#authorinterview with Steve Stark – A Hot Dose of… keeping it real.

Hi Steve, let’s get this grill&drill started! I kind of hate starting interviews with the obvious question, but why ruin something that works, so tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a horror and crime fiction author from South West England. I grew up in a small, rundown coastal town where the economy relies heavily on tourism. Like most of my friends I began working in bars and clubs as soon as I was old enough, starting as a glass cleaner at age sixteen then becoming a bouncer at age eighteen, due to being a fairly big lad with a little bit of martial arts skill.

For over ten years I worked security at various venues in the South West. Through this job I met a lot of interesting characters, saw and experienced some crazy things which has fed into my stories. I’ve also worked as a commercial painter, machine operator, store detective and support worker for young offenders and I believe these roles helped ground me while broadening my perspective.

My love of horror goes back much further than any of that, to when I first toddled into the horror section of our local video store and found myself surrounded by images of hockey-masked killers and rotting zombies. I remember I was scared but intrigued and though I quickly ran back to the cartoons section, each time we went to the store I would challenge myself to face these scary images for longer. I realise I was toughening myself and as a side effect I was developing a love of the genre. That love grew when my Dad allowed me to watch my first horror movies, The Lost Boys and An American Werewolf in London. I was hooked after that and soon discovered my parents paperback collection. This was during the 80’s horror paperback boom so it was all James Herbert and Shaun Hutson, books with far more explicit covers than many of those VHS horrors. I’d work my way up to them.

Like with most readers Stephen King came first. One day I saw The Dark Half in the library. That cover with the George Stark tombstone spoke to me. I took it home and I read it in a week. At school I was a mischievous kid, but I liked sports and stories and loved every chance I got to write. I did well in English class and always paid attention, however, I was called to the headmistress’ office on a number of occasions due to the violent nature of the stories I wrote.

How did your parents feel about you being called to the headmistress’ office due to your stories? Were you told to stop? Were you guided and encouraged?

My Mum actually thought it was pretty funny when they called her and still laughs about it now. Dad didn’t find out. They’d separated by this point and never spoke and I wasn’t going to take the gamble Dad would see the funny side if I told him. Luckily for me my secondary school English teacher was much, much cooler. She never minded the content of my work as long as it fit the criteria of the assignment she’d given us and was grammatically correct. Hers was one of the few classes I paid attention in and I think she knew that, so was very encouraging and tolerant. I was fortunate enough to have her as my English teacher all the way through secondary and onto sixth form. I’ll always be very grateful to her.

After leaving school and entering the working world I began to document some of my adventures in clubland, just for fun. It wasn’t until a brief period of unemployment that I began to write fiction, starting with a short story about a serial killer, which will feature in my soon to be released anthology “Violent Ends”. My first published story was with Hellbound Books, for whom I’ve written several. But when I wrote my first novel, Hot Dose of Hell, I knew I’d have to self-publish due to the subject matter….

I LOVE when old teachers are mentioned because they were clearly the support and guidance that acted as a sort of a stepping stone on the path of writing… I love thinking about cause and effect, and about when certain events may have had the start and it’s not easy… because where does causality actually have a beginning, right… Thinking about A Hot Dose and how it probably pushes quite a few buttons – is there a topic, a theme or a character that you would never write about?

I wouldn’t say nothing is off limits, but there are certainly taboo subjects I would never approach unless I had a strong point to make. I think particularly in the genre I work in, certain authors just go out to shock for the sake of it. And as I told Beard of Darkness, endless gore and depravity without purpose to the story is very boring to me. I’m sure it is to most readers as well. I must admit, there is a particular development in Hot Dose that I struggled with. I went back and forth on whether to include it or not. Readers can probably guess which scene I’m talking about. Ultimately I felt I had to keep it in. This moment served the story, deepened a character and it’s a memorable example of one of the key themes of the story. David Bowie once said “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area.” Whenever I think I might be going too far I often remind myself of that.

