23-236-01 | That Self-Same Metal x Brittany N. Williams
Show Notes: Author, Brittany N. Williams is here to discuss her historical fantasy YA novel, That Self-Same Metal. This book is perfect for fans of the Orisha, William Shakespeare, fairies, and historical fantasy. Brittany shares tips for setting the reading mood and reenacts a favorite scene from the book.
Connect with Brittany N. Williams: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
Podcast Transcript:
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Give me a Black female protagonist wielding a sword while navigating love and war in the era of William Shakesphere with Orisha, magic, and fae.
There is not question of to read or not to read,
for to read … is the answer.
Are you ready?
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Intro ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Welcome book lovers, to The Books en Vogue podcast.
This is your premiere listening experience all about immersive reading and helping avid and reluctant readers alike imagine book characters like never before.
I am your host, Kat Trinidad.
The format of the show is: I introduce a book, share tips on how you can engage your senses as you read this title, (Because… it’s one thing to be a mood reader but you get a little something extra from the story when you are a set the mood reader). And finally, I will end the show with a reimagining of my favorite scene.
Today We will discuss techniques for getting into That Self-Same Metal, with none other than the author, Brittany N. Williams.
Welcome Brittany.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Hi Katt. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Please tell us about the book.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yes. So That Same-Self Metal is the first book in the Forge and fracture saga trilogy. It follows 16-year-old Joan Sands. She has the magical ability to manipulate metal and she only wants to use those powers to build swords and choreograph fights for William Shakespeare’s acting company. But when malevolent Fae invade London, she finds she’s one of the few people who can keep the city safe. Joan and her family are a part of a tradition and a community within London who worshiped the Orisha and are thus given powers by their Orisha. So Joan is a child of the Orisha Ogun and he gives her the ability to control metal and to make iron weapons, which if you know anything about the Fae, makes her particularly effective against the Fae. And Joan also is trying to figure out if she is more interested in the handsome acting apprentice who she’s known for most of her life, or this mysterious new girl who’s beautiful and somehow seems more connected to the conflict than any of them realized. So that is book one: That Self-Same Metal.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Thank you so much for that. Brittany, do you care to join me in a discussion on some tips for setting a reading mood?
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Oh, absolutely. Let’s set this mood.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Okay, well book lovers. I hope you have your writing utensils ready because class is in session.
(((♪♫5 Senses Segment Intro ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So Brittany, what’s the vibe? How can we engage our spirit as we read this book?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Okay, so the vibe is that if you think about the days right after Halloween and how things still feel spooky, but it’s not that absolute nexus of the supernatural that Halloween itself is. It’s that vibe, the vibe of it’s cold outside, but I’m nice and warm inside and I’m safe inside… maybe. So that is the vibe that we should set as you’re reading this book.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
I like that. Especially like that “maybe”.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
You’re good… mostly.
Speaker 1:
<<<ha,ha,ha,ha>>>
Speaker 1 (04:10):
So what’s the sound of That Self-Same Metal, what key notes in music or nature to set the tone as we read this novel?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
So if you want just a natural sound, definitely the sound of crackling wood in a fire is good to have. But for music you got to find Bardcore. So it’s a genre of covers of contemporary songs that sound like something you would hear at the Renaissance Festival or it just has a medieval twist to it. So that’s really great. And if you just want to listen to something that is a soundtrack, the soundtrack from the movie Ready or Not is really good and it matches the vibe of the book for real. So those are your options.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
I like that. I like that. I’m going to have to reread with those notes. I was just doing instrumentals because of that era. I didn’t know there were covers out there. That sounds, yeah!
So do share the aesthetics. This can be in visuals aside from the book.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, so definitely the flickering of Candlelight You Want. It’s a good book to read either at twilight, or right when the sun is almost all the way set. It’s especially good to read overnight, so it’s a good middle of the night read. Also, just like when you think of just cozy fabrics and stuff around you, I just think I’ve had quite a few people say that they’ve read it overnight and that it really put them in the spot where they needed to be. And it’s a really good nighttime read. There are a couple creepy spots and creepy things that are just way more effective in dim light and everything. And it’s not a bright overhead like kind of book. It’s a moody golden tinge lamp light kind of read. That’s the kind of read that you want. So the yellow light, no white light. Yellow light. We going to go with yellow light.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
I like that. It’s definitely giving lack of electricity vibes. Yeah. Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
But we’re going to save our eyes and not try to read it by candlelight. We’re just going to save our eyes.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
<<<ha, ha, ha, ha>>> Okay. Okay. So what’s the flavor? Any food or drink companions for this book?
