BLOG
Authors Whose Books I'll Buy Sight Unseen
Authors I’ll Buy No Matter What
A lot of readers have them. A list of authors they’ll buy books from without reading the back covers, without even glancing at the taglines. I’m no exception. My list is small but mighty. Here are the authors I’ve bought books from without knowing a single thing about the plots:
Chuck Palahniuk
This should come as no surprise as he’s my favorite author, but I buy anything he puts out sight unseen. I just hover my mouse over that “pre-order” button and click! His characters are disturbing, his writing minimalistic but visceral, and he has some of the best quotes in literature.
Nnedi Okorafor
I will never stop recommending the Binti series. They’re some of my absolute favorite books, but readers who stop at those are missing out on Nnedi’s brilliant worldbuilding, memorable characters, and universal themes.
Kealan Patrick Burke
I probably wouldn’t recommend jumping into Kealan’s books the way I did. The first work I read from him was Kin. Yeah, I jumped into the deep end, but when I explored more of his work, I loved his characters, themes, and settings. I’m sold! Anything he puts out, I’m buying.
Shepherd's Warning by Cailyn Lloyd #BookReview
For years the abandoned MacKenzie mansion remained hidden in rural Wisconsin. Rumors and stories of apparitions, odd noises, accidents, and strange deaths in or near the property were enough to convince the townsfolk it was haunted and they stayed away.
Lucas MacKenzie and his brother Nate know nothing of this when they inherit the property and decide to bring their families to Wisconsin for a major renovation project with HGTV stardom in mind. As they tear out old fixtures and open shuttered windows, the house begins to reveal secrets of a terrible past and it soon becomes clear the MacKenzies are in grave danger. In the end, only one person can save them.
Shepherd’s Warning 4 Star Review
Shepherd's Warning is a slow, but tantalizing haunted house story that left me breathless. A family inherits an old mysterious house and soon discovers that something dark is lurking within the walls.
There's a lot of characters to keep track of, which was a little confusing from time-to-time. But each of them play a vital role in the outcome, adding flavor and texture to the page. Laura MacKenzie is the lead heroine, and she's all grit, even if she's a bit reluctant to admit it. Her arc starts as a doting wife, grief stricken over the loss of her son, and escalates to an empowered fighter of evil. She's the heart of the story, and as evil seeps onto the page, it's her survival I was most invested in.
But I also loved the ghost story. I saw each scene play out in my mind like a horror movie, filled with deliciously sinister jump scares and bloody fight scenes. I could almost hear the eerie music in the background as I explored the basement of the haunted house alongside the characters. The ability to put me right in the thick of the plot truly made this an incredible reading experience. There's plenty of "showing" rather than "telling" and I found myself holding my breath for the final scene.
Yes, haunted house books are plentiful. And there are some cliches in this one, but that doesn't diminish the incredible writing, plot construction and character arcs of this story. It's gripping from start to end and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a scare. Just make sure to read it with the lights on!
Interview with Horror Writer V. Castro #Interview
Interview with V. Castro
V. Castro is a Mexican American horror author originally from San Antonio, Texas. She is a book and movie reviewer for Scifiandscary.com.
V, thank you for agreeing to talk to me today!! I love the review that you recently did for Sci/Fi and Scary!
Thank you! I absolutely love writing film reviews. I am that annoying person screaming at the TV when someone does something stupid. Have people in horror films never seen a horror film?!
When did you first start writing Horror?
I was just a girl. Once I picked up Scary Stories To Tell in The Dark, I was hooked. I’ve always wanted to write but never felt encouraged enough, so I stopped. It was during a very difficult time emotionally that I decided to just go for it. I needed to stop hiding.
You currently live in England do you see a difference in British horror to American horror?
I don’t feel there is a huge difference because the core of horror transcends borders. As humans we all fear the same things to a certain degree. Hate, pain, death, anxiety, The Other all live within our minds and take shape as different things across cultures. Fear is fear.
What writing advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t compare and just go for it! Don’t let fear and self-doubt determine your life choices. Although, I still tell this to myself every day.
There is a trend for authors to provide a playlist for their latest books. If you had a play list for Maria the Wanted what would it be?
My book references music throughout! Music is part of the tale! I’ve included music to give the reader a feel for the scene and the character’s personalities. Here are a few.
