Ukrainian Writer and Researcher Serhiy Klemin: Anthropology is the Fuel that Ignites My Literary Works

Serhiy Klemin is a Ukrainian writer and anthropologist who firmly believes that it is impossible to write science fiction while keeping a respectful distance from science. Anthropology is an essential part of his literary work, with its foundations reflected in his book Homo Eroticus: Love Attachment in the Mirror of Evolution. Serhiy shared his thoughts with Drive Music Media on the nuances of science fiction, his book Homo Eroticus: Love Attachment in the Mirror of Evolution, and the process of finding a publisher.the distance that had put in their relationships.

Interviewer: How and when did your writing journey begin? What were your first steps in this field?

Serhiy: I attempted to write prose back in school. Of course, the artistic value of those works was close to zero. Interestingly, I started by turning my first story ideas into comics before eventually putting them into text, which I would sell to fans for a small fee. At that time, I had no idea how to properly write short stories. There were no creative writing courses available, or at least I never came across any (this was before the internet became widely accessible in my town), so I had to hone my craft through trial and error. And yet, I enjoyed working with text. The most remarkable thing about all of this is that I burned my first collection of short stories, Twilight Stories, in 2001 because I believed they were too dark and unworthy of a reader's attention. However, nearly twenty years later, I changed my perspective and am now trying to reconstruct the main plots from memory – stories that inspired me in my teenage years and early youth.

Interviewer: Why did you choose the genre of science fiction? What attracts you to it?

Serhiy: Science fiction is like jazz, the music of freedom. Now, I can hardly imagine great literature without sci-fi, but if it didn’t exist, we would have lost a lot. For me, science fiction expands the zone of my personal presence – it makes me feel more whole, if I may put it that way. Through this genre, I feel as if I am living multiple lives at once. There is an almost aesthetic euphoria in it. Moreover, "hard" science fiction models possible scenarios and, in doing so, reveals the branching paths of potential futures. As someone who wants to experience life in all its complex polyphony, this is incredibly important to me.

Interviewer: You are the author of "Homo Eroticus: Love Attachment in the Mirror of Evolution". How did the idea for this book come about? What was the writing process like? How was the book presented?

Serhiy: My youth, love, and passion were the primary driving forces behind this topic. It all started around 2009 when I became interested in attachment theory from a psychoanalytic perspective. Later, I began writing a dissertation on the subject, but I soon realized it was a tough nut to crack. I had to turn not only to philosophy but also to sociology (I discovered monographs on the sociology of love), neurobiology, anthropology, and even paleontology to piece everything together. It was a challenging process because the data from the natural and social sciences often conflicted with each other. However, I was eager to dig deep into the fundamentals, which is why my dissertation took an unreasonably long time to complete. Eventually, I began writing a monograph (which I never finished), and in 2020, I decided to write a popular science book that would be accessible to a broad audience. The most remarkable thing about Homo Eroticus is that I wrote it extremely quickly – there were no multiple drafts or endless revisions; everything flowed effortlessly on the first attempt. It might sound immodest, but the work carried a kind of wild energy. Perhaps this was because I had spent years working on my dissertation – this topic held almost existential significance for me. The book was officially released at the end of 2023 and has since been featured at various book festivals and events. In a sense, it has taken on a life of its own.

Interviewer: How difficult was it to find a publisher? What obstacles did you encounter along the way?

Serhiy: Finding a publisher in Ukraine is always a difficult and even painful topic for aspiring writers. Not all publishing houses welcome new authors, especially if they lack notable achievements or an impressive biography. I had neither. So my journey was not easy. I faced frequent rejections for various reasons, and some publishers even terminated contracts over minor issues – but that never stopped me. I completely understand the logic of publishers; a book must sell, and no one is particularly interested in working with an author who isn't a "walking advertisement". Unfortunately, talent alone is not enough for a successful writing career –determination and luck are just as important. I believe I was fortunate in all these aspects, but I could have easily not been.

Interviewer: You are not just a writer –  you are also a researcher and anthropologist. Human nature, emotions, psychology, and biology play a crucial role in your writing. Why is this theme so close to you? Tell us about how your creative work intersects with science.

