 There is only 3 more days left until Halloween and my question to you is, what is your biggest fear and are you brave enough to tell?
The next author in my Women Thought Leaders in Horror line up is Erin Al-Mehairi. She is a writer, editor, and PR Professional with degrees in English, Journalism, and History. Though she’s been writing for decades, Breathe. Breathe., published by Unnerving, was her debut collection of dark poetry and short stories and was an Amazon #2 best-selling paid title in women’s poetry, behind NYT best-seller Rupi Kaur, and has hovered in top five in horror short stories several times since its publication. Her work has been called raw, honest, evocative, and beautiful. Buckle up because you won't get anything as raw as this. And Happy Halloween... Q: Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? A: I was never allowed to read, watch, or enjoy horror as a kid growing up, but I did grow up in the dark, spooky woods and I did enjoy fairy tales. I was completely scared of the dark, and had a lot of nightmares, but I also was very curious about the thing that made me scared. The only thing I was allowed was anything with cute witches and black cats (like books or costumes for Halloween or my actual real black kitty). I suppose I secretly began to like horror in the written form when introduced to Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson through school assignments. “The Lottery” is one of my first and favorite dark horror stories. I learned through both of them, as well as many other great writers in other genres, just how awful humanity can be. That to me IS horror and why I believe horror crosses into so many other genres and people don’t even realize it. Since I couldn’t read it at home, but was an avid reader, I read historical and fantasy books. I especially liked Sue Harrison’s Mother Earth Father Sky and Jane Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear. I enjoyed books like Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. I enjoy, and still do, Kathleen O’Neal and W. Michael Gear’s books. If you think about it, there are many horrifying things in these books that happened in prehistoric times! Humans are not kind to each other, especially when they fear others different from them. I was allowed to read Stephen King if it was fantasy or seemingly non-horror, so I read The Eyes of the Dragon (one of my favorite books to this day), Gunslinger, and Dead Zone. I read the Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews and the rest of the books in that series. Can we say domestic horror much? Certainly! And that book had a huge influence on my own writing. I am fascinated by the psychology, the psyche, the way humanity operates and why. I like horror because it’s exploring this. I like the deep emotional pull of it. I began writing it, in a way, when I was in my teens and I wrote poetry to help me deal with loss and death. I was horrified by these two things and I had no idea what to do with my thoughts. So, I wrote poems. I had already been writing poems to express my emotion for nature and life in general. Eventually in college besides journalism I majored in history and English. History is brutal and here I was faced again with it. The Holocaust is a real-life horror story. Again, I was compelled to learn not only why it happened but to see how people processed what was happening to them. I became fixated on Anne Frank and she became a writerly inspiration to me as well. In the English realm, I was entranced by F. Scott Fitzgerald and his presentation of the class structure. I began to see the horror in this and how it extended to all sorts of plots in horror. Many people didn’t think or understand why the film “Parasite” was considered horror. But it’s for this reason. It’s horrifying what the class dynamics ended up causing. I also began to read more gothic literature and poetry in Hawthorne, Dickinson, as well as works by Joyce Carol Oates. Oates is still one of my favorite short fiction writers. Today, I don’t only see the real life historical and current horrors, but I look at things (from the simple to the complex) and see also what it might be supernaturally. Can a story come from this? Does that tree come alive? Is there a ghost in the corner? Does that object appear in a story about a woman who…? I’ve learned to look BEYOND and use my imagination. I enjoy that so much, the creation, and I think that’s why I will continue to always write horror in some form. I love horror because it covers such a wide gamut, but it’s always there in some way even if we don’t see it right before our eyes. I enjoy quite a few sub-genres in horror, but I also think horror is a genre we can find more than others crosses into other realms easily. That makes it exciting and never dull. I also enjoy writing horror for its great healing factor – I can put words on the page to analyze, dissect, comprehend, and grow. When I wrote my collection Breathe. Breathe., or some of the other short stories I’ve published in anthologies, I’ve been able to use words to share my pain and wounds. Horror is emotion in its truest form and I like that it’s real and raw. I also enjoy the ability to enact revenge without going to jail! Ha! Q: What is your favorite era of horror and why? A: I know I like gothic, so I’d say literature of the 1800s, whether written then or now. I really enjoy witch stories too – is that an era, or all the eras? Ha! I enjoy the cult phenomena the 80s brought us and its resurgence. And I enjoy the folk horror trend of now. Q: What are some of your favorite horror films? A: I like certain types of horror films some of the ones I enjoyed the most would be “The VVitch,” “Gretel and Hansel,” “The Invisible Man,” “Hush,” “The Invitation,” “Bird Box,” “The Others,” “The Village,” “Get Out,” “Doctor Sleep.” Q: What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? A: As I mentioned briefly above, I think it wraps us up in all the social issues of the day. It takes on, and has always taken on, issues that we are too scared to face in our every day lives. It tackles mental illness, abuse, addiction, vanity, narcissism, abandonment, religion, and any type of fear anyone might have. This either draws people to the genre or it makes them run from it. It isn’t preachy, unless it’s an old fairy tale that might be teaching a lesson, but it’s more giving us a glimpse into psyche. It’s a view into the world so it can teach us, abhor us, embrace us, repel us, scare us. It can change us, mold us, or heal us so its greatest impact lies in that. It addresses the darkest fears, the most deviant minds, the blackness that humanity can be, but it often times also shows the hope. Q: How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? A: A lot of my writing comes from dealing with emotions and fears over situations. It’s very personal and passionate. It often reflects what has happened to me or other survivors and how we do (or don’t) come out the other side. In other of my works, it reflects my love of mystery and thrills, of gothic and ancient cultures, of an inquisitive mind. It shows I’m curious and I’m deep. An explorer of the mind, Earth, culture, and history. That I’ve had pain and wounds from the treatment of others. That sometimes there is hope and sometimes there is revenge using the page, but that I’m a fighter. For myself and for humanity as a whole. Q: What do you think lies ahead for the genre? A: As a whole horror is doing well during these stressful times. There is more mainstream horror than I’ve ever seen being published by traditional publishers, more films, more streaming shows, and a resurgence and love of a genre that they either used to love or never knew they loved before. As well there are more indie publishers and authors, and more wonderful writers self-publishing. I think that there are many stories to tell in horror and our world today, and its upheaval, is giving more people the time and/or courage to tell theirs. As long as publishing holds on and people buy books, I think that horror will continue to sell well and appeal to upcoming generations. Horror can give people an adrenaline rush, stories that take our mind off worries, and hope. Q: Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? A: I don’t think women are too highly underrepresented in