History Through Fiction Podcast

History Through Fiction Episode 12, November 17, 2025

In this episode of History Through Fiction, historical fiction author J. Susanne Wilson discusses the inspiration, research, and creative process behind The Death and Life of Iphigenia, a myth-inspired novel set in Late Bronze Age Greece. In conversation with host Colin Mustful, Wilson explores the lesser-known myth of Iphigenia, the decision to reimagine her fate, and how archaeological history and imaginative storytelling intersect in modern myth retellings. This transcript offers an in-depth look at Wilson’s journey from studying ancient civilizations to independent publishing, making it a valuable resource for readers of Greek mythology retellings, historical fiction, and authors interested in craft, research, and self-publishing.

Note: This transcript was generated automatically, and it may vary from the original.

Episode: Interview with J. Susanne Wilson, author of The Death and Life of Iphigenia

Host: Colin Mustful

Guest: J. Susanne Wilson

Opening Reading

J. Susanne Wilson: The gods have allowed my early years to dance in my memories in full color and full sound. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether this is a curse or a blessing, but I do know this: the story I am about to tell you is the truth. These fourteen years of my life that I am about to relive for you are as real as the blue sky above your head and the cool breeze on your cheeks. I swear this to Artemis—and as you are about to learn, this is no small thing.

Introducing the Guest

Colin (Host): Hello and welcome to History Through Fiction, the podcast. I’m your host, Colin Mustful, and today I’m thrilled to be joined by J. Susanne Wilson, author of the novel The Death and Life of Iphigenia. Jenny, hi.

J. Susanne Wilson: Hello—thank you for having me.

Who Is Iphigenia?

Colin: I want to jump right into it. Who is Iphigenia? I’m not familiar with this part of Greek mythology.

J. Susanne Wilson: Iphigenia is part of the Trojan War cycle of myths. She’s the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra—the princess of Mycenae. Agamemnon is the king who spearheads the Trojan War. According to the myth, he gathers his troops at a bay to sail for Troy, but the winds die completely. Unable to leave, he consults a seer, who tells him that he has angered Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Artemis demands the sacrifice of Agamemnon’s eldest daughter. Once that sacrifice is made, the winds will return and allow the army to sail. So Agamemnon lures Iphigenia to the camp under the pretense of marriage—to Achilles, no less—and instead prepares to sacrifice her. That’s her story. There are multiple versions of the myth with different endings, and that’s where my novel comes in.

Choosing an Alternate Ending

Colin: There are different versions of the story. How did you decide which one to use?

J. Susanne Wilson: Honestly, it was simple—I didn’t like the version where she dies. I studied Greece and Rome in college, so I knew the myth well and was familiar with its variations. I’ve always felt connected to Iphigenia. She’s just a teenager. She thinks she’s going to get married, and instead her father plans to kill her. I wanted to give her a fuller, more meaningful life. That’s why I chose an alternate ending.

The Fourteen-Year Arc

Colin: What are the fourteen years your novel covers?

J. Susanne Wilson: She begins the story as a fourteen-year-old princess and ends it as a twenty-eight-year-old priestess. After the attempted sacrifice, she’s taken to a foreign land she’s never heard of, where she knows no one. Those fourteen years are about her claiming a new life for herself. She can no longer fulfill the role she was raised for, so she has to figure out who she is and what her life will become. Traditional versions of the myth span closer to twenty years, but I condensed the timeline—it felt like too much to cover in a single novel.

Blending History and Imagination

Colin: Can you talk about the craft involved—how you translated your academic background into fiction?

J. Susanne Wilson: I lived and breathed this world for a long time, and I’ve been writing since I was a kid. Writing and learning have always been deeply connected for me. The story takes place in Late Bronze Age Greece, a period where written records were mostly administrative. We don’t have plays or stories from that time, and we know relatively little about daily culture. That gave me a lot of creative freedom—using archaeological evidence as a foundation and filling in the rest with imagination. It was a really satisfying balance, and I had a lot of fun with it.

Discovering Ancient Civilizations

Colin: When did you first realize you were passionate about this history and mythology?

