Seven Questions with Sadie Hartmann

Question 1: What was the initial catalyst—whether that be a short story, a novel, a film, a video game, an event—that made you want to be a writer?

Well, I fancy myself as a reader first and foremost—a writer, second. When I write, I write about books. An editor at Page Street Publishing reached out and asked if I would be interested in writing a book about horror books for their publishing company and after much thought and doubts, I agreed. I think books are so important, they deserve to be discussed, praised, and publicized—they are the catalyst for me.

Question 2: An aspiring author has written a 70,000- to 100,000-word debut horror novel and doesn’t know what to do next; what advice would you give them? Should querying literary agents be the first choice of action, or is self-publishing becoming a viable option?

I think self-publishing is always a viable option. If an author can afford good cover design, a great editor, and promotion—self publishing is the way to go! Indie publishing companies with access to professional distribution is the next best option in my opinion.

Question 3: With massively successful video game franchises like Resident Evil and The Last of Us, horror films consistently performing well at the box office (not to mention carving out their places in mainstream culture), and the sheer cultural popularity of iconic horror figures such as Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, and the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King—why do you think that horror literature, from local bookstores to big 5 publishers, isn’t taken as seriously as other genres? Horror, as mentioned above, thrives in other mediums, so why not in literature? And is there anything writers and readers can do to change this? If so, then what?

I believe that Horror is too punk rock for mainstream audiences and it always will be. If you think of it in terms of music, contemporary, pop music will always and forever have the spotlight. Everything else is niche. Something that specific will never replace or compete with the majority, you know? There’s a reason pop music is popular—it’s easy, digestible, non-confrontational.

Horror is to the book industry as punk rock is to music—it’s disruptive, challenging, in your face…and that’s not popular—which is fine :) I think horror authors and fans are quite content to skirt the edges.

Question 4: What are your general (or extensive) thoughts on AI in literature?

AI has no place in literature. By definition, "written works," especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, suggests that there is a creator behind the work worthy of lasting artistic merit, so the creator behind AI is a human, therefore, only humans are worthy of creating literature—that’s how my Sadie-logic thinks of it in simplistic reasoning. Makes sense to me!

Question 5: What are some novels or collections that deserve more exposure?

I think right now, translated fiction is seeing a significant rise in exposure and demand. I would like to continue seeing that trend get more and more popular. English-speaking readers in the US should give translated fiction a try! I have some suggestions:

Tenderloin by Joy Sorman

Of Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solá

Such Small Hands by Andrés Barbas

Question 6: What is one book that every aspiring horror writer should read?

This:

https://lithub.com/ray-bradburys-greatest-writing-advice/

Question 7: What’s next for you?

I’m writing another book about horror books. This time, I’m focusing on Women in Horror. I’m gathering curated reading lists to guide readers through the genre with stories from women.

BIO:

Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror is the co-owner of the monthly horror fiction subscription company, Night Worms and the Bram Stoker Awards® nominated co-editor of Human Monsters: A Horror Anthology. She is the author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered from Page Street Publishing.

She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids. They have a Frenchie named Owen.