horror overall anymore. Possibly still in anthologies given percentage of men who write short stories and submission numbers, but overall, women horror writers and their support has increased so much even in the ten years since I entered the genre. Until less than five years ago there were only a few women that everyone named, either old or current, when asked for a list. The same ones published. There wasn’t a huge sect of women in horror and there wasn’t many of them who would support or connect with others. Now there is a whole community of women in horror who are writing and being supported by men and women alike. I especially think that a huge hand needs to go out to the male reviewers who really showcase women and read them and review them. They have done much more in the past couple years than some of the male author clubs that are still hanging around in the genre. And there is the Ladies of Horror Fiction site and social media pages that really help to feature women all year long. They work tirelessly for free to make sure our work and voices get out there loud and clear. Women bring so much flavor, emotion, and passion to the genre. They defy norms and break boundaries and tear our hearts apart when they write. Not that some males can’t or don’t do that as well, but there is something about the empathy in the writing of some women in horror. We are an important voice not only in society but in the arts as well. Q: Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? A: The guys are very friendly and good at supporting each other, and some of them in supporting women, but make sure as a woman you recommend, support, and talk to your fellow women in horror on social media. Make friends with women, reach out to them, and read their work. Trade interviews or features. But don’t only stick to your circle or clique. Work together for the good of all women in horror. Don’t back down or shy away. Don’t feel like you over promote. Share your story and your writing and connect with readers. Don’t wait for readers to come to you because there is now way too many books and authors to sift through. Keep your brand, name, and books out front and center and DON’T feel bad about it. Everyone is doing it and you must push for yourself. However, don’t only talk about your book and writing, be online enough you share about your life, interests, and self too. Engage with others and offer them positive support. Q: Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? A: Laura Purcell, Gwendolyn Kiste, Sara Tantlinger, Sonora Taylor, Gemma Files, Sarah Read, Kathe Koja, Helen Oyeyemi, Michelle Lane, Kristin Dearborn, Stephanie Wytovich, Christina Sng, Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, Laurel Hightower, Catherine Cavendish, C.J. Tudor, Joyce Carol Oates, Mercedes Yardley, Caroline Kepnes, Alma Katsu, Lee Murray, and many more. Of past authors I still adore: Daphne Du Maurier, Shirley Jackson, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Q: For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? A: I think Breathe. Breathe., as my debut collection, has a bit of everything. It published three years ago with Unnerving but it’s going out of print at the end of this month (October 2020). Given that, it’s on sale now on Amazon for cheap. I hope to bring it back in another version with a new cover in the next two years. If you’d like this version, I’d definitely get it now! It covers horror, fantasy, crime, fairytale, mystery—it is dark poetry with five short stories too. It is my most personal work to date since it takes on themes of domestic violence, illness, assault, and was a huge endeavor of healing for me as well as a lot of fun to do. But it also let me use my imagination in many other ways as well and tinker in all types of horror and dark fiction. Here are two blurbs it received - “At times sinister, definitely dark, atmospheric and heavy with foreboding, this collection of poetry and short stories from Erin Al Mehairi touches our deepest fears. Murder, domestic violence and even an ancient Egyptian goddess all move within these pages where nothing is ever simple or straightforward.” – Catherine Cavendish, author of Wrath of the Ancients "Breathe. Breathe. is at times haunting, visceral, bittersweet, and tender. Erin Al Mehairi bares her soul and invites readers to devour it whole." —Hunter Shea, author of We Are Always Watching To name a few more things you can read - You can also go HERE on my website to read about a short story I had in a Halloween edition of a magazine last year (it’s horror, not strictly Halloween) and I’m pretty proud of that one. You’ll find a link to the magazine there. And for some free reads, here is a blog post I put together on my site which features eight of my pieces you can read. What’s Next? I hope to have two more poetry collections and a short story collection that have mostly been completely written since 2019 out in the next years, re-publish Breathe. Breathe. in the future, and continue to write on a novel. I also am going to start plans to make my move into publishing others as an indie press. Until then, I’m working away full-time as an editor and part-time as a publicist in several genres, including horror. Where to Find Me? Anyone can e-mail me at hookofabook (at) hotmail (dot) com and find me easily at my website/blog. You’ll also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, - under Erin Al-Mehairi - and her Amazon or GoodReads pages. Breathe. Breathe. Synopsis/Buy Links – Breathe. Breathe. is a collection of dark poetry and short fiction exploring the surreal depths of humanity. It’s a representation of how life breaks us apart and words put us back together. Purged onto the pages, dark emotions flow, urging readers into murky seas and grim forests, to the fine line between breathing and death. In Act One, readers are presented with a serial killer in Victorian London, a lighthouse keeper with an eerie legacy, a murderous spouse that seems to have walked right out of a mystery novel, and a treacherous Japanese lady who wants to stay immortal. The heightened fears in the twilight of your minds will seep into the blackest of your nights, where you have to breathe in rhythm to stay alive. In Act Two, the poetry turns more internal and pierces through the wall of denial and pain, bringing visceral emotions to the surface unleashing traumas such as domestic abuse, violence, and illness. In the short stories, you’ll meet residents of Valhalla Lane whose lives are on a violent parallel track to collision, a man who is driven mad by the sound of a woodpecker, a teenage girl who wakes up on the beach and can’t find another soul in sight, a woman caught in a time shift pitting her against the Egyptian goddess Anuket, and a little girl whose whole world changes when her favorite dandelion yellow crayon is discontinued. Amid these pages the haunting themes of oppression, isolation, revenge, and madness unfold through folklore, nightmares, and often times, raw, impulsive passion crafted to sear from the inside out. With a touching foreword by the Bram Stoker nominated author Brian Kirk, Breathe. Breathe. will at times unsettle you, and at times embrace you. Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi, a veteran writer and editor of the written word, offers up a mixed set of pieces, identifying her as a strong, new voice in dark fiction that will tear the heart from your chest, all the while reminding you to breathe. Amazon Link – Available in e-book and print. On sale October 2020 for .99 cents in e-book and $8 in print as part of domestic violence awareness month. https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Erin-Sweet-Al-Mehairi-ebook/dp/B076C3YSLC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Also available via Barnes and Noble in print and at other fine online retailers. Thank you for tuning in. Have a safe and happy Halloween, I am Sterp
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 It's been awhile my horror family but I'm a firm believer of taking very needed breaks, both mental and physical, in order to stay at an acceptable level of insanity (let's be real, is sanity really a thing?). I am extremely thrilled to introduce to you my next woman thought leader in horror, Caitlin Starling. As usual, but never the usual, buckle up!