J. Susanne Wilson: I actually didn’t grow up immersed in Greek myth. I started college as an English major, planning to be an English teacher. About a year in, I realized that path wasn’t right for me. One night, I was at a University of Iowa basketball game—senior night. They were announcing the seniors and their majors, and one wrestler’s degree was Ancient Civilizations. I had never heard of that major before, but I knew instantly that was what I wanted to study. The next day, I went to Calvin Hall, picked up a brochure, looked at the requirements, and said, “This is me.” I switched my major and loved every second of it.

Learning the Craft of Writing

Colin: Can you talk about learning to be an author—the challenges and growth along the way?

J. Susanne Wilson: I wrote an early novel back in 2007, a Robin Hood retelling that will probably never see the light of day, but it was great practice. At the time, I lived in Denver and joined the Rocky Mountain Writers group, taking online courses. That was when I began learning writing as a craft—not just writing from instinct, but understanding structure, pacing, and technique. Since then, I’ve read countless craft books—Stephen King’s On Writing was especially influential. I’ve taken many courses through the University of Iowa’s Summer Writing Festival, which is now online year-round. I’ve also been involved with the Off-Campus Writers’ Workshop and a long-standing critique group, which has been invaluable.

Self-Publishing and Building an Audience

Colin: Can you talk about the business side of publishing?

J. Susanne Wilson: I’m independently published, which means I do everything myself. I never queried agents. Once I realized this was the book I was going to finish, I committed to learning self-publishing as an industry. I read books and blogs, subscribed to newsletters, and listened to podcasts from established indie authors. I thought I had a solid plan—turns out I still had a lot to learn. But while I was drafting the novel, I started building an audience through Instagram and my newsletter, so when launch day came, I had readers ready.

Research Through Travel

Colin: You’ve traveled to Greece, Italy, and Turkey. How did that shape your work?

J. Susanne Wilson: Seeing those places in person is incomparable. Standing among the ruins, imagining their original scale and color—it’s transformative. When I studied this material decades ago, it was all in books. Being there adds a depth you just can’t replicate.

Nine Muses Press

Colin: Can you talk about your imprint, Nine Muses Press?

J. Susanne Wilson: The nine muses were the goddesses of the arts—music, poetry, tragedy, comedy, even science. One of them plays a major role in my novel. As a self-published author, you can publish under your own name or create an imprint. I wanted an imprint and a logo, and Nine Muses felt like a perfect fit.

Looking Ahead

Colin: Would you ever consider publishing other authors under your imprint?

J. Susanne Wilson: I’ve thought about it. I run multiple businesses, so that part doesn’t scare me—but right now I’m focused on keeping my own projects afloat. Maybe someday.

Awards and What’s Next

Colin: You were shortlisted for the Novel London Literary Prize—congratulations.

J. Susanne Wilson: Thank you. I made the top six in the first-chapter contest.

Colin: What’s next?

J. Susanne Wilson: I’m currently working on Book Two in the series. Each book will stand alone, but they all exist in the same world. I’m not ready to announce the focus yet, but it’s fully plotted and underway.

Closing

Colin: Jenny, congratulations on The Death and Life of Iphigenia. Thanks so much for joining me.

J. Susanne Wilson: Thank you very much—I appreciate it.

The Impact of Myth Retellings

Myth retellings have a unique power. They allow us to explore timeless themes through fresh perspectives. By reimagining characters like Iphigenia, authors breathe new life into ancient stories. This approach not only honors the original myths but also invites readers to engage with them in new ways.

In The Death and Life of Iphigenia, Wilson does just that. She provides a voice to a character often overshadowed by her tragic fate. This novel encourages readers to reflect on the complexities of identity, sacrifice, and resilience.

As we delve deeper into these narratives, we uncover layers of meaning that resonate with our modern experiences. The intersection of history and imagination enriches our understanding of both the past and ourselves.

In conclusion, J. Susanne Wilson's work exemplifies the enduring relevance of myth. By weaving together historical context and imaginative storytelling, she creates a compelling narrative that invites us to rethink the stories we thought we knew.