Elle Wild - Highly Commended
The Bone Conspiracy
Elle is newly represented by Oliver Munson at A.M. Heath
Elle grew up in a dark, rambling farmhouse in the wilds of Canada where there was nothing to do but read Edgar Allan Poe and watch PBS mysteries.
Her debut novel, Strange Things Done, won the Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) Award of Excellence for “Best First Novel” and was a winner in Women in Film’s “From Our Dark Side” genre writing competition in 2017. Previously, Strange won the CWC award for “Best Unpublished Mystery” and was on multiple shortlists for other awards internationally, including AM Heath’s “Criminal Lines” and the Harvill Secker/Telegraph Crime Writing Competition. Strange Things Done made the Amazon Best Seller list (Noir/Thriller/Mystery) in Canada in 2017 and in 2020 – and was a CBC “The Next Chapter” book recommend in 2020.
Wild has published several award-winning short stories and has written, directed and co-produced two award-winning short films. She is working on her second novel, which is currently shortlisted in The Cheshire Novel Prize 2023. Recently returned from the UK, Wild resides on an island in the Salish Sea named after the bones of dead whales.
What made you enter the Cheshire novel Prize?
I thought the contest deadline would be motivating to help me complete my novel – and I was right! Also, I love that the readers provide actionable feedback for writers to edit their stories. I haven’t received my feedback yet but have heard wonderful things about the care and commitment that goes into the notes and look forward to using the advice of experienced readers and judges in editing the next draft.
What did it feel like when you were LL and SL?
I was delighted to make the long-list and gobsmacked to make the shortlist. I neglected to check my junk mail so, unfortunately, I did not receive the first message from Sara that my story had been long-listed. Imagine my surprise when I was watching the announcement on Twitter and saw my book title in the video compilation of the long-listed titles! I might have screamed a little.
What was the reaction like from those around you? Family? Friends?
Family and friends have been hugely supportive. My teenage son said, “I can’t believe you doubted. I never did.”
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I was thinking about the rise of Trumpism, the backlash against feminism and science, and the divisiveness of gender, and I wanted a space to explore these ideas, so I decided to drop them a safe distance into the past. Also, I had been thinking about Mary Anning, the first female geologist who discovered the ichthyosaur and plesiosaur but was denied membership
to the Geological Society of London because she was a woman. Anning was forced to sell her finds to men who presented her discoveries in the British Museum (now the Museum of Natural History) as their own.
How long did it take you to write it?
That is a difficult question to answer. Do I begin with fossil hunting in Dorset, or my time spent skulking about the Museum of Natural History? I can tell you that I was properly working on the story throughout the Pandemic while I was homeschooling my son. I set my alarm for 5am every morning and wrote until “school” (such as it was) started at 9am. Writing happened in starts and stops. (It would be easier to measure the process in cups of tea.) Happily, said child is back in school, so there can be more writing and less sleepwalking. I still get up early, though, after years of being a night owl.
What’s it about?
London, 1892. Year of the Dragon.
When geologist John Goode’s sister disappears, he reluctantly involves Scotland Yard in the search – all the while hoping the inspector does not discover that “John” is really a woman.
What’s your writing routine?
First there is an OMG early alarm, followed by a bout of swearing (first me and then my husband), and then there’s tea. I begin by reading the last page I wrote the previous day, and editing as needed until my brain is back in the story/I wake up. I write primarily in the mornings until life takes over, sometimes later if I’m lucky. During the contest, I let the dishes pile up and my husband did the school runs.
I’m not sure how I’ve managed to stay married all these years.
What’s next for you?
If I’m being honest, probably the next draft of my current book, using the feedback from The Cheshire Novel Prize. I’m also a (short) filmmaker and illustrator, so I enjoy taking art breaks.
Have you done any writing courses?
I did two years of an MFA Creative Writing program at the University of British Columbia in Canada before leaving the program when my son was born and publishing my first novel, Strange Things Done, a “Yukon-noir” which won “Best First Novel” from Crime Writers of Canada in 2017.
What are your two favourite books and why?
I am a great fan of any Margaret Atwood novel but I particularly love Alias Grace for the way Atwood thwarts reader expectations and plays with perspective. Our views of Grace are filtered through Atwood’s continually shifting kaleidoscope of perspective and deception.
I’d be hard pressed to pick just two favourite books! Most recently I have loved The Whalebone Theatre, All the Light We Cannot See, Life After Life, and Station 11.
What advice do you have for any aspiring writers?
Enter contests and be respectful of those kind and patient enough to offer their time and feedback. Listen to your readers.