Q&A: Veronika Dapunt, Author of ‘Death and Other Occupational Hazards’

We chat with author Veronika Dapunt about Death and Other Occupational Hazards, which is a darkly comedic, genre-bending mystery following a female-personified Death who must investigate a string of unplanned murders before the whole world is thrown into chaos.

Hi, Veronika! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi — so exciting to be in touch! I’m a British-Austrian author and currently live in London with my dog Cosette, who bosses me around every day. My debut novel, Death and Other Occupational Hazards, was a runner-up for the UK’s Comedy Women in Print Prize. I’ve always had a love of the darkly comic and the absurd, which might be the reason why my first career was in law. In the past, I worked for the European Union and for a luxury goods business, where I was involved in international fashion shows, the Academy Awards and the James Bond franchise.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

My grandfather would always tell us (my sister, my cousins and I) stories before we went to bed. We’d let him know what we wanted the plot to be about and he’d make something up on the spot — and they were always wonderful, rich and really imaginative stories. At the time for me that was normal so I didn’t realise just how incredible that was, but now I’m not sure how he did it. I wish I could ask him…

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: I’ve always loved fantasy and adventure, I think it might have been one of Tamora Pierce’s books from The Song of the Lioness series.
• The one that made you want to become an author: Can I say all of them? There is something magical about books, the privilege of sharing someone else’s mind, of being taken on an adventure, that fills me with awe that we, as a species, are able to do that. Ever since I learned to read I knew that doing that myself one day would be an extraordinary thing.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I can’t possibly narrow it down to one! As a child, I adored The Neverending Story, and I still think about that because it is so smart, and with every decade that passes, I start to understand another layer of the story. I also often think about Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi — there is something particularly unique and entrancing about the world she created. The Death of Fleas in Terry Pratchett’s Reaper Man will forever make me smile in a beautiful, life-affirming way, just as Sisters by Daisy Johnson will always fascinate me for the quiet, lyrical horror it creates. This is just scratching the surface — I think about books all the time, often ones I read decades ago.

Your debut novel, Death and Other Occupational Hazards, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Comedy. Edgy. A bit dark. Life-affirming. Unexpected.

What can readers expect?

Death like they’ve never met her before! One of my readers described it as: Good Omens meets The Sandman with HEART — a description I love.

Where did the inspiration for Death and Other Occupational Hazards come from?

I’ve always been a big reader of mythology — both of the classic variety as well as works that reimagine it in a modern, sometimes humorous context, like for example Lucifer or American Gods. Traditionally, this has been a very male-dominated space, and I noticed that female representations of Death were few and far between, which was the catalyst for me to start writing my novel. I had always loved stories that feature Death as a character, often because of the wise, poignant and paradoxically life-affirming dimension the character can bring to a story — such as for example The Book Thief or Meet Joe Black.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

All of it, but the ending especially! I just loved spending this time with Death — she made me laugh, cry and always surprised me in the best way.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I think sometimes balancing humour with a dark subject like death took some thinking. But to be honest I just loved her voice and it felt very natural.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

I started out as a lawyer, but ever since I was a child it was my dream to become an author! I took writing courses alongside my job, and tried to work on my novel whenever I had a bit of spare time. After years and many, many rejections I secured an agent and a publishing deal — a very normal experience for most authors. So to anyone who is currently going through that process: Don’t give up! Things can literally change overnight, like they did for me. After I won runner-up at the Comedy Women in Print Prize I signed with an agent, and then my book even went to auction, which means that multiple publishers were bidding for it — I’d literally felt like I had woken up in a different reality. I ultimately signed with my dream publisher in the UK, and they also negotiated this wonderful US deal for me, so it really is a life-long dream come true.

What’s next for you?

I’ve just delivered my second book, which is very exciting! Can’t wait to share what it’s about with everyone.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

Oh so many — there is never enough time to read everything I’d like to! I’m on a panel with the lovely MK Oliver and Lucy Andrew in a few weeks, so I’m really looking forward to reading their books shortly, which sound darkly comic just like I love: A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage and A Very Vexing Murder.

Will you be picking up Death and Other Occupational Hazards? Tell us in the comments below!