Interview with Author Lor Gislason
Interview with Lor Gislason
1. Congrats on your debut novella Inside Out! For those who have yet to read it, can you please tell us a little about the book?
Lor: Thank you!! Inside Out is essentially a series of shorts taking place in the same world, after a mysterious outbreak caused humans and animals to get all melty and gross. There’s an overarching thread that connects them, but they can also be taken as separate little “segments”. Several have art to accompany them for some added fun!
Author Lor Gislason
2. What inspired this novella?
Lor: I had a really detailed dream from the POV of a guy melting, and how I could feel my senses fading—Luckily I remembered to write it down after I woke up, and the other segments branched out from there.
3. Nina The Wandering Reader, a book reviewer, called it “Gross! Gross! Gross! Bleegghhhh!!!! I loved it!” That has to be a lot of fun, as an author, to receive feedback like that! Was that the visceral reaction you were going for?
Lor: Yes, absolutely!! The “that’s gross, I love it” is the best reaction I could hope for. Sure I write some pretty gnarly gore, but I want it to be fun at the same time, like the Evil Dead films. Horror is great because you can mix so many different emotions into it.
4. As evident through your work, you’re a fan of one of my favorite subgenres: body horror! Do you have a favorite body horror book or movie?
Lor: Body horror is my favourite genre, I’m sure that comes as no surprise! The 1988 remake of The Blob is definitely the first that comes to mind, just spectacular gross kills and pink slime galore. Books are tougher because I tend to be the “whatever the last book I read, that’s my current favourite” kind of guy, but right now it’s probably HELPMEET by Naben Ruthnum. Vivid and romantic and gruesome in the best ways.
5. You are also the editor of Bound in Flesh: An Anthology of Trans Body Horror published by Ghoulish Books. Can you tell us a little about that process?
Lor: I love how this project came about, it feels very Peak Internet. I tweeted a joke about being trans and how there should be a body horror anthology penned by trans and non-binary authors, and Max Booth III of Ghoulish DM’d me and said “ok but what if that was a thing, would you want to do it?” I said yes immediately! It’s been such a fun learning experience and chance to connect with other writers.
6. As an editor, what tips can you give writers looking to submit to an anthology?
Lor: Every editor is different but I really appreciated a small introduction in submission emails, and when people referred to me specifically instead of “dear editor” or something generalized. Little things can go a long way.
7. Publishing is a constantly evolving business. What would you like to see out of the industry in the next ten years? What changes would you like to be made?
Lor: The horror community has always been very cishet centric, with men taking up a lot of space and often using that power to be shitty toward others with little consequence. While it’s gotten better, I think we need to call out these types of behaviours and protect each other as much as we can. If you’re uncomfortable, tell someone you trust.
8. What is your writing process? Are you a plotter? Pansters?
Lor: I’m a panster for sure, although lately I’ve been trying to outline things more. My memory is terrible so my notes are sometimes twice as long as the stories themselves!
9. Where can readers find out more about you?
Lor: You can find all my relevant links here https://linktr.ee/lorgislason including where to get my books, my blog and SM accounts!
