Author Samantha Josephs has just one question for readers of “Carrying.”
“Did I leave you gagging?”
Yes. Yes, she did. And in more ways than one. As with the title of her debut novel, there are multiple meanings to Josephs’ question. “Carrying” is stunning, jaw-dropping … and a little gross, but all good body horror is.
For those unfamiliar with the subgenre, it’s real, and the dictionary does actually have an entry for it, defining it as “a fiction genre in which a character’s body undergoes mutation, disfigurement, decomposition, etc.”
The Los Angeles resident and University of Southern California graduate has been longlisted for The Center for Fiction New Novel Prize and “Carrying,” which comes out Oct. 6 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons, has left many literary critics raving. She’ll also kick off her book tour at Skylight Books.
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“All of the early praise and critical acclaim before the book is even out has been such a delight, especially for a book that I know is extremely out there. There are many moments in this book that I know will completely lose a lot of people. My own grandparents told me it was the most disgusting thing they’d ever read,” Josephs said during a recent email interview. “Knowing that people can see through (that material) and really feel the story and heart underneath lets me know I did something right.”
The novel is more than just a story; it’s a statement.
“Carrying” follows Martha, a trans woman with a picture-perfect life despite only one person knowing about her transition, who will go to great lengths to protect her secret and her idyllic L.A. suburban life. But, because there’s always a but, that’s just where the story begins. It quickly spirals into chaos as Martha realizes that she’s suffering from an unknown illness and is also somehow pregnant. While she becomes a medical marvel, her life and everything she’s worked for begins to fall apart.
“I wrote this book because I wanted to tackle a common transphobic taunt: that a trans woman cannot be a woman because she can’t get pregnant,” Josephs said. “I hope readers will learn something about trans women. I hope trans women will find a home in this book.”
Josephs drew inspiration from her own experience medically transitioning to create Martha’s character and write “Carrying.” What she produced is an equally hilarious and disturbing social commentary.
Learn more about “Carrying,” its multiple meanings and what’s coming next for Josephs below. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Q. How did “Carrying” come about?
Transphobes suggest that pregnancy is this beautiful miracle of life that only women are able to do, while also saying it’s something painful, horrific, that men should be so grateful they’re not able to do. Not only is this idea so limited and incredibly offensive to infertile cis women, but I find this to be so severely lacking in imagination.
Q. The title has multiple meanings. What made you decide to go with “Carrying”?
I played around with a couple of titles before ultimately landing on “Carrying.” It was truly a lightbulb moment. The common connotation is carrying a pregnancy, to be with child. There’s also a connection with carrying a virus or disease, as Martha suffers this mysterious illness. And then finally the cherry on top comes from trans ballroom slang, where ‘carrying’ means doing something so exceptionally well that you’ve entirely blown away the competition, often used to a hyperbolic degree, of doing too much. Martha is carrying in every sense of the word!
Q. There’s a lot of wit throughout and some real stand-out emotional moments surrounding Martha. There’s a multitude of layers, just like the title. What do you hope readers take away from the book?
I hope readers will laugh and cry. I really love giving those emotional whiplash moments that are disgusting, ridiculous, hilarious, yet completely moving at the same time. And I hope nobody ever looks at a gas pump the same.
Q. What made you decide to go with horror to address many of the timely topics, such as hostility towards the trans and queer communities and gender dysphoria?
Horror has always been an incredibly fertile ground where contemporary fears get distilled into something bloody and monstrous. Horror is also the genre of blood and physical pain, which felt like it defined so much of my transition. While facial feminization surgery was one of the most profoundly beautiful experiences of my life, it was also truly horrific to go through. For weeks after surgery, I looked like some inflated, horrible B-movie monster, which only made it more magical that I came out of that experience — not to toot my own horn, but — totally gorgeous.
Q. Body horror, especially after the release of “The Substance,” has grown in popularity. Why do you think it’s resonating with readers right now?
Body horror and horror in general is really having a moment because people feel so disembodied. Engaging with horror is a visceral experience that makes your heart pound, your stomach drop, that leaves us sweaty and screaming, watching through our fingers. So many of us spend our days staring at screens, numbed, looking at spreadsheets and emails and TikTok. Horror shocks us into remembering that we are flesh and bones and blood.
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Q. Is there anything else you’re currently working on that you’d like to talk about?
My second book is written, and while I can’t reveal anything yet, I will say that it is a complete left turn from “Carrying.” I’m doing an entirely new genre, but one that I’m positive people will completely lose their minds over. I’m still writing something high-energy, queer, sexy, fast-paced, with loads of tenderness, humor, and heart. And definitely sit back and grab your popcorn while we wait for some other exciting news, if you know what I mean.
If you go
- What: Samantha Josephs in conversation with actress Jamie Clayton followed by a Q&A and signing
- When: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5
- Where: Skylight Books, 1818 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
- Details: The event is free, but requires an RSVP at SkylightBooks.com