Ellen Datlow, co-editor of Black Swan, White Raven: Interview
If I could, I think I would do anything to have a career that even slightly resembles Ellen Datlow’s. She’s been editing sci-fi, fantasy and horror for 30 years. She’s won Bram Stoker, World Fantasy and Hugo (to name a few) awards and the fifth title in the Snow White, Blood Red series (of which Black Swan, White Raven is part of) earned Ellen and her co-editor Terry Windling a Fantasy Award. Not to mention she’s edited such iconic genre magazines like Omni and Twilight Zone.
She graciously gave me some of her time for the following interview.
What was your first thought when you were presented with the idea of editing this series of retellings of fairy tales?
I was excited because I love fairy tales and have since I was a child, and because I thought it a fabulous idea to commission writers to create new fairy tales building on the traditional ones.
Terri, my co-editor for the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror at the time, approached me about an anthology of retold fairy tales. The idea was suggested by her friend, artist Thomas Canty (who created most of the original book jacket art and design).
What is it about fairy tales (retellings), do you think, that appeal to (adult) readers?
Well, fairy tales are a sub-genre of fantasy, which is loved by children and adults.
But more importantly, adults appreciate reading what some of their favorite writers do with the fairy tale. Not only adding back in the sex and violence (not necessarily graphic) that was removed by Disney and other prudes who over the years bowdlerized the classics. But also, adding a modern sensibility, giving the characters (especially the girls and women) more agency. The original fairy tales were minimal in characterisation and in plot. Retellings expand on both those elements.
What was the most unexpected thing you learned about fairy tales while editing this series?
How the variations are limited only by the imagination of the modern writer.
Given how fantastic your career has been and still is, I have to ask: how has the sci-fi/fantasy genre changed during your career?
In short fiction certainly more women and more cultures are being represented, which is a great thing.
And last, can you suggest any authors and titles for people interested in reading further books in this genre?
Angela Carter and Tanith Lee were the leaders in the subgenre of the re-told fairy tale.
The Bloody Chamber and Fireworks, and Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories.
Tanith Lee’s Red as Blood or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer, The Gorgon and Other Beastly Tales, and Dreams of Dark and Light: The Great Short Fiction of Tanith Lee.
Terri Windling edited a series of novels based on fairy tales including those by writers Jane Yolen, Steven Brust, Pamela Dean, Patricia C. Wrede, Charles de Lint, Gregory Frost, and others. Most of these writers have also written short stories based on fairy tales.
You can find out more about Ellen here, and in this short video interview.
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