Author Interview: Sofia Blueman
What effect has folklore had on the way you see the world?
I have loved folktales since I was a child. I still have this feeling of getting somewhere, in a hidden place, when I read it. I love the idea of an old magic world living by its own rules, and that is what folklore showed me.
What was your favourite story growing up?
As a foreigner, I like the Slavic folklore stories of my childhood. Mysteries Baba Yaga and Princess Swan — are one of my favourites, because they show women straight and represent smart female characters, which is rare in a men-centric world. I like how sneaky and wise women can be to protect others. For example, Baba Yaga is sometimes represented as an old, grumpy lady, but she actually is a conductor between the human world and the world of the dead, she is safeguarding the dead from being disturbed. Like a mother to her children.
What political messages from folklore resonate with you?
I think folklore is an answer to the politics of the rich and mighty. It’s always the stories about usually broken, but smart people who can rely only on their cunning. Or about creatures that have their own fair rules, no money involved, only justice. I like it about folklore. It's a little bit like karma — do something good for others, and you will receive kindness as well.
Do you see folklore as resistance, and if so, to what?
I think folklore is a resistance to a messed-up world, with unfair rules made by unfair people. It might sound old-fashioned, but I like the simple logic behind the folklore world.
What role does folklore and speculative fiction play in our modern world?
It’s a way to escape from a cruel reality, where everything changes so fast. For me, it is for sure. I think it also explains why Dungeons and Dragons or any other role-playing games are so popular. They share the same idea of adventure and travel without traveling.
What are popular stories lacking today?
I like old folklore stories, but at the same time, I think we’ve been living in a modern world for a long time, and it might be necessary to do new modern folklore. For example, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods it’s not a folklore per se, but it’s an attempt to imagine new fairytales for a new world.
Which folkloric character or creature do you hate/ want to punch in the face?
I hate the man who stole Selkie's skin. She was just living her life, and he took it from her. For fun and pleasure. As if she were his belonging. Would totally punch him if I could.
Do you think of folklore as a thing of fear and warning or of mysticism and magic? Or both?
No, I think folklore is actually the opposite. Mysticism and magic have their own rules. Be kind, brave, not greedy — and you may be at peace.
What do you hope the readers get from your piece?
I tried to mix the old world and modern problems. My main character is a lady who struggles with too much information, sounds, smells, people, everything all at once. That is what we have in cities right now. Anxiety and stress are usual things. That’s why she is lost in it. Would she find her peace — read it to find out.
What are the themes you are exploring?
As a person with anxiety, I want to explore the roots of it in my and my characters' heads. We can diagnose a lot of issues, like autism, ADHD, depression, but what to do with it next? I like to write my stories through the prism of psychological state or a feeling. That’s the theme that captivates me
What aspect of the modern world is your piece commenting/reflecting on?
I tried to reflect the information overwhelmed, that we all can notice. Everything changes so quickly, everything wants your attention, which causes anxiety. And my character tries to run from it.
What folklore traditions do you take inspiration from?
As I said, Slavic folklore inspired me the most. Leshiy, mermaid on trees (not in water, no), Baba Yaga, and many others inspired me. I am amazed by this huge and vivid world of mysteries and adventures, by the moral choices it’s asking you, by the way it changes the character during the long journey.
If you were a cryptid or folkloric creature, which one would you be and why?
I want to be Baba Yaga. She is incredibly wise, and she’s the only woman in stories who can live her life without being bothered by romances in any way. She is no one's wife. She has her hobbies, important job to do, her own house, her pets — sounds like a dream to me, haha.
You’re a forest-dwelling hag and you find an intruder in your garden. What symbolic plant, animal, or object are you turning them into and why?
I would turn an intruder into a garden gnome with a silly face. Because why not?
There’s a mysterious figure that lives near your village. Would you heed the warnings of the elders or venture into the unknown? And what everyday object are you taking with you for protection?
I would take my cat to protect me. She is my companion, she calms me down. And also, cats are known for their supernatural powers. Speaking about non-living objects, it would probably be an axe. I’d love to answer something more interesting or unique, but hey, an axe might help way better than a lamp or a book.
If monsters are a manifestation of a society’s fears, what monsters exist in our modern folklore and why?
I think that might be void. Because we’re getting too deep into an unpredictable and unstable future, so it feels like an endless void to me. Does it sound too depressing? Haha, sorry.
Read Sofia's short story "The Lost Soul" in our first issue, releasing August 22!
[originally posted to Patreon on 10/7/25]
