In today’s fiction market, there is a lot of talk of this genre dying out, or this genre isn’t relevant. Yet, in society no matter your background politics or ideas, horror in some way still grabs our attention. Also, for new and rising authors, there isn’t always a lot of guidance or direction, but author/editor/mentor/publisher Lisa Vasquez is changing that with her publishing group Stiched Smile Publications. PUblishing works that cover all sorts of genres (not just horror), this group has received merits such as being part of the Bram Stoker Awards recommendations list. I had the opportunity to interview Lisa Vasquez and was able to some unique insight on horror, publishing and meeting her fans.
1)As someone as involved in the horror genre as you are, do you feel that horror
gets a bad rap, for example, people believe it’s nothing more than blood, splatter,
and monsters?
Absolutely. All the time, in fact. When I tell people I write horror I always get a mixture of responses. Most often they are surprised and sometimes they smirk a little. There’s always the sense of being judged but I move past it by asking them what they like to read. I do my best to engage them with conversation so they can see I’m not some whacked out, serial killer glorifying lunatic. It’s led to some amazing discussions!
2)What led you to mentor, edit, and publish?
The lack of good mentors and publishers. Some are good, some are overworked. There’s not enough to go around. I love helping people, and I love talking about books I love. To me it was a no-brainer! I took to heart the adage, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” and ran with it. I’ve never been happier or more empowered because I took the leap of faith.
3)With all of the troubles in today’s world, and the fear spread through mass media
and news outlets, is horror still a viable escape for people?
I think it is. For most people the world is a scary place but it is real. Books are creative outlets to discuss the issues without feeling awkward. It’s so easy to say, “Hey I read this book and I felt like it was a page right out of the newspaper.” Think of books like, “1984” and “The Handmaid’s Tale”. Both of them deal with fears in present society. Both became best sellers. I don’t think horror is going anywhere, I think the “label” is. We mask it as “Paranormal” and “Supernatural” but it’s still horror at its core.
4) I have read in other interviews that in high school you had a lot of differing interests,
and you were also premed, does this background help you as an author?
I believe it helped, yes. A well rounded person has a lot to say. Experiencing different people gives me a wider pool to draw from. I love watching people, I suck at being one of them. Socially, I feel awkward because I always felt odd-like being the Wednesday Addams of the world. My humor and perspective was always “darker” because the world, to me, is a dark place. I don’t sugar coat it. I don’t seek out sunshine and unicorn farts. I face the good and bad together, which is how I got my motto, “Without darkness there can be no light”.
5) Do these differing interests help your book jacket design process?
Hm, that’s a tough question. I don’t believe it does. I think it’s my ability to see what the author is trying to convey in a creative way. It takes talking to them, and most of all, hearing what they are not saying (as opposed to what they are saying). I ask a lot of questions and I try to feel the author out. Maybe a dash of empathy? It’s a skill to talk to people and connect. We speak to each other everyday but how often is each conversation a connection?
6)What is your favorite type of event/venue to meet your fans and future fans at?
Smaller conventions are my absolute favorite. The conversation isn’t based on how loud you scream over the activity. It’s more normal to see people relaxed and open at a smaller convention than it is at the larger ones. Also, at the smaller cons, there is more freedom in scheduling. I can walk around, chat, and not have my senses overwhelmed by all the lights, noise and chaos. I love large conventions, too. I find they drain me a lot faster and it takes me a week to recover whereas with smaller cons, I can get a good night’s sleep and come back the next day refreshed.