A guest on several previous spotlights, I'm pleased to welcome back Trish Wilson to talk about her editorial work for The Horror Zine and current writing projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for returning to this! Since last we spoke, you’ve seen plenty of success working with The Horror Zine as their media director, conducting interviews with other writers. What typically goes into the preparation for a new article?
Trish Wilson: Thank you, Don! It's a pleasure participating in Women in Horror Month every year. When it comes to those writer interviews, I first choose someone I'd like to interview. There are so many fine and well-known writers who wish to talk about their work, especially new projects. People are always asking me, "Trish, how do you get all these famous writers to agree to an interview?" All I do is ask them. It's that simple. I usually find the contact information I need via agents, websites, or social media, and I write to them. I always ask about their new projects, which encourages them to get word out via an interview. Most of the time, they accept. I searched for that person online to read past articles and interviews. I also try to read either a few short stories or a novel written by that person. Once I finish my research, I write about a dozen questions and then send them to my interviewee. Over the past year, I've interviewed some truly stellar people, including Bruce Campbell (Groovy!) and John Russo, who co-wrote "Night of the Living Dead" with George Romero.
Me: What would you consider your favorite part of the process involved in conducting these articles? What part do you dread having to do?
TW: I don't dread anything about my interviews since I generally don't have deadlines and they're fun to do. I can take my time and not feel rushed. My favorite part of the process is meeting and chatting with horror writers I've admired for aeons. I promise I haven't gone all fangirl over Bruce Campbell, Billy Martin (aka Poppy Z. Brite), Ramsey Campbell, Elizabeth Massie, and more, although it was very hard to not blubber. LOL
Me: What has been the most memorable experience that you've had based on your collaboration together?
TW: The most memorable experiences so far have been the sheer joy I get from my famous horror author interviews. I've interviewed writers I've admired for years… sometimes decades, including Bruce Campbell (Gimme some sugar, baby!), John Russo (co-writer of Night of the Living Dead with George Romero), Joe R. Lansdale, John Skipp, Gwendolyn Kiste, Elizabeth Massie, and more. Such a joy to chat with all of them.
Me: As well, you’ve seen several short stories of yours published throughout the year. What type of influence, if any, did interviewing other authors about their work have on your writing?
TW: Considering I have interviewed writers I've admired for years, chatting with them and asking questions I've always wanted to ask helps me in my own writing. I try to read several of the author's short stories or a novel before I email my interview questions. Reading inevitably inspires my writing. I've learned how to avoid exposition, write catchy and realistic dialogue, and to see scenes and characterization through a somewhat twisted and often humorous lens, thanks to my interactions with these authors and their works. I hadn't had a chance to interview him before he had died, but the late Tom Piccirilli used to host a "game" on Facebook where he would ask writers to submit the first line or paragraph of a WIP on his page, and everyone would comment on each other's writing. I had learned how to write a proper, attention-grabbing hook from this practice.
Me: What is your writing process for these stories? How do you stay focused on writing?
TW: I'm working on my family saga/thriller, Secrets and Lies. I aim to revise and edit a minimum of one chapter per day. I usually work on several chapters. I hope to have most of it ready by the end of February for the Manuscript Wish List on BlueSky. That's an event where writers pitch their works (mostly novels) to participating agents and publishers. I used to participate in MSWL on Twitter years ago when Twitter was useful and not a bigoted train wreck. As far as short stories and flash fiction go, if I like the submission call and I have time and a good idea, I write something and submit it. If I get a rejection, I don't let it get me down. I revise and resubmit elsewhere as quickly as possible. I'm aiming for pro markets at the moment, so I know I will likely get few, if any, acceptances, but I'm aware of and accept that. It does get me down a bit since there are so damned many rejections, but I knew that going in. No matter what, I keep writing. After the pro markets, I aim for semi-pro. I always write for payment of some sort and a free author copy. I have better luck with semi-pro.
Me: Is there a difference in your approach depending on the genre of the story, or is there no preference in how everything comes together?
TW: There isn't much difference in my approach whether I'm writing horror, comedy, fantasy, or erotic romance. I formulate the idea in my head first and then begin writing. I like to brainstorm ideas for a few days before I put pen to paper. I walk on the beaches near my Massachusetts home to run plot bunnies through my head, and it works. Plus, I get to enjoy the smell of the ocean and the churning surf. Obviously, being the dead of winter, I don't walk on the beach at the moment. That said, there are hardcore surfers here who like to surf in freezing water. They're crazy. LOL
Me: Has this experience made you feel differently about publishing featured novels or gearing towards a more short-story type of career path?
TW: I had burned out three years ago after hanging up my hat when it came to Kindle Vella, which was Amazon's failed serialized fiction platform. As it turns out, serials are more popular in Europe than they are in the United States. Kindle Vella wasn't run well and Amazon kept moving the goal posts when it came to royalties and promotions. I spent most of my time doing promotions and not as much time as I would have liked. Although I enjoyed collaborating with a writer friend very much, for the most part, the experience left a bad taste in my mouth. I had earned very little money compared to how much work I had put into that mess. Due to burnout, I had hardly written much fiction in all that time. Working for The Horror Zine helped to get me out of that rut. Reading about and chatting with other successful writers inspired me to keep writing when I was sorely tempted to give it all up. While I continue to enjoy writing short stories and I have no intention of stopping, I've long wanted to write another novel. It will be my first horror/thriller novel. As of February, 2026, I've been working on the aforementioned Secrets and Lies, a family saga/thriller I've set off the northeastern Massachusetts coast. I've created an island named Caleb's Woe, which is based on Rockport and Gloucester, Massachusetts, where I live. I'm enjoying the experience very much.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
TW: I repeat myself. LOL I'm currently working on Secrets and Lies, my previously-mentioned family saga/thriller. Here's my blurb: Kate Stanwood turns detective when her brother finds their father's mangled body in the elder man's living room. As she uncovers clues regarding her father's death, she discovers ugly secrets her friends and family wish to remain hidden. Determined to get to the truth about her family's background, she not only must face the possibility that what she had always considered family is a sham, but she has also placed her own life in danger. Blood is thicker than water. Who can she trust? Who can help her get the answers she so desperately seeks?
Me: Lastly, being that this is Women in Horror Month, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
TW: Read the guidelines before you submit, and follow them to the letter. Lots of submissions are rejected outright because the writer did not follow the guidelines. Aim high – start with pro markets and work your way down. Remember that money flows from the publisher to the author, not the other way around. Writing can be a lonely endeavor. It helps to find writing communities online or within your region for support and guidance. If there is an appropriate writer's group near you, check it out and join. Conventions are a great way to break up the monotony and to network with writers, artists, and other professionals. The fan support also feels good. Above all, enjoy yourself. Write for yourself, not for an audience or to latch onto a trend. Trends don't last long, and you'll be stuck with out-of-date stories if you go that route. Have fun with it!
Here are my links:
The Horror Zine
My Website
Author Interviews
Facebook (as Elizabeth Black, a pen name)
BlueSky
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