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 Wendy Dalrymple!
Wendy Dalrymple loves to explore the beauty in horrific things. When she’s not writing femme-focused body and psychological horror, you can find her hiking with her family, painting (bad) wall art, and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible. Follow her at Instagram and TikTok @wendydalrymplewrites.
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 been a voracious reader since the 2nd grade when I tore through all of The Baby Sitters Club series, followed by Fear Street, then Christopher Pike books. By the time I was in 3rd or 4th grade I was seeking out the biggest, scariest adult books I could find at the library and knew that I wanted to tell my own stories someday. I even asked for an electric typewriter (circa 1992ish) for Christmas one year and my wonderful parents got it for me. Words and stories have always been important to me!
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?
One of the things I constantly hear from readers is that my stories are FUN. This may sound strange for a horror writer, but “fun” is something I look for in books I read, and I do believe that telling fun stories is my strong suit. I prefer to write short (short stories and novellas) so writing longer length stories is what I need to improve on now. Whenever I need help with technical aspects of writing I always look to the masters and other authors I admire. I read their work, and if possible, take their online courses.
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 it’s hard out there in publishing for everyone in general, but I’m hopeful. Twenty years ago when I was a college student dreaming of seeing my book in a brick and mortar store someday, I never thought I would be published. The fact that self-publishing and small presses exist make it possible for me to live my dream. I also have my expectations set realistically in terms of sales, so making tons of money isn’t my end goal. I’m just happy to be able to share my art.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
My horror stories are all femme-centered and mostly set in my home state of Florida. I often use “pink horror” or “Florida gothic” to help convey the particular sub-genre I’m writing so I can set an expectation for my readers. I’m proud of all of my work but my upcoming novella PAGEANT coming later this year from DarkLit Press is perhaps my favorite. This story has my whole heart and is something I wrote for the little girl with the typewriter all those years ago.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
My horror novella PAGEANT will be released later this year from DarkLit Press, and next year my novel CREDENZA, a modern gothic horror, will be released from Quill & Crow. I also have two other as-yet announced projects for next year in the pipeline and am working on some short stories for calls. I have about four or five story ideas in the tank to work on over the next few years and have no intention of stopping. Writing and reading bring me such joy and I’m going to do it for as long as I’m able.
KANDISHA PRESS 