NAME: Kerry E.B. Black
CREATIVE FIELD: Author
WEBSITE: KerryEBBlack.com
AUTHOR BIO:
Kerry E.B. Black is a Western Pennsylvanian writer intimately familiar with chronic pain and physical disability – through personal experience and vicariously through her family. Besides writing for journals, ‘zines, and anthologies, she’s published two YA paranormal thrillers, four collections of short stories, a novella, and a poetry collection.
INTERVIEW
What got you into horror to begin with – what’s your core Horror memory?
As a youngster, my kid brother and I would stay up late to watch “Chiller Theater” hosted by Chilly Billy. Those early films helped to shape the way I see the world.
Do you have a favourite horror subgenre (or more than one) and if so, what is it? What/Who are your favourite books/films/podcasts/artists/creatives working in that subgenre?
Right now, I’m infatuated by folk horror.
Shirley Jackson, Stephanie Ellis, Dawn Kurtagich, and so many others write wonderful stories of forgotten rituals and awakening earth. However, I read and write widely.
What is the horror project of your heart – perhaps something you’ve already got out there, something you’re working on now, or something you’d like to do?
My brother, Chris Blickenderfer, is my cover artist for my short story and poetry collections, and having his amazing work paired with mine makes my heart so happy! You should see the newest cover he’s made! He does everything by hand, and the last cover was composed and completed while he was a patient in the hospital!
Which 5 horror books can you not stop thinking about, or have influenced you most in some way? (If not books, you can pick 5 films, 5 pieces of art, 5 songs… or mix & match!)
My favorite book from last year was Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker.
One of the scariest books I’ve read was The Sleepless by Nuno Onoh.
I love short stories, and modern masters of the form who I enjoy include Tananarive Due and Joyce Carol Oates.
One of my favorite horror poets is Sara Tantlinger.
For non-fiction horror research, you can’t beat Lisa Morton.
If you had to describe the tones and themes of your own work in terms of movies, books, songs, or art, what would you choose and why?
For my collections of short scares, flashes of fright, and horror haiku, (Herd of Nightmares, Carousel of Nightmares, and Nightmares on Holiday), I would liken them to campfires and Goosebumps, Twilight Zone and “Monster Mash.”
Introduce us to something you’ve created, and pitch it to the audience!
My Wolves at Bay is a pseudo-historical novella with siblings who have a challenging relationship, an attempted healing, and witchcraft allegations. I draw from historical sources but set the action in a fictional location and time.