Know a Nominee, Part 17: Joe Mynhardt

Welcome back to “Know a Nominee,” the interview series that puts you squarely between the ears of this year’s Bram Stoker Award nominees. Today’s update features Joe Mynhardt, nominated in the category of Superior Achievement in Non-fiction, along with co-editor Emma Audsley, for Horror 101: The Way Forward. 

DM: Please describe the genesis for the idea that eventually became the work(s) for which you’ve been nominated. What attracted you most to the project? If nominated in multiple categories, please touch briefly on each.

JM: Horror 101: The Way Forward was supposed to be a very small document with a bit of On Writing advice. Instead of young authors searching the web for information, I wanted to put some of the best advice together in this book, especially all the options available to authors, from newbies to mid-listers looking for something new. The plan was to give it away every time someone joined the Crystal Lake Publishing mailing list. As time went by and interest from authors increased, the small document turned into an eBook, which just got bigger and bigger.

During all this I met some very cool authors, who then recommended other cool people. It just snowballed from there, eventually including the likes of Ramsey Campbell, Jack Ketchum, Graham Masterton, Edward Lee, Steve Rasnic Tem, Rocky Wood, and Lisa Morton. Since the main idea behind this book was to help and give guidance (not to make money), the eBook sells for only 99c. However, a few weeks after the eBook release, readers ‘demanded’ a paperback so they could take notes and use the book in their writing workshops. We got permission from 95% of the authors and added a few more names (Kevin Lucia, Adam Nevill, and Charles Day) and released it as a special edition paperback two months later.

DM: What was the most challenging part of bringing the concept(s) to fruition? The most rewarding aspect of the process?

JM: One of the biggest challenges was organizing and keeping track of everything, since there are over sixty authors involved in this book. It became so much work towards the end that I had to bring in another editor, Emma Audsley. Otherwise I probably would’ve had a nervous breakdown.

But the biggest challenge of all was the layout. It’s because of this book that I no longer do layouts myself. I’d rather hire a professional now and carry on with the next project.

The most rewarding aspect has got to be the attention it brought myself and Crystal Lake Publishing. As a small press in only their 2nd year of operations, there was nothing better than authors I admired as a young reader contacting me. I ended up reaching out to some pretty big names, and only a very small number of them said no (still taking the time and effort to reply and wish us luck) due to deadlines.

It was through this book that I truly realized how close-knit the horror community is. This fact is mentioned in the book several times, but it was only then that the message really took hold.

DM: What do you think good horror/dark literature should achieve? How do you feel the work(s) for which you’ve been nominated work fits into (or help give shape to) that ideal?

JM: For me, it needs to be a combination of several things:

• Entertain – creeping us out so bad we want to start laughing, and then recommending it to friends.
• Share a piece of the author’s soul – be honest, be yourself, comment on human behavior from your perspective or world view, all while pushing yourself to write the best book possible.
• Give guidance or an escape to readers – be informative, interesting, original, and guide the reader into a world away from their own. Imaginary nightmares, no matter how terrible, can never come close to the real life terrors (even the small ones like monotony) we’re all experiencing.

I can gladly say that Horror 101: The Way Forward covers all these aspects. It’s funny, informative, guides careers, reveals dozens of opportunities in the writing world, scares some authors straight with brutal honesty, and reveals a lot about the personal lives of our favorite authors. This book is a true reflection of a writer’s life, with all the ups and downs, hardships and successes, and oh so many sacrifices.

DM: I’m curious about your writing and/or editing process. Is there a certain setting or set of circumstances that help to move things along? If you find yourself getting stuck, where and why?

JM: I just keep changing my routine. Structure is great, but keep it in check. Productivity is the goal, but it’ll quickly drop if your routine becomes tedious.

DM: As you probably know, many of our readers are writers and/or editors. What is the most valuable piece of advice you can share?

JM: Keep nurturing your body and mind. No matter how hectic your schedule, make time to read fiction and non-fiction, in more than one genre.

And take care of your body, it’s the only one you have. Just because something isn’t bothering you now, doesn’t mean it isn’t deteriorating. Since being an author is a life-long venture, and the longer we write the better we become, so take the time to make sure you live as long as possible as comfortable as possible.

DM: If you’re attending WHC this year, what are you most looking forward to at this year’s event? If not attending, what do you think is the significance of recognitions like the Bram Stoker Awards?

JM: Unfortunately I won’t be attending. Living in South Africa has its drawbacks. The significance of the awards? Being acknowledged by your peers for making a contribution to the genre. Plain and simple.

DM: What scares you most? Why? How (if at all) does that figure into your work or the projects you’re attracted to?

JM: Not being prepared when an opportunity comes knocking. That’s why Horror 101: The Way Forward covers everything from writing short stories to comics and movies. Horror 201: The Silver Scream will be an in-depth look at screenwriting and making movies.

You never know, right?

Life is full of surprises, and the more you prepare for them, the good and bad ones, the better off you’ll be. And by learning more about a certain aspect, the more you’ll meet people already involved in field, hence improving your chances of ever getting involved.

DM: What are you reading for pleasure lately? Can you point us to new authors or works we ought to know about?

JM: Four authors who have no problem blowing my mind are Jasper Bark, Kevin Lucia, Rena Mason, and Jonathan Winn. Trust me, keep an eye on them.

About Joe Mynhardt

Joe Mynhardt is a South African horror writer, publisher, editor and teacher.

Joe is the owner of Crystal Lake Publishing, which he started in August, 2012. He has published and edited short stories, novellas and essays by the likes of Ray Bradbury, Ramsey Campbell, Jack Ketchum, Graham Masterton, Adam Nevill, Lisa Morton, Elizabeth Massie, Joe McKinney, Edward Lee, Wes Craven, John Carpenter, Tom Holland, George A. Romero, Mick Garris, and hundreds more. He also freelance edits for a couple of small presses.

Crystal Lake Publishing believes in reaching out to all authors, new and experienced, and being a beacon of friendship and guidance in the Dark Fiction field. Crystal Lake Publishing puts integrity, honor and respect at the forefront of our operations.

You can read more about Joe and Crystal Lake Publishing at www.crystallakepub.com or find him on Facebook.”

Joe is also a proud Associate member of the HWA.