Opening terror scene: Devil Inside by Inxs
Como La Flor- Selena
Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
White Wedding- Billie Idol
When Doves Cry- Prince
Freebird -Lynyrd Skynyrd
Muevete- DLG
Black Gold of The Sun-Rotary Connection
Blue In Green- Miles Davis
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood- Nina Simone
Bound To The Floor- Local H
Hold On We’re Going Home- Drake
Bring My Family Back- Faithless
I Put A Spell On You- Nina Simone
Head Like A Hole- Nine Inch Nails
You Do Something To Me- Paul Weller
Just The Way You Are- Billy Joel
Do you find being a reviewer more difficult than being an author?
Yes. I don’t want to not like something someone has created, especially if they are indie. It takes guts to put yourself out there. If you are a person of color, it’s even more difficult.
Obviously, I would like people to enjoy my writing, however, I do it for myself. I feel compelled to create characters and stories that reflect where I come from and who I am. Even if only one Latina reads my books and feels empowered in some way, I know I’ve done my job.
What is a trope that you read that makes your cringe? If so, how would you change the trope?
I’m really open minded unless it lacks any sort of diversity. Then I’m just, “What the fuck is this?”
As a latinx writer do you feel that this is a demographic that hasn’t been tapped as of yet?
YES! There are nearly 60 MILLION LATINX folks in the US. We are almost 18% percent of the population. As a Mexican American I grew up with all kinds of stories of the supernatural. Nothing seemed out of the realm of possibility, I guess that is why I was always so fascinated with horror.
I’ve written short stories based on legends from Texas. My current book, Maria The Wanted, uses many aspects of my culture to address social injustice, current events, identity and hope- with vampires. I also have an erotic vampire novella based on a very controversial figure in Mexican history, La Malinche.
Writing isn’t an issue, it’s getting the word out there that there are Latinx authors kicking ass in the industry. I will be starting my own book review website later in the year to focus on marginalized writers.
What are your top five horror books?
Salem’s Lot- Stephen King
The Hellbound Heart- Clive Barker
Carrion Comfort- Dan Simmons
Dracula- Bram Stoker
The Between- Tananarive Due (this just knocked another out of my top 5)
What books are currently on your night stand?
Loteria – Cina Pelayo
Becoming- Michelle Obama
Are there any up and coming women of horror that we need to keep an eye out for?
I will say ALL OF THEM. I think any woman that is willing to put herself out there deserves a chance for her voice to be heard. The din of this male dominated genre is loud, ingrained and needs a bit of upset. I don’t dislike the men that are writing horror, but I do feel we need to do more to support women. This is my passion.
Thank you so much for joining me!
If you’re interested to learn more about V Castro, please check out her social media and wesbite:
You can also find more information about here books on Goodreads.
Spotlight: LGBTQIA+ Horror Writers and Characters
It’s June which means it’s Pride Month! What better way to celebrate than to showcase amazing members of the LGBTQIA+ horror writing showcase. Take a look and meet the authors:
Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: What can’t the talented Lady Dane do? She’s a performing artist, writer, advocate, educator, political commentator, and choreographer. In 2013, she became the first trans woman of color author in DC to publish a work of fiction with a trans woman as the main protagonist that centered around indigenous cultures. In addition, her novel Brew is about a trans teenage witch who quickly discovers things in her daily life aren’t what they appear to be.
Clive Barker - What would this list be without the talented Clive Barker? He’s a writer, director and visual artist. His six book series Books of Blood give life to many fascinating characters including members of the LGBTQIA community.
Sarah Waters - She’s an award winning, best selling author and your fix for Victorian lit. Her books such as Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith feature strong lesbian protagonists.
Poppy Z. Brite - Known for gothic and southern horror as well as dark fiction, Poppy Z. Brite writes incredible and sometimes gruesome stories. Her trademarks are most often gay men characters, graphic sex scenes and intense horror.
Tal Bauer - If you’re into romantic thrillers, this is the writer for you. Tal is an award winning best selling author. His books usually feature M/M romance in a political setting.
KC Luck - KC writes a little of everything, including horror, apocalypse horror, action and adventure, plus contemporary romance. Truly, something for everyone.