The following is an interview with John Boden regarding the upcoming release of his latest novella, Snarl, through Dead Sky Publishing. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Boden about his creative experience in bringing the world and characters to life, his interest in writing within the rural noir genre, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Snarl! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the story’s premise?
John Boden: A man who has longed to be a writer since he was a kid, who has struggled nearly the entirety of his life with his feelings – like guilt and sense of belonging, esteem, etc. – connects with an old acquaintance and is lured into a situation which might be that of which he has always longed…or not so much so. It was my attempt to write a sort of noiry-Lansdale-style-crime thing…but being me, it got a little weird.
BD: The story dives deep into the rural noir genre which has been of growing interest for readers. What intrigued you about working within this genre, and what can you share with us about your creative process in crafting your narrative?
JB: The rural noir kinda setting has been a thing I’ve often done. Growing up in a flyspeck town in the mountains of Pennsylvania…I believe when I was growing up the town proper’s census number was between 500-700… it’s practically all I’ve ever known. As for creating the narrative, I have this odd thing that happens (It has happened before with my novella, Spungunion.) wherein I conceive of the ending first and then have to craft the tale to get there. As for the nitty gritty of the process, I just put on some music, turn it low, and peck away at it until it’s done. Behind the scenes, Snarl was scored by THE BAND, JOE HENRY, JOHN PRINE, GUY CLARK and LITTLE CAESAR.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Marlin’s story may connect with and impact readers?
JB: I’d hope he’d connect with many; grief is a feeling I write about often as I find it to be an absolute equalizer – everybody is grieving/has grieved/will grieve and while it’s far from a great feeling, it is an undeniably honest one. There are other factors with Marlin folks should be able to reconcile with–that instability of knowing or deciding to make a move on a goal. Feeling guilt over situations one has had no control over…Marlin is everyone all at once.
BD: What makes Dead Sky Publishing the perfect home for Snarl?
JB: Full disclosure: I have been close friends with Dead Sky Head Pilot Jeremy Wagner for over a decade. We’ve read and cheered one another on for a long time. So, when I was finished with Snarl, it was literally around the time Dead Sky was getting off the ground, and I asked if the novella might be a thing he’d have interest in. He practically hollered, “Of course!” at me, and so I sent it and here we are. They have been nothing but a blessing and a pleasure to work with. Jeremy and his team are amazing people and I love them all…the publicity folks are gems, as well. The whole experience has been wonderful and I’m very fortunate to be experiencing it.
BD: Do you foresee expanding the novella into subsequent books, if given the opportunity?
JB: Not really. I can’t really expand on why for spoiler-y reasons, but I won’t say it’s an impossible idea; however, the time works in the universe I write in, so there is a very good likelihood that one of the characters from Snarl may pop up in a cameo one day.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
JB: I’m very slow at the writing and so I often have a few things idling at a time or looming. So, forgive this blurt of an answer. In February, I have a novel that was written with Chad Lutzke called The Bedmakers seeing release. After that, I have my debut collection called The Etiquette of Booby Traps coming next summer. There’ll be a new collaborative novel with Robert Ford called Black Salve coming sometime next year. I’m midway through a new horror western novella and have recently started what I hope to be my first novel.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Snarl and your other work?
JB: The Dead Sky Publishing website oughta have the pertinent Snarl information. I’m on the usual social media outlets – Facebook, Twitter (X or whatever it is today), Instagram (Not quite as active on that one), and I recently set up a Substack thing but until I get the hang of it, which may take my old self a while. It’s not all that regular. My Amazon Author page is probably the most up to date listing of what all I’m in or have released. All the links are below.
Dead Sky Publishing: https://deadskypublishing.com/new-releases/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.boden.33
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shineynobuttons/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnBoden1970
Substack: https://johnboden.substack.com/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00FJFDI8C?ingress=0&visitId=17d81e7a-378e-4be6-a820-15f6126578ef