1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? When I started writing The Luminous Dead, I knew it was going to involve some horror elements, and I will admit I had no idea what I was doing. But horror made sense for it – it added tension, urgency, and dread immediately, and went so well with what I'd already decided about the book (two characters, one is locked in a suit for the whole time with attendant creeping body horror, no way to tell if the other character is trustworthy but having to trust her anyway…). It wasn't until we sold it and actually had to think about marketing that I really understood that it wasn't a science fiction novel with horror sprinkled over it. It's a real horror novel! In hindsight though, it should've been obvious where I was heading. I've always written about intimacy, particularly intimacy under strain. Whether it's an existing relationship being put to the test, or new relationships forming under life-and-death circumstances, horror is a wonderful and natural tool to push and pull at those bonds and see how far they can stretch before they break (often in spectacular fashion). 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? To be one hundred percent honest, I'm incredibly new to the genre, and haven't done much of my "homework" yet – I still have so much to read and watch and discover! But I really do love the current moment we're in. We have so many different voices in the conversation, so many explorations of what horror has been, is, and can be. Do you want queer horror? Here are twenty different approaches. Black horror? South Asian horror? There's so much to choose from, and that's before you get into all the experiments, the deconstructions, the angry and joyful and powerful reclamations. It's a wonderful and very humbling time to be entering the field. 3. What are some of your favorite horror films? A Dark Song (2016) destroyed me in the best way. Get Out (2017) was, of course, devastatingly awesome. I'm also a huge fan of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006), and can honestly say I really enjoyed Paranormal Activity (2007), possibly because I only just watched it a few months ago. If you're noticing a lack of 2018-2020 titles on there, that would be because I'm actually a complete weenie when it comes to movies, and I haven't had a buddy to watch with for the last while. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? Horror's such a wonderful mirror. It exaggerates and distills a lot of societal anxieties. That's a double-edged sword, of course – it can lay bare some pretty heinous views of the world that generally we keep papered over with a veneer of civility. (Looking at you, "I'm afraid of anybody who looks different from me" racism.) I find it most interesting when it's reflecting (and is only claiming to reflect) very personal anxieties and fears. I like seeing what frightens other people. I like seeing how people imagine fighting back. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? Pretty sure you can guess at my problems with trust and intimacy from a mile away by this point. ☺ And my fears of all my skill and focus and dedication not being able to help me when things really get dark. It's very self-centered horror. Very, "Oh fuck, I actually do need other people, I can't do this on my own, and maybe now it's too late to get help." 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? So much more variety. Things that I, personally, can't predict, but am eager to see. Reclamations of the monstrous. More psychological horror. Cooler, weirder creatures. Really nuanced, terrifying stories about how technology interfaces with our lives. Climate horror (because, when you get down to it, isn't climate change pure cosmic horror? A juggernaut that will make you suffer and die, and that is here because of our actions, but can't be fought head on, and that will not notice us as it destroys us.) 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? Respectability, I'd guess – from gatekeepers, promoters, audiences. And that goes beyond just, oh, women are so delicate, they must be shielded – I think women's horror is often extremely distressing to audiences, particularly when it's their first encounter with it. Women's horror deals so much with loss of autonomy, loss of identity, deep rage… obviously not all simultaneously, not all at the forefront of every story, but it's so often there. And when you add queerness, when you add varying experiences of gender, and especially when you start listening to women who aren't white? It's powerful, and overwhelming in its strength, and I think a lot of people flinch and look away instead of engaging. (You should engage. Trust me. There's so much amazing work out there.) 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? Write what scares you, what pisses you off. Have fun with it. Indulge the darker sides of yourself and see what comes out. You can calibrate it for an audience later, if you want to; but when you're first drafting, follow every rabbit hole. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? A non-exhaustive list: Cassandra Khaw, Kate Alice Marshall, Cherie Priest, Margaret Killjoy, Camilla Bruce, Gemma Files, Nibedita Sen. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? Start with The Luminous Dead, which is my first full-length novel. It's equal parts survival scifi horror and gothic horror piece. For the rest, you can find me at www.caitlinstarling.com, and at @see_starling on twitter. Caitlin Starling is an award-winning writer of horror-tinged speculative fiction. Her novel The Luminous Dead won the LOHF Best Debut award, and was nominated for both a Locus and a Bram Stoker award. Her other works include Yellow Jessamine and a novella in Vampire: The Masquerade: Walk Among Us. Her nonfiction has appeared in Nightmare and Uncanny. Caitlin also works in narrative design, and has been paid to invent body parts. Find her work at www.caitlinstarling.com and follow her at @see_starling on Twitter. Thanks for tuning in, Sterp  1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? I have been a fan of horror for years. After my first book (a historical fiction) published, I began writing short stories through my preferred stylistic devices: regionalism and magical realism. I had no idea what I was writing was actually categorized as horror. After a few of those stories published, I tried my hand at a ghost story mystery for my second book, again not knowing what I was really writing was horror. To my surprise, I self-published that book, and my readers enjoyed it as much as the first (though many were surprised at my shift in genres). My greatest compliment about that book is that it gave a few readers nightmares; some couldn’t finish. That makes me smile. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? As a former English teacher for decades, I taught a variety of genres, among them horror, of course. Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and several others stayed with me long after I finished reading them. The fact that such powerful “spooky” stories were written centuries ago is probably why they’re my favorites, especially Frankenstein. Imagining the horror of the readers back then gives me goosebumps. To be an author like that is inspiration to keep writing horror. 3. What are some of your favorite horror films? When I was young, the Dracula films starring Christopher Lee scared me so much I became afraid of the dark. Dark Shadows (the movie more than the series) made that fear worse. There were years I couldn’t walk anywhere at night because of those movies. I still shiver with the memories of those vampires! 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? Horror attracts us the way a haunted house challenges us to enter or a rollercoaster ride dares us to ride—the adrenaline rush caused by the intensity of whatever emotion the reader feels, whether fear, anxiety, or excitement is something we seem to crave. Otherwise we wouldn’t turn the page or go through that door or get on that ride. The impact of the words which make us imagine what the characters endure, which allow us to visualize the act vividly, and which sometimes cause us to feel the panic of the event satisfies some need we have inside us. We want to encounter those monsters and either survive the meeting or succumb to horrible fates with the protagonists. Perhaps our values are challenged by our own imaginings of possibilities that can happen to us—there are monsters in real life we can meet with, after all. Murderers are real; to some of us, so are ghosts, or maybe aliens and monsters. Reading horror can make us more aware of our own ends, especially death, which makes many protagonists repent for their sins when they realize their demise is imminent. Hopefully, it affects readers in the same way. In my case, because of my Hispanic culture, we grew up believing our parents’ and grandparents’ superstitions; the legends and folktales I grew up with through oral story telling affected me greatly. When your own parents tell you they’ve seen ghosts or unexplained phenomenon, and you know your parents aren’t liars, you tend to believe. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? I mentioned that I use regionalism to tell my stories. This includes my incorporation of my culture’s folktale characters and creatures into my works. I retell my versions of the stories so many from my region grew up with, and I also create my own stories of those monsters our parents used to threaten us with to behave. They were real to me when I was small, but they’re disappearing with each new generation. I write about them to keep them alive through literature. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? I like to think women will be the trailblazers of the genre and that we’ll make a name for ourselves in horror as much as men or maybe more so. And I hope a resurgence of the “scary” stories like Poe’s or Shelley’s will arise. Less blood, guts, and gore; more psychological and traditional horror. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? I’m not sure what the answer to this question is. The women horror authors I’ve become associated with are masters of the genre. Why they have yet to be discovered I don’t know. Like any other genre, it’s critical that women are represented for their unique execution of horror in writing; they bring a different voice, perspective, and creativity to the genre. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? As I said, I fell into the horror genre because my stories always seem to have a dark side to them. Women have a deep well of horror stories inside them if they use their imaginations to imagine the worst of life. A mother’s worst fear is losing a child, but the human fear of losing one’s mind or having a loved one transform into a monster or any situation where we are powerless—any of those dark thoughts we’re all capable of, those are prime pickings for horror. But we must remember that with the dark comes light, and we can use writing to dispel those depressing thoughts and not let them be overwhelming. Writing something lighthearted or including comedic scenes while writing horror can keep us grounded. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? The authors I’ve published with in anthologies are among the best horror writers I’ve read. R.A. Goli writes erotic horror (which I’d never heard of before I started reading her short story collection, Unfettered). Her stories blow me away—she rewrites tales we’re all familiar with. One which stands out is her rendition of Poe’s “The Raven” from the bird’s POV. I’ve published in two horror anthologies with outstanding women horror writers: R.A. Busby’s psychological horror “Holes” is the stuff of nightmares. Jill Girardi, publisher of the Women in Horror anthologies, is also a truly terrifying horror writer in her own right. Her story “Firstborn” is haunting. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? Several of my short horror stories are available for free from the pinned post on my FB page. Some are my retellings of folk tales, like “Baile de Diablo” (The Devil’s Dance), “La Muerte,” (a tale of Santa Muerte), “Encounters with Death,” among several others. The pinned post links all my publications, a mix of historical fiction, horror, speculative fiction, non-fiction, among several other genres.  I am thrilled to introduce my next Woman Thought Leader in Horror: V. Castro. This series is meant for one thing and one thing only; to amplify the voices of women in horror.
