I’m super excited to share something special with you today! I have an interview with Kayleigh Dobbs, the talented author of THE END. You can often catch her hanging out at Happy Goat Horror. If you're interested in checking out her book, THE END is available to buy on Amazon US, Amazon UK and Black Shuck Books.
 |
| Meet Kayleigh Dobbs, Author of THE END (Available Now!) |
When did you become interested in storytelling?
I've been obsessed since I was a kid, as far back as I can remember. When I was seven, I made a few of those little flap books (you know, things like "Where's the Cat?" and on each page you lift a bin lid or a car or something to see where the cat is hiding). Then I started writing short stories, which I only recently realised were fan fictions of the various shows and films I like. I wrote a whole series called 'Island of the Blob', which was based on a board game called 'Escape the Blob', which starred me and my friends trapped on an island, trying to save everyone from a giant purple monster.
What was the title of your first published book/story?
I think my first published story was called 'Now You See Them' and it was a flash fiction about eyeball eating monsters, published in an anthology called In Creeps the Night. My first collection (published under my maiden name) was called 'Corpsing', but it's sadly now out of print because the publisher no longer exists.
What inspired you to write The End?
I'm a huge fan of Black Shuck Books and their 'Shadows' collection, and Steve (owner of BSB) asked me if I wanted to write one. Probably that's still the most flattered I've ever been. I'd been listening a lot to a band called Periphery and the theme (the apocalypse!) and all of the stories were inspired by songs from their last few albums.
What character in The End is the least or most like you, and in what ways?
Oh gosh, I think there might be shades of me in all of those stories (you might be disturbed that I said that if you've read it...). I guess I'd have to say that all of the characters in 'Just Like Baking' - a humorous story about a witch coven - are kind of an amalgamation of me.
What is your favourite part of The End?
I think my favourite story in the collection overall is 'Just Like Baking', but my single favourite thing in the whole book is an image in a story called 'Omega'. I'm going to be annoying and not spoil what it is here, because it's a surprise in the story, but it might be the best "horror" idea I've ever had.
What was the hardest part to write?
Mmmm this is a bit personal but there's a relationship in that book that somewhat mirrors one from my own life, and that was a little bit painful to write. I'd like to think that I managed to create some real authenticity out of it though.
If you weren't an author, what would be your ideal career?
I've been thinking about this a lot recently, actually! I have always been obsessed with reading and writing books but it's taken me a really long time to figure out a direction to take, besides writing fiction, which I do love the most. I would love to somehow make Happy Goat Horror a full time career (how do you monetise a website?!), but what I'm actually moving towards at the moment is proofreading and editing. That's a part time passion right now but I'm hoping to go full time eventually.
Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them or let them influence your writing?
I know I'm supposed to say I don't read them but I do. I read them all MWAAHAHA. I pay attention in that, good or bad, I really appreciate anyone taking the time to write a review. They don't influence my writing as such, but if I saw the same criticism come up many times, I think I'd probably take that as valuable feedback and work on it.
What well-known writers do you admire the most?
Stephen King is an obvious but true answer. I think Adam Nevill is unbelievably talented and hard working, and Tim Lebbon and Ramsey Campbell are absolute legends. Rachel Harrison is fantastic and a new idol. I also love Angela Carter, Gemma Amor, and Anne Rice. Oh man, I'll have to stop because I could sit here just answering this question all day.
Do you have any other books/stories in the works?
Yes! I'm working on another collection, various shorts (there's no plan for those though, besides trying to find them homes), and a novel. Also a non-fiction book.
The next thing that will be released is a short story called 'TBR', which will be in an anthology from Flame Tree Publishing called 'This Way Lies Madness'. I'm so excited!
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment
I value the input of my readers and welcome their engagement. However, in order to maintain a constructive dialogue, I will be moderating comments to remove any spam, excessively critical remarks, or contributions that do not enhance the discussion. I appreciate your understanding in this matter and look forward to receiving your insightful feedback.