[WiHM] Interview with Horror Author and HWA Mentor, Sara Tantlinger

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What is your role in the horror community?

Hello and thank you for having me! My name is Sara Tantlinger and I’m the author of 3 horror poetry collections (The Devil’s Dreamland: Poetry Inspired by H.H. Holmes took home a Bram Stoker Award a couple of years ago), a novella, a co-written novella, and I’m editing my second anthology with Strangehouse Books that will feature stories by women in horror.

I’m also a mentor for the HWA’s (Horror Writers Association) mentorship program, and I co-organize the HWA Pittsburgh Chapter.

What was the first thing you encountered that made you fall in love with horror?

I think one of my earliest encounters with horror was discovering all of the R.L. Stine books in my middle school’s library. I read every single one available, and it really opened the gates for me to go on to read Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King.

What does the horror community mean to you? 

The horror community is home. I feel so lucky to have met such incredible people at events, conferences, and online. Being able to share that love of horror, of how it can both heal and terrify, with people who understand, really creates a strong and unique bond.

What have been your favourite stories that you have written and why?

Last year, my short story “As Humans Burn Beneath Us” was featured in Field Notes From a Nightmare: An Anthology of Ecological Horror edited by Alex Ebenstein. I love the whole anthology so much. This story was one of my favorites because I told it through the viewpoint of clouds, which was a fun experimental view to play around with, but it also became a really passionate story for me because I’m such a nature lover. Eco-horror is one of the more terrifying sub-genres for me. We only have one Earth, and being able to release my own fears and sadness into that story has made it one that I’m proud of. I’ve received some thoughtful reactions from readers, too, and having your work resonate with others is always the most incredible gift writing can give you.

Who are your favourite women in horror?

There are so many cool women in horror who I admire, it’s always hard to name them all! But here are a few to get started for anyone looking to read incredible, dark stories: K.P. Kulski, Christa Carmen, Gwendolyn Kiste, Geneve Flynn, V. Castro, Hailey Piper, Lee Murray, Linda Addison, Claire C. Holland, Claire L. Smith, Red Lagoe, Michelle Renee Lane, Jessica McHugh, Sonora Taylor, R.J. Joseph, Ali Seay, Cynthia Pelayo, and Laurel Hightower. 

If you could invite one woman from horror to dinner who would you invite and why?

I’m absolutely traveling back in time to hang out with Mary Shelley. I’d obviously want to talk about writing, but I’d also be dying to hear the gossip on Lord Byron. Plus, she’s just the mother of all icons. It’d be amazing to hear her voice, her thoughts, and to see how she conducted herself day-to-day.

Women in horror have been making progress, but it’s clear that a lot of work is still needed to ensure that representation is correct and widespread . What is the importance of Women in Horror Month?

I really enjoy having a designated Women in Horror Month because it’s fun to celebrate other women creators. Lifting each other up is so important, and as I mentioned in another interview this month, we need to actively work to make sure the voices of all women are heard, and that we’re pushing to diversify positions like editors, agents, publishers and so on to include more women.

In honour of celebrating Women in Horror, who do you believe readers should keep an eye on in terms of women in horror (creatives, content creators, podcasts, movies, television shows)?

A few newer or maybe new-to-you writers who are doing amazing things that I hope people keep an eye on would be Kourtnea Hogan, Jessica Ann York, and Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito.

What do you have coming in 2022 that you can talk to us about?

This year will see the release of Chromophobia, an anthology by women in horror inspired by the theme of colors. I can’t wait to share these tales of deadly palettes with readers. It’s been my privilege to edit the anthology. I’ll also have a few short stories released throughout the year in various anthologies, and I’ll be at StokerCon in Denver this May!