The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories – Author Interview – Marcia Wilson

Throughout the Kickstarter campaign, we will be adding brief interviews highlighting the talented authors who have contributed to the anthology. Today we have the excellent Marcia Wilson.

How did you first get introduced to Sherlock Holmes?

Good Lord. I don’t think I was ever without Holmes. Sesame Street, for goodness’ sake!

What was the inspiration for your pastiche?

I usually get inspiration from several things. In this particular case, my fascination with alder wood water pipes, picking up a book of witchcraft in the second-hand store, the multidiverse nesting-box worlds of London in *any* era, and of course…crime. In this particular case, I was beginning to come to terms with how my memory had been…erased due to traumatic events. It made me think about the other folks out there with the same problem, and how that tends to fester and breed further crime and damage to victims.

What is your story – ‘The Adventure of the Long-Lost Enemey’ – about? Where and when does it take place?

Close to Christmas, and Watson is asked to perform as an ersatz coroner for the Yard. While confirming the deceased really is deceased, he sees Inspector Lestrade literally stumble into evidence of another problem, and it is fast out of his league. Watson of course fetches Holmes, who in turn fetches a key witness, someone readers of Canon will recognize! Terry Pratchett’s Sam Vimes says, ‘where there are policeman, there’s crime,’ and he refuses to change the wording. Think about that for a moment. If a policeman doesn’t recognize an action as a crime, how far does it go in the courts of justice? How likely is it to be seen as a crime?

What do you believe readers will most enjoy most about your tale?

I would like to think the opening with Watson strolling past a bitter London night, observing the many, many different observances of faiths and cultures and being happy in it. He’s utterly alone yet he’s finding joy on his own terms. And of course, Holmes and his own little adventures with his bookshelf. Oh, the delights of being a bigger reader than you are in possession of necessary storage space… Lupe Lawrence did a bang-up job in conveying the drear cold and isolation with her artwork. We see Holmes and Watson’s POV walking down a looming street to the dubious welcome of that odd, narrow building holding an equally odd crime within. I was impressed as all heck. She showed exactly what I was going for. Lastly, Holmes has proven to take victims seriously. He’s willing to bide his time like a hunter, for the right moment to reveal itself. Nothing is worse than no-one believing in you.

Which is your favourite story from The Canon and why?

Good grief. Who can choose?

Your favourite Sherlock Holmes-related place?

Cornwall!

Tell us three things about yourself that few people would guess?

I’m frantically trying to get a job.

I’m growing strawberries found in an Iron-Age Danish fort.

I preserve skeletal specimens for display on my back porch.

Any upcoming projects?

I’m in survivor mode right now, hoping to complete my math courses for my associate degree. David keeps me in touch so I can chip in when I can.

Click here for more details on the Kickstarter campaign.