Author Calvin Demmer’s Interview with Author S.J. Budd

 

Book Purchase Links:

Spells and Persuasions: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520940645

Aphotic Realm’s Banished: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1979474532

Calvin Demmer’s Author Interview with S.J. Budd

What sparked your interest in the horror genre?

I’ve always been fascinated with everything out of the ordinary. I think what really sparked my interest in horror was seeing The Labyrinth movie when I was a young girl. At the time I found it terrifying and instantly loved it! It’s still one of my favorite films!

What’s the best writing advice you’ve received?

I think it’s got to be the simplest bit of advice which is to just keep at it and eventually you will get somewhere. I think the piece of advice I would offer would be to have fun with what you write, because if it’s boring to write it will be boring to read.

You have a story called “I am Witch” in the Banished issue from Aphotic Realm. What inspired the tale?

I was heavily inspired to write “I am Witch” after reading “Of Sorrow and Such” by Angela Slatter which is about witches. I came across it by accident and its now one of my favorite books.  Since then I’d really wanted to write a story about witches and this was my attempt.

You released Spells and Persuasions, a collection of short stories, last year. How would you describe it to those who’ve yet to read it?

This is my first collection of nine short stories that have all been published in various magazines. I’d like to think there’s something in there for everyone who loves horror. The stories within draw on many different elements such as fantasy, sci-fi and horror but are all dark in nature.

Who are some of the female horror authors you believe people should be reading?

There’s some really amazing female horror authors out there. I’m a really big fan of Gwendolyn Kiste whose stories regularly appear in places like Black Static and Shimmer. She’s recently released her first novella, “Pretty Marys all in a Row” which is a great read. Of course there is Angela Slatter who I’ve already mentioned. I’ve just discovered Kristi DeMeester and Damien Angelica Walters who are also superb.

These are the female horror writers who are currently slaying it and you can easily find them gracing the pages of all the top magazines such as Black Static, Nightmare, Shimmer and Apex.

 

Sarah’s Bio:

S.J. Budd loves writing short stories exploring dark fictional worlds and its mysterious inhabitants, and is currently working on her first novel. Her day job involves working as journalist for www.findahood.com and she also blogs on her site www.sjbudd.co.uk and her twitter is @sjbuddj.

Her work has appeared in Aphotic Realm, Sanitarium Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Deadman’s Tome, Innersins, Aphelion, Bewildering Stories, Blood Moon Rising Magazine, Shadows at the Door, Danse Macabre Magazine, The Wild Hunt, Morpheus Tales and Freedom Fiction.

Her debut collection of short stories, Spells and Persuasions, is out now on Amazon.

Calvin’s Bio:

Calvin Demmer is a dark fiction author. His work has appeared in Broadswords and Blasters, Empyreome Magazine, Mad Scientist Journal, Ravenwood Quarterly, Switchblade, and others. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe. You can find him online at www.calvindemmer.com.

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