Your career path has definitely been the ‘people facing’ sort and I can in some way relate to this. Being in that type of ‘customer service’ front does show you the quirks of people and life but also the truly ugly side, to the point of losing all faith in humanity. It does ground one and it does certainly help you walk in other’s shoes if you’re willing. How did you process all that you had seen and experienced yourself? Was there anything else for you aside from horror films and books?

I guess I’m still processing it all through writing as I often find myself describing a scenario I recognise or a character I’ve known. It’s no coincidence that shortly after leaving the club scene is when I began creating fiction again. I had difficulties adapting to the change in lifestyle and I’m sure this helped. Now I can track through my writing how my perception and perspective have evolved. For instance, where in early stories my characters were quite one-dimensional, just fodder for gory action, they’ve gradually become much more layered. This mirrors my own experiences. In the club environment most interaction outside my colleagues was superficial yet often incredibly intense.

The subsequent job roles I mentioned all forced me to relate on various levels with people who were very different to myself and for more sustained periods of time. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but I think I’ve come a long way in terms of conversation, emotional intelligence and developing a greater sense of empathy compared to who I was on the doors. Yet even with all that, I still retain an extremely low tolerance for rudeness, disrespect and dishonesty. I doubt that’ll ever change.

Aside from horror films and books when I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have this amazing landscape on my doorstep. In the South West we’re surrounded by beaches and there are woodlands and moors not far away, great places to explore. We rode everywhere on our bikes, climbed trees, all that good stuff. In the summer we’d go tomb-stoning aka cliff jumping. Like my fellow writers Nick Horvath and Matt Sorenson (aka Beard of Darkness), I played basketball through school, however unlike them I’m only six foot three, and never played beyond county level. I discovered martial arts in my late teens and was very interested in the practical application of whatever art I was practicing. I studied a mixture, from Wing Chun to kick-boxing and eventually stopped going to classes, preferring instead to train with my security colleagues, who all had backgrounds in different disciplines. During that time I’d also gotten into fitness training and that’s the one thing I’ve kept up to this day.

The martial arts, the fitness training – they all need a certain regime and discipline. Would a similar level of discipline apply to your writing? Or, is writing more like your chance to embrace the chaos?

Yeah, I take a very disciplined approach to writing. I’m up at 5 every day to get a couple of hours in before work and I always dedicate at least half of one of my days off to it. I can relate the process to bodybuilding, the way you build up a story, packing as much meat as you can onto it before stripping it down in order to highlight all the key elements. In my mind that’s very much like the bulking and weight cutting process a few of my friends subject themselves to before competition. Although I’d certainly prefer the agony of writing over that torture any day.

Which takes more dedication and discipline – fitness or writing?

At this stage the fitness requires more of my discipline because paddle boarding aside, I don’t enjoy my workouts. They’re just these painful, tiring ordeals I’ll always have to go through. But writing is something I enjoy. I always look forward to getting up in the early hours and grabbing the laptop. I happily do it every day. There’s more pressure on writing though. Fitness is just for my own benefit, whereas with writing I owe it to the person paying me and investing their time to deliver the best story I possibly can. And I take that responsibility very seriously. It’s why I’ll sometimes spend days working on just a paragraph, going over it and over it, obsessively struggling to find the right words or rhythm for the scene.

Would you say writing is a solitary profession?

For me writing is solitary and I think singular voices are the source of the most unique, impactful stories. Obviously, there’s some input from editors, fellow writers, beta readers, etc., but for the most part writing novels is a solitary endeavour by necessity. Other mediums are different. Writing teams used to bring us great TV shows. And I would jump at the chance of working with an artist to create a comic or graphic novel.

You have a very varied background… You’re totally killing the stereotype of an athletic person that wouldn’t even bother waving a stick at something like literature… Don’t judge a book by its cover, right?!

Absolutely, unless it’s Hot Dose, in which case that cover tells you plenty about the horrendous stuff to expect inside 😉 All joking aside, I’m delighted to be helping smash that stereotype for you. It’s often surprising how far people veer from our expectations based on appearance.

