Hello Bookish Pals! Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Loren Rhoads, a contributor to the latest Horror Addicts guide: Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2. The October-through-September month-by-month almanac has puzzles, crafts, articles, recipes, and interviews. Enjoy first-hand accounts of hauntings, nightmares, and vile vacations!
Using only three words, describe your work in Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2.
I happen to have three pieces in the book, so I’ll say: cemeteries, writing, and “Morbid Curiosity.” Titles count as one word, right?
Titles totally count as one word.:-) Next question: what do you strive for in your writing?
Compassion. We’re all going to die, so why can’t we make it better for each other before then?
I love that sentiment, Loren. Okay, name three horror books on your TBR.
L. S. Johnson’s Leviathan
Gemma Files’ We Will All Go Down Together
Gabino Iglesias’ Zero Saints
Speaking of reading, where is your favorite place to read?
On the sofa in the front window, as the sun sets.
Nice. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk, whether in the writing itself or in your process?
I belong to five different groups of writers who co-work together online via Zoom. It really helps me to settle down at my desk when I know there are people on the other side of the computer, also writing.
Your “quirk” sounds rather productive. What aroma makes you euphoric?
Jasmine tea.
Mmm, yes. And salty or sweet, which makes the best writing snack?
I hesitate to admit that I’m addicted to cheese.
Cheese as a writing snack? That’s a first. Way to be an original, Loren! What is your next project?
I’m working on two at the moment:
First up is Tales of Nightmares, an anthology of horror stories I’m editing for Wily Writers. The book will include stories by Alison J. McKenzie, Angel Leigh McCoy, Bill Bodden, E. S. Magill, Jennifer Brozek, Lisa Morton, Weston Ochse, and Yvonne Navarro. That will be out in July. I don’t have the final cover for it yet, but it will look something like this one:
I’m also editing Death’s Garden Revisited, a collection of essays about why it’s important to visit cemeteries. The contributors include horror authors A. M. Muffaz, Angela Yuriko Smith, Christine Sutton, Denise N. Tapscott, E. M. Markoff, Emerian Rich, Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito, Francesca Maria, Greg Roensch, Mary Rajotte, Melodie Bolt, Priscilla Bettis, Rain Graves, Rena Mason, Robert Holt, R. L. Merrill, Saraliza Anzaldua, Stephen Mark Rainey, and Trish Wilson. Here’s the cover for this project:
Two fab projects. Where can we find you online?
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Loren-Rhoads/e/B002P905PE/
Blog: https://lorenrhoads.com/blog/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/aa9545b2ccf4/lorenrhoads
Twitter: https://twitter.com/morbidloren
Thank you, Loren. I enjoyed our little chat.:-)
Loren Rhoads is the author or co-author of five novels, including the succubus/angel duology Lost Angels and Angelus Rose. Unsafe Words collects her horror, dark fantasy, and science fiction stories. Her most recent book, a memoir collection of essays called This Morbid Life, just won an Independent Book Publisher Award.
Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2 is out now!
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Addicts-Guide-Life-2/dp/B09YNF5QM3
Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Horror-Addicts-Guide-Life-2/dp/B09YNF5QM3
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horror-Addicts-Guide-Life-2/dp/B09YNF5QM3
With articles by: A. Craig Newman, A.D. Vick, Alyson Faye, Angela Yuriko Smith, Brian McKinley, CM Lucas, Camellia Rains, Carrie Sessarego, Chantal Boudreau, Courtney Mroch, Crystal Connor, D.J. Pitsiladis, Dan Shaurette, Daphne Strasert, Dee Blake, Emerian Rich, Geneve Flynn, H.E. Roulo, H.R. Boldwood, J. Malcolm Stewart, James Goodridge, Jaq D Hawkins, Jeff Carroll, Jonathan Fortin, Kate Nox, Kay Tracy, Kerry Alan Denney, Kieran Judge, Kristin Battestella, Ksenia Murray, Lee Murray, Lionel Ray Green, Loren Rhoads, M.D. Neu, Mark Orr, Martha J. Allard, Michael Fassbender, Mimielle, Naching T. Kassa, Pamela K. Kinney, Priscilla Bettis, R.J. Joseph, R.L. Merrill, Rena Mason, Renata Pavrey, Rhonda R. Carpenter, Russell Holbrook, Selah Janel, Steven P. Unger, Sumiko Saulson, Tabitha Thompson, Theresa Braun, Trinity Adler, Valjeanne Jeffers.
Yes, you see my name in the list of Horror Addicts contributors. I’ve never been included in something with such a, um, sexy cover. Kinda cool!
Priscilla Bettis 
What a fun interview and a lovely way to meet Loren. Congratulations, Priscilla, on getting your work in two more publications! Both sound intriguing and I look forward to reading them. 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie. I think both Loren and I enjoyed the interview.:-)
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Cheese and writing with others via Zoom…both such “novel” answers! Great interview and CONGRATS on being in the book. Loved how you put you’ve never been part of something so “sexy.” BWAHAHAHA!
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Courtney, you made me laugh! Thanks for your fun comments.:-)
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Working with a cup of Jasmine tea and that scent around sounds lovely. I also really love the idea of reading in front of the front windows during a sunset. Back home, I’ve done that multiple times too, sometimes as the sun is rising as well. Loved her take on compassion and why we should have a good time before we die 😛
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Olivia-Savannah! I’m looking forward to someday reading what you’ve written in front those windows as the sun sets.:-)
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Thanks for the introduction to Loren, Priscilla! I’m also a fan of cheese – haven’t met one I didn’t like yet.
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I didn’t know so many people enjoyed cheese! My fave is whatever is on a pizza, whether it’s good ol’ mozzarella or something fancy.:-) Thanks for stopping by, Teri!
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