KC GRIFANT

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING AN AUTHOR?

There are two parts to being an author I especially enjoy. The first is how paradoxically simple and complex the art of writing is. It’s simple in that you can do it anywhere with minimal tools, like a notebook or electronic device. Many other forms of art require teams of people (e.g., filmmaking), or specialized materials (e.g., painting). While these kinds of creation can be extremely rewarding, there is something about being along with the page that I find irresistible.

The other thing I love about being an author is connecting with readers. Nothing is quite like the feeling of a story or character hitting home and resonating with a reader.

Q: WHAT IS IT LIKE TACKLING PODCASTS, ANTHOLOGIES, MAGAZINES AND WRITING BOOKS?

It’s gratifying and exhilarating, but also an interesting challenge, especially since I work full time and have two small children. Overall, I love the variety of creative writing outputs, from connecting with other authors as part of an anthology or magazine launch, to having fascinating conversations with podcasters on topics ranging from writing to horror. I also run a “weird west” website, where I get to interview and spotlight fellow authors, which is a lot of fun. Participating in a variety of writing mediums like these helps me to stay inspired and energized. To prevent burnout, I use calendaring and basic project management systems to streamline and prioritize tasks and deadlines. Family time and protected writing time are always the top priorities.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF PODCASTS DO YOU DO?

I’ve been a guest on podcasts ranging from local ghost stories; the horror genre; short stories; books; the writing process; and more. Generally, I chat with two types of podcasts: general interest (where the audience is not necessarily focused on writing or genre fiction) and topic-specific shows. Both types of conversations are very rewarding. I love introducing an overview of horror or other topics to a broad audience, but it’s also fun to go into deeper dives with specialized podcasts about sci-fi horror, “weird westerns,” writing tips, and more.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE SCI-FI FANTASY AND HORROR WRITING GENRES?

I started creating fantastical stories pretty much as soon as I learned to write. The first stories I wrote in grade school focused on “what if” scenarios, including one about a girl who shrunk in size to pilot a paper airplane. I drafted (unpublished) novels later in grade and middle school by longhand, all with speculative twists: about a girl who accidentally created too many clones of herself, or a Body Snatchers-like alien invasion.

Growing up, I gorged on the horror works of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. I also obsessed over the X-Files and X-Men shows, to the point where I wrote quite a bit of fan fiction before that was a thing. I always liked the thrill and creativity of adventure, fantasy, horror and sci-fi tales and tried to emulate stories that had high stakes, sympathetic characters, and satisfying twist endings.

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER.

My debut horror western novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger (Brigids Gate Press, February 2023), is described as a blend of Bonnie & Clyde meet The Witcher and Supernatural. Reviewers call the book “a fun, fast-paced, monster-filled joy ride,” “genre-blending,” “a story that is fascinating and irresistible,” and a “massive crowd-pleaser.”

The book takes place in an alternate history where a fission in the Old West released a menagerie of monster species onto humanity, leading people to band together and fend against ongoing attacks. The main character is stoic sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, who, with her charismatic partner, Lance, offers their monster- exterminating services to desperate towns. They fight everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs until they accidentally release a vengeful demon that steals their friend’s soul. They must travel across treacherous lands to track a dangerous outlaw and battle deadly creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring demons descend on Earth.

Q: IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS THAT EVERY STORY MUST HAVE TO BE GOOD?

One of the most critical elements in a good story is what I think of as intrigue. Whether it’s through plot or character (ideally both), there needs to be a hint of a tantalizing mystery or question that make you wonder how on earth a character will deal with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, or how a situation can possibly resolve. This intrigue is what makes a story unique and creative; it is what the storyteller evokes when they push beyond stereotypical writing. Without intrigue, you bore the audience, which is one of the worse crimes in movies or books.

However, it’s not enough to only introduce intrigue; the story has to live up to its promise. This is usually done through two other critical elements: solid plot and a compelling character. Both don’t need to be complex. For example, there are lots of fascinating sci-fi books that feature cardboard-cutout characters, but they rise to the level of a good story because the plot and concept are so fascinating. Conversely, there are plenty of groundbreaking books with minimal plot whose complex, wellrounded characters make the story a joy. But in all these cases, that creative intrigue introduced through plot and/or character makes the tale worth the audience’s time.

About Ks Grifant

KC Grifant is a Southern Californian author who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories for podcasts, anthologies and magazines. Her writings have appeared in Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Siren's Call Publications and many others. She’s also contributed to dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Musings of the Muse; Dancing in the Shadows - A Tribute to Anne Rice; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away - Women of Horror Vol 3; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear Year 1; Shadowy Natures - Tales of Psychological Horror; Beyond the Infinite - Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror. A member of SFWA and a cofounder of the San Diego HWA chapter, she enjoys chasing a wild toddler and wandering through beachside carnivals. For details, visit www.KCGrifant.com or @kcgrifant on social.

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