Interview with Author Stephanie Feldman
Stephanie Feldman Interview
1. Thank you so much for joining me! For those who don’t know you, could you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work?
I’m a Philly-based fiction writer. My first novel, The Angel of Losses, draws on Jewish folklore and history to tell a story about two sisters struggling with their haunted past. My second novel, Saturnalia, veers closer to horror, with alchemy, monsters, and secret societies, and a young woman trying to reclaim the future that was stolen from her.
Author Stephanie Feldman
2. Congratulations on your upcoming release Saturnalia! Could you please tell us a bit about the story and what the inspiration for this book was?
My first inspirations are always stories. When I sat down to write Saturnalia, I was thinking about the conspiracies in Foulcault’s Pendulum and the doomed partygoers in The Masque of the Red Death. I also wanted to write a story that takes place over one night and use Philadelphia (my hometown) as a setting.
The other big inspiration—or perhaps driving motivation—was the uncertainty of the past five or six years. Society began to feel unstable in a way that was new to me. What happens when we can’t trust our institutions and networks, when we’re afraid of what tomorrow might bring? Will we work together or fend for ourselves? Will we strive for survival or will we give into hedonism? These are the questions driving my characters.
3. If Saturnalia were ever made into a movie, who would you like to cast as the protagonist?
All actresses interested in playing my main character, Nina, are welcome to contact me! Nina is a particular person, of course—a mid-20s woman from a humble background, someone who has long struggled with her fear of being left in the background. But I like to think her struggles are also universal—ambition vs. self-doubt, pride vs. shame, love vs. fear. It would be exciting to see an unexpected interpretation of her.
4. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter” in terms of organizing and writing your stories?
I can’t finish a draft without a plan. For me, an outline is both a critical thinking and generative tool: it helps me consider the heart of my story and brainstorm meaningful and exciting moments for my character. Of course, I always stray when I write, following new idea. Then I create a new outline before tackling the next draft.
5. In addition to writing, you are also an editor. What is one editing tip that you can pass along to writers that you feel is invaluable to writing success?
Editing your own work is tough. I always get feedback from trusted readers—and I listen to it. Sure, sometimes a critique is off the mark, but if a reader is stuck on something, it’s worth sitting with and considering.
I always read my own work out loud. That’s not a new tip, but it’s worth repeating, because it’s such a miserable task that we often dismiss it. It’s tedious and sometimes emotionally challenging, but if you’re able, it’s well worth the effort. I hear so many things that my eye misses, from repetition and rhythm to plot elements.
6. There’s a lot of debate in the indie writing world about the value and/or necessity of earning an MFA in Writing. What would you say is one advantage to having an MFA? Are there any disadvantages you’d like to discuss?
I may have an unusual perspective. I don’t have an MFA but I do teach in an MFA program. I see so many benefits for my students: consistent writing and feedback, developing a critical perspective, building relationships within and exposure to the industry. Many students value the program because it forces a sustained practice—submission deadlines, assigned readings—and demands a finished manuscript.
On the other hand, not all writers are born to thrive in an MFA environment, and there are plenty of opportunities to take classes and meet writers outside the academy. I’ve taught amazing students through the independent writing program Catapult and built friendships at conferences.
The other major consideration is cost. Publishing income is fickle and teaching positions are scarce. The return on investment here is personal, not financial (at least, not immediately or dependably). For some writers, it’s absolutely worth it, but for others, it won’t be. And there are MFA programs that offer funding, or tuition-free enrollment.
7. Where can people find you online?
I hang out on Twitter at @sbfeldman and Instagram at @stephanie.feldman. You can also check out my website and mailing list for news on Saturnalia, upcoming events and classes, and coaching and editorial services.
Micro-Interviews with Shiver Horror Authors Jeremy Megargee, Sarah Jane Huntington, and Emily Reinhardt
Interview with Author Jeremy Megargee
Jeremy Megargee
1. What was the inspiration for your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of an old school prison chain gang, and the idea began to stir in my head about what might happen if you were lucky enough to be opportunistic and escape, but the person you’re chained to is a total nutjob. I explore that theme with “Men or Moles”…and I incorporated that dynamic into these two very different individuals being forcibly isolated together during a blizzard.
2. Have you ever had a chilling experience in the cold?
I can’t pinpoint a specific scenario, but for me, the worst part of the cold is the wind. When it’s so bitter out and the wind becomes knife-like, you almost feel like you’re being stabbed numerous times, this invisible blade cutting right through your clothes and slicing down to the marrow of your bones.
I can’t pinpoint a specific scenario, but for me, the worst part of the cold is the wind. When it’s so bitter out and the wind becomes knife-like, you almost feel like you’re being stabbed numerous times, this invisible blade cutting right through your clothes and slicing down to the marrow of your bones.
3. The Abominable Snowman is hunting you. How do you defeat it?
I’m gonna use a flamethrower. I’ll roast him alive and survive the harsh winter chewing on juicy Abominable Snowman meat.
4. Where can people find you online?
I’m most active on Instagram
Interview with Author Sarah Jane Huntington
1. What was your inspiration: The inspiration for my story Snow woman came from Japanese folklore. There are not many stories about her and I wanted to bring her into modern times. She was my Grandads favorite Yokai and mine also. I like situations where survival seems impossible. I hoped to make the reader wonder what they would do in such a situation.
2. Would you rather spend Christmas in Antarctica with RJ MacReady (The Thing) or spend the winter with Jack Torrance at the Overlook Hotel (The Shinning) and why?
