Rosie Hewlett discusses MEDEA!

Summary

In this episode of Forbidden Planet TV, Rosa Hulet discusses her new book, a retelling of the myth of Medusa. She shares her deep fascination with the character of Medea, exploring her complexity as both a victim and villain. Rosa reflects on the challenges and rewards of self-publishing her first book and the dream come true of working with a traditional publisher for her latest project. She also talks about the power of mythological retellings, the strong women in mythology, and her research process. The conversation is interspersed with insights on writing style, gaming, and upcoming projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rosa Hulet chose to retell Medea's story because Medea has always been her favourite and she finds the character fascinating and complex.
• 📚 Hulet studied Classics at school and university, which gave her the foundation knowledge she used for researching and rewriting the myth.
• 🧭 She intentionally tells Medea's full arc—from beginnings to the infamous end—to explain how and why Medea becomes the figure remembered in myth.
• 🎭 The book aims to humanize Medea by showing her layered relationships (family, sisterhood, love interest) and the forces that shape her decisions.
• ⚖️ Hulet wanted to restore Medea’s agency and challenge the trope of Jason as the heroic figure—pointing out that ancient texts often show Medea doing the real work.
• 🎨 The Transworld cover deliberately shows Medea facing outward at the reader, a powerful design choice intended to both fit the Greek-myth aesthetic and stand out.
• 🚀 Hulet’s publishing journey spanned self-publishing (for her first book, *Medusa*)—where Bookstagram and word-of-mouth helped—and later traditional publishing with Transworld, which she describes as a dream come true.
• 🔍 Her research process involves returning to primary ancient sources (Medea plays, the Argonautica, Seneca) and choosing which conflicting myth elements to use while making the story her own.
• 🔥 A theme in her work and the wider retelling boom is reclaiming female mythic figures and exploring feminine rage—bringing sidelined women to the foreground.
• ✍️ Writing process: Medea’s voice came quickly for Hulet—she completed a fast first draft and emphasizes the discipline of focusing on one project until the draft is finished.
• 🎮 For leisure, Hulet mentioned being absorbed in Baldur’s Gate 3 (a game she’s replayed multiple times) and is excited by modern games’ rich lore—she also recently started watching *Shogun*.
• 📅 Hulet is working on a third book (unannounced) and has just finished the first draft, with plans to announce it soon and continue in a similar myth-retelling vein.
• 📚 Readers can find signed copies of the new book at Forbidden Planet branches and online; Hulet has been doing shop visits and events as part of the campaign.

Q & A

What inspired Rosa Hulet to write her book about Medusa?

Rosa Hulet has always been fascinated by Medusa as a character from the ancient world. She was drawn to her because of her complexity, being both a victim and a villain. Hulet wanted to tell Medusa's story in full, exploring the arcs and contradictions that are often overlooked in traditional retellings.

Why is Medusa such a compelling character for Rosa Hulet?

Medusa is Rosa Hulet's favorite character from the ancient world because of her power and complexity. Medusa's character allows for both sympathy and fear, and her speeches in ancient texts, like 'Ides Meda,' have a strong feminist message, which deeply resonated with Hulet.

How does Rosa Hulet approach writing Greek myth retellings?

Rosa Hulet takes a unique approach by blending the original ancient texts with her own perspective. She often revisits works like 'Ides Meda' and 'The Argonautica,' and deliberately chooses elements that align with her version of the story. She also aims to add her twist and lens to make the retelling fresh while staying true to the myth's essence.

What makes the character of Jason different in Hulet's retelling of Medusa?

In Rosa Hulet's retelling, Jason is depicted as far less heroic than in traditional versions. Rather than being the dashing, all-conquering hero, Jason is portrayed as unlikable and resource-less, relying heavily on Medusa for help. This inversion of the classic trope shifts the focus of the story, giving Medusa more agency.

What is the significance of Medusa's relationships with her family in the book?

Rosa Hulet emphasizes the importance of Medusa's relationships with her family, which are not usually explored in the ancient myths. In Hulet's retelling, Medusa's strained relationship with her family provides a more nuanced understanding of her decision to leave and ultimately betray them, rather than just being motivated by love for Jason.

Why is it important to explore the gray areas in Medusa's character?

Rosa Hulet finds Medusa's complexity intriguing because she exists in the gray area between good and bad. She is neither entirely virtuous nor completely evil, which makes her a more interesting character to write about. Hulet wanted to delve into the layers that shape Medusa's decisions and actions, making her story feel more human and relatable.

How does the cover art of Rosa Hulet's book differ from traditional Greek myth retellings?

The cover art of Rosa Hulet's book was designed with the intention of standing out from traditional Greek myth retellings. The design shows Medusa facing directly at the viewer, in a powerful stance, which is a departure from typical portrayals of mythological figures in such books. This approach helps draw attention while still remaining within the Greek myth genre.

What are the differences between Hulet's self-published book 'Medusa' and her traditionally published book 'Med'?

While Rosa Hulet's self-published 'Medusa' was a rewarding but challenging experience, her traditionally published book 'Med' benefited from the support of a publishing team. The traditional publishing process involved more marketing resources, editing support, and a wider reach. Both experiences were positive, but Hulet felt incredibly grateful for the success of 'Med' through traditional publishing.

What kind of research did Rosa Hulet do for her book on Medusa?

Rosa Hulet used her classical studies background to research ancient texts, including works like 'Ides Meda,' 'The Argonautica,' and Seneca's 'Meda.' She paid close attention to how Medusa is portrayed in these different texts and decided which elements to keep and which to modify. This process helped her craft her own version of the character, with her own unique interpretation.

How does Rosa Hulet view the current boom in Greek mythology retellings?

Rosa Hulet is excited about the current trend of retelling Greek myths, as it allows for a fresh exploration of characters and stories that were often sidelined. She finds it fascinating how these stories, especially those involving female characters, are being given more prominence. She is particularly interested in exploring stories about the gods, an area that hasn't been as widely explored in retellings.