Speculative Fiction, Cosmic Horror, and Weird Western Author KC Grifant #Interview
KC Grifant Interview
1. You’re the first author I’ve interviewed who, in addition to science and speculative fiction / cosmic horror, is a self-proclaimed “weird western” writer. What is the definition of a weird western and what inspired your interest in this particular genre?
Weird West is one of my favorite subgenres, niche as it is. Typically, a Wild West setting and aesthetics mash with fantastical elements from other genres, like horror, scifi and fantasy. Think Jonah Hex, Cowboys & Aliens, Deadlands and even Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.
I like this subgenre because it offers room for fresh takes on the often overused imagery and caricatures of the Wild West—like the stoic cowboy, or the saloon prostitute—and offers a chance to tell stories from perspectives not well represented during that time period. The Wild West is romanticized for adventure and exploration, but it was also a time of horrific violence and upheaval, all of which can be thoughtfully and respectfully explored in Weird West tales. Plus, something about the Wild West invites more speculative wanderings; tales of werewolves, demons, ghosts, aliens, magic and otherworldly elements seem right at home with the Rocky Mountains, Southwestern deserts and other beautiful but unforgiving settings.
2. You’ve been published in anthologies and magazines, but your website mentions that your stories have also been featured in collectable card games. Can you tell us a little about how this came about?
This ties back to your first question, funny enough! I used to regularly play regional tournaments in a Weird West-themed LLC game (short for “living card game,” which is essentially a hybrid board game and collectible card game). Doomtown: Reloaded involves a one-on-one battle for Wild West town dominance through card abilities, board maneuvers and “shootouts” via poker hands. I loved how this game had Weird West elements—even an evil circus!—and lots of interesting female characters ranging from outlaws to businesswomen. This game prompted my interest in writing more Weird West stories, and, through the gaming group, I ended up writing several official stories tied to the release of new cards. It was my first time working in a shared universe with a defined story arch and established characters. It was fun to write professional “fan fic” so to speak, and put my own mark on the game. I hope to get a chance to write for more games in the future.
3. Okay, this is going to be tough since your body of work is extensive. If you could only pick one short story that you’ve written to be made into a movie, who would play the lead and why?
What a fun question! I’d have to go with my Weird West horror story, A DUSTY ARRIVAL, featured on the cover of Andromeda Magazine’s March 2018 issue. This tale centers around two of my reoccurring characters, Melinda and Lance, gunslingers for hire who deal with unusual infestations in towns. In this story, they must battle cannibalistic gremlins that spread a psychic infection to anyone who nears them. Given that, both need to be actors that look like they can handle themselves in a brawl. I’d select the former mixed martial artist and actress Gina Carano (who played a freedom fighter in The Mandalorian) for the serious, gunslinging, butt-kicking Melinda and Chris Pine or Keanu Reeves for the charming, rugged Lance. Those are two characters I’d love to see onscreen!
4. We all know writer’s have extensive google search histories that would make the FBI a little, um, nervous. If the Feds were to examine your browser right now, what strange things would pop us that you’ve looked up for “research”?
Ha, too true! My latest google searches for a new Weird West horror story include gems like “conjure Italian demons,” “how to set off dynamite from a distance,” “build a flamethrower,” and “size of derringer bullets” which might raise an eyebrow or two from Big Brother.
5. What book(s) are you reading right now?
I’ve just picked up Wanderers by Chuck Wendig and have not been able to put it down! It threads mystery, science and weirdness into a page-turning plot, yet is still thoughtful and intriguing. I’m also reading Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties which is excellent, and have Sarah Read’s The Bone Weaver’s Orchard next on my list.
6. What is next for you? Anything in the works?
Yes! Right on topic, I’m wrapping up a Weird West novel featuring the aforementioned gunslinging team in their most intense adventure yet. Melinda and Lance dispose of supernatural critters in the Wild West, but their adventures come at a price. After unwittingly unleashing an ancient demon who steals their friend’s soul, they must battle new types of deadly creatures and track a famed outlaw to stop the demon before it completes its spell and reigns hell on Earth. DARK TRAILS (working title) is a kind of mashup of Ghostbusters and Wild West elements and features soul-sucking insects, an epic train battle and a visit to another world, with a few twists and turns along the way. It’s been a lot of fun to write.
I’ve also recently completed THE FINAL HOUR, a fantasy novella inspired by The Labyrinth, about a queen desperate to escape a goblin realm she is forced to rule for eternity. In order to escape back to Earth, she must master the realm’s magic and defend the kingdom from other worlds while not losing her own humanity.
Finally, I’m in the midst of revising two weird science novels: in one, a woman with a prototype of a prosthetic arm finds herself at the center of a rising social movement and scientific coverup. In the second, dream chasers who map nightmares for a new type of psychotherapy uncover a social contagion threatening to destroy society.
7. Where can people find you online?
My website, Amazon, Instagram, FB and Twitter.
8. Thank you so much! This is your chance to say anything that wasn’t asked. Closing thoughts?
Thank you for the fun questions and the opportunity to share more about genre fiction and my work!
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Cosmic Horror and Weird Fiction Author Curtis M. Lawson #Interview
Curtis M. Lawson Interview
1. Congratulations on the release of you book Those Who Go Forth into the Empty Place of Gods! Can you tell us a little about the plot?
