Interview with Royce Roeswood, Author of Oops! I Broke the Wizard’s Android!

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Oops! I Broke the Wizard’s Android!?

I wanted to create a sci-fi/fantasy mashup and so took two iconic tropes, the wizard and the android, put them together, and then spun a universe around that idea. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett were touchpoints. The Magicians by Lev Grossman inspired the magic system. The idea of a young woman alone on a magical apprenticeship came from Kiki’s Delivery Service. The setting of the frontier moon comes from Firefly. It’s really more of a collage than a novel.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Oops! I Broke the Wizard’s Android!, what would they be?

The bardcore cover of Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” by stantough captures not only the mash-up aesthetics of the book but the main character’s melancholy and emerging consciousness. I listened to a lot of bardcore covers while writing this book.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Yes! I love science fantasy! The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir is my favorite series. I also loved Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. If it’s got space and magic, I’m in. However, my book is geared toward a young adult audience, and I more frequently read adult fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I just finished Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers, currently reading Soulless by Gail Carriger, and my library hold of Piranesi by Susanna Clarke just came in, so I need to go pick that up.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the hellworld scenes. Imagining a Devil hamstrung by incompetent help and bureaucracy was fun. Recording the voices for those scenes for the audiobook was also a blast.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I keep a mismatched tarot deck on my writing desk and draw a card if I’m ever feeling stuck or need some inspiration. I also drink the same tea and listen to the same ambient soundtrack on YouTube while writing.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I have a little card on my desk altar which says “Make mistakes.” It reminds me to not be too perfectionist or precious, and also encourages me to try new things without the fear of getting it right the first time.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers have a fun, cozy time, and that my book brightens their day just a little so they can take on whatever challenges they are facing.

Royce Roeswood is the author of the new book Oops! I Broke the Wizard’s Android!

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