Alina Simone: The TNB Self-Interview

So, just in brief, tell me about your life, how you became a writer, what you think about the fate of the novel and whether you believe in free will.

Uh, talking about myself isn’t really my jam. I’d much rather hear about you and your life.

There’s nothing special about me. I’m the interviewer. You’re the special one.

Well, right, exactly. But how do you think I inject my fiction with all that bracing neo-realism? By ripping dialogue straight from the mouths of un-spesh people. You know, eavesdropping in cafes, airport lines, that sort of thing. So how much are you getting paid for this thing?

What, this? Nothing. The Enchanted Squib is just a passion project.

Okay, so what do you do for money then?

I work in publishing.

Oooch! So what are we talking here, 29 k? 31?

Actually, I make $26,780 per year.

And New York’s an expensive city. How do you afford it?

Seven roommates in a converted coffin factory in Bushwick. We grow our food on the roof.

And how does that taste?

Diesely.

I’m sorry.

I have student loans too. Deferred for now, but whenever I think of them kicking in, I get this plunging feeling in my stomach like I’m on that Sling Shot ride at Coney Island.

Hold up, can you say that again? Shit. Where’d that pen go —

I have student loans too. Deferred for now, but whenever I think of them kicking in, I get this plunging feeling in my stomach like I’m on that Sling Shot ride at Coney Island.

What do you tell your mother?

She thinks I’m in the Peace Corps teaching ballroom dancing to orphans in Eritrea. I’m good with Photoshop.

Nice. And just in brief, can you tell me about where you grew up, how you came to work in publishing, what you think about the fate of the novel and whether you believe in free will? I have to head to the loo, but no need to wait. Just be sure to speak right into the recorder.

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ALINA SIMONE is a critically acclaimed singer who was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, and now lives in Brooklyn. Her music has been covered by a wide range of media, including BBC’s The World, NPR, Spin, Billboard, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal. She is the author of You Must Go and Win, a collection of essays. Note to Self is her first novel.