As V. Castro puts it, "Men don’t get to set the standard for women anymore. I’m fucking sick of it." Buckle up horror family. 1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? I have always loved horror. I grew up with dark folklore and urban legends. As a Mexican American we have a lot of superstitions and the supernatural is never far away. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? Film wise I have to say the 80s and 90s because so many iconic characters and films were released then. Otherwise I would say now because horror is slowly becoming more inclusive. Horror has the opportunity to take on so many different dimensions right now. 3. What are some of your favorite horror films? How much time do we have?! I love The Lost Boys, Event Horizon, Nightmare on Elm Street Halloween, Here Comes the Devil, Hereditary. So many! 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? I think horror lets us explore ideas we can't always explore in the open. I write creatures because they are looked as “Others”. I am an “Other”. This theme is recurring for me and I use it to show people my humanity. We can use horror to show the world there are a hell of a lot of gray areas in life. These areas should be looked at. The shadows should be looked at just as the status quo should be challenged. We can do that in horror because many times there are huge challenges, even fights to the death. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? Horror has helped me tease apart many difficult aspects of my life experiences and how I view the world. I try to better understand myself and others through horror. There are so many questions I have, and it seems like most of the answers dwell in the dark. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? I think we will see a lot more diversity. Times are changing and the world has to change with it, including publishing. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? Women are underrepresented because men have had a strangle hold over it and don’t want to let go. We also hail these men as heroes instead of branching out and celebrating lesser known horror writers, ESPECIALLY women of color. These guys set the standard and you always have all else compared to their standard. It’s vital women are included because we are often used in the male driven standard as objects. There is way too much rape, assault and humiliation going on and this has to stop. Let women write about their body, their sexuality, their dreams and nightmares. Men don’t get to set the standard for women anymore. I’m fucking sick of it. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? Persevere. Get back up if you fall even if that means taking a break or reaching out to writer friends. Don’t compare yourself to other writers and their journeys especially if you are a woman from a marginalized community. It’s more difficult for us. Don’t be afraid to write what you want and what your truth is. Don’t write to the male standard. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? There are so many out now! I would recommend Tananarive Due and Linda Addison. Both fantastic Black women in horror. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? Depends on what they like! Sed de Sangre – very short 3 erotic horror stories Switchblades and Hairspray - Chicana Jaguar shifters Maria The Wanted - book 1 of an epic vampire saga www.vvcastro.com has all my books listed including the anthologies. Twitter an IG @vlatinalondon All women that need a boost can go to www.frightgirlsummer and get involved. Until next Time, This is Sterp  I want to thank Yawatta Hosby for participating in this interview and offering both her intellect and sentiment on racism in the United States and the impact it's having on our communities, our nation, and on humanity.
Author of over four horror/suspense novellas and novels, Yawatta Hosby focuses on the psychological turmoil of her characters. Three of her short stories have been featured in anthologies. You can find her work here. It's become quiet again. This is to keeping it alive. 1. Black Lives Matter. What is your response to communities that rebuttal this movement with All Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter? Why are they not comparable? Everyone knows that all lives matter. No one’s refuting that. However, at this time, black people need help. We’re constantly being killed by the police and by racists. People are filming these tragic events with law enforcement and lawmakers doing nothing. It gets pushed under the rug until they’re exposed on social media, then the cops get fired or the racists get arrested. Justice should be an automatic thing, not something done after there’s a backlash. And, for the people saying “don’t do anything wrong, then cops won’t bother you,” what about Breonna Taylor? She was sleeping in her home and got gunned down by the police. I’ve noticed All Lives Matter people are the same ones who will refuse to wear a mask during COVID-19 because “it’s hard to breathe;” they think it’s okay for immigrants to be locked up in filthy detention conditions because “they deserve it;” they will refuse to vote against guns to save children’s lives in school because “we have a right to carry firearms;” they hated J Lo and Shakira’s halftime performance show because “they sang in Spanish and had the audacity to wave a Puerto Rican flag.” I’m not saying ALL All Lives Matter people are like that, but it’s the majority I’ve come across in real life. And with Blue Lives Matter people, I’ve noticed they won’t even acknowledge that anything is wrong with the system. It’s extremely flawed, but all I see is no one is allowed to say anything negative about any cop, no matter what. Where’s the growth in that? If there’s ten bad cops and no coworker or boss will step up to stop them, then the whole department is bad. I’ve also noticed Blue Lives Matter people will call all protestors violent and rioters without acknowledging they’re separate. If you got offended by my dismissive attitude, then you’ll know how I feel whenever I hear: “What are black people complaining about now? They arrested the cops involved with George Floyd’s murder. Why are they still not satisfied? They get handed everything and they still aren’t happy.” Or whenever I read a negative conspiracy theory surrounding Black Lives Matter. People would rather believe the dumbest stuff instead of acknowledge BLM wants injustice and inequality to stop. It’s a sad world we live in. 2. There are some people, some communities, that do not and will not stop to think about what it would be like if their race were dealt a history of violence, marginalization, and discrimination. What would you say to these people? Those type of people would get my silence. It wouldn’t be worth my time to say anything to them because I would just hear “But, but, but...” as a response. 3. How does the media do harm and good for the Black Lives Matter movement? The media usually does more harm than good. On the news, most footage showed the peaceful protestors as rioters when that wasn’t the case. They showed the cops beating protestors up like they deserved it. They definitely did not deserve that mistreatment. It seems like the media is more keen on trying to cause a racial division than actually stating facts. I hardly saw or read anything about the peaceful protests. Only the rowdy ones got coverage. I had to go on social media to watch the real footage of some of the protests. The ones where everyone was coming together; the ones where protestors diffused situations, like troublemakers trying to start violence; the ones where some cops became bullies; the ones were some cops talked to the protestors and actually listened to what they had to say. Peaceful protests are still going on. In some places, they never stopped. Notice the news doesn’t cover them anymore. Ask yourself why... 4. Although the media does help to amplify the voices of the black community, it also amplifies the “trend” of these movements. How can people continue to support marginalized communities and specifically Black Lives Matter rather than just stepping up when another black brother or sister is murdered? People can help by educating themselves on US History. Real facts. Not just the water down version they show in history books. Also people can show empathy. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, not just ignore things because it doesn’t affect you. I love the support that the Black Lives Matter movement has been getting from all over the world. It really means a lot. To keep supporting throughout the years and not just when it’s trendy to do so, people can continue to support black businesses. If someone encounters a racist, then speak up. Keep filming them and exposing them on social media. Call them out publicly so they see it’s not okay to be a crappy human being. If you have a platform, consider promoting minorities. Word of mouth helps businesses succeed. 5. What are your thoughts on the burning down of buildings during protests? It breaks my heart to hear more sympathy for buildings and statutes than for a human being’s life. Real talk—I overheard a man say, “I saw footage on the news of nasty rioters destroying a cafe. They broke everything and that woman had worked so hard. It broke my heart to see her cupcakes splattered all over the floor. That’s more sad than what that cop did to that man.” He had been referring to George Floyd. Sickening. 6. Do you think we are getting better? Do you have hope for our future as a human race in the face of racist agendas? How do you think these detrimental ideologies can be changed? To be honest, I’ve lost hope a while ago. I’ve been broken since Trump got into office. I’ve seen America turn into something so hateful, and it’s disgusting, but hopefully things will get better. They may get worse before they get better, but maybe one day things will get better. I can say I’m proud of the people who showed support for Black Lives Matter, even with the possible consequence of losing customers and/or friends. It takes courage to stand up for what’s right, especially if you’re not a minority and could have just looked the other way. This isn’t the first time the Black Lives Matter movement happened. Remember Colin Kapernick and other football players who tried to bring awareness in a peaceful manner...they got so much hate and the public dismissed their message because they were offended for being reminded of inequality during football. Now, I’ve noticed during this BLM movement, black people are getting support from everyone. More support than hate. We’re all banding together to fight racism and inequality. I can smile at that. If things change for the better in the future, I think it’ll be the younger generation who will be strong and persistent enough to make that change. Thank you Yawatta Hosby for taking time to answer these questions and for your courage and your voice. -Stephanie Evelyn  Welcome back to the Women Thought Leaders in Horror Series. This series focuses on women who use their talents, creativity, and intelligence to contribute to the horror community and are crafting the narrative of the horror movement right now.
