Skip to Content

Editor Interview: +Horror Library+ Anthology Series

Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

A: Horror short fiction

Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?

A: Besides previous Cutting Block Book titles and those titles currently available through Farolight Publishing, readers will find similarity in tone and content to anthologies such as BORDERLANDS series (ed. Thomas Monteleone); CHIRAL MAD series (ed. Michael Bailey); WHISPERS series (ed. Stuart David Schiff); annual BEST OF HORROR series (ed. Ellen Datlow); annual BEST DARK FANTASY & HORROR (ed. Paula Guran); and annual MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR series (ed. Stephen Jones).

Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?

A: Joe R. Lansdale, Cormac McCarthy, George Orwell, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Stephen King, Stephen Graham Jones, John Steinbeck, Bentley Little, Lisa Morton, Poppy Z. Brite, Mira Grant/ Seanan McGuire, Neil Gaiman, Hunter S. Thompson, Jack Kerouac, Steve Rasnic Tem, Helen Marshall, Weston Ochse, John Langan, Ernest Hemingway, Robert McCammon, Mark Bowden, O. Henry, James Ellroy, and many, many more... (particularly smart, literary horror authors)

Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?

A: We provide as much opportunity for unpublished authors as established names.

Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?

A: Read the guidelines and be familiar with what previous editions of the +Horror Library+ have published. Remember that light horror or psychological horror trumps anything brutal, but remember also that something needs to "happen" in the story; do not send just a vignette.

Q: Describe the ideal submission.

A: Unusual and beautiful writing with a dark slant or twist.
Ideal qualities include:
+Emotional Resonance (e.g. Fear, Relief, Joy, etc.)+
+Action (Plot Movement)+
+Unique and Thoughtful Ideas+
+Literary Courage (Push Boundaries)+
+Extraordinarily Memorable ‘Voice’ in Characters+

Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

A: Please just follow posted guidelines to the best of your ability. No one will be rejected strictly for not adhering to a rule, but neither will that ingratiate them with the editor.

Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?

A: I have no preference. The story will speak for itself.

Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?

A: I try to read every word of every story, but my opinion is usually set after the first three paragraphs, sometimes less. Opening lines matter--Make yours memorable!

Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?

A: Multiple reads and considerations not just of talent in storytelling but also in structure, grammar, etc., in addition to word count, and its relation to other stories within the anthology (this last point, unfortunately, something the author has no control over.)

Q: What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?

A: Lots of reading, lots of writing, lots of conversations with others involved in the process, lots of coffee.

Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?

A: As much of importance as any other industry. There are benefits and drawbacks; it’s nice to know what’s available, but not everything has to be implemented.

Q: How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?

A: Heavily.