano in the rural town of Sumedang, West Java where my Grandmother was born) is a short story of 4 Indonesian-Australian teens playing an innocent game of Dungeons and Dragons when they suddenly find themselves living the legend associated with the active volcano: Gunung Tampomas.
Given the culturally diverse nature of this story, I thought to have a go and put in for the mentorship program that was looking for unpublished writers or writers who recently published something small like essays or short stories. Winning a place on the program once again gave me that sense of unlocking another achievement and boosted my confidence with writing. Our mentor (and now friend) Eugen Bacon is a fantastic editor. Her advice and direction, like my experience with the anthology, was so valuable.
I feel with, experience and advice from amazing editors and authors, I am better than what I was yesterday and I am on a trajectory with my writing. Mentorship programs like this don’t only help with the short story you’re editing, you take the skill with you and apply to every other piece you work on.
And as a follow on, I’d love to know if you have any advice for anyone curious about applying to these programs but unsure whether they’re for them?
I subscribed with Writing NSW: Writing NSW - courses, events, and support for writers a hub that supports writers and also offers mentorships and short courses. There may be organisations like this in each state so definitely worth checking these out and subscribing for all the opportunities.
The Australian literary scene has long been criticised for its lack of diversity, despite the incredible multicultural communities across our states. Do you feel there are more opportunities for diverse voices, and what would like to see more of in the future to feel supported as a writer in this space?
Such a great question, as an emcee at conventions I have hosted Diversity Panels which discusses this exact topic as we are very passionate about diversity, inclusion and representation in the content we consume from books to graphic novels to tv, film and pop culture.
Personally, I feel we have come a fair way as over the years I have acquired multiple diverse reads but, there is still a lot of work to be done. In my experience, I feel there is a call from editors for more diverse stories however it stops at the acquisition level so there is a bit of a disconnect there. I’d also like to see a change in the mindset where diverse stories are treated like a tick-box checklist where one book representing a particular culture, for example, is your diversity box ticket and that’s it. There is always room for more diverse stories on the shelf.
Seeing programs like the Mentorship for Emerging Writers of Diverse Backgrounds and publishers offering fellowships to unpublished writers of diverse backgrounds tells me there is a need – a call for these stories and programs like this are definitely a step in the right direction.
If you had to give emerging writers like yourself one golden piece of advice on their journeys to publication, what would it be?
I love answering this question by first quoting a dear friend of mine, author Jeremy Lachlan, who told me during my moment of confusion ‘Don’t focus on where your story will end up, focus on the story you want told.’
I carry this with me every time I am writing. Show no fear, be true to your voice in the story and WRITE!
Like many other writers will say, you cannot edit a blank page.
I love to know what’s inspiring people; can you share any books, movies, podcasts or music that’s sparking the creative process in you lately?
When writing my own stories, I tap into the traditional music of West Java as the musical instruments: gamelan and suling, really transport my mind to the setting of sawah (rice fields) and jungles of Indonesia.
I read a lot of middle grade and YA fantasy fiction books inspired by cultural legends and folklore. The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi, what I like to call a Muslim and culturally diverse Jumanji reimagining. Most recently I loved Rick Riordan Presents: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia – A La Llorona inspired story.
Another book I just finished reading which has also sparked the creative flow is Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe – A West African myth and magic inspired story.
Most recently, I saw a post on Instagram by author Dhonielle Clayton who wrote a personal essay on publishing diverse magic schools. It was this post that inspired another book I started to work on and for this, I thank her for the inspiration.
And lastly, I know you’ve got some fantastic writing projects going on at the moment. Can you tell us more about what’s next for you and where we can engage with more of your work?
The short story I worked on through the Emerging Writers of Diverse Backgrounds mentorship program is still looking for a home however in 2023, I signed with US publishers: Fictional Frontiers. Their focus is to spotlight Muslim writers and creators in Western Media. They have picked up a couple of my projects which I am working on getting out to the world as we speak.
Sorry still under wraps at the moment but you can always follow my writing and emcee adventures and connect with me on Instagram: @nenganniemenulis
I can confirm there will be stories featuring West Javanese culture, mythology and folklore coming… relatively soon 😊
Annie McCann is an Indonesian-Australian published writer from Western Sydney. She created a network of readers: Read3r’z Re-Vu in 2009, co-founded a network of Muslim writers: The Right Pen Collective in 2019 and is one of Australia Reads Ambassadors. Annie also emcees celebrity and literary panels at conventions: Supanova, Comic Con and more. In 2021, Annie was one of the winners of the ‘Women Acknowledging Women’ Creative Arts Pioneer award. Her short story ‘Twisted Elegance of the Deep Green Sea’ a West Java, Indonesian legend retelling is published in ‘This Fresh Hell’ anthology. In 2023, Annie was one of the winners of Writing NSW’s Emerging Writers of Diverse Backgrounds mentorship and recently, her work has been picked up by publisher: Fictional Frontiers in the US, which means we will be seeing more publications from Annie soon. During her down time, you will find Annie either jamming to King of Pop: Michael Jackson or cheering her NRL Football team: Parramatta Eels.
@nenganniemenulis – author account and writer journey
@read3rz_revu – network of readers and book blogging account
Elaine Chennatt is a writer, educator and psychology student currently residing in nipaluna. She has a special interest in bibliotherapy (how we use literature to make sense of our lives) and is endlessly curious about the creative philosophies of others. She lives with her husband and two bossy dachshunds on the not-so-sunny side of the river (IYKYK). Find her online at wordswithelaine.com.