I am grateful to introduce Cynthia Pelayo. Now buckle up. 1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? I’ve been watching horror movies since I was about 6-years-old. The first horror movie I saw was A Nightmare on Elm Street while my big brother was babysitting me. From there, I was hooked. Tales From the Dark Side, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, Friday the 13th the Series, and so much more. I grew up in a pretty strict household. I didn’t have many friends. I was bullied relentlessly. I was odd, am odd. I never quite fit in anywhere. I was never allowed to go to birthday parties or leave our house without my parents. I spent my childhood in my bedroom for the most part with books and horror movies. In my loneliness the only friends I had were those monsters; Freddy and the Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein and more. I grew to become fascinated with good versus evil, especially when there’s that really fine line that separates the two. There are many good people who do very bad things every day, and sometimes I want to understand that, and often I realize there is no understanding real evil. I also grew up in a very strict Catholic household and I was very involved in the church for a longtime. I was a reader. I passed out the Eucharist and served the wine at mass. Before I left the church I was going to become qualified to give the Eucharist to the sick and dying. So much of that has remained in me, that love of ritual, meditative prayer, and the power of things and imagery. All of that influences my writing, humans as evil, the possibility of something beyond us and the power of faith. I gravitate towards these subtle elements more so than the explicit or gore. I want my reader to come away from my writing feeling something. Sometimes that’s loneliness, loss or hope. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? I’m going to keep my favorite secret because I have a project around it right now. So, I will just say that right now I’ve been really into Giallo horror movies. I go through Giallo phases, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the color, or just the atmosphere. Or, maybe it’s just this puzzle we are trying to solve since they are murder mysteries in a way. 3. What are some of your guilty horror films? I have probably watched The Exorcist more times than the average horror fan. Am I proud of it? Maybe. I just love that whole ‘the devil is everywhere’ era of horror movies – The Exorcist, The Omen, and Rosemary’s Baby. Some people really believed the devil could possess them if they watched these movies. That’s just wild to believe. I honestly believe that the devil is us…we are that evil thing that we are so scared of. Anyways, those are all really fun, but then there’s the core of my childhood – A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, or Child’s Play. I can have any of these on as just background noise because they were so influential and they’re just part of my horror atmosphere. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? There’s always this constant struggle to tackle this idea that horror is cheap. It’s not. Fear is one of our core emotions. So many things are characterized as anything but horror – when they are indeed horror – in an effort to somehow elevate its artistic status. That’s just arrogance. I think horror writers are brilliant writers and should be praised accordingly because not only do you have to have solid character development, atmosphere, plot, and dialogue, but you also must have the skill to create a physiological and/or emotional effect in your reader – heart racing, heavy breathing, you set the book down because your anxiety level is increasing. That’s incredible that writing horror can do that to someone. In terms of beliefs, horror also occupies this space that can create a very powerful social commentary. Now, I’m not saying that’s what horror should exclusively be doing. If a writer just wants to write a werewolf story then write the werewolf story. But, a horror writer can write a horror story about the destruction of the human race because of an unknown virus, and within that we can present questions of environmental impact, economic impact, societal impact. I think that’s pretty profound that horror can do that, that we can show these horrible things happened because x, y, and z. Then, we can sit back and wonder, are any of these horrible things possible? Are they happening now? Even going way back to Mary Shelley, she presented the ghoulish practice of graverobbing, and then she essentially presented arguments of morality within science – is there scientific value in experimentation on the dead? What is the morality behind reanimation? We see today we are able to transplant organs from the dead into the living. How far was Mary Shelley really? Horror brings our fears front and center and forces us to not only ask questions but give answers. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? My horror writing is pretty reflective of the person I am. In real life, I’m pretty serious and reserved, so my writing rarely if ever contains a curse word. I never include sex scenes in my books or short stories because I started out writing as a very strict practicing Catholic, and those elements have stayed with me even though I am no longer practicing. It’s important to me that my writing can be read by a 12-year-old to an adult, because I think back to when I was a kid. I was reading and watching horror and if a kid picks up one of my books I want to be comfortable with that. I’m Puerto Rican, but I’m also as Chicago as they come. I grew up and still live in inner-city Chicago and I am this city. Chicago is a character in every single thing I write. I don’t talk about my upbringing much, but girls were pregnant in 7th grade, I have a friend serving life in prison for murder after he shot and killed a rival gang member because that rival gang member simply called his mother a bad name. A kid in my high school graduating class was shot and paralyzed weeks before graduation, and we all saw the results when he showed up to graduation in a wheelchair. Another friend went off to college to play football, and when he came back home one weekend was shot and killed. I worked as a journalist for a long time and quit after I showed up to a suspicious scene where the neighborhood people told me the police had shot and killed a kid. I saw multiple bullet holes in his back. So, I’ve seen some things. I’ve internalized all of this. I can’t move on from it. Maybe that’s why I’m still here living in this same neighborhood. I can’t exorcise these memories and so I will stay here and continue to live in this city and with these ghosts and maybe I can hopefully write something one day that can help me move on from all of that pain. So, while not everything I write will include Latin American folklore, everything I write will certainly include Chicago and be based and set in Chicago. This city has me in its hold and I can’t get out. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? I’m very interested to see what type of works we are going to see in the next two to three years. Horror especially is very influenced by what we are experiencing in society. I think we are going to see a lot of plot lines dealing with tribal disagreements, us versus them is going to probably be a big recurrent. I think we are going to see a lot of destruction and dismantling of societal structures and systems in writing. We may see another quick rise in the zombie or vampire seeing as how when we are in such polarizing times we do see increases in these monsters as they are there simply to consume people. We are probably going to see a lot of Lovecraftian influences, monsters and such. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? Historically because of the idolization of the nuclear Norman Rockwell family, and the belief that the woman belongs in the house raising children. Women have been controlled from what they are allowed to do with their own bodies to what they are allowed to think, feel or say. Women are underrepresented in horror for the same reason women are underrepresented in the boardroom in major corporations – because we, society, have not supported women to grow in their careers. If women are not represented in horror then you just don’t have a full picture of the human experience, because you are limiting which humans are allowed to create and share art. It just becomes a wheel of the same people creating the same art, congratulating one another. It’s very strange. It’s a very rigged system, and we need to break it. There’s more than enough opportunity to go around. A handful of people should not be the exclusive creators of any art form. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? The arts are just a hard industry, period. Don’t take rejections personal. Don’t take it to heart if one person is advancing while you are still trying to figure things out. This industry, like so many, is really dictated by luck – being at the right place at the right time. So, in saying that, don’t stop. Keep writing. Keep creating. Write the stories that you want to read. Don’t follow trends. Write the story that you need to tell. Also, the horror community is much more accommodating than it was say 10 plus years ago. So, please make friends. Please reach out to people, but don’t take it personally if someone doesn’t want to be your friend, or if you are getting a lot of rejections for one particular story. Remember, in life no one owes you anything. It sucks to hear that, and I’m not sorry for saying it, because if you know that now you will save yourself a lot of hurt later. You still have to be bold and be confident. Know that if one door closes then there’s a whole lot of other doors to keep knocking on. You will find your people and your outlet. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Keep practicing your craft. Take writing classes. Read widely. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? I hate this question because I don’t want to exclude anyone. So, I’m just going to say read all women horror writers. Read all women horror poets. Read widely. Read works by young women horror writers and those who have been writing for decades. Read BIPOC women horror writers. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? Start with my recent short stories. I think those are more reflective of the writer I’ve become over time. “Come Away, Come Away” in LOCKDOWN “The Lament of the Vejigante” In BOTH SIDES “Boricua Obituary” in PA’QUE TU LO SEPAS “The Red Dress” in InkHeist You can also follow me on: Cinapelayo.com Until next time horror community, I am Sterp  1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre?
