Maddie’s trans identity is central to the story. How important was it for you to show her experience navigating the world, and what real-world influence goes into shaping this character and her struggles?

I knew I wanted to center Maddie’s experiences as a trans woman. I didn’t have to do much imagining for this element of the story—I just called on what I know from my own experience as a trans woman and from what I’ve heard from other trans folks.

I’m sure I was partially responding to what was in the news, but honestly I can’t recall which news items were on my mind—trans folks have been targeted by so much hate that I’ve lost track of which attacks on our humanity I was drawing from specifically.

It was clear that the body parts were meant specifically for Maddie to find. What guided your decision for the escalation from discovering teeth to other organs, and what importance does that play into the narrative and to Maddie specifically?

At some level, that escalation happens because it mirrors the escalation of 12D’s actions. Beyond that, Maddie’s circumstances obscure what she can see and what she can imagine (something that’s true for everyone, I believe). The extra organs challenge the narratives she has created to make sense of what’s happening.

Trying to make sense of a reality that is fundamentally incoherent may be pointless, but I share Maddie’s desperation to make sense of the world(s) we find ourselves in.

What is your writing process like? Did you go into this story already having themes and key events outlined?

My process varies quite a bit, but I generally start with a premise and a question: What protagonist would be interesting to pair with this idea? To figure out that—and the rest of the story—I write rambling notes to myself. I find this helps me work through my ideas in more depth than if I’m thinking it through without writing it through. Generally, by the time I start writing I have answered a bunch of questions and sometimes done a mini scene-by-scene outline (though I didn’t do one for this story). Sometimes the story goes in unexpected directions, but I find that having something to aim at is important even if I end up changing targets midway through.

I love the mix of technology/media between the text messages, the direct messages, and the reddit thread because it is just so real to how people navigate the world and situations today. Why did you choose to go this route as opposed to having Maddie physically interact with people outside of her hostile run-ins with 12D?

Many of the attacks aimed at trans people are aimed at removing us from public life. Banning us from restrooms (or forcing us into restrooms where we know we’ll be unsafe), taking away our drivers licenses, forcing us into the closet if we need passports, banning gender-affirming health care—all of these are meant to force us into isolation. I wanted Maddie’s story to reflect that reality.

Online connections matter—I use them daily to stay in touch with loved ones—but it’s not a replacement for in-person community. If Maddie had an in-person community to turn to, she’d immediately be less vulnerable. So she can’t have one, at least not at first.

All we have is each other.

The body parts almost serve as unseen evidence of disappearances and violence towards people like Maddie. Is there any real-world influence that led to your inspiration for this story specifically?

Let’s just say I’m not proud of the amount of true crime content I consume (though I prefer stories of con artists to ones of violence). Beyond that, I wanted to explore the way that our society often further brutalizes trans people, including after their deaths. We face violence and erasure, especially those of us who are People of Color, poor, or otherwise vulnerable. I’m privileged—middle-class, white, and living in a state that (so far) isn’t actively criminalizing my identity. The threats in this story—except those posed by the body parts—are unfortunately all too real.

What is next for you? Are there any other projects that fans of your work can look forward to checking out?

Thanks for asking, and for all these great questions! I’m currently at work on a novel that I’ve been describing as Gideon the Ninth x Alien. It’s been a lot of fun to work on! I’ll share any updates on my website, izzywasserstein.com.