I'd absolutely choose RJ MacReady. The Thing is my favorite movie and I love the whole concept. It may also mean that I'd be able to get my hands on a flamethrower too.
3. What is your favorite winter activity? Favorite winter activity is walking. I like making fresh prints in the snow. My dog loves it too. He has doggy snow boots so we walk happily for lots of miles.
3. I'm only on Twitter
Interview with Author Emily Reinhardt
What inspired your story? It was a passing thought, really. The chain of them that we all have in our minds just led me to thinking about shows like Ghost Whisperer, and the idea sort of materialized from there.
Do you have any spooky chilling stories? When I was a girl scout, the group of us were on a camping trip where they filmed the footage for the Blair Witch Project, because it's a state park that was near where we lived. It was an unnaturally cold fall, or maybe just getting into the winter season, and we were all huddled together in the tent for warmth. Before any of us had even fallen asleep, we started hearing this creepy, mournful-sounding moaning in the distance, like an animal lowing. It kept on for most of the night, and we never found out what it was. The scary stories I told them, using it as background flavor, didn't help anyone sleep, either.
3. Would you rather spend Christmas in Antarctica with RJ MacReady (The Thing) or spend the winter with Jack Torrance at the Overlook Hotel (The Shinning) and why? If we're going by where I think I stand a better chance of survival, I guess I'd rather spend the winter with Jack Torrance. A form-stealing monster seems like a lot for me to handle. I'm much more well-versed in ghosts. If, instead, we're talking about which character/story I prefer more, that's a much more difficult question.
4. Where can people find you online? Aside from my attempted blogs and such, which are relics of a bygone era, I'd suggest checking me out on Instagram, where I go by uniquelyportable.
Horror Author Carol Gore #Interview
Carol Gore Interview
1. I’m so excited to be interviewing a fellow Rewind or Die participant! What inspired the plot for your debut novel Infested? I live in a very rural area in the south. In the summer, bugs are everywhere. A couple of years ago, I was outside with my oldest son and we were pretending that the bugs had a zombie virus and were coming to eat us. (Kids are great improv partners!) When I saw the Unnerving Magazine call for pitches inspired by video store rentals in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I knew I had to do it. I was a child at that moment in history, and remember vividly the terrifying, mysterious covers of the videotapes. (Yes, videotapes!) My sleepovers always featured them. While brainstorming pitches, I thought of buggy terrors like The Nest, Ticks, and Night of the Creeps.
2. If Infested were made into a movie, who would you cast to play your leads Casey Lovitt and Dr. Phillip Edwards? I’d love to see Sarah Goldberg, who plays Sally on the HBO series Barry, as Casey. For Phillip, I’d love to cast John Reynolds, who plays Drew on TBS’s Search Party. They aren’t big blockbuster names but I adore both of those shows and those actors are immensely talented.
3. Is any of your writing autobiographical? Do you gain inspiration from real events or people? No, and yes! My writing isn’t autobiographical (a very normal, stable, happy life doesn’t make for good fiction), but I am inspired by real events and people. I was born and raised in the south which is full of interesting characters and tall tales. Most of what I write is set in the south. It’s what I know best!
4. When did you first discover your love of writing? My mom says that before I could read or write, I’d dictate stories to her and make her write them down. I’m sure as an exhausted mother of five she just LOVED that. I was a voracious reader as a child (and I still am!) and for as long as I can remember I was writing stories down. I guess it was always in me.
5. What attracted you to the horror genre? As I mentioned, I was a kid in the glory days of horror video rentals, so I’ve always loved that genre. Horror doesn’t really scare me anymore, but I enjoy the genre in the way that it can explore character, examine primal fears that have been around since humans gathered around fires at night, and either metaphorically or literally bring to light the terrors of contemporary, modern day existence.
6. What is one thing you wish you knew about the writing world before you sat down to write your first story? I wish I knew how hard it was, how much I’d need to study the craft before I ever wrote anything publishable. I got an MFA in writing, and sitting in a room of people criticizing your fiction makes you realize that story-telling so much more than putting words on the page. After completing my MFA, it took me close to a decade (Yes, a decade) of continuous self study and many, many terrible pieces to get where I am today. Still, it’s something I’ll never truly master and I’m okay with that because that means I’ll never get bored!
7. What book(s) are you reading right now? I’m currently reading Made For Love by Alissa Nutting. She’s one of my favorite authors working today. Her short story collection Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls is a wonderful mashup of horror and humor (she even writes about how the two genres work together in the introduction) and horror and humor are two of my favorite things ever.
8. What is next for you? Anything in the works? I just finished writing a novel that’s dark comedy/horror, and I plan to start querying agents once I’m done editing, so wish me luck!
9. Where can people find you online? I’m on Twitter: HERE Look me up and say hi!
10. Thank you so much! This is you chance to say anything that wasn’t asked. Closing thoughts? I’ll take this opportunity to sell INFESTED! After seeing a grown man drained of blood by monstrous mosquitoes, Casey Lovitt and Dr. Phillip Edwards can’t deny there’s something wrong with the bugs in Green Swamp. What happened to them? Who’s responsible? And most importantly, can the infestation be stopped before the busy tourist season sees hundreds of visitors turned into bug food? Get ready for a suspenseful, twisty-turny thrill ride that is equal parts camp and heart. And please tell me what you think on Twitter or leave a review. Reader feedback helps me improve my craft, so I can achieve my main goal of writing enthralling, entertaining, and satisfying stories. Thank you, Nico! It was a pleasure.