ST: I was obsessed with R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books in middle school. I read every Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Pike book our little school library had available. The librarian was such a wonderful lady, and always seemed happy to help me find those books, so I really thank her for never discouraging my interest in the macabre. My sister, who is eight years older than me, was reading Stephen King while I was being absorbed into the Goosebumps world, so it was only natural that my interest grew over time and I would pick up her King books. Then of course later in school came Poe. Otherwise, I love how emotive the genre is. Horror pushes boundaries unlike any other genre, and I’ve always been drawn to that challenge. There is such a vast expanse of ideas to explore within horror, from the psychological to the supernatural, you can constantly keep challenging yourself to try new ideas, techniques, tropes, settings, and so on. I love writing in general because I don’t believe one every truly masters it; we’re always strengthening our ideas and skillset. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? ST: Oh that’s tough! I love being a part of the here and now, especially with so many talented writers creating truly memorable work. Setting-wise, I’ll read anything, but I have a soft spot for the Victorian Gothic. Last month, I read an early copy of Claire L. Smith’s upcoming novella Helena, and it was everything I could have wanted from a Gothic book. Someday I’d love to write a book inspired by Wuthering Heights, one of my all-time favorites, but maybe with vampires and a whole lot of horror. Historical horror is one of my favorite subgenres, too; getting lost in all that research can truly create some magic. 3. What are some of your guilty horror films? ST: I’ll have to echo what Laurel and Mercedes said, no guilt -- just enjoy what you enjoy! Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow was one of the first darker films I’d ever seen, I think when I was about eight, so it has a place in my heart. I also really like going back to Secret Window, Fright Night with Colin Farrell, The Cabin in the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and The Neon Demon. C.H.U.D. is always good for a few laughs in the darkness, too. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? ST: Horror is unafraid to hold up a mirror to society and reflect our darkest, worst selves back at us. Other genres may delve into this, too, particularly science fiction, but I really think horror is the one that does this in the most raw, visceral, unapologetic way. As someone who appreciates depth over small talk, this is a big lure of the genre for me. As times constantly change, socially, politically, culturally, and so on, horror is always there. It is a universal emotion -- we all feel fear or dread toward something. There may be issues in the world we want to address, or times when we feel so helpless and aren’t sure what actions to take. Writing a horror story is a way to convey those frustrations. Literature itself has always been a lens to view the world from, and horror is there to direct that lens at things we want to look away from but can’t. Horror is how important conversations are started. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? ST: When writing fiction, it’s impossible to escape yourself entirely. You’ll always find some element of your life, even if it’s only a tiny detail, in your writing. Right now, I’m writing a novel that combines darkness in nature, body horror, and the devastation of grief all into one character’s daunting arc. These are three elements that have stemmed from my own fears and experiences -- and it’s cathartic to embellish some of those experiences into the fiction, but it sure is challenging. Then again, that’s what I love the most about writing horror, pushing myself to grow. So, at the end of the day, I really hope it’s my willingness to tackle different themes and ideas in each of my works that reflects back at the audience. Being a one trick pony or boring the reader is definitely my greatest writing-related fear. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? ST: I am so excited to see where the future of horror leads. I do think our current circumstances in the world will be reflected in new works, not necessarily a hundred books about a pandemic or virus, but I think themes of isolation, panic, and the unknown will greatly come into play. While for a lot of us, it seems, the pandemic has perhaps hindered creativity, I really hope writers find a way to keep creating during all of this. I am hungry for new works, especially by women and minorities in horror, and I want to read their stories and hear their voices more, and I want the industry itself to do better in making sure this happens. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? ST: This is such a difficult question to pinpoint an answer, but I think just having a conversation about it and raising awareness is a great place to start. Women in Horror Month and other events have certainly helped in giving women a stronger platform in the genre. Throughout history, women’s experiences have been buried, demonized, or simply regarded as not important enough to take up room, to hold space. We’re changing that -- all of us -- women and allies alike are here to say women’s experiences are important, valid, and deserve equal space at the table. One of the reasons Nicholas Day and I came up with the idea for the Not All Monsters anthology was because we were, to be honest, utterly exhausted by social media conversations where anyone bemoaned things like diversity and inclusivity. You’ll hear people say, “I just read the work and don’t look at gender, race, etc…” and sure, that’s great in theory if the playing fields were ever equal in the first place and it didn’t contribute to erasure, but it’s delusional to think women and minorities consistently have the same opportunities as that group who horror has long since favored (you know what group I mean). Thus, Not All Monsters was a proactive way for us to do something small, but hopefully beautiful and meaningful, in showing why these conversations need to keep happening with those who are willing to listen. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? ST: Tell the story you want to tell. Don’t be afraid to write for yourself, changing something up or learning to market toward an audience can always come later. I really think the best horror, the stories that feel the most real, occur when we dig deep within ourselves and tell the story that scares us, but at the same time is the story we need to tell. Also, read what others are doing in the genre. Reach out to each other, celebrate successes, and remember we should be motivating each other -- not competing. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? ST: Oh goodness, SO many. If I listed them all, we’d have a huge tome. Some contemporary ladies who constantly inspire me are Caroline Kepnes, Gillian Flynn, Catherynne Valente, Gwendolyn Kiste, S.P. Miskowski, Christina Sng, Erin Al-Mehairi, V. Castro, Laurel Hightower, and Linda Addison. I’m also going to take this question and plug the incredible stories in Not All Monsters, an anthology by women in horror. All of the authors within are killing it in the genre right now, too: Hailey Piper, E.E. Florence, Christa Carmen, Sam Fleming, Stacey Bell, Briana McGuckin, Joanna Roye, Juliana Spink Mills, Annie Neugebauer, Leslie Wibberley, S.M. Ketcham, G.G. Silverman, J.H. Moncrieff, Amy Easton, Joanna Koch, K.P. Kulski, Jessica McHugh, Angela Sylvaine, Kayleigh Barber, J.C. Raye, and Jennifer Loring! 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? ST: For poetry, I’d recommend my H.H. Holmes inspired collection, The Devil’s Dreamland, which took home the 2018 Stoker Award for a poetry collection. For prose, I’d recommend my debut novella, which was nominated for a Stoker this year, To Be Devoured. I have a website over at saratantlinger.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter. I send it every couple of months and include things like open calls that I think subscribers might be interested in. I also stay pretty active on Twitter (@sarajane524) and Instagram! (@inkychaotics) Links: https://saratantlinger.com https://twitter.com/SaraJane524 Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sara-Tantlinger/e/B06X6GBXZB  To all my readers, I hope you are staying safe and fierce during these saddening times. It's extremely necessary for artists, writers, and creators to produce because creating is a critical component in transforming the world. We must tell our stories and what's happening now is what becomes our history so let's be sure our creating never stops.
