Please introduce yourself.
Sure thing, glad to be here! My name is Laurel Hightower, I’m a horror writer, horror reader, podcaster, paralegal and mom. I live in Kentucky with my husband, son, and rescue pit bull, and I love bourbon and chocolate. I also like sending people bourbon and chocolate, because I’m southern and like to feed people.
What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I have a lifelong love affair with ghosts – I never get enough. I love ghost stories, movies, documentaries, you name it. It makes sense that when the words in my head started coalescing into stories, they centered around ghosts and horror. I’ve been told on occasion, as I’m sure we all have, that horror doesn’t sell, but I don’t have any desire to step outside it – horror is my first love, and I like everything about the genre. Being able to expand my definition of horror over the past few years has only solidified that decision – there’s so much ground to cover, and new subgenres to explore and invent. I won’t ever run out of material.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
I’m lucky enough to have many sources of inspiration, each in their special niche. My son inspires me to be kind, patient, and adventurous. I love seeing the world new through his eyes. My sister inspires me to be kinder to myself. My brother inspires me to give no fucks, and take no prisoners (I’m really bad at that but I like having a role model!) My peers inspire me daily to keep pushing, but to also take that time to breathe when I need it.
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?
It’s become part of the accepted admonition of targeted months like Women in Horror, Black History Month, Pride Month, and Latinx Heritage Month that we shouldn’t wait for a specific celebration and cram all of our reading of those voices into set months. That’s true, but these kinds of celebrations serve to highlight voices, give the stage over completely to a group that might be marginalized or harder to find in the mainstream. There’s still too many readers who say they don’t pay attention to the writer’s ethnicity or orientation or gender, that all they care about is a good story.
What that means is they’ll continue to read within a small segment of the population, the few authors, mostly white cis het males who’s works are stocked widely and readily available. When we all get together as a community and say hey, this month I want to hear only from BIPOC, or only from women, diverse voices are able to rise above the fray, and what we find is that there are a hell of a lot of talented writers operating under the radar. I see it as a way to find new favorites, to beef up my list of auto-buy authors. It’s fellowship, as well. Women in Horror Month means we’re celebrating one another, our achievements and publications. We’re also able to hold hands virtually and highlight the kinds of stories that speak to us, that tell the tale of being a woman, which can be its own kind of horror.
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?
Find your allies, and become one. I don’t mean only other women, although that’s a good place to start. Be a literary/horror citizen – get involved, read, review, lift voices. Also, remind yourself that you are the only one who can tell stories with your authentic voice. You don’t have to write like or emulate the folks who are already bestsellers – write what matters to you, and you’ll find that horror written from the perspective of a woman has a special kind of bite. We live horror everyday, and you have something to contribute.
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
One of the many benefits of being a co-host on the Inkheist podcast is how many incredible writers and creators we’ve gotten to speak to. All of them have taught me something, but there are some that really stick out. John Langan said not to reject outlandish ideas – they’re like a dog bringing you a chew toy. When they come, play with them, see what you can do with them. If you constantly reject them, the dog will stop bringing you the toy.
Hailey Piper reminds us to make horror queer af, which is something I heartily agree with, and it extends further to putting yourself in what you write. Easier said than done, I know, but when you’re ready to be brave, we’ll be there waiting to read it. Jonathan Janz demonstrated early on the power of paying it forward – he’s a tireless proponent for new writers, and makes a point to seek out women and marginalized voices. Gemma Amor is vocal about mental health and self care, while in the midst of being a mother, a wife, an incredible writer, podcaster, and artist. Sometimes it looks like she can do it all, and she can, but I appreciate that she’s open about how hard it can be, and that protecting yourself is vital.
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, and I’m going to change up who I usually recommend, though seriously their work deserves all the love. Rhonda Jackson is an author with an incredible voice and a deep dark well of ideas. Eve Harms has a wonderfully quirky storytelling voice, and is working on some pieces I can’t wait to read. Violet Castro brings the spice and the kind of action hero style female main characters that will make you stand up and cheer. Lilyn George will tell you she’s not a writer, then craft something so deliciously mean and perfect like it’s no big deal. And S.H. Cooper can spin tales that convince you an urban legend has always been lurking in your psyche, touch your heart, and yank the rug out from under what you thought you knew.
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
My short story THE LITTLE HEAD is included in the TWISTED ANATOMY anthology that just came out February 19th, and I have shorts scheduled for inclusion in two other anthos so far. I’m also finishing up my first collection, which I hope to submit and publish soon.
Pop them links to follow your work here:
Website: www.laurelhightower.com
Twitter: @hightowerlaurel
Amazon author page: https://smile.amazon.com/Laurel-Hightower