South African writer Marine Auer was shortlisted for The Island Prize for her fiction manuscript “Single Minded.” The recently launched The Island Prize is a manuscript prize awarded to African writers for their debut fiction.

In the fourth of a series of Q&As with shortlisted authors, Marina Auer discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and what inspired her to center her medical mystery novel on HIV AIDS. Auer is a medical doctor currently based in Durban, south Africa.

Interviewer

Tell us a little bit about your novel

Marina Auer

Single Minded is a mystery / suspense novel set in a dysfunctional state hospital in 2002, South Africa. At the height of the AIDS pandemic, when there is a desperate need for scarce resources, a young doctor finds herself caught up in a deadly trinity of medicine, corruption and superstition.

Interviewer

What inspired it?

Marina Auer

During my internship, bodies were found in the grounds of the township hospital where I’d been posted . They were (probably) patients who’d wandered from the wards and succumbed to their illnesses. For years, however, my imagination dreamt up more sinister scenarios. Single Minded is the result of that speculation.

Interviewer

When did you first start writing?

Marina Auer

I wrote a baking blog (yes!) for several years. My foray into fiction writing  began in 2018.

Interviewer

What do you feel are your strengths and/or weaknesses as a writer?

Marina Auer

Weaknesses: How long do you have? Definitely my impatience with planning and outlining.  Although it leads me down interesting roads, these detours can  be riddled with plot holes! Also, my tendency to over-include medical details. I have to remember that I’m not writing an instructional textbook. Strengths:  Self-discipline, and being a lifelong reader. The thousand or so novels I’ve read have to count for something, right?

Interviewer

What problems do you believe writers from Africa face?

Marina Auer

The difficulty of creating an African story that has a broad appeal. Small local markets, few publishing opportunities. In Durban I feel completely distanced from the publishing world. My contact with the international market is through what I see on Twitter – not necessarily an accurate representation.

Interviewer

How have you found the experience of being shortlisted for The Island Prize?

Marina Auer

To be honest, I’m struggling with Imposter Syndrome: Who me – shortlisted? You must be mistaken! The support that has been offered to us is overwhelming. To have experienced voices in the industry offer their time and expertise is a godsend. Up until this point writing has been a solitary endeavor for me, I’m delighted to have support in my corner.

Interviewer

What are your writing plans in the future?

Marina Auer

The plan is to just keep writing. I‘m currently revising another two complete manuscripts, and have the core idea for a fourth that is itching to get onto the page.