Interviewing Joyce Chng
Hellooo! This week I read yet another great tale from Joyce Chng with their latest YA tale Dragon Physician that combines dragons with a discussion on rebellion and trans rights. Having read several books by Joyce (I will never forget werewolves in space taleStarfang ) I was keen to know a little more and they graciously agreed to answer a few questions
So how do you like to describe Dragon Physician?
A boy tries to be successful in a world of dragon racing run by women.
A story that challenges dominant structures.
A resistance story.
What is the attraction with Dragons?
I love dragons. Besides werewolves and wolves, I will write tons of stories with them inside!
A key part of the book is the focus on trans rights – this is a huge topic in YA at the moment why is it important we talk about this in stories?
Trans rights are human rights. It should be a huge topic not just in YA, but everywhere else. I believe that in YA, there are teens who are questioning, are about to transition or are transitioning... and they want to see representation in science fiction and fantasy. They want a space that welcomes them.
Narratives have power. And it's time we change the toxic dominant narratives that have destroyed humanity for a long time.
Having now read many of your stories you often seem to contrast the old and new worlds of culture and tradition in some form of conflict with each other? Is that a theme you like to explore?
It's a theme I like to explore. In so many ways, the old world is on the way out and the new world is being born. We see this theme/motif being played out in real life. Things are changing. But the old world is resisting change and doubling down with the worst possible behaviour ever. People are refusing to change, because the eco-system has supported them for generations, even when the said eco-system is stagnant and toxic.
You don’t seem fixed to any genre or type of story – do you enjoy taking a different path to the previous story?
I do... I love to experiment!
Likewise, I feel that it's good to be versatile and flexible.
How is the SF scene in Singapore? Anyone else you would recommend reading?
The SF scene in Singapore is growing! We already have authors like J. Neon. Yang who was Hugo-nominated and a Clarion Workshop graduate to boot. The scene has always been there, but quiet. We always have science fiction writers and authors. I mean, the first science fiction book by a Singaporean I read when I was a child was Star Sapphire by Han May (Joan Fong). And that was in the late 80s.
Read all the stuff by J. Neon. Yang.
Ponti by Sharlene Teo.
What can we look forward next from you?
Fire Heart, a YA fantasy about sword making, will be out (hopefully, fingers crossed). I feel hopeful about this, because it's Scholastic Asia!
Also a serialised YA fantasy set in a magical Qing China is in the works.
Am working on many projects too.
If there was one book (not your own) that you would like everyone to read what would it be?
That would be Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley. Think: Pacific Rim + Magical Girls! https://sarahraughley.com/the-effigies-series/