Serhiy: Humanity is the gravitational center of all my writing. Without anthropology in my life, I would likely lose a great deal as a writer. Moreover, it's impossible to write science fiction while keeping a respectful distance from science. These things complement each other. I study human cultures because I want to understand the human within myself on a deeper level. It is important for me to grasp what it means to be human and what it does not. The fascinating thing is that humanity is inseparable from biology, and in this sense, anthropology is the fuel that launches my literary work.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Serhiy: At the end of 2024, I began writing a new non-fiction book about the biology and psychology of friendship, which I hope to finish by mid-summer this year. This is an important topic for me, so I am writing it primarily for myself. There is a noticeable lack of books on this subject in Ukraine, so perhaps my work will help fill that gap. In addition to non-fiction, I am working on completing my novel "Possessed", which I started in the fall of 2024. The book is in the cosmic horror genre and is heavily inspired by Lovecraftian narratives. In essence, this is my first full-length novel, which is set to be published soon. Most of my novel ideas were developed back in 2018, but back then, I had to postpone or shelve many of them. I am also continuing to write short stories and novellas for future collections and anthologies. The genres vary – science fiction, dystopia, body horror, natural horror, and love drama.

Interviewer: What advice would you give to aspiring science fiction writers? What advice would you have wanted to hear at the beginning of your journey?

Serhiy: I would advise beginners to read as much as possible – not just science fiction, dystopias, horror, or thrillers, but also classic love prose. Why not? All of it enriches and deepens the writing experience. One must always remember that no matter the genre, a novel is ultimately about people – their characters and destinies. Readers are interested in following the fates of characters caught in various situations. I’m not saying that plot isn’t important – it certainly is – but at the heart of every story are people, their interests, and relationships. The more realistically these aspects are portrayed, the better for the writer. Readers can quickly detect inauthenticity, so they need to be "convinced" that they are experiencing real, organic dialogue – because art should make an impact. To reach a high level, one must read as many books as possible. As for advice I would have liked to hear in the beginning, I think it would be about creative obsession. Writing prose only makes sense if the author is, in the best possible way, obsessed with their craft.

Interviewer: What are the current trends in Ukrainian science fiction, based on your observations?

Serhiy: A new generation of sci-fi writers is emerging with a wealth of fresh ideas, and a cohort of living legends – such as Max Kidruk – has also formed. It's encouraging to see diversity among authors, from cyberpunk to planetary fiction and space opera. It’s also great to see many women contributing to Ukrainian science fiction, bringing their own unique perspectives. However, I notice a distinct lack of high-quality "hard" science fiction. It’s not entirely absent, but strong, well-plotted novels in this genre are rare. Meanwhile, there is an abundance of fantasy – far more than necessary, in my opinion. That said, I understand that market demand drives supply, and this isn’t just an issue in Ukraine. I personally don't favor such books, but I hope that hard sci-fi will soon claim its rightful place.

Interviewer: What is your mission as a writer?

Serhiy: I would refrain from using the word "mission", but I have had plots for several dozen science fiction novels brewing in my mind for a long time, and I simply cannot help but bring them to life. It's something like an obsession, even intrusive thoughts. Some characters are practically begging to be put on paper – they live in my head, waiting for their turn to appear in books. In general, I have a strong desire to show readers that life can be incredibly diverse, to reveal the complexity and multi-layered nature of our universe, which at the same time is terrifying in its cosmic coldness. My love for science has made me something of a Columbus, eager to see life from different perspectives, and I want to share that spirit of discovery with my readers.

Interviewer: What word best describes your work as a writer?

Serhiy: It’s quite difficult to sum it all up in one word, but let’s try. Let that word be "anthropology". Everything I do as a writer is, in one way or another, connected to an exploration of the human world. Sometimes, fiction provides insights that are difficult to capture through scientific methods, even though anthropology holds great significance for me. No matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient the truths we uncover may be, they all play a crucial role in reflection and self-discovery. Because ultimately, it's all about being human. In this sense, for me as a writer, there are no forbidden topics.

Pictures were provided by Serhiy Klemin