Fright Girl Summer is a book festival to promote women in horror with an emphasis on women from marginalized communities. The organization is currently keeping the fun going into the witching season with Fright Girl Autumn.
Ladies of the Fright: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview. It is our hope that we can all connect on the podcast in what we hope hope hope is a better year, 2021. But, we couldn’t wait to get to know you, considering everything we’ve heard about Fright Girl Summer. Would you tell us a little about yourself. Where are you in the world and what is it like?
Violet: My name is Violet, and I am a Mexican American writer originally from Texas now residing in the UK. I’m usually terribly homesick but I’m enjoying the UK at this moment.
Sonora: I’m Sonora, and I live in Arlington, Virginia; a suburb of Washington, D.C.I love this area so much—great food, great weather, great natural settings, and great people (elected officials sent here from other states notwithstanding).
LOTF: When in your life did you start to get into horror?
V: I’ve always been a horror girl. I grew up with Mexican folklore and Texas urban legends. It wasn’t a huge step for me to begin writing it.
S: As a kid, though I was into fun, cute horror as a wee one—Nightmare Before Christmas, The Addams Family, the Beetlejuice cartoon on Nickelodeon. I’ve been a fan of the macabre for as long as I can remember.
LOTF: What was the first thing you remember writing and how old were you?
V: I have a large sheet of paper with a crudely drawn haunted house and a ghost with blue claws. It’s some strange short story about I really don’t know what because I was so young (8?). My mother saved all my childhood horror stories!
S: I once tried to write a YA novel when I was in 4th or 5th grade. I was getting more into Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High, so I figured that I, a 9/10-year-old, was destined to write a YA masterpiece. It was about a blonde girl named Cleo, her friends, and the guy she liked. I think his name was Mark, but I know for sure I gave him Clark Kent hair to denote that he was hot. Oh, did I mention it was illustrated?
LOTF: Tell us about your initiative. We'd love to know the journey.
V: As a woman of color, I know how easy it is to get discouraged when you know it takes double the amount of work to get a sliver of recognition or offered opportunities. Not seeing yourself represented or misrepresented hurts. There is no other way to put it. I wanted a space for women and especially for women from marginalized communities to have a platform just for them. I sent a tweet and Sonora replied. It went from there.
S: I loved V’s idea, and I love what she does to promote marginalized voices in the community. I offered to help and she accepted. Fright Girl Summer has been a blast to run and we’ve both been so pleased with the response. And with everything coming out about uglier aspects in the horror community, from abuse to bullying, I’m glad we have this space available for people who need it. I hope that Fright Girl Summer will always feel safe for anyone who wants to participate—and that they’ll tell us if it ever feels unsafe so we can correct it!
LOTF: A lot of people have been having a hard time finding their creative muse this year. How has your experience been?
V: It was tough at first, but I have written more than ever considering we have not left the house very often since March. It has been the only way to express my fears and frustration. It’s been a life saver.
S: I’ve actually had a rough go at it writing. I’ve been writing, but I need longer breaks between individual stories than I used to need. It’s also hard to open up Word and just write. But I do try, and I try to at least engage with my ideas even if I don’t write hundreds of words in a day.
LOTF: Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to discuss?
V: I hope everyone will read The Cucuy of Cancun in Worst Laid Plans from Grindhouse Press. If you like intense erotic horror you can pick up the very short Sed de Sangre. Otherwise all the women on Fright Girl Summer are amazing and could use reviews!
S: I’m working on my next short story collection, called Someone to Share My Nightmares. It will focus largely on dark romance/erotica. I will also have a story in Cemetery Gates’ upcoming anthology, Places We Fear to Tread. It’s called “Laughter in the Night” and it’s based on a ghost story about my old elementary school.
LOTF: Which (or which one(s)) classic book have you NEVER read and don’t intend on
reading? (Think, like, Moby Dick, Wuthering Heights--that stuff)
V: Damn. That’s a crazy question because I graduated almost twenty years ago and haven’t thought of those books since then. Now I’m not sure I would want to considering all the diverse talent finally getting attention.
S: War and Peace. Too long, and I can’t get into classic Russian literature.
LOTF: Do you have a favorite monster? And why have they stolen your heart?
V: VAMPIRES! I love the idea of being immortal, full of power and dangerous.
S: Do ghosts count? I love haunted house movies. Ghosts are great because most of the time they’re minding their own business; and then someone moves into their home, starts shit, and then cries when the ghosts tell them to fuck off. I feel for them.
LOTF: And where can our listeners/readers find you?
They can find us at www.frightgirlsummer.com
V.: I can be found at www.vvcastro.com
Twitter | Instagram @vlatinalondon
S: I can be found at sonorawrites.com
Twitter @sonorawrites