Eric LaRocca, Nick Martell, Kristopher Triana, Stephen Graham Jones, Alex Singer, moderated by Becky Spratford
The panel began with introductions of the writers and their latest work…
Nick Martell says he’s an accidental horror writer, he published a trilogy of fantasy novels (The Kingdom of Liars reviewed here at SFFWorld by yours truly). His forthcoming horror novel is about a guy missed his train and winds up in a hellscape dimension.
Kristopher Triana’s indie horrors are “Gone to See the River Man” and “Along the River of Flesh” are being republished by Saga in a single volume, about serial killer groupies. “Save Us all From Satan’s Power” will be his original major press debut.
Stephen Graham Jones’s next is Off the Reservation, a companion to The Only Good Indians (reviewed by Randy Money back in 2021 here at SFFWorld). He thought the people watching over possessed people (like Regan’s mother in The Exorcist) could always walk away for a break, get a glass of water and step away for a breather. With this new one, he locks someone in a 16-ft RV with a possessed person, removing that flexibility, so to speak.
Alex’s Angel Country is a cosmic horror in an alternate history with biblically accurate angels being real set in the early 20th Century.
Becky’s Why I Love Horror (moderator) brought the theme to readers and asked accomplished writers to share an essay. People have thanked her for publishing the book so horror they could share with their friends and provide a glimpse into why they like such dark stuff.
Stephen Graham Jones says Off the Reservation is a way to tamp down expectations. He loves horror because it has puppet strings to his core. It elicits a reaction that you can’t control. He says the highest honor for a horror writer is being told by a reader they needed to leave the lights on at night.
Alex loves the transformative element of horror, a state change and an experimental genre that begs the question: “Whose eyes are you looking through?” Can’t always trust the narrator and that can create an appealing tension.
Eric loves horror because he’s always been drawn to the dark, gave him permission to be a ‘weirdo and freak.’ He found himself in books by Barker, Poppy Z. Brite, and Kathy Koja. Wretch (reviewed here at SFFWorld by yours truly) is about a grieving widower who comes into contact with a strange support group who puts him in touch with a unique individual named Porcelan Khaw. His next novel with Saga is Brute, about a gay wedding planner obsessed with public executions.
Nick started writing Epic Fantasy but is fascinating by how personal fear can be. Being scared is raw and unflinching. Finding out what scares someone can let you know a lot about them.
Kris…was writing scary stories when he was 8. He loves horror b/c it is like a roller coaster, but there’s still a sense of safety. Grew up watching Universal Monsters, reading Scary Stories in the Dark. There’s something limitless about horror, you can create anything you want.
Trends that make you excited…
Alex loves seeing more modern, transcendental cosmic horror. That subgenre needs to move away from just Lovecraft and it certainly is.
Becky loves that people writing good Cosmic horror are people Lovecraft would hate.
Eric is excited about the marginalized authors (LGBTQ, black women… essentially beyond who has traditionally been writing/publishing horror) becoming respected voices readers are seeking. Diverse voices like Kylie Lee Baker, Tananarive Due, etc.
Nick… spooky fishing genre… sea soaked horror. Swimming in deep waters can be terrifying.
Kris is extremely excited about resurgence of Splatterpunk horror with the younger crowds. Also excited to see younger folks seeing new, original horror like Obsession and Backrooms. No holds barred.
Stephen is excited about more diverse writers.. not just one pole holding up the tent, but many writers holding up the tent making it stronger. The diversity of the subgenres… all types of horror. Excited the slasher had found a home on the page.. Tanya Pell’s latest is great.
Becky began bringing the panel to a conclusion with a question from Grady Hendrix from a panel he and Becky recently led…
What is your first/favorite Halloween memory
Kris…growing up in Long Island, going Trick or Treating with grandmother and family. His grandmother is the only one in his family who liked horror…a big influence on his love of horror.
Stephen… about 20 years ago, was invited to a book event on Halloween, arrived dressed as Jason Vorhees because he had a Halloween party after.. it was when the staff sort of surrounded him that he realized he was at the wrong store. Most recently, his real favorite is when his kids were about 5 years old, spent hours dressing them up. He loved seeing their awe as the doors opened for candy.
Alex… grew up in the East Village across from a theater that always played The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This was a perfect viewing spot for the big Gay Halloween Parade. Her dad brought her down in her Batgirl costume to watch it.
Eric… at his grandparents house, but he couldn’t watch then newer stuff just the old Universal black & white movies. When he was about 6, he watched Lady in White, a beautiful ghost story where a kid witnessed a brutal act, then sees her ghost. It scared Eric.
Nick…had a tradition of spending Halloween together with his college friends. However, a few years back when his friends just had kids, he and his friends spent Halloween at an abandoned camp and he dressed up as Jason Vorhees, which his girlfriend didn’t like.
Becky…her kids dressing up when her daughter wanted to dress up as a punk rock zombie. Her school wanted the kid wash off the fake blood. A few years later, her son wanted to be a serial killer, so he dressed up as Jason, but instead of knives, he wore ceral boxes.
Recommendations! Old or new books to read!
Becky: Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison. Time loop horror and love letter to horror. (We’re big fans of Rachel’s work here at SFFWorld!)
Eric: If You Think You’re Lonely Now by Gus Moreno (March 27). A couple acquires a haunted apartment building.
Nick: The Secret Dinner Raphael Montes… a cannibalism story. “Cannibalism is fun!”
Kris: Jack Ketchum’s The Lost and Ronald Malfi Come with Me. Stephen corroborated what a great writer Malfi is… Malfi just seems to have “it.” (I personally agree!)
Stephen: Mathilde Zeller’s It Looks Like You in the Dark
Alex: T. Kingfisher’s The Twisted Ones kept her up at night. (I agree, I loved it when I reviewed it back in 2019!)
