Know a Nominee, Part One: Benjamin Kane Ethridge
Hello, and welcome to “Know a Nominee,” the interview series that gives you daily peeks inside the skulls of some of the most talented horror writers and editors working today.
Each day, through the day of the Bram Stoker Awards ceremony, we aim to bring you at least one Q&A featuring (you guessed it!) one of this year’s nominees.
Before we begin, I’d like to thank all of our participants. You’ve all been gracious, patient and kind—and I appreciate the insights you’ve shared. I’ve found your responses enlightening and inspirational, and I know our readers will feel the same way.
I know you didn’t visit this page to read what I have to say, so I’ll step aside and let our interviewee take the spotlight. First up is Benjamin Kane Ethridge, who is nominated in the category of Superior Achievement in Long Fiction, for his story, “The Slaughter Man” ((Limbus, Inc., JournalStone).
It’s been a pleasure serving as editor for this series.
–Doug Murano, HWA communications coordinator
DM: Can you please describe the genesis for the idea that eventually became the work for which you’ve been nominated? In the case of a work wherein you’ve written multiple stories (like a collection) please choose your favorite part and discuss.
BKE: I was invited by my publisher to write a story for the LIMBUS, INC anthology. Initially I believed it would be a short story anthology and didn’t know I was committing to a novella. So I had to stretch an earlier concept I had about a disgruntled slaughterhouse worker into something bigger. Since LIMBUS struck me as a perfect home for a science fiction story, I decided I’d take the slaughterhouse and set it aboard a spaceship. The horrific elements of the story I kept from the earlier idea, but the ending result was a mutation of necessity.
DM: What was the most challenging part of bringing your idea to fruition? The most rewarding aspect of the process?
BKE: The pace I had to write the story was the most challenging factor. I had a novel to deliver soon and probably wouldn’t have committed to a novella had I known. It took me a little more than a week to produce a rough draft and then I went straight into editing mode (something I never do). That was stressful. However, the most rewarding aspect of the process was discovering the main character, “The Sticker.” He’s probably one of my most likable heroes. I don’t normally write likable characters and it was a nice surprise for me.
DM: What do you think good horror/dark fiction should achieve? How do you feel the work for which you’ve been nominated work fits into that ideal?
BKE: Good vs. Evil. Dread. Suspense. Danger. And characters you’re invested in; not necessarily that you like, but that you care what becomes of them. While “The Slaughter Man” likely falls into the Dark Sci-Fi category, it contains all of these elements, or so I am told!
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? Where do you often find yourself getting stuck, and why?
BKE: I tell myself “no excuses, write.” I only get stuck in the honey of my own laziness. It’s never my creative brain that throws up roadblocks, it’s my resting brain that does that. I tell myself I cannot check anything on the computer, nor can I have coffee, until the writing is complete and that gives me all the incentive I need to finish.
DM: As you probably know, many of our readers are writers themselves. What is the most valuable piece of advice you can share with someone who may be struggling to make their way in this life?
BKE: Enjoy the struggle. It never goes away, so embrace it. Typing up a manuscript doesn’t make you a writer. Being published doesn’t make you a writer. Struggling though? That’s when you get your ID card and join the club.
DM: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Bram Stoker Awards/WHC (if you are attending)? If not attending, what do you think is the significance of recognitions like the Bram Stoker Awards?
BKE: I will be at the convention but will not make the ceremony, unfortunately. I look forward to learning about the industry, meeting old and new friends, buying books and attending panels with authors I admire. I always have a lovely time. Horror authors and fans are good people. I’m glad to hang with them any day. It’s going to be a great time.
About Benjamin Kane Ethridge
Benjamin Kane Ethridge is the Bram Stoker Award winning author of the novel Black & Orange, Bottled Abyss, Dungeon Brain, and other novels. For his master’s thesis he wrote, “Causes of Unease: The Rhetoric of Horror Fiction and Film,” available in an ivory tower near you. He lives in Southern California. When Benjamin isn’t writing, he’s defending California’s rivers and streams from pollution. You can read more about Benjamin here.
