Carmilla Voiez

G'day and welcome. So sorry I am running late, I was running. Literally. These things you do. Yes please sit down and get comfortable. Everyone keeps complaining about the chair, but you know, work with what you have. I am so excited to have you here. Ok, lets go.

From where do you hail? And what is your modus operandi with the blood soaked pen?

I was born in Bristol in the South West of England, the city of Massive Attack, John Wesley, Banksy and political protests. This probably explains why caring about social justice issues is second nature – it’s in my blood. Now, I live in North-East Scotland in a quiet and beautiful part of the world.

I write in various horror genres, from magic-filled dark-fantasy, and psychological through to slashers. I suspect what distinguishes my work most is that I write first and foremost about women, and I write sympathetic antagonists (or villains). I adore a complicated and compelling baddie.

A mother isn’t meant to have favourites, but tell me, what is your favourite story that you have written? And why? Just so all those other stories know.

Even through it was written almost a decade ago, I think Psychonaut (book two of the Starblood series) remains my favourite. It strays further into fantasy than the others and is about a journey (or rather journeys) of redemption and so follows a more traditional story structure.

If there was one thing you could change, improve about your writing or writing process, what would it be? More coffee and less cake are not acceptable answers.

I struggle with endings. I have a tendency to leave the ending more open than some readers are comfortable with, but I am working on that. In a way, my problem with endings might explain how a self-contained novel “Starblood” became a five-book series.

All of our characters have elements of ourselves woven into them. Which poor character is most like you?

Star (again from the Starblood series). Since leaving a failed marriage I have spent many years trying to figure out who I am and what I really want. This process has bled into Star’s story arc.

Imagine I am filthy successful agent (I did say imagine) we are stepping into an elevator. Hit me with your top three elevator pitches for three pieces of your work.

While attempting to win back his girlfriend, Star, Satori accidentally summons Lilith, Mother of Demons to Earth. The dark mother seduces Star, and Satori’s new quest is to save his beloved, but can he win her back as well? http://smarturl.it/Starblood (This book is also available as a graphic novel http://smarturl.it/sgnebook)

Crow returns to a childhood home plagued with ghosts from a violent past. How will Crow survive the onslaught, let alone learn to forgive their mother? http://smarturl.it/Ballerina

When Mary and her family move into an inherited cottage to escape the threat of homelessness, they are met with talking roses, wandering ghosts and hate-filled neighbours. Uncovering the secrets which explain the supernatural anger might be the key to the family’s survival, but will they be torn apart in the process? “Our Fearful Roots”

Faith Marlow and Carmilla Voiez, and we are looking for an agent for this one.

What is the greatest challenge to women succeeding in horror?

I am certain that the secret to any writer’s success is exposure. There are elements in every community, and I don’t believe horror is any different, which are reactionary. Hierarchical, and protect the privilege of those already at the top. Women have been traditionally told to shut up or remove themselves from public spaces, which is why things like Women in Horror Month matter.

You have a choice of five people to invite to dinner. Any five in life or beyond? Ok, make that four because it is a given you will invite yours truly. Four friends plus me to your dinner party. Who are they?

Can we just chat online? I’m awful at dinner parties. I’m guessing you’d prefer known names, so I won’t say Gladys down the street (partly because she doesn’t exist). I would have loved the opportunity to socialise with Storm Constantine, but sadly she died very recently. It’s the same with the Scottish author and political activist Iain Banks, except he died some time ago. I’ll choose Adam Nevill, Faith Marlow, Robert Newman (comedian and author), and Mary Roach.

How do you determine success for yourself?

That’s difficult. I have small ambitions. Finishing a project, that feels like a success, as does hearing from a reader that you made them feel less alone. Engaging others in conversations that stimulate both parties, particularly at conventions or online events; writing the perfect sentence; getting a good review, or being mentioned in a magazine, all of these things I count as successes.

What inspires you? No, don’t look at me.

I am inspired by the desire to live as authentic a life as I can. I have come to terms with the fact that I am different from most people. I want to live my life in my own way without following the crowd: help those who need it, learn from those with wisdom to share, and grow into a stronger and more authentic, truthful (in all senses of the word) person. Writing is a big part of that. I write stories to find the answers to questions by looking at the problem from every imaginable angle. Characters are great for this, because you must imagine how a person very different from yourself would think, feel, and what beliefs they hold dear.

Tell us, why should we read your work? Don’t say because it is better than mine.

I would never say that. Instead I’ll say don’t read my work if you’re offended by LGBTQIA+ issues or gender issues. If you use Social Justice Warrior as a term of contempt, you’ll be seething by page three of my books.

Maybe the best reason to read my stories is to engage with the ideas of people different from yourself, or to be terrified. I do enjoy frightening readers. If you enjoy character driven stories, my work is for you. If you’re frustrated by the limits the modern world puts upon us, my work is for you. If you enjoy sensory descriptions that draw you into a fictional world, then my work is for you.

Help me stalk Carmilla click a link

Facebook – facebook.com/Author.Carmilla.Voiez

Twitter – @carmillavoiez

Instagram – @carmillavoiez

Website – www.carmillavoiez.com (includes my blog)

Starblood links (books 1 – 4)

Starblood – http://smarturl.it/Starblood

Psychonaut – http://smarturl.it/psychonautvoiez

Black Sun – http://smarturl.it/blacksun

Ribbons – http://smarturl.it/ribbonsstarblood

Starblood graphic novels (books 1 and 2)

Starblood graphic novel – http://smarturl.it/sgnebook

Psychonaut graphic novel – http://smarturl.it/psychonaut

The Ballerina and the Revolutionary – http://smarturl.it/Ballerina

Broken Mirror and Other Morbid Tales – http://smarturl.it/BrokenMirrorShorts

The Erotic Tales of Carmilla Voiez – http://smarturl.it/TheEroticTales

The Venus Virus – http://smarturl.it/TheVenusVirus

Slice Girls – http://smarturl.it/slicegirls