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 Brooke MacKenzie!
Brooke MacKenzie is the author of the short fiction collection GHOST GAMES, which Kirkus Reviews called, “[a]n indelible batch of nightmarish tales,” as well as the horror poetry collection, THE SCARY ABECEDARY. Her short fiction and poetry have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including LITERALLY DEAD by Alienhead Press, and MOTHER KNOWS BEST by Black Spot Books. Two of her stories have been produced as podcast episodes by Night’s End Podcast. She grew up in a haunted house, and so there is nothing she loves more than a good ghost story. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter, and is represented by Jennifer Lyons of the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. For more about Brooke, visit http://www.bamackenzie.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mackbrookepro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.mccaffrey/
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 I am good at descriptions, using unexpected imagery, and building suspense. I need a lot of work on writing dialogue! I am constantly trying to improve my writing, and I see every piece I write as a steppingstone in honing my skills. I am fortunate to have wonderful folks who are willing to be beta readers and provide feedback, and I try to seek out workshops and learning opportunities as often as I can. The Horror Writers Association Horror University has wonderful classes, and I highly recommend them! In addition, one of the best ways to improve as a writer is to read, read, and read some more. And then write, write, and write some more. I try to write daily, even if I’m just jotting down my feelings in my journal for just a few minutes, to keep my brain and fingers sharp.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community?
This question is a tricky one! For one thing, I find the book “industry” and book “community” to be quite different. The industry is, of course, a business that is set up to make money. My agent (the amazing Jennifer Lyons) is currently shopping my debut YA horror novel, and it is a grueling and slow process (not to mention painful…). I think the editors and publishers at the “Big Five” (namely, Penguin Random House, MacMillan, Simon and Schuster, Union Square/Hachette, and HarperCollins) are under a lot of pressure to acquire books that will generate guaranteed sales. I also think that the current political landscape has engendered a sense of uncertainty and instability for publishing in terms of taking risks with acquisitions (for instance, it will be interesting to see what ends up happening with tariffs, as this will have a direct impact on printing costs, which will impact distribution, etc.). That said, I think right now is a truly exciting time for the independent press. Indie presses can take more risks in their acquisitions and showcase new and interesting voices. Plus, having had both of my books published by an independent press, I can say that indie presses provide a highly personalized and friendly experience for the author. And some indie presses are absolutely crushing it with their sales! CLASH Books comes to mind as a publisher who is putting extraordinary books out there—some of which had been rejected by the Big Five—and having a great deal of success.
As far as the book community goes, I think, in general, that folks are reading more now than ever. Everyone needs a break from doomscrolling, and I think readers find actual books (be they paper, audio, or e-readers) to be comforting. In addition, because of social media—in particular, BookTok and bookstagram posts—readers have so many ways of connecting and talking about the books that they love. I was attending a panel recently in which one of the agents said that horror is more popular now than it ever has been, and I certainly believe it! I live in Brooklyn and am constantly going to readings and book events, and they are always packed.
As an author, I have found the horror community to be extremely welcoming and tight knit. I am a relative newcomer to this community, as I didn’t have my first horror piece published until 2019 and didn’t attend my first StokerCon until 2024, but I’ve made so many wonderful friends that have been lovely and supportive. Even incredibly successful authors are humble and disarming. Jonathan Maberry recently said that the horror genre is “understaffed” and needs new writers to experience success, because “a rising tide lifts all boats.” He will give out his personal contact information to authors in need of help or support, which is remarkable, considering how busy he is and how many times he’s been on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
[To clarify: when I say, “independent author” I mean “an author who has been published by an independent press,” and not self-published. I am utterly clueless about the world of self-publishing!]
I think it is definitely easier! I do truly believe that we are in the era of the indie press/author, especially for horror. There are so many fantastic indie presses out there right now, and I know that my publisher, for example, has been experiencing a lot of growth at the moment. Having said that, I think all authors must do a lot of the heavy lifting these days in terms of book promotion, getting into stores for readings, and connecting with readers. This is true of both the indie authors I know and the ones who have been published by the Big Five. I work closely with a publicist (Louise Crawford of Brooklyn Social Media), which I pay for out of my own pocket, to promote my books and help with my social media strategy. She is worth her weight in gold! I think a lot of authors—me included—find the publicity and promotion aspect of being a writer difficult. I suffer from horrible imposter syndrome, so promoting my work can feel a little uncomfortable and vulnerable.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
Short fiction and poetry are my true loves, but I am so excited to have found my niche as a YA writer as well! I would say, in general, that my writing tends to lean in the direction of cozy, quiet, and folk horror. I grew up in a haunted house and have had many experiences with ghosts, and my love of the paranormal is reflected in my writing. My short fiction collection, GHOST GAMES, is all about the paranormal. However, recently I have had fun experimenting with body horror, and I am currently working on a Mothman erotica piece, which is a rather extreme departure for me. In addition, I am getting ready to formally pitch a new poetry collection, and I surprised myself with how grisly it turned out to be!
In terms of the story that I am most proud of…as I said previously, I think of every story I write as a steppingstone to becoming a better writer. Plus, my Muse gets mad at me and won’t send me new ideas if I try to pick a favorite! That said, I think my story, “The Tired Mom Smoothie” from the anthology MOTHER KNOWS BEST (which was edited by the remarkable Lindy Ryan, and the anthology is nominated for a Bram Stoker Award!) was one of the more emotionally cathartic stories I’ve written recently. When I wrote it, I was struggling to find my footing as the mother of a toddler and living in Northern California where I didn’t have the kind of writing support network that I do here in Brooklyn. Even though we’ve come a long way as a society, I do think there is a lot of pressure on mothers/primary parents/primary caregivers, and while parenting is absolutely wonderful, I think it is still somewhat taboo to write about how difficult and painful it can be.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
My YA novel, THE TREE SINGER, is currently in submission (please send any good juju you can spare my way!). I just completed a poetry collection about murderous women that is almost ready to pitch, I have some short pieces out for submission, and I’m working on some new ones (including the aforementioned Mothman erotica). I have had a YA trilogy simmering in the back of my mind for several years, and my goal is to have a preliminary pitch ready for my agent in May. I am anticipating a busy spring and summer of writing, and I can’t wait! I am also hoping to get out there and read my work (even though it’s scary and makes me want to pull the covers over my head), and my agent has asked me to do a reading in May. I will be attending StokerCon in June and continuing to attend as many book events as possible.
For what it’s worth, I didn’t publish my first book until the age of 42, or sign with an agent until the age of 44. It is never too late to follow your dreams. I can’t tell you how often I hear friends and family members talk about wanting to write a book one day. Each and every one of us has a wonderful and worthy story to tell. I encourage you to tell it!
KANDISHA PRESS 
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