On that note, I’m reminded of a clip from a documentary about the late Lenny McLean, made during his retirement years. Lenny was an underground fighter and gangland enforcer, known for being ferocious and probably fit his stereotype in lots of ways, however, there’s a part in the documentary where he almost shyly admits to “doing a bit of poetry”. It’s quite a comical and endearing moment, followed closely by some brutal advice on in-ring psychology.

Interesting clip! … As people, we are so much more than what shows on the surface and this is why I always enjoy the interviews with authors as well… you get to know these great passions or professions or experiences that have spurred people to write these incredible books. It’s like a different version of keeping certain knowledge alive… Someone bird watching as a hobby could weave some fantastic tales into fantasy, someone experienced in survival, can create a mean ‘end of the world’ horror story. So, tell us about this book of yours… It sounds like a mad trip, and perhaps controversial?

A mad trip is a great way to describe it. “Rollercoaster” is another I often hear. The story has a little bit of everything – intense action, a touch of mystery, tragedy, humour, social commentary and TONS of gory horror. Admittedly, it’s lacking romance, however, there is a little bromance with our thug antiheroes, Fred and Pinkie, and I’ve gotten a lot of positive responses to their chemistry.

The main story follows supermarket nightworker, Rhonda Caine on a mission to find her estranged sister Roxy, who’s fallen into a life of homelessness and drug addiction in the rundown coastal town of Scarmouth. To help her, Rhonda seeks out Leg-Up, a new homeless charity and together they track Roxy to the abandoned Victoria hotel. Little do they know a large quantity of a mysterious new drug has fallen into the hands of the Victoria’s residents, a drug which turns users into homicidal maniacs with superhuman tolerance for pain. Rhonda soon realises her privileged, woke friends in the Leg-Up are far more interested in gaining social media clout than helping people. And they’re ill-equipped to deal with the harsh realities of homelessness, much less the imminent physical threat of a legion of blood-crazed zombies.

That’s where the controversy comes in, I suppose. My humorous depiction of the trendy young hypocrites in Leg-Up amuses free-thinking readers and seems to upset the kind of people it’s intended to mock. So…job done, I guess? By contrast, I’ve had no complaints about my brutal depiction of the extreme end of homeless living. My challenge there was to show those characters, their motivations, habits and behaviours in every grim detail and still draw the reader’s sympathy. I think for the most part I’ve succeeded in that. I certainly feel sympathy for those characters myself, no matter how mean, feral or vile some of them are. Their honesty alone elevates them above the Leg-Up crew, who become less sympathetic the more we get to know them.

And due to the subject matter and knowing you’d have to self-publish, this book also means that you now have a comparison in between the traditional and self-publishing. Too soon to go into what you’ve learned this far?

I’m happy to share what I can on this. Hopefully it’ll be helpful for a few of my fellow authors in some way. My experience with Hellbound Books has been very positive. Good communication, polite, enthusiastic and willing to take a chance on new voices. I’m very grateful for the opportunities they gave me. I’m proud of the stories I wrote for them and to be featured alongside some outstanding authors is an honour.

However, I’ve found not all publishers are as professional and friendly as HBB. One I won’t name had planned to publish a novella of mine last year and folded without bothering to inform me. You also get rude rejections to queries and submissions while many don’t respond at all. And don’t get me started on some of the weirdly specific wish lists of certain publishers and agents I’ve seen floating about. All that box-ticking only neuters creativity-just look at the state of Hollywood. For all the bleating on about diversity in publishing, as far as I can see there really isn’t much interest in diversity when it comes to class. Not many working-class creatives getting a look in.

But that’s what I love about the indie scene. There’s no one telling us whose stories can and can’t be told or how they can be told. We can just put our work out there unfiltered, uncensored with all its rough edges and uniqueness and I think the stories are all the more impactful because of it. I’m not exaggerating when I say ALL the best books I read last year were indie self published. Muscle by John Davies, Lost Causes by Richard Nichols, In the Lair of Legends by Dave Buzan, Weed by Joseph D’Lacey, and of course, Mr Horvath’s Sledge Vs Labyrinth. That goes for comics too! Nick Henry’s London Gothic series is leagues above the current output of the big two in my opinion and I’m really excited for Terrier Comics’ Tales of Mystery.

