NAME: Chloe Spencer
CREATIVE FIELDS: Author, Filmmaker, Game Dev
WEBSITE: chloespenceronline.com
AUTHOR LINKS:
Instagram: @heyitschloespencer
CREATIVE BIO:
Minnesota native Chloe Spencer (she/her) is an award winning writer, indie gamedev, and filmmaker. She is the author of multiple sapphic horror novellas, novels, and short stories. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, trying her best at Pilates, and cuddling with her cats. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Film and Television from SCAD Atlanta.
INTERVIEW
What got you into horror to begin with – what’s your core Horror memory?
When I was little, my older brother Mike was often in charge of babysitting me, and he loved to watch Syfy. He’d have it on in the background while he was folding laundry or helping me with my homework. I got the opportunity to see all kinds of weird stuff, like the entire Watchers trilogy. One of my core memories was watching one of those movies, and they peeled back a blanket on a corpse to reveal a man with no eyes. Sickening! Loved it.
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?
I’ll read anything, but I’m honestly a fan of splatterpunk and extreme horror, in particular when written by women and queer people, because it feels like a reclamation of trauma and abuse brought onto our minds and bodies.
My favorite writers include Emma E Murray – loved Crushing Snails and Shoot Me In The Face on a Beautiful Day.
Tiffany D. Jackson isn’t splatterpunk, but she has written some gruesome horror fiction, such as Allegedly and The Weight of Blood. She’s an instant autobuy for me.
I also love Ali Seay and Samantha Kolesnik.
When it comes to film, Karyn Kusama is honestly my idol. She’s the blueprint.
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?
Oh gosh – I love all of my stories, but probably one that sticks with me the most is Vicarious. That’s a splatterpunk horror romance novella about a deranged PTA mom that decides to date her childhood bully for revenge, but she ends up killing a lot of her bully’s abusers instead.
It’s very much inspired by things like Serial Mom, Yellowjackets – campy and fun but tackles some dark, heavy subject matter.
I wrote Vicarious when I was in therapy after being diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a sexual assault – grappling with these feelings of disgust and rage. Vicarious begins as a revenge story, but (spoiler alert!) ends as a love story. It’s very love conquers all, but also murder.
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!)
1. The Weight of Blood – Tiffany D. Jackson
2. Hide – Kiersten White
3. Wellington Street – H.D. Jaster
4. The Eyes are the Best Part – Monika Kim
5. Skipping Church for Vampires – Anja Wuolu
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?
I’m very much a love-conquers-all kind of gal. I’m mostly interested in horror stories where the characters learn to navigate their trauma and come out on the other side triumphant. And the love doesn’t even have to be romantic love, it could be friendship, too.
Introduce us to something you’ve created, and pitch it to the audience!
My latest book, CodeSkull, is a YA sci-fi horror novella set in northern Minnesota in the late 1990s, and centers on a group of kids who play a cursed video game, and accidentally unleash an electric demon on their town. If you’re a fan of Goosebumps and Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase, this is definitely one for you!