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Seed of Lost Souls
46 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Poppy Z. Brite
164 books3,644 followersPoppy Z. Brite (born Melissa Ann Brite, now going by Billy Martin) is an American author born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Born a biological female, Brite has written and talked much about his gender dysphoria/gender identity issues. He self-identifies almost completely as a homosexual male rather than female, and as of 2011 has started taking testosterone injections. His male name is Billy Martin.
He lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Athens, Georgia prior to returning to New Orleans in 1993. He loves UNC basketball and is a sometime season ticket holder for the NBA, but he saves his greatest affection for his hometown football team, the New Orleans Saints.
Brite and husband Chris DeBarr, a chef, run a de facto cat rescue and have, at any given time, between fifteen and twenty cats. Photos of the various felines are available on the "Cats" page of Brite's website. They have been known to have a few dogs and perhaps a snake as well in the menagerie. They are no longer together.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Brite at first opted to stay at home, but he eventually abandoned New Orleans and his cats and relocated 80 miles away to his mother's home in Mississippi. He used his blog to update his fans regarding the situation, including the unknown status of his house and many of his pets, and in October 2005 became one of the first 70,000 New Orleanians to begin repopulating the city.
In the following months, Brite has been an outspoken and sometimes harsh critic of those who are leaving New Orleans for good. He was quoted in the New York Times and elsewhere as saying, in reference to those considering leaving, "If you’re ever lucky enough to belong somewhere, if a place takes you in and you take it into yourself, you don't desert it just because it can kill you. There are things more valuable than life."
Born a biological female, Brite has written and talked much about his gender dysphoria/gender identity issues. He self-identifies almost completely as a homosexual male rather than female, and as of 2011 has started taking testosterone injections. His male name is Billy Martin.
He lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Athens, Georgia prior to returning to New Orleans in 1993. He loves UNC basketball and is a sometime season ticket holder for the NBA, but he saves his greatest affection for his hometown football team, the New Orleans Saints.
Brite and husband Chris DeBarr, a chef, run a de facto cat rescue and have, at any given time, between fifteen and twenty cats. Photos of the various felines are available on the "Cats" page of Brite's website. They have been known to have a few dogs and perhaps a snake as well in the menagerie. They are no longer together.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Brite at first opted to stay at home, but he eventually abandoned New Orleans and his cats and relocated 80 miles away to his mother's home in Mississippi. He used his blog to update his fans regarding the situation, including the unknown status of his house and many of his pets, and in October 2005 became one of the first 70,000 New Orleanians to begin repopulating the city.
In the following months, Brite has been an outspoken and sometimes harsh critic of those who are leaving New Orleans for good. He was quoted in the New York Times and elsewhere as saying, in reference to those considering leaving, "If you’re ever lucky enough to belong somewhere, if a place takes you in and you take it into yourself, you don't desert it just because it can kill you. There are things more valuable than life."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 14, 2018
As Brite says, this is only the seed of a story. But for what it is, it’s rich and full of dark beauty only Brite can bring. I was pulled into those words so much the wayward plot didn’t matter in the least.
Brite’s voice is strong here even if it’s a voice from around twenty years of age. And each character leaves their mark, though I admit adoring them in “Lost Souls” itself; as well as their short stories.
I already want to read this again.
Quote:
“It is my fond hope that this artifact will give courage to someone who is just embarking on a novel. This is all I had. I didn’t know if I could write a novel. I just knew I couldn’t let go of these characters, and so I dove in. When I came out the other side, I had 500 pages and a book deal. Hang on tight.”
Brite’s voice is strong here even if it’s a voice from around twenty years of age. And each character leaves their mark, though I admit adoring them in “Lost Souls” itself; as well as their short stories.
I already want to read this again.
Quote:
“It is my fond hope that this artifact will give courage to someone who is just embarking on a novel. This is all I had. I didn’t know if I could write a novel. I just knew I couldn’t let go of these characters, and so I dove in. When I came out the other side, I had 500 pages and a book deal. Hang on tight.”
September 8, 2024
What a perfect way to kick off fall (I know she’s not here yet but I’m pretending)! If you’re a PZB fanatic like me you know this is a highly sought after and difficult to obtain ancient tidbit, the short story which inspired the debut novel, Lost Souls. I was expecting to love it in a nostalgic way, but it turns out it’s actually beautifully crafted and written and I enjoyed it in its own right! I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, PZB’s writing just hits like no one else for me. It was great to see my fave characters again, my old friends, Ghost and Steve and Nothing and Missing Mile. And while this felt appropriately amateurish and young and written by a twenty year old, I could see the talent and beauty and the raw seeds of what I love about PZB, in their natal stages. As a writer it was very inspiring. There’s also a delightful interview in the end and man!! I just love Poppy. I cried a little. So grateful this is the writer who has shaped me most in my life. Truly an honor.
September 15, 2019
If you're a fan of the novel it's a fun look at the original idea behind it. Plus there's a book review and interview that Brite did.
January 18, 2018
An interesting insight into the creative process, and a nice companion to one of Brite's best novels.
July 27, 2022
As always, fantastic. We needed this story, we needed Ghost and Steve, and he didn't disappoint.
September 28, 2014
This chapbook documents the steps to an acclaimed first novel. The Seed of Lost Souls contains an exclusive introduction, the previously unpublished novella that eventually became Poppy's first novel, an unpublished book review/essay on vampires, and an interview dating from the time of Lost Souls' publication.
June 3, 2013
For Lost Souls fans...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews