An Interview with Samantha Dagott

I was born and raised in Australia with a background career working across various Art Departments in the Film and Television Industry. Helping to make other people’s stories come to life gave me the knowledge and structure I needed to build my own story. It has taught me the layers of storytelling and complex nature of interweaving characters and storylines.

I currently reside in Melbourne, Australia.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

To be honest, the first title I thought about was ‘Steps.’ I spent some time considering other options but kept returning to ‘Steps’ as it is simple and encapsulates the essence of the story.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Excited! It’s wonderful to see my year of work finally come to fruition in a physical form. The smell of fresh paper, the cover, my name, my work.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have always been a reader, even as a child. I find it’s the one thing that allows me to completely relax. To physically and mentally switch off.

Steps is an idea I had since I was in my early teens. I genuinely wondered if one could run out of steps in their life.

My style of writing is probably influenced by three of my favourite writers. Dystopian inspiration from Kurt Vonnegut and Chuck Palahniuk, and rollicking storytelling influenced by Carl Hiaasen.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

No surprise on this one, but crossing the finish line. Having the physical book, and hosting a launch. Finally achieving this milestone was amazing.

In regard to the process, I really enjoyed the developmental editing stage. Even though it was one of the longest parts, it was good to get professional feedback on storyline and how to improve it. Alex Kale was excellent to work with on this and is an asset to the Atmosphere Press team.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

‘Carmina Burana’ by Carl Orff. I mention this song in the book as a favourite song of one of my characters. Every time I read this part I automatically see the scene play out in my head to the tune and can’t help waving my arms in the air like some type of crazed orchestral conductor.

I would have to put some AltJ into it somewhere. Their first album An Awesome Wave sounds unlike any other artist and has a dystopian feel. The vocal range and sounds coming from the singer are a good reflection of the range of sub-cultures featured in the book.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Question everything!! Ask yourself what would you do in this situation. Who are you going to be? Will you cease to care about others like so many have? Would you be ruthless or kind? Would you lose your humanity?

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

Actually I do have plans for a sequel to Steps; however, I am unsure of when I will have the opportunity to start this journey.

I always have a string of personal creative side projects on the go. At the moment it is ceramics.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

I found Atmosphere Press to be very helpful and professional. I would recommend to anyone who wants to publish a book! Even though I am in Australia and Atmosphere is American – I’m asleep when they’re awake – the process still worked well.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.