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, so I looked up some early 17th century recipes and so what I came away with was shortbread cookies go for some good shortbread cookies. So you get those and then this is pre tea time, so the English hadn’t colonized enough to get tea yet. So instead of tea, what you’re going to do is if you are underage, get yourself some mulled cider. And if you are of age to drink, get yourself a nice mug of mulled wine. So you want those cinnamon notes and the star niece and the cloves smell and all of that to just waft up as you take a drink. The drink’s going to warm you all the way through and and it feels decadent too. It just feels nice and decadent and wonderful and it puts you in the mind of winter and that whole cold outside, but I’m warm inside feel, so that’s what you want to go for.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
So is mead a good pick? That’s my favorite type of wine.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah. Yep.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
So what is the aroma? Are there any smells to transport us into the pages?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yes, absolutely. So you want to get a candle or some kind a candle that has wood smoke layers to it. Or even better if you have a working fireplace, light that bad boy up. If you have a fire pit outside, light that up and just go for it As you read. I’ll also say roses like the smell of rose, the smell of lavender. And as far as incense, I love sandalwood incense, and it always makes me think of the Orisha and Orisha-type things. So if you want to go for an incense, go for some sandalwood incense. I think that’ll get you in the right mood. And then also just an extra visual of the smoke just wafting through the air. It really feels like you’re in the middle of some kind of magical ritual. So yeah, bonus, bonus sight.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
I love that. I love that. So how can we get more of the feels?
Speaker 2 (08:55):
So wool at this time in England’s history was a very important textile. So if you have a thick wool blanket, a nice wool sweater that’s really fluffy wool socks or any kind of fluffy, cozy blanket, you can wrap yourself in or surround yourself with fluffy pillows. You just want to feel as comfortable and cozy as you possibly can. I know it’s hard right now because it’s really hot this summer. We’ve been hitting a hundred plus down here. So the thought of just sitting in wrapped up in wool is a little like, but trust me, trust me, it’ll get you, it’ll get good if you got to go lighter with cotton right now, do it. But you just want to be blankets and pillows and just wrapped up with your candle lit and just with your wood smoke going and your little incense and that’s it. You’ll feel perfectly in the mood. Your mulled cider or mulled wine. That’ll do it.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
My husband likes to blast the air conditioner and I’m always cold. So that’s one way to get around the heat. If the air conditioner’s blasting, you warm up, you get snuggy in a blanket, right? And continue to read it.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Oh listen, if you got a Snuggie that you love, that’s it. Slip on into that bed, boy. That’s it. You’ll be set.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Okay. Okay.
Well there you go, book lovers. These are your recommended supplies as you read this title. If you’re able, pause and get some of these if available or simply imagine.
Because it’s time for my favorite scene!
Disclaimer: Please note that exact words, names, locations, and or scenarios mentioned in this reimagined reenactment may differ from the actual book.
(((♪♫Scene Segment Intro ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (10:59):
“The show must go on”
Starring Brittany N. Williams as as Joan Sands,James Sands, and Guard #2& Kat Trinidad as Nick Tooley, Master Augustine Phillips, Roz, and Guard #1
(((♪♫Soap Opera Instrumental starts… ♪♫)))
Speaker 2 as Joan (11:18):
Where did he go? It’s so difficult to see anything in this dim candlelight.
<<<ominous timbre of drums and trumpets echoing>>>
Speaker 1 as Nick (11:24):
Joan, we haven’t much time. We must do our ritual for good luck.
Speaker 2 as Joan(11:31):
“What are you doing down here on the stairs? You’ll miss your cue!”
Speaker 1 as Nick (11:35):
Can’t break tradition. Hurry and I won’t be late, Joan, for luck. Hurry.
Speaker 2 as Joan(11:45):
For luck. Good show Nick.
Speaker 1 as Nick(11:50):
Thanks. Got to go.
<<<running up stairs>>>
Speaker 2 as Joan(11:54):
My hands are tingling where we’d touched. We’ve done the same before every show over the three years I’ve worked with the company.
