Meet Marcus Tsong, BSFW Organizer and Chronic List Maker

Tell us about the event or Meetup you host or are planning to host.

I moderate a novel workshop at Sam Schreiber's apartment.


How did you get involved with BSFW and which events do you attend?
When I first moved to Brooklyn, I browsed Meetup hoping to find like-minded writers. I assumed hordes of literati prowled in NYC, all of them active in writing groups, and I was right. But only BSFW focused on speculative fiction, and after attending a few workshops I knew I'd found a perfect fit for me.


What have you found most helpful about this writing group?

BSFW keeps me engaged with the speculative fiction writing community. I cannot overstate how important that has been for me. It's so easy to retreat into a cocoon of staring at a computer screen yelling at the internet all night. Having so many talented authors with sharp eyes in workshops has left me punch drunk at times, haha, but that kind of workout has been invaluable in helping me improve my writing.  Sharing ideas, conversations, and drinks with is great perk as well.

What stories have most influenced your writing style?

I'm a chronic list maker so this is the most dangerous question for me, but here's a snapshot of the moment:
Laird Barron, "Six Six Six"
Sofia Samatar, "A Stranger in Olondria"
Fritz Leiber, "Lean Times in Lankhmar"
John Langan, "Mother of Stone"
Terry Lamsley, "The Extension"
Kelly Link, "The Specialist's Hat"

Okay better stop there I could go on all night and I have a short story tapping its foot waiting to be finished ...

How do you find time to write?

I set aside blocks of time in the morning or afternoon, but the meatiest ideas often find me in the wee hours of the night, much to my dismay. 


What are you working on now?

A cycle of weird fiction short stories, an urban fantasy novella & a short story collaboration with two other BSFW authors, and a pair of fantasy novels.

Publications: 

Season One, Episodes 5 & 6 of the Kaleidocast: 

If you could submit a story to your dream anthology what would it be about and who else would be in it?

Would love to someday be in an Ellen Datlow edited horror anthology, perhaps with a videogame or tabletop RPG theme.