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 Chloe DeVos!
Chloe DeVos (she/her) is an emerging and mostly unpublished wordsmith. Some of her poetry has been published in local journals, Dahlia Zine and Bluebird by the Missouri Birding Society. Beyond the realm of writing, Chloe finds solace in the strokes of drawing, the pages of manga, leisurely strolls, and delving into the annals of history. You can catch glimpses of her musings on Twitter via @WomanDust, on Instagram under @svengoolienewmar, and on her WordPress blog at https://digitalcommonplacebookblog.wordpress.com/.
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?
I think my strengths are my descriptions. I began writing poetry, so maybe it comes from that, but that’s how most of my stories start—immersing the reader in another world. That’s especially important in fantasy, where I’m introducing you to a completely new world. However, I do feel like I can be long-winded. Sometimes I make my characters talk too much, and I look back and think, “Wow. Would I listen to this person in real life, or tune them out?” But if it’s fitting for the character, I leave it in.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community?
I don’t have much experience with publishing, but it seems that whenever there’s a new, book, word spreads faster than ever. Thanks to social media, you can find anything from a self-published romance novel to the new young adult book your niece won’t stop talking about. The only drawback to this is that some stories will inevitably be favored over others, and emerging, independent authors have to work twice as hard to be noticed. I like any community that revolves around books and writing, though, and the book community is welcoming yet tight-knit—as we should be.
Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
Well, this isn’t my job, but it’s a hobby. However, for those trying to make money from it, it could be tricky—but only because there are so many writers. So many stories, begging to be told. And then there is the looming threat of A.I. and creative jobs being taken. One should never write for money; passion should always be the driving force.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
Well, I like most of my stories for different reasons, but my best ones are probably “The Lovely Parasite” and “The Elf and the Boy.” These are completely different, but they are both fantasy short stories involving a female fantasy creature who feels “othered”—and her attempts to connect with humanity aren’t accepted at first. But technically, they are good stories, because I saw them so clearly in my mind. I also write poetry, and the poems that got me published were also my favorite. “Tired Hearts” was about people rushing about their lives, and how no one knows what goes on in complete strangers’ minds. I feel I captured that essence.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
Currently, I am writing poetry. I also recently wrote two short stories combining Palaestra, the Greek goddess of wrestling, with professional wrestling (an interest of mine). I have two other stories about Ticualtzincoatl, one during the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire, and one where modern-day cryptid hunters stumble across her cave. I write for fun, but I submit poetry and short stories every now and then. If something comes of it, I’m happy, but if not, I’m still happy and will always be writing something.
KANDISHA PRESS 
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