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 Roxie Voorhees!
Roxie Voorhees (she/he/they) is a tangled threesome of Gag me with a Spoon, Welcome to the Darkside, and Catch me Outside. When she isn’t reading, she writes, and when she isn’t writing she creates something with her hands while binge-watching Buffy. Originally from Central California, he now resides with his service dog, a mastador named Bellatrix, in Central Arkansas, where he refuses to use the word y’all, chokes on the air, and dreams of using the public bathroom without it being a political stance. They are the author of The Longest Thirst: A Splatterwestern and co-editor of Reader Beware.
Instagram: @the.book.slayer
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/rvthebookslayer
Website: http://www.roxievoorhees.gay
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’ve always been a storyteller. I can remember captivating new kids with dramatic true stories of my life. Of course, I didn’t understand then this is trauma dumping, but it gave me the foundation to deliver a good tale. In fifth grade, the teacher held a weekly creative writing period. We constructed our own stories and created book covers, then shared with the class. I was terrible at this, constantly criticizing myself and judging my work against other students. Then in middle school, I met my would-be best friend for the next two decades. She was an artist, and together we brainstormed a graphic novel storyline. But we graduated, and life happened. I shelved the idea that I could realistically create art, and “got a real job”.
I’m going to admit this once in my career, but in 2008, during an extremely emotional divorce, a stranger at Kroger offered me Twilight. I hadn’t read a book for fun since I dropped out of college in 2006, and I thought it couldn’t hurt to try. To say it had its hooks in me is an incredible understatement. And no, I don’t know why. All the criticisms are valid, but during that initial experience, those red flags flew right by. Immediately after, I wrote a self insert vampire/werewolf urban romance the likes of Underworld and Blade.
I am pleased to say, not one sentence of that monstrosity exists, and therefore, no one can prove that it did and that this isn’t just a silly story.
Again, years went by, life continued. I read sporadically, created characters, and practiced telling stories. Then in 2018, my youngest child nearly died.
I thought I had survived trauma before, but this was next level.
My safe place was found in books. Sometimes too much, but the dissociation protected my healing mind. I’ve read almost 1,100 books since, and it wasn’t until 2023 before I read for pure enjoyment, and not to hide from my thoughts.
It was this reconnection with storytelling that sparked it. In all of my reading, it was difficult to find the varied representation I desperately wanted, especially in the horror genre. Toni Morrison said to write the book you want to read, and can’t find. So I did.
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?
At this point, I think I have a strong style and voice that is unique, or at least recognizable. Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone likes it.
My early work compared to the last year is vastly different, more matured. And this is because of Andy Spencer, a fellow author that took the time to explain self-editing to me. Instead of editing a story, he taught me to do it myself, and that advanced my craft ten fold. Writing mentors are so valuable. I also read. If I want to write a dual POV multiple timeline novel, I read other dual POV multiple timeline novels, and examine how they disperse the narrative. Writers that don’t read, especially in their genre, are doing themselves a disservice.
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?
My first story sold in late 2020, and I took an extended writing hiatus in 2022, so I feel I am still really new at this. I joined the book community as a reader, then a reviewer, so I connected with several authors within that dynamic. As I shifted to writing, I noticed writers typically talk about themselves (me included), and I miss the book discussions of reader/reviewer spaces. I suggest independent authors hold on to the joy of reading, and share other books more frequently. I personally trust a new-to-me author’s work more, if our tastes in books are similar.
As far as making it, I think that is subjective. It’s hard to not compare your career/sales to others, especially in the beginning. I only set goals against myself, not what others are doing. I wrote three times more words last year, published longer works, made a big sale. Those are equally as important to me than selling 10K copies of my trad pubbed novel that I’d only get 8% royalties on. And I’m not knocking that, I plan on still going the trad route for certain works. There are multiple ways to be successful. My best advice is to stay focused on you, better your craft, submit more, get rejected more, keep going, and just write. Trust the process.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
2023 was a big year for me.
I had my first pro-rate short story publication, my first poem published by the SFPA, started a micropress—Book Slayer Press, my first novella, THE LONGEST THIRST: A Splatterwestern released, solo edited my first anthology, had my first pro-rate editing job, and signed my first trad publishing contract.
I have a story on submission for the 8th time. She is what I feel is my best work to this point. This proves that rejections aren’t solely based on writing merit. This piece has been praised by every editor that has rejected it, but is hard to fit in with others, and although it hurts, I understand.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
My current work in progress is a non-fiction chapbook on writing while neurodivergent. I’m in talks with a press, so fingers crossed. 2024 will focus on Book Slayer Press expansion with two imprints: Dawn and Dark Willow, and our four releases, including my debut novel, 1994.
Dawn is a young readers speculative imprint publishing children’s, middle grade, and clean YA speculative stories (mature YA will remain on BSP). The first release will be a winter themed bedtime story anthology for late 2025. More on this subcall later this year.
Dark Willow is a pink horror imprint about femmes, for femmes, by femmes (those that identify femme, past or current, in the most inclusive definition). The first release will be UNDER THE PINK: Horrors Inspired by the Music of Tori Amos coming February 2025. Submission call opens March 1, and guidelines can be found at bookslayerpress.com/submissions.
Green Day Sells Out by Steve Zisson is a fast-paced, punk-as-f*ck novella about Casey and everything he will do to stop his favorite punk band from selling out, and his dead mother’s screams. Releases April 30.
Negative Creep: Stories by NIRVANA edited by Roxie Voorhees is twisted remixes of 30 NIRVANA hits. Releases June 15 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of NIRVANA.
1994 is Spike Lee’s S.O.S meets Kids(1995) set during the summer of 1994. It’s femme, it’s queer, it’s based on my high school friend group. Readers can expect a sapphic awakening, morally gray characters, and an in depth look into intimate partner violence, all while a killer battles their inner demon. Part life, part survival, part death, 1994 invites us back to the year everything changed. Releases August 13.
Misery Loves by Briar Ripley Page is pitched as psychedelic giallo and sinister witchcraft a la Dario Argento meets Kathe Koja’s BAD BRAINS/ THE CIPHER/ SKIN, with a dash of film noir. Releases November 1.
Other 2024 releases:
READER BEWARE, co-edited with Briana Morgan for DarkLit Press releases February 8.
THE PLEASURE IN PAIN: A Queer Horrotica Anthology for Dragon’s Roost Press releases in February.
“There’s No Place Like Home” in MOTHER KNOWS BEST edited by Lindy Ryan for Black Spot Books releases May 7.
KANDISHA PRESS 