In this episode, we discuss the life and work of the multifaceted writer Rachel Pollack. She was the author of 41 books, including two award-winning novels, Unquenchable Fire, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and Godmother Night, winner of the World Fantasy Award. Her comics work includes Doom Patrol, The New Gods, Tomahawk, The Geek, and Time Breakers. She also wrote a series of books about Tarot cards that have sold all over the world, and is the creator of The Shining Tribe Tarot, which she designed and drew herself. As a trans woman, Pollack advocated tirelessly for transgender rights and wrote transgender characters into her stories. Discover more books by Pollack here.
For this episode, we are joined by Joe Corallo, comic book writer and graphic novelist; Neil Gaiman, bestselling and multi-award winning author of various genres; and Mary K. Greer, renowned tarot scholar and writer. You can read their full bios below.
Joe, Neil, and Mary are interviewed by Nate King, Digital Content Associate at the American Writers Museum. This conversation originally took place May 31, 2024 and was recorded over Zoom.
JOE CORALLO is a writer of comic books and graphic novels as well as an award-winning editor in the same medium. His work has been published by A Wave Blue World, Black Mask Studios, Vault Comics, ComiXology Originals, Mad Cave Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Archie Comics, and DC Comics. He also serves as EIC of Geeks OUT’s blog and co-hosts the podcast Twelve Months of Christmas with David Baxter on the Solid Listen Network.
NEIL GAIMAN is the New York Times Bestselling and multi-award winning author and creator of many beloved books, graphic novels, short stories, film, television and theatre for all ages. He is the recipient of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and many Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner Awards. Neil has adapted many of his works to television series, including Good Omens (co-authored with Sir Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College. For a lot more about his work, please visit: https://www.neilgaiman.com/
MARY K. GREER is a renowned tarot scholar and author of twelve books on tarot, magic, and women’s biographies. With a wealth of knowledge spanning decades, she is a respected figure in the tarot community, teaching around the world. She treasures the teaching she did with Rachel Pollack several times a year for 36 years. Greer’s books include Tarot for Your Self and 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card.
Below are some photos that are referenced during the conversations. All photos courtesy of Mary K. Greer.
—Mary K. Greer
Wonderful interview on an unsung & very underrated writer of the comics medium who took very bold risks in their storytelling.