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 KC Grifant!
KC Grifant writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories. Dozens of her short stories have appeared in podcasts, magazines and Stoker-nominated anthologies. Her debut weird western novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger (Brigids Gate Press, Feb 2023), described as a blend of Bonnie & Clyde meet The Witcher and Supernatural, has received positive reviews internationally. She is the co-chair and founder of the San Diego Horror Writers Association, and member of numerous writing organizations, including the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.Learn more at www.KCGrifant.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?
As soon I learned to write, I created stories. The earliest tale I wrote was about a girl who shrunk down in size to soar on a paper plane in third grade. As a kid, I loved adventure and fantasy stories, as well as science fiction and horror—pretty much anything that was out of the ordinary and an escape from everyday life. I wrote and read sci-fi, horror and fantasy tales in middle school and high school featuring everything from an army of clones to X-Files and X-Men fan fiction. As a teenager, I gravitated to the works of Margaret Atwood, Herman Hesse, William Gibson, Toni Morrison, R.L. Stine, Octavia Butler, L.J. Smith, and Philip K. Dick for their distinct styles. I was inspired by them to find ways to incorporate lyrical language, fantastical world-building, intriguing character development and thought-provoking themes and plots into my stories.
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?
World-building is one of my strengths – for example, in my supernatural western tales I showcase a menagerie of unique monsters and creatures as well as diverse characters with rich histories. I’ve also created an expansive world in this alternate historic timeline with potential for spinoffs. As far as improvement, I am interested in trying new genres and experimental approaches. To go about this, I read short stories outside of my comfort zone to find inspiration for future stories.
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?
It’s both harder and easier to make it as an indie author. On one hand, there is a huge number of resources for self-publishing, so there are more avenues than ever to get your book out there. However, doing it well takes resources (e.g., making an investment to make sure your editing/cover/etc. are high quality). On the other hand, recent advances in AI technologies have resulted in the marketplace and submission calls being flooded with low-quality, derivative and plagiarizing work. This adds to the “noise” of publishing and can overwhelm readers.
On the upside, the horror indie community is generally very supportive of emerging authors, and social technologies has made it easier to connect with fellow authors.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
My debut horror fantasy western novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger came out from Brigids Gate Press in Feb 2023. I describe it as “The Witcher meetings Bonnie and Clyde” in a re-imagined Old West full of monsters, diverse characters and fast-paced adventure. Readers and reviewers call the book “a fun, fast-paced, monster-filled joy ride,” “genre-blending,” “fascinating and irresistible,” and a “massive crowd-pleaser.”
The main character is stoic sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, who, with her charismatic partner, Lance, offers their monster-exterminating services to desperate towns in the Old West. They fight everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs until they accidentally release a vengeful demon that steals their friend’s soul. They must travel across treacherous lands to track a dangerous outlaw and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring demons descend on Earth.
In 2023, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger ranked #1 in Amazon New Releases for Western Horrors, and ranked in the top 100 bestsellers in dark fantasy releases and new horror releases. In addition, I regularly publish speculative short stories in international outlets, including podcasts, magazines and anthologies.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
I’m excited that the second book featuring Melinda West and this weird western world will be coming out in May 2025. This one will feature more urgent stakes, scarier monsters, and hopefully some twists and turns that will leave readers wanting more. I also have a collection of cosmic and weird horror stories that will be coming out in the future. Readers can stay updated at www.KCGrifant.com or by connecting with me on the major social media platforms @kcgrifant.
Thank you for the interview!
KANDISHA PRESS 
This is why I love reading these. I didn’t know you had supernatural western tales. I need to check this out. 🧡
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