For me, Kaaron Warren is definitely on that list of contemporary writers not to be missed- she has an incredible speculative range from horror (Slights, Into Bones Like Oil) and deeply unsettling and strange work (The Grief Hole, Tide of Stone) to fantasy (Walking the Tree), and other works- all distinctive and utterly unpredictable.

I think finding those writers who speak to you is fabulous process of discovery. Reading contemporary work on themes you’re interested in and by writers you admire (whoever they are) is essential. I generally resist ‘shoulds’ since many works and styles appeal to people differently, and there’s so much brilliant variation out there to explore. I’m a fan of deep dives, so I tend to binge on topics and authors I think that’s a great way to explore contemporary trends. There are so many wonderful contemporary writers, incredible indie presses, and story niches that it’s tough to narrow that down to a manageable list.

I love this question, so I’m going to ramble (feel free to edit). Who are some contemporary writers every writer today should be reading (and why)?Ī little bit this question reminds me of Toni Morrison’s advice to aspiring writers, “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it” because part of the equation is being aware of what’s out there, and building the time to become a voracious reader. If those elements are lining up, I think I’m getting close to where I want to go. I try to look at the piece as a whole, mapping the characters, what makes their world tick, what problems they face, and what insights might come into focus as a result. When writing a short story, novella, or novel, what are some things you think you have to achieve to write something that will stand the test of time? Getting offline a bit has been necessary and yet not always easy to accomplish. Staying connected and trying to read, learn, make, and do things has been my approach. Thanks for asking… if I could take a hard pass on that question…? It has certainly been a challenging time.

First of all, how are you doing these days? The world’s gone to hell the last year and a half, what are you doing to maintain a healthy state of mind?

Liar by E.F. Schraeder