In a continued effort to lift each other up, in a world where voices of marginalized communities are ignored, silenced, and buried, let's stick together, create together. Today's woman thought leader in horror is Hailey Piper. Thank you Hailey for your constant bravery, strength, talent, and collaboration. Buckle up and hold hands. 1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? HP: No genre is so true as horror. Characters show you who they really are when they’re afraid. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re afraid, too. Fear makes us and them real. I’ve had to dig into unpleasant memories and attachments in writing. But on more surface level, I love monsters, Halloween, Gothic elements, witchcraft, and so on. For all the fear and dug-up trauma, there’s a lot of fun to be had. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? HP: For film, the ‘80s. I’m in love with the aesthetic, creativity, special effects. I love many of today’s movies, too, but it feels like the past decade was colored largely by ghost stories. I want to see more branching out into stranger subjects. Like maybe adapting some of today’s written fiction, because when it comes to books, my favorite era of horror is right now. Ideas explode in every imaginable direction, and there are mountains of excellent books at our fingertips. Many of today’s voices suck me into deep water and I’m grateful to drown. 3. What are some of your guilty horror films? HP: If we’re talking movies I wouldn’t want my friends to watch with me, then we still travel back to the ‘80s. I’d be nervous showing friends The Blob or Killer Klowns from Outer Space because there’s a good chance those kinds of movies will repel them. But overall I love my horror and wear it on my sleeve, without shame. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? HP: We have trouble looking in on ourselves presently, but if we peruse horror in the past, we see it reflecting societal or personal concerns. Generally, horror can be an outlet. Horror as its best is empathetic, and for marginalized groups, that outlet might be the ringing of ominous bells. We’re only touching the iceberg’s tip there right now, but in time, those bells might be deafening. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? HP: People in my life do pause and then go “Oh” whenever my wife brings it up (I rarely bring it up myself). I’ve had people wonder why I don’t write queer romance. Women live a horror story, and being a queer woman doesn’t exactly make that any more lighthearted. I write queer fiction, certainly, but it’s horror. The writing and the life reflect each other. Much of existing horror for better or worse grows off fear of the Other because the Other is fearsome. But travel back to that empathy, and we are the Other. Be afraid. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? HP: The future is uncertain, never more so than right now. Someday we may collectively realize we live inside the inter-tangled stomachs of several giant monsters and then our fiction might reflect this. Or maybe society will get better, and we’ll have to find new things to be afraid of. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? HP: Sexism. I won’t sweeten that bitter pill. Even unintentionally, there’s a “men have written horror therefore horror should be written by men” logic wheel turning and turning, ignoring that women live horror, that there’s room at the table for everyone. There are so many perspectives that bleed new kinds of stories. What horror fan doesn’t want new kinds of horror stories? 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? HP: Read someone recent, please. I see too often that writers’ only experience with women in horror is Shirley Jackson or Daphne du Maurier. The classics are excellent, but they have limits, like distance in time or how there aren’t going to be any more of them. It’s important to keep a finger to the pulse of now because we’re not writing decades ago, even if sometimes our fiction takes place then—we’re writing now. Mix it up. Ask for recommendations and read your contemporaries. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? HP: I guess this is where I put my money where my mouth is on the last question! There’s a flood of women I would suggest, so I’m going to cut myself off at five: Gwendolyn Kiste, Eden Royce, Caitlin R. Kiernan, L’Erin Ogle, Sara Tantlinger (and look at the TOC for her anthology Not All Monsters for a longer list). 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? HP: For books, The Possession of Natalie Glasgow has been looked on fondly, though I’d prefer to recommend Benny Rose, the Cannibal King as it’s my favorite horror sub-genre, coming of age horror. My website, www.haileypiper.com, has links to free flash fiction on places like The Arcanist and Flash Fiction Online, plus info aplenty, and I’m mostly pretty good at keeping it updated. #TogetherWeRise -Stephanie Evelyn  For those of you who may not know, I recently started a new blog series called Women Thought Leaders in Horror to celebrate women who contribute to the horror community in monumental ways and spanning across diverse talents. From authors, to book and film reviewers, to poets and fine artists, this series is to bring these wonderful women in horror to the forefront.
This is only the beginning so as usual, buckle up for the ride. 1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? MS: Horror has always been, to me, a genre of infinite possibilities to express the deepest, truest emotional truths. When people are put into crisis situations, they become, in essence, something more than themselves – either something far greater and more heroic, or something far baser and more terrible. I think horror as a genre is a vehicle through which we can explore trauma, tragedy, and terror in a safe way, and also come to understand a lot about the human condition. Plus, I’ve always been drawn to any genre that suggested there was more out there than the mundane, everyday world around us. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? MS: I think probably the 1970s to early 1990s horror is my favorite. There's nostalgia there, from childhood and my earliest reading in the genre, but there was also a different approach to horror. It wasn’t, perhaps, as jaded as some modern horror is. I feel like the 1990s is when horror took a turn in terms of self-realization and in some ways, sophistication, that I enjoy. 3. What are some of your guilty horror films? MS: I like the really cheesy, low-budget slashers of the early ‘80s, like Slumber Party Massacre, Sorority House Massacre, those kids of movies. I also love the old Hammer and Amicus films. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? MS: I think horror has traditionally been very morality-based; often, the plots of even the pulpiest stories were that if you did bad things, bad things would happen to you. Over time, I think the complexity of human existence has introduced moral shades of gray into horror, and rightfully so, but I do think that what good horror tends to reflect, regardless, is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Supernatural horror often suggests a kind of spirituality which in recent decades has replaced the innate horror of forces contradicting the basic Judeo-Christian religious ethic, and with streaming services, I think we’re seeing a much more diverse, international, and multicultural approach to horror which has abundantly enriched the genre. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? MS: You know, it’s funny, but I think my work reflects both my beliefs about the universe and also humanity’s place within it. Despite writing almost exclusively in a genre known for its nihilism and indifference to the insignificance of the human race, I think I write about the limitless possibility for both good and evil, the multiverse of forces which terrify and the unlikely, flawed heroes who risk their lives for what matters most to them. Maybe in the grand scope of a multiverse, a single human life doesn’t mean much – except that it does – it often means everything to someone out there. That one life has more significance and importance to someone than all the grandeur and wonder of the greatest sights and occurrences of multiple universes. At the heart of my work, that’s what keeps people going – that one thing or one person or one idea that means everything to that character. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? MS: I think storytelling will always be important, and so writers will always be necessary. I do believe that in the future, books will take on a role in entertainment which is more closely enmeshed with other types of media – interactive books, online serializations, foundations for video games and content for streaming television and movies. I think there is more access to horror in the mainstream now, and the average consumer is seeing the genre as a more viable and nuanced form of entertainment. Some of the stigmas and associations with horror are falling away. And producers of horror in various forms are seeing its commercial viability as a result. