This past spring I saw a call for an anthology and I knew I wanted to submit something. I’ve enjoyed getting to step into different genres for anthologies so far, and this little gem of a horror collection is no exception. If you haven’t read it yet, also check out my little cyberpunk short story Upgrade. Sci Fi was a blast to play around with and it’s part of Fix the World, twelve hopeful sci-fi short stories.

But this year, my anthology of choice is all about queer Gothic horror focused on the theme of sound. I love the whole Gothic vibe, settings that feel like characters, that sense of horror in the mundane. The idea that what’s creeping at the edges of reality is waiting for you right around the corner might not be as scary as the person standing beside you. So much fun to play with.

I began with the idea of Kev being haunted by his past and having that haunting embodied in his childhood home. Then I started writing and Kev and Bert leapt onto the page and I was tempted to make them a pure horror story. But then, at the risk of sharing spoilers, I thought about the sort of queer stories I wish we had more of, and really I needed it to end with hope. Not just hope, but with Kev seizing control of his future and taking his happy ever after for himself, without needing anybody’s permission.

So Haunt is romantic Gothic horror, and I had a ball writing it. I enjoyed working with NineStar Press during the publication process, Elizabetta was wonderful to work with. And I enjoyed working with the other authors involved to come up with promo ideas for it.

I hope you will check Listen out, because it’s a delightful collection of wonderfully queer horror stories perfect for the Halloween season. When I got the ARCs I was sucked right into every single story, they are all truly unique takes on the theme. And Listen: The Sound of Fear is out now, so be sure to grab a copy today!