March

Why Horror?

March is always an exhilarating month as I am reminded to pause and celebrate the talented women that I know.

Women in Horror Month (WiHM) is an international, grassroots initiative, which encourages supporters to learn about and showcase the underrepresented work of women in the horror industries. Whether they are on the screen, behind the scenes, or contributing in their other various artistic ways, it is clear that women love, appreciate, and contribute to the horror genre.

Things have both changed and remained the same since I was a little baby Godmother of Horror. Considering that women were at the forefront of the gothic literary tradition, it is perplexing that readers and viewers need to be reminded of the considerable contributions that women are making to the genre.

Every March, when I give interviews for Women in Horror month, I am asked, “Why horror?” I have noticed that men are rarely asked that question. Horror has been the love of my life. I get an adrenaline hit each time I write, each time I watch a movie, each time I read a good horror story. The high that comes from horror is one I will chase until I am no longer able to.

On the topic of women and their contributions to horror, allow me to introduce the Women of Southwest Florida chapter of the HWA

March Release(s):

There is no major release this month, but get ready for a new book from yours truly scheduled to be released in April by a very fab publisher. There will be a cover reveal shortly! (pssst, get a taste of the story below)

If you have been keeping track, that totals 2 books and stories in 3 anthologies for 2024 (so far). Lest you think I have had an amazingly productive year, keep in mind that one of the books has been locked and loaded for almost 4 years. The other will have clocked 2 and a half years by the time it is released. Traditional publishing requires patience, but the end result is always worth it.

Ladies of Horror:

One reading from this month really resonated. A dear friend of mine experienced a terrible loss and after learning of this, I was asked to read Alex Grehy’s “Meet Me There.” If you listen closely, you can hear the catch in my throat as the grief registers. Read it for yourself at Ladiesofhorror.com or listen on my YouTube channel.

I wrote “Laboring” which is appropos for Women in Horror month as it focuses on a horror that is exclusive to women. And a final piece of LoH info: the intro to the videos is being rebranded; we are very excited to unveil that mid-March!

What a Scream:

We recorded a special Women in Horror month episode on the What a Scream podcast. Let me give you a hint about the gothic literature we covered:

YouTube:

This month, I am focusing on my top 10 horror films directed by women (based on directorial choices). Number 1 is so good that it makes me want to pluck my eyeballs out as I have officially seen all that I need to see!

Watch here

For subscribers only:

A quick peek into The Kitchen Witches:

The most heinous and destructive words fell from the mouth of a child.

“Is there a baby in there?” she asked, pointing to my lower abdomen. Admittedly, it was a bit swollen as carbs had found their way down my throat, but it was not that swollen and this particular child—who was really a teen—knew better.

That was exactly why she asked, pointedly, in front of all the women. Only one looked appropriately horrified for me. The others resembled the notorious cat who swallowed the canary to such an extent that I could practically see the feathers sticking out of the corners of their plumped and painted mouths.

The accuser, Dinah DeCota, batted her eyes innocently, awaiting a response, as if she deserved one.

“Of course not, dear.” I forced sweetness through my clenched jaw and turned to walk toward the bar that was lined with fake roses and tassels. Every party contains several attacks; it is customary. I simply was not expecting that the girls were now engaging in warfare for their mothers. Although I suspected Dinah, in this case, operated as a social soldier of fortune.

As I reached for my wine, I realized that Dinah had followed me. “Would you know the father?” she asked quietly, but I was reading her lips. “I mean, if there were a baby in there?”

This conversation took place in the very middle of a whirlwind year. It also confirmed my suspicions: Dinah was no less treacherous and possibly just as dangerous as her mother.

News from Friends:

Angela Yuriko Smith is a fanastic writer, a savvy publisher, and a fabulous human being. You should really check out all of her books, but a recent one I would like to spotlight is How to Start Over: Destroy with Love (How to Fix This, Book 1)

Eva has been sent to repopulate a planet, but she is less than enthusiastic at her role as a vessel for bearing children. With the help of her friend, Shadow Crow, she sets out to work with her new alien home to overthrow her own people. In the end, she learns that love is the only thing that can guarantee a true victory.

Because one cannot sip from an empty cup, I have limited my reviews for Hellnotes and only review for friends who are authors or publishers. That said, I recently reviewed two excellent books, both with women writers so allow me to include them for Women in Horror month.

Question Not My Salt by Amanda Blake is an extreme horror story that also taps into social etiquette and consent. It is a fun, but gruesome, ride

We’re Not Ourselves Today by Lydia Prime and Jill Girardi contains 13 tales of pulp horror. The stories are filled with razor-sharp teeth and buckets of blood and popcorn. Some old, some new, ALL terrifying!

Reviews can be read at Hellnotes.
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