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? MS: The last I’d heard, women make up only 30-45 percent of fiction horror writers. I suspect this is because in decades past, traditional gender roles either discouraged women from reading and writing horror or convinced women writers that the best way to get into the genre was through a back door of sorts through paranormal romance. In the case of the former, we are, perhaps, 30 years or so behind men who have simply had more time to establish their recognizable name and reputation among readers and their financial feasibility among industry gatekeepers. In the case of the latter, while I think paranormal romance is a robust genre of its own, it’s not the same genre as horror, has different goals and a different fanbase, and has led, in some instances, to the misconception that it is the ONLY type of “horror” that women can and do write -- which is, of course, not the case. I think it’s important to have women represented in horror because in order for equality to exist between men and women creators, both need to be seen as equally capable of producing quality work on time, capable of establishing a reputation with readers that sways the book-buying public, and capable of making publishers, TV/movie producers, networks, video game companies, comic book publishers, and the like a respectable amount of money. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? MS: Don’t be discouraged. And don’t be afraid. You have stories to tell and a unique way to tell them. Write what moves you, and keep writing – people WILL notice, and they will read you. This business is cumulative – in sales, readership, establishment of credibility – so buck the odds by simply outlasting any doubts about you. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? MS: I love Sarah Langan’s work. Shirley Jackson. Kelli Owen. Somer Canon. Rachel Autumn Deering. There are so many great women writers, I hate to leave anyone out. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? MS: My two personal favorites are Thrall and For Emmy. If you don’t mind starting in on a trilogy or series, readers seem to like The Hollower and Chills as well. You can find me at www.marysangiovanni.com or on Twitter at @marysangiovanni. Check our Mary SanGiovanni's website. Follow on Twitter. Follow on Facebook. Thanks again for tuning into Women Thought Leaders in Horror. -Sterp  Welcome to my Women Thought Leaders in Horror series where I bring you badass ladies who are transforming the genre of horror. Women worldwide continue to bring their explosive voices to horror in forms of writing, filmmaking, book and film reviews, fine art, and the list goes because we women see no bounds. I am pleased to bring you the next woman thought leader of horror, Damien Angelica Walters. And yes, you'll need to buckle up. 1. Why horror? What fascinates you about horror and enticed you to write in the genre? DAW: Good question. I’m honestly not really sure. I grew up watching the old Harryhausen movies on Sunday morning television and I always loved his creatures. The dinosaurs, the sword-wielding skeletons, Medusa, the cyclops, all of them filled me with fear and awe. Then I saw Alien when I was eleven and it scared me to pieces, to the point where I begged my dad to leave the theater halfway through. We did and a week and a half later, after more begging, we went back and saw it again and this time I sat through the whole thing. That same year, I read The Shining, which also terrified me. I’m not sure if I’m drawn to darkness and being scared because of those things or if it was my fascination with darkness and being scared that drew me to them and in the end, I don’t think it necessarily matters. 2. What is your favorite era of horror and why? DAW: I enjoy what’s being written now. The genre is bigger and more inclusive and the stories are not the same things recycled over and over again. Women aren’t relegated to victims or love interests or long-suffering or nagging wives while the men get to be the heroes. We’re no longer there to give a man’s story more weight. People of color have starring roles instead of as sidekicks or background characters existing only to die first, although, unfortunately, that still happens far too frequently. 3. What are some of your guilty horror films? DAW: I try never to feel guilty about movies I enjoy. Some of my favorites include The Witch, The Thing, The Descent, Get Out, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, Us, The Babadook, The Blair Witch Project, Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, and of course, Alien. 4. What do you think the genre of horror brings to the world in terms of values, beliefs, impact? DAW: I think horror often shows the world as it really is. Look at the films Jordan Peele and Jennifer Kent are making. Look at the words written by Victor Lavalle or any of the women I’ve listed below. Doors are opening now, revealing things that have lived for so long in the shadow of the stories by and about straight white men. And I’m not saying that those stories aren’t good or important nor am I disparaging white men, but for a long time that’s all we’ve had and the world is bigger than that. Women, people of color, non-Americans, trans and nonbinary folks experience the world in vastly different ways than white men. It’s important and it helps us grow as people to hear their stories, to see the world as they do. 5. How do you think your writing of horror reflects you as a person or your life overall? DAW: I have a plush facehugger in my office. Does that count? Honestly, though, that’s another hard question to answer because I’ve always written, whether stories or poetry or novels, with a more macabre bent, so I’m not sure I can separate myself from that. But there’s a frequent stereotype that folks who write horror dress in black, listen to heavy metal, and surround themselves with horror memorabilia and such. I do wear black, but I’m not a fan of that genre of music and my house is filled with antique furniture I inherited from my grandparents and pictures of my family. However, I do have quite a few Alien figurines in my office along with two prop wine bottles from the set of the show Hannibal, bottles I won in an auction after the show ended. 6. What do you think lies ahead for the genre? DAW: I think there will be more inclusiveness, more work by women, by black and brown writers, by non-Americans, by trans and nonbinary writers. The genre pool is growing larger and that’s wonderful for its health. 7. Like many things, women are underrepresented in the horror genre. Why do think this is and why is it critical to have women more represented in horror? DAW: Because, as I mentioned above, for so long the dominant stories have been told by white men and their viewpoints of women come from the outside. When we get to tell our own stories, we show a truth that only we can reveal. 8. Any tips for new women writers in the horror genre? DAW: Write your stories and keep writing them. Read the other women who are also working in the genre but also read work by people of color, by trans and nonbinary folks, by non-Americans. And if you’re on social media and encounter any creepy or manipulative writers, don’t be afraid to reach out to other women in the genre and ask. You do not have to put up with inappropriate behavior to be part of the genre. 9. Who are some of your favorite women horror authors to read? DAW: Questions like this always make me nervous because I know I’ll forget so many but here goes nonetheless: Kristi DeMeester, Livia Llewellyn, Zoje Stage, Gemma Files, Alma Katsu, Nadia Bulkin, Chikodili Emelumadu, Gwendolyn Kiste, S.P. Miskowski, Zin E. Rocklyn, Mercedes Yardley, Oyinkan Braithwaite, and any anthology edited by Ellen Datlow. 10. For readers who have never read your work, what should they start with and where can they find more information about you? DAW: On my website, I have links to many short stories that are available to read free in various online magazines. I also have two short fiction collections, Sing Me Your Scars and Cry Your Way Home, in addition to my novel, The Dead Girls Club, which is a horror/suspense/mystery hybrid. My previous novel, Paper Tigers, a Gothic horror story, is no longer in print, although I think copies can still be found online. Check out Damien Angelica Walters website. Follow on Twitter. Follow on IG. Follow on Facebook. Thanks for stopping by and learning about more badass women thought leaders in horror, Sterp |
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I am Sterp. I write dark fiction and have a very unhealthy obsession with disturbing narratives. I am the author of The Cult Called Freedom House: Sophia Rey Book One. My short story The Lost Tea Cup is in Issue 26 of The Literary Hatchet. I am also a painter. HORROR PODCASTS I LOVE
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