I believe we’re in the early days of a real punk movement. There’s currently a legion of outsider creators grafting away on original projects for an audience the mainstream aren’t really catering to. From what I’ve seen on social media that audience is right there for this, we only have to reach them. We’re very lucky to have good people like yourself and Matt Sorenson helping spread the word.

You’re a horror and crime writer – is that the genre you also read these days? Or do you dip into other (unexpected, even?) genres? Have you ever considered dipping into fantasy writing- dragons? Magic? Too make-believe for you?

I do mostly read crime and horror and rarely venture outside of that unless something really captures my interest. Admittedly, I haven’t read much fantasy, although many of the coolest people I’m friends with online are firmly rooted in that genre, both reading and creating, and I fully intend to explore it further - John A Douglas, E.C. Greaves and E.L. Lyons are all on my tbr for next year.

My struggle with a lot of fantasy and sci-fi is when there’s excessive world building. If too much about the world is having to be explained it hinders a story’s momentum for me. I can happily accept a fantasy premise, e.g. a world of Orcs and Elves at war or whatever. But when something as simple as characters meeting in a tavern includes five pages on the origins of the brew served there, it loses me, especially if it serves no narrative purpose.

I love Robert E Howard though. He did it right in my view. Tight, energetic, thrilling stories where the relevant details are appropriately fleshed out and everything else is as lean as Conan’s waistline. If I attempted fantasy I’d be taking inspiration from him.

Is it fair to say that A Hot Dose is not only the accumulated experiences you’ve personally had.. you know, basing characters on people that you’ve known, etc., but also a stab at society’s failings?

Yeah, I’m stabbing away like Michael Myers at a babysitter convention! The book takes swipes at everything from the selfish influencer mindset, to shady government activity, to corporate culture and even trivial aspects like the uninspiring (or should that be purposely demoralising?) media we’re fed these days.

Of course, the main focus is on our failure to address the homeless crisis in Western society. That problem only seems to be getting worse and yet there is so little talk about it. In fact for me, one of the most far-fetched aspects of the story was having that be the Leg-Up crew’s cause to champion. In real life, woke idiots like them are too busy protesting comedians for making jokes they don’t like, or splashing paint on classic art and blocking traffic.

Would you say horror genre requires a certain amount of tiptoeing? I’m just thinking in the lines of the day and age we’re at and, you know, even something like comedy having to ’watch out or be cancelled’ – is this something that could maybe hold the genre back do you think?

From what I’ve seen and read horror isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to gore and shock value. In fact, I think today more than ever it’s pushing the limit on what’s gone before in that area. Where it’s limiting itself is with a lack of originality and the narrow viewpoint being catered to. Horror publishing seems incredibly cliquey from where I stand, as a total outsider and one who’s occasionally come under fire for the concept of my book alone.

I mentioned Joseph D’Lacey earlier. Not long ago he was dropped by a publisher for his personal opinions expressed on his blog and social media. Joseph’s previous books had been hits and he’d even received praise from Stephen King. But in response to Joseph’s ‘thought-crimes’ the publisher cancelled the release of his tenth (and in my opinion best) book “Weed” and ended his contract. (Note by Liis: Joseph’s latest update)

I’m by far the first to notice that the working class aren’t particularly welcome in publishing and if you dare hold the “wrong” views on any subject you’ll be actively excluded like Joseph was. Recently, I came across an article highlighting the “best” authors working in the genre right now. I didn’t recognise any of them, but went straight onto Twitter to check them out. To my surprise almost all of them had me blocked. At first I was a little saddened by this, but then I did see the funny side. I thought of that scene in Pirates of the Caribbean when the bloke says to Jack Sparrow “You’re the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of.” And Jack just smiles and says “But you have heard of me.” Luckily, that sort of thing is balanced by the positive reactions and messages I’ve had, the amazing readers and fellow creators who have shown their support. A number of people have told me that although they’re not typically horror readers, they’ve picked my book up because it’s providing a refreshing point of view. And that makes me incredibly proud.

