Please introduce yourself.
My name is Violet. I am a Mexican American woman from Texas but now residing in the UK. I write horror, science fiction, erotica and erotic horror.
What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I have been a horror fan since childhood. We have so many scary folktales in my culture it is hard to escape the supernatural. I’ve always embraced it and have been fascinated by the role it plays in my culture. Aztec mythology is also full of horror.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
It is not so much a who as in what are the many aspects of my being that have inspired me. My experience as a woman of color, my Chicana culture, Mesoamerican history, and most importantly the lack of representation in media.
Music is also a huge inspiration. I love all genres and often incorporate music into my stories.
Women in horror have made great strides, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to make it a most inclusive genre. To you, what is the importance of a movement like Women in Horror Month?
To get people out of their comfort zones. Women should be celebrated all year; however, it is easy to just go back to what is known. We need Women in Horror Month to shake things up. To remind people there is still a lot of work to do, especially for women of color. February is also Black History Month. There are many Black women like Octavia Butler who carved space for us.
What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a women as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
No one can else can tell your story. That is all you need to know. Be the voice and change to inspire more women to pursue their dreams. We are in this together without fear. No one becomes the Final Girl if they are wallowing in fear. You have to face it, ask for help, know you are supported and continue on your path.
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Voice. Let your voice shine and be loud from a place of truth. Just be you.
In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
There are so many. I would say go to Ladies of Horror Fiction and pick anyone on their website. I co-founded www.frightgirlsummer.com with Sonora Taylor and we have lists of amazing women from all backgrounds.
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
I co-edited Latinx Screams. That is out now. It’s an all Latinx horror anthology.
Goddess of Filth from Creature Publishing drops March 30th . This is my Latinx take on possession.
https://creaturehorror.com/books/goddess-of-filth
The Queen of The Cicadas drops in June. Aztec Mythology exploring multiple generations of Latinas and a hate crime in the 1950s.
Pop them links to follow your work here:
www.vvcastro.com for all my books
www.frightgirlsummer.com as a resource for all things female in the horror writing community.
@vlatinalondon for Twitter and Instagram