Women in Horror Month – Interview with Beth Gwinn

February is Women in Horror Month! The HWA is celebrating by posting interviews with award-winning authors. Following is an interview with Beth Gwinn, who won the Bram Stoker Award in 2001 for Dark Dreamers: Facing the Masters of Fear.

Tell us a little about your Bram Stoker Award-winning work(s). Inspirations? Influences? Anecdotes about the writing or critical reaction?

BG: At the time of creating the book, it took over 10 years to have produced. Being the photographer for Locus helped me to be taken seriously.

Talk about winning the award – how surprised were you? Did winning pay off in any interesting ways?

BG: I was very surprised to win the Stoker. Creating the book was a long journey. So I was very thankful to receive the award as recognition for the book. It did pay off in some ways.

Do you think women in horror face more difficulties than their male peers?

BG: Yes I do. I think as a person of color you also have more difficulties. When I produced this book there was one person of color. That I could find. So yes, I think the good ole’ Boy system is still here. I think now it is much easier than it was.

What advice would you give to new female authors looking to break into horror?

BG: Keep after it. Keep producing work. It is your art that propels you forward. Keep writing or photographing.

What new works from you can we look forward to in the future?

BG: I think my time in Horror is over. I am looking for to doing a project on SF now. Times have changed quite a bit since I did “Dark Dreamers”. So I am not sure if I can do another book. I would like too.