Do you write in any other genre?

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I write sci-fi as well. Not necessarily “hard” sci-fi or anything like that, but I like near future stuff, post-apocalypse, AI, alien encounters, time travel, etc. There’s usually always a horror-like twist, though. I think the genres mix very well. I’m also working on a couple of Western stories, but, again, there’s usually always a horror twist.

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What genres do you read? Is it all horror or have you eclectic tastes?

I like to read a variety of things. Lots of horror of course, but I like sci fi as well. Michael Crichton was a huge influence for me. I’m a big fan of Andy Weir, Blake Crouch, the Expanse Series. And thrillers–the sort of modern suburban mystery type stuff. Ruth Ware is one of my favourites. 
And I like a lot of non-fiction: World War 2, anthropology, space/cosmos. I don’t read as much as I’d like to, unfortunately.   
 
How much do you value reading the work of other authors?

It’s incredibly valuable. It’s so crucial to expose yourself to other voices and styles. Short story anthologies are great for that because you can get a ton of different voices in just a few sittings. It really forces you to look at your own work and think—how can I make this stand out…how can I make this more “me”?   

Does reading other people’s work affect the way you write?

Not necessarily their work, but more seeing how they approach the process or how they struggle with it.

I follow a lot of authors on Twitter, and I obviously can’t read everything they all publish, so it’s more just seeing their work ethic and their successes that helps fuel me.

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What are your favourite and/or least favourite tropes?

I can’t really say there’s any I HATE. I’ll like pretty much anything as long as it’s well-written.  

I LOVE twist endings… I’m a huge sucker for them, especially in short fiction.         
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Which authors inspire you? 

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My biggest inspiration, by far, is Richard Matheson. I think “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” is the greatest piece of horror fiction next to Frankenstein (which is obviously untouchable). Matheson was an absolute master, and he could jump so effortlessly between horror, sci-fi and western. His short stories especially are just incredible.

Stephen King, obviously, has also been a huge inspiration. I can’t imagine there’s any horror writer who wouldn’t say that. Michael Crichton as well. And Brian Keene. Especially for his work ethic and what he’s contributed to the genre as a whole, especially on the small press/independent publishing side. He really is a writer’s writer.

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