When had so tiny a thing started feeling so important? (((sigh)))
I hate how easily he can distract me.
<<<walking on stage>>>
Speaker 1 as Guard #1 (on stage) (12:16):
“I think I hear them.—Stand ho! Who is there?”
Speaker 2 as Joan(12:21):
That is Nick’s cue to enter as Horatio. He joins the royal guards to await the appearance of a certain ghost currently in need of a certain tin crown held safely in my satchel.
Wait! Nick throws aside the curtain when he enters. I have to clear out of the way before the audience sees me.
<<<running>>>
Speaker 2 as James: Joan.
Speaker 2 as Joan: And here’s my brother sprinting toward me in his queenly gown with Roz trailing behind him struggling to lace his bodice.
Speaker 1 as Roz(12:51):
Hold still, James.
Speaker 2 as James(12:53):
“Where have you been? They’re already doing the opening scene. Master Phillips is about to go on as the king’s ghost—”
Speaker 1 as Roz(13:00):
Stop wiggling before I tie these laces too tightly. Oh, hello Joan.
Speaker 2 as Joan (13:08):
Ugghhhh,I suppose since he doesn’t enter as Hamlet’s mother until the next scene, he has plenty of time to berate me, even though he forgot to bring along the crown this morning.
Speaker 1 as Master Augustine Phillips(13:17):
Is she here yet?
<<<shushing>>>
Speaker 2 as Joan (13:21):
Ah, Master Phillips must be impatient if he’s shouting like this backstage. Right here! Your crown’s just in my satchel. Let me retrieve it.
Speaker 2 as Joan (13:29):
Shite.
Speaker 2 as Joan (13:30):
It’s bent and dented from when I fell earlier. I should have reinforced the tin.
Speaker 2 as James: But Master Phillips can’t wear that! It’s nearly flat.
Speaker 2 as Joan: I know he can’t. Just give me a moment and don’t let anyone see.
Speaker 1 as Nick (on stage) (13:46):
“Tush, tush, ’twill not appear.”
Speaker 2 as Joan (13:51):
It is nearly Phillips’s cue. No time to waste. All right crown, straighten out now.
<<<magic sound>>>
That’s it. That’s it.
<<<magic sound>>>
<<<pop>>>
… a perfect circle.
Speaker 2 as James (14:01):
I’ll take that. Thank you.
<<<running>>>
Speaker 1 as Roz (14:12):
James.
Speaker 1 as Roz (14:13):
Not done lacing you yet.
Speaker 2 as James (14:16):
Enjoy the show, Joan.
Speaker 1 as Master Augustine Phillips (14:19):
My crown finally.
Speaker 2 as Joan (14:24):
Was I fast enough? (((huff)))
<<<bell tolls in the attic>>>
If the action stops, I’ll know I was too late.
Speaker 2 as Guard #2 (on stage) (14:33):
“Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again.”
Speaker 1 as Guard #1 (on stage):
“In the same figure like the King that’s dead.”
<<<audience gasps>>>
Speaker 2 as Joan (14:45):
That’s a relief. Right now, Master Phillips is making his way across the balcony in robes of eerie white, a stark silver crown atop his head as he’s supposed to. It’s a sight to behold when it’s done right. And by the hush throughout the theater, I knew it had been.
(((♪♫Soap Opera Instrumental stops… ♪♫)))
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Instrumental ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Book. Lovers!
If you have enjoyed this sneak peek, you can get more by reading the whole book.That Self-Same Metal is available at your local library and everywhere books are sold. And if it’s not, request it, because you deserve to read all the books that interest you!
And if you have already read That Self-Same Metal, or are in the middle of reading it, let me know in the comments what you like to do to set the mood for reading, because I would love to hear from you! So, please leave your feedback.
Brittany, is there anything else you would like to share with the listeners?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Listeners? Yes. So if you enjoyed or find yourself enjoying That Self-Same Metal, the sequel slash book two in the forging fracture saga, Saint Seducing gold will be out next April. So keep your eyes peeled for the cover and for all kinds of book news coming up. Yeah. And you can follow more of Joan’s adventures in the future.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Wow. Again, thank you Brittany, for joining us today.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yes, thank you so much for having me. This was so fun and good to think about.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
Absolutely. And thank you, book lovers, for listening.
With peace, love and joy, happy reading.
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Outro ♪♫)))
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