Can you tell us a couple of lines about yourself?
Based in Washington, I’m a freelance writer and member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA). I’m also a Social Media Assistant for the HWA & Co-Chair of the HWA Seattle Chapter. I’m an avid coffee drinker and I like to spend my free time boxing and sewing.
How long have you been in horror? How do you see your evolution as a creator?
While I’ve loved reading in the horror genre and enjoyed scary movies, it wasn’t until the end of 2020 that I started submitting my work for publication. In the past 3 years I’ve really grown as a horror writer. I participated in the Mentor Program in the HWA and have had over 90 pieces published (some are non-horror). I also have my debut horror poetry book coming out early August 2023. Which is just the most amazing feeling.
What’s the greatest lesson you have learned along the way?
Not to be afraid to redo written pieces. You can pick something you’ve deemed “finished” and pull it apart and rearrange it whenever you want and just play out all the different options that come to mind.
Tell us about your most recent work, can you give us some insight?
My upcoming book, “Fashion Trends, Deadly Ends,” is probably the most recent finished work. It’ll be released August 8th, 2023. It’s around 60 poems all inspired by deadly historical fashion trends.
Whose string do you think it will pull?
I’m not sure. I assume there will people that don’t believe the historical aspects of the book, but I did push the publisher to include bits of my research so that readers can understand what inspired each section of the book.
How did you come up with the idea for your first creation?
I’m not sure what my first creation was, but for my first horror poetry book – my idea came from my love of learning about historical fashion and diving more into body horror. From fabrics that easily catch on fire to ones that were made with poisonous dyes, there’s a lot of horrifying instances that inspired my poetry collection.
What kind of horror do you think your work falls into?
I would say that a majority falls into body horror.
Which is a scene from a horror movie or book that has terrified you?
Okay not a movie or book, but a show. In an episode of Supernatural there was a bunch of witches and the one woman started to cough up sewing pins. As someone who’s had a lot of nightmares about moving mannequins, sewing through my fingers, and whatnot, that definitely got under my skin. When you’re alone at night in a sewing lab, working on no sleep, there are definitely nightmare inducing thoughts that occur and after that scene I was a little more paranoid about storing my sewing items.
What’s the best and the worst about being a creator?
Best part is just creating all these different worlds and stories. I love when others enjoy them. I would say the worst is sometimes it feels like it can difficult to make something new and completely original.
What would be your advice for people who want to jump into this world?
Dive right in!
Who’s your biggest supporter?
I have a really supportive trio – my husband, my best friend Marie, and my mom (who is totally okay with me killing off the mom in everything, it’s a running joke between us). My best friend Marie and husband come to all my book signings in WA. All three let me chat with them when I get stuck with a scene or if need a second opinion on what to cut or make cover choices.
If you started over your career in this industry, would you do it differently?
I would have started earlier but that’s about it. I’ve loved my journey further into horror writing. I can’t wait to see what happens in the future.
What is one thing you regret during your experience in the horror community?
I feel like I tiptoed into the horror community, slowing easing my way into writing groups and whatnot. I wish I had just jumped right in early on.
How do you think horror is evolving?
While I’m fairly new to the horror genre as a writer, as a reader I feel that it has become a lot more inclusive. I am loving the wide variety of leads in stories, especially when it comes to more LGBTQ+ characters that are well written and not just placed in the background. I do think that the horror genre will continue to evolve, especially as more and more writing voices get published.
What’s the last horror movie that surprised you liked?
I was surprised that I liked “Wally’s Wonderland.” It was weird, gory, and Nicolas Cage never spoke, but man is that tune catchy and I make my friends watch it if they’ve never seen it.
What are your next projects?
Horror wise, my poetry collection “Fashion Trends, Deadly Ends,” will be released in August 2023 with Green Avenue Books. I also have a few poems and short stories being released in different anthologies during 2023.
If your last work was a song, which one would be?
Let’s go with Granite by Sleep Token.
What piece of your work are you more proud of?
Outside of my upcoming book, I’m the proudest of my short story, “Beneath the Kaleidoscope Abelias,” that’ll be in revenge themed anthology, “Dark Town,” from D&T Publishing. It is a charity anthology with all of the proceeds going to the families of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting.
Where can the audience find you?
You can find my work at https://malotkewrites.com and you can find me on Slasher & Instagram with the handle @BriannaMalotke.
