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 Sarah Farr!
Sarah Farr (she, her) is a horror writer from London. She has always been fascinated by anything out of the ordinary. Her debut novella, Enter the Darkness is out now from Brigid’s Gate Press. Her work has appeared in over twenty magazines and anthologies including Cemetery Gate’s Media, NoSleep Podcast and Tales to Terrify.
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?
This is a hard question! I think my biggest strength when it comes to writing is perseverance. Another strength is my love for literature, these two things keep me going when it feels like I’m constantly getting rejections for my tales.
I’m a voracious reader and often get told off by my family for reading too much but I really think it helps me learn as a writer, I read from a huge range of genres, non-fiction included as long as its dark!
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community?
In some ways it’s very easy to be published these days but it also makes it much harder to be noticed. I feel like I’m often screaming into the void on social media. It’s very easy to feel invisible.
However, I do think if a writer does possess that x factor when it comes to writing they will be noticed. Social media, although very intimidating and difficult to navigate, does often help writers gain traction. I think this is particularly evident with Eric LaRocca with his debut, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, there was such an explosion of excitement around his novella and now he’s a huge star! Congratulations Eric!
What I really like about today’s industry is that there are lots of indie publishers who are keen to publish tales by groups of people who have never really been given a voice by big publishers. I love how there is so much variety these days the back log on my kindle is huge!
Within the book community I’ve made some really amazing friends who have been really supportive and encouraging as writing is a lonely job but with the downfall of Twitter, I’ve spent more time in my writing cave. I’ve moved to BlueSky, but it feels like starting all over again and I simply don’t have the time for it when I could be writing or reading incredible books.
Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
I guess it depends on how you measure success. I think the days of making lots of money through writing have long since disappeared but it’s possible to carve out a little niche for yourself and build up a loyal fanbase.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
The first short story I ever wrote back in 2006 won a prize and I was so thrilled. I’d written as a child but winning that prize as an adult made me question whether I should seriously pursue my writing, of course life got in the way, and it wasn’t until many years later that I had the time to devote myself to writing.
I write both short stories and longer tales. I like how both forms are really different, and I like to switch back and forth between the two styles, so I never feel bored. Writing novellas is a very long process for me so sometimes I like to take a break and have fun writing shorter tales.
Everything I have written I’m really proud of, they’re like my little babies going out into the world but once I’ve finished a story I’m already focusing on the next.
Having my first novella, Enter the Darkness, published by Brigid’s Gate Press was a huge achievement for me, as it takes me so long to write anything! I loved the entire process of working with editors and a cover artist. Heather and Steve, who own Brigid’s Gate Press, are super lovely to work with.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
I’ve been really busy this past year with writing short stories, it only occurred to me a few months ago that I have enough to submit two short story collections in the near future which is really exciting.
I have finished writing two novellas, Dolly, about a witch trying to just live in peace but also unable to control her temper and a non-horror novella, called Sh*t Life Syndrome, an uncoming of age tale which I’ve submitted to a few places, and now I just wait with fingers crossed.
The biggest problem I face as a writer is not a shortage of ideas but simply not enough hours in the day!
KANDISHA PRESS 
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