Even the most famous authors struggle with criticisms and it’s just a human thing isn’t it – to not agree on some things… So, not implying that your book is bad in any way, are you ready for the 1 star reviews?

Some of those one stars will sting for sure. I’ll cope though. Been through a lot worse. In any case, the reason one person hates a story could be the reason another will love it. A one star review might help sell a book to the right reader. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself 😉

How will you follow up on A Hot Dose of Hell? Will you keep poking at the woke activists and put them face to face with more drug related issues and homelessness, or do you have some other issues from the society at large lined up?

Following Hot Dose, I’m bringing out an anthology of twisted morality tales called Violent Ends. Each story in that book touches on different themes such as greed and corruption, the failings of the prison system. To say any more on that subject would be too big of a giveaway, I’m afraid. Violent Ends has actually been ready since October. I was aiming for a Halloween release, but had to delay as my cover designer, the brilliant Mad Marty was snowed under with work. Although I could’ve hired someone else I’d never do that. Mad Marty designed the cover for Hot Dose which I love so much, and I know he’s cooking up something equally awesome for Violent Ends (Liis: And he did. Check out the cover for Violent Ends, which can be pre-ordered now ahead of the 23rd of January publication date!)

I’m currently at work on my next project, which is a slasher revenge story. And I’ve got a few ideas for a direct sequel to Hot Dose. It’d follow citizen journalists going into Scarmouth to investigate the events of Hot Dose, only to find themselves in the middle of something far worse. This would give me an opportunity to explore the nature of journalism, to show different attitudes and approaches within the group. I’d have sensationalist liars butting heads with principled truth-seekers in the middle of the carnage. I’d also be bringing back a survivor from Hot Dose, but I won’t spoil it by saying who I have in mind.

From Steve Stark, author of A Hot Dose of Hell, now comes a Thrillogy of Stark Terrors, three grisly, splatter-filled tales of serial killers, sadistic home invaders, vicious thugs and a whole nightclub full of hedonistic revellers in scenes of mortal peril and supernatural horror…

Stark will take you on a Terrorific tour of his brutal, bizarre world, from the seedy streets of Scarmouth town to the harsh rural landscape of Lynchton, with all routes set to terminate in some very Violent Ends.

Buckle up, and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.
This one’s a Hell of a ride!

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Steve, to finish off… If you could give advice to your younger self – what would you say?

I’d probably tell my young self to chill out a little bit (he was an angry lad). He’d probably tell me to p**s off.

***

A deadly new drug has hit the streets of Scarmouth, one which turns users into bloodthirsty maniacs with superhuman tolerance for pain. Through insidious design a large quantity has fallen into the hands of squatters occupying the derelict Victoria hotel.

It’s a bad place for a group of woke, virtue-signalling social media influencers to promote their new homeless charity, but they’ve got a PR story in the making. One of their party is searching for a long-lost sister and if they can find her they believe the stunt could bring them international attention.

They’re not the only ones looking for something. Hired muscle, Fred and Pinkie have been tasked to recover that lost drug shipment. These men know what it’s doing to people. What they don’t know is just how many have been affected already, but within the bowels of that derelict hotel breeds a mindless, homicidal legion.

Scarmouth is known as the coastal town they forgot to burn down. It’ll only take a few hot doses to finally set it alight.

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Steve Stark is the author of the novel “A Hot Dose of Hell” and the upcoming anthology “Violent Ends”. An avid fan of crime and horror fiction, he tends to write a mixture of both. Steve draws inspiration from a misspent youth in an impoverished corner of Britain and an imagination fuelled by 80’s video nasties and pulp paperbacks.

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