Thank you so much! The book is about an underachieving genius who inadvertently gets sucked into a world of cosmic conspiracy when he gives the wrong answer on a TV quiz show. His answer, a bit of trivia he remembered from his dead grandfather, awakens a cabal of immortal guardians of forbidden knowledge and sets in motion events which can undo creation itself.
It’s a fast-paced blend of cosmic horror, black comedy, and pulp adventure. The closest book I can think to compare it to would be John Dies at the End.
2. What was it like writing this book alongside Douglas Rinaldi?
It was great working with Doug. Years before either of us wrote fiction, we both played in metal bands and we played several shows together in the early 2000’s, so it was cool to reconnect years later and discover we were on similar artistic paths again.
The book was Doug’s idea. He approached me with the concept and the first scene, then I helped him flesh out the story and the mythology a bit more. Once that was done, we made a scene by scene outline and divided up the parts based on what we were most interested in and what parts might play to each of our strengths.
This was my first time doing a writing collaboration, and I’m glad it was with Doug. He’s an easy guy to work with, we have a lot of mutual respect for each other, and our styles mesh well.
3. I’ve seen several reviews that describe your “brand” as cosmic horror. Would you agree with that, and for those who aren’t familiar, what exactly is cosmic horror?
I have a deep love of cosmic horror, and I would say the themes behind it—humanity’s insignificance compared to the vastness of space and time, existential nihilism, fighting losing battles against entropy—those things influence most of my fiction. My body of work spans wider than cosmic horror, however. Almost everything I write has a supernatural or ambiguous element to it, which I would say puts it more into general weird fiction, which is another nebulous term. Sorry about that. Weird fiction readers and writers have spent a lot of time trying to define weird fiction, but for me it’s more a vibe that the work gives off. It’s kind of like punk rock—you know it when you hear it.
As for cosmic horror, that’s a bit easier to describe. Cosmic horror pits the smallness of mankind against the enormity and indifference/malevolence of the universe. It’s man versus nature combined with man versus god, if both were taken to the furthest extremes.
4. You’ve written several novels, short stories and comics. What tip would you give a newbie writer who is looking to break into the writing industry?
Write what you love and approach it as honestly as possible. Odds are you aren’t going to make much money, and chasing markets and trends is mostly a waste of time. I’m not trying to be a buzzkill, but that’s the truth of the industry. Once you realize that, you can stop worrying about making money and focus on making art.
Even if your book bombs, which you often can’t control, you still have the thing you created. No one can take that away from you, and it’s the only guarantee in this whole business, so make sure that your work is genuine and give 100% to every project. Make sure it’s something you can look back at on your deathbed and say “yeah, I’m happy with that piece of me living on”.
5. Where did you love of horror and weird fiction come from?
Since I was ten years old or so I’ve been exploring this ever-expanding web of weird, dark art. It started with the horror section at June’s Video Hut, my local video store. John Carpenter’s Christine and A Nightmare on Elm Street are both directly responsible for making me fall in love with horror. After that I was consistently attracted to dark art in all forms, and one thing led to another. Through Ghost Rider I discovered old Tomb of Dracula trades. Dungeons and Dragons brought me to mythology and occultism. Horror punk led to death metal and death metal to black metal. Stephen King and Bram Stoker opened the doors for horror books. Clive Barker and H. P Lovecraft hooked me for life.
6. Do you have a favorite author?
H. P. Lovecraft is my favorite author. There are books that I like better than Lovecraft’s best work, but no other writer has so consistently enraptured me with their imagination and their voice. Clive Barker comes close.
7. When you’re not writing, what are you up to?
I’m a stay at home dad so most of my time is spent writing and raising my son. I try to do a fair amount of reading of course, and I’m making a real effort to get in better shape this year. I used to play a lot of tabletop RPGs, but I don’t really have time for that these days, unless I’m playing something with my wife and son. I’m very dedicated to self-improvement and to working towards making things better for my family.
When I do have some time to myself though, I suppose I most like to spend it exploring museums and parks, having conversations with good friends, or relaxing with music or a movie. I’d like to make more time for seeing live music as well. I’d love to start going to the symphony a few times a year.
8. What is next for you? Anything in the works?
I’m currently working on a collection of short stories that all take place over the course of a single Devil’s Night in Detroit. Each is a standalone story, but they are loosely connected with nods to events and characters from other stories in the book.
For those unfamiliar, Devil’s Night was what they called the night before Halloween in Detroit up through the 90s. It started off as a mischievous kind of thing with harmless pranks, but through the 70s and 80s it turned into a free-for-all of crime and arson. It peaked around 1988, when over 500 fires burned throughout the city.
The collection, aptly called Devil’s Night, explores straight-up supernatural horror, urban folk horror, weird crime, dark fantasy—all sorts of interesting sub-genres of dark fiction. The limited edition hardcover is slated to come out from Weird House Press in September or October of this year.
9. Where can people find you online?
My website and I have a Patreon page with exclusive poetry and short fiction at patreon.com/curtismlawson
For those more into social media, I’m on facebook as Curtis M. Lawson, instagram and twitter
10. Thank you so much! This is you chance to say anything that wasn’t asked. Closing thoughts?
Thank you so much for having me! There are so many great people in the horror community—readers, reviewers, writers, publishers—and I am so thankful for all the connections I’ve made. I’d love to connect with more people, so for anyone reading this, please feel free reach out to me for any reason!
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