GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Yolanda Sfetsos!
Yolanda Sfetsos lives in Sydney, Australia with her awesome husband and spends most of her days writing horror tales that sometimes bleed into other genres. She’s a horror freak from way back, a total bibliophile, collects cute stuff, and loves cozy vibes. She also surrounds herself with piles of books and stationery.
You can visit her website at www.yolandasfetsos.com
What made you want to become an author? Did you have an “Aha!” moment when you knew you were born to write? Or perhaps a beloved book inspired you?
I started writing when I was in my early teens. Before that I used to make up stories in my head all the time, but too many ideas and characters started crowding my brain so I started putting pen to paper. Somehow, I always ended up writing horror.
Years ago, after watching The Lost Boys and Dark Shadows, I wrote my first vampire short novel. And I haven’t stopped writing since.
What do you believe are your strengths in writing? And when you feel you need to improve on a particular writing skill, how do you go about it?
My strength in writing is probably the compulsion to tell stories. I have no choice. Otherwise I get twitchy and irate. The characters won’t shut up, so I sit down and tell their story.
I feel like the only way to improve is to keep writing, and reading. Even watching movies and TV shows helps improve my storytelling skills. But the actual writing is what helps me the most. I learn something new every time I write and revise a new project, sharpen my skills with each experience. I’m always willing to learn, and like working with editors. I’m also not afraid to tear a story apart to make it better/stronger.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community? Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
I think that it’s an awesome time to be an author because there are a lot of great options out there. Getting an agent and a deal with a traditional publisher used to be the only option. The only benchmark. But nowadays self-publishing is more accessible, and there are other clever ways to share your writing with readers.
Personally, I prefer the indie publishing route because there are some great places to send your stories to. And as much as we all like to complain about social media, it’s opened up a lot of networking and promotional options that weren’t there before. I love interacting with readers and fellow authors.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
I’m proud of every single story I write. Whether it’s published or not, every tale I tell is a new dark and wondrous experience. A way to experiment with style, themes and POV. I enjoy playing around with familiar tropes and giving them my own twist. Sometimes I do that by giving the story an Aussie spin. Other times it’s simply how I choose to delve into the darkness from my own perspective.
Some of my favourite stories are ones that aren’t published yet. But I’m extremely proud of my bleak novella about a mother’s biggest nightmare. SUFFER THE DARKNESS deals with a lot of squeamish issues, introduces a bit of light in the darkness, before taking it all away. I love that story.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
I have a gothic horror novella coming out in July from DarkLit Press. WINGS OF SORROW is a heartbreaking story about a newlywed couple who inherit an old house on the coast and when they go to tidy things up, find themselves in the middle of an ancient family curse. I love this story too, and can’t wait for everyone to meet Thera, Hector, and the creepy Karras House.
My plan for the future is to keep writing stories while trying to find a home for the ones that are finished. I love sharing all of these characters, their dark lives, and the monstrous shadows creeping up to destroy their happiness.
KANDISHA PRESS 