Jennifer A. Smith’s short story “Last Summer” will appear in the Gothic Blue Book: The Revenge Edition this month.
1. Vampires or Zombies? Which do you prefer in fiction?
I prefer vampires. Zombies have so little to say, and they are so inelegant.
2. Haunted House or Haunted Mental Asylum? If you had to spend the night in one to write about your experience which would you chose, and why?
That’s a tough one. I want to do both! I think that the inhabitants of the haunted house might be more articulate, but that might be a bit judgmental of me. I stayed in Lizzie Borden’s bedroom once, but she was not terribly forthcoming that evening.
3. Have you ever read a book or a fictional story that frightened you so much you had to put it down at least once while you were reading? If so, what was it? What frightened you?
I don’t think I’ve ever had to put one down. I tend to want to read on to find out what happens next! There are several Ray Bradbury stories that have really pleased me with their horrifying subtlety. “The October Game” is one that comes to mind.
4. Why do you enjoy writing Gothic/Literary horror/horror/paranormal fiction? Or just, why do you enjoy writing in general?
I love the cozy feeling of being spellbound in a haunted place. I love Victorian ghost stories, because I love Victorian ghosts! I like Halloween stories because they are set in chilly autumn nights, with rustling leaves and strange creatures lurking in the darkness.
5. What other projects do you have in the works?
I belong to a writing group and we encourage each other by sharing our stories and giving feedback. I am always thinking of things around me in a horror kind of way. I try to keep them in my mind until I can write them down and create a story. I have many stories on my computer hard drive. I told my daughter that after I’m dead she should gather them all and have them published in homage to my dead greatness!
JENNIFER A. SMITH writes tales of horror and unease. She was born in Minnesota during the second half of the twentieth century. A childhood love of reading, along with a penchant for old horror films has awakened a love for the dark and unholy; thirty years of working at a small town post office have nourished that obsession.
