In my latest in my latest interview on Blazing Minds, I got an opportunity to ask horror writer Jack Bantry a few questions about; how he got into writing originally, his writing style and the collaborations with writer Robert Eesig on Aint worth a Shit and Insatiable.

Q. How did you first get into writing professionally?

I don’t write professionally, it’s something I do in my spare time. I’ve always loved reading since my mid-teens, when I discovered Stephen King. Writing is a progression. I first wrote a short story when I was off work with pneumonia. I enjoy the writing process, but don’t expect to ever give up the day job.

Q. How would you describe your style of writing?

I think I’ve been shoe-horned into a style of writing due to editing my zine, Splatterpunk, which tends to lean more towards the gory end of the spectrum, similar to extreme horror. I think of myself more as a pulp horror writer, but judging from some the reviews of my books I write extreme horror. I do like crime fiction though, and thought of AIN’T WORTH A SHIT more as a crime novel. It has some nasty bits in it, but I think that’s more down to the subject matter.

Q. What would you say is the hardest part when writing a new story?

Quite simply it’s finding the time to sit down and write!

Q. What attracts you to the horror genre with your writing?

I’ve always loved reading horror fiction. It’s my thing. Like I said previous, I also enjoy crime fiction, but that’s something I got into probably about 5 years ago. I still read horror, and prior to my affair with crime, it’s always been horror. Ketchum, Garton, Herbert, Keene, Skipp & Spector, Laymon, Barker, Masterton, etc. You get my gist? That’s what I read, so it’s only natural that it’s what I lean towards with my writing.

Q. You have collaborated on the novels INSATIABLE and AIN’T WORTH SHIT with writer Robert Essig. What is the process when you are working together on a book?

With both INSATIABLE and AIN’T WORTH A SHIT we passed the manuscript back and forth after a few chapters. We had our own characters in INSATIABLE, we worked on a chapter or three, then emailed it back across the Atlantic. I’ve really enjoyed the experience working with Robert Essig. It gives me a kick up the ass and enables me to get it done as I have a lot of other things going on and struggle with motivation on my own writing projects. We have also collaborated on 4 short stories. This was a different process as they were stories we were writing on our own and they either didn’t work as a whole, or we didn’t have an ending, etc. These stories will appear in a collection, with some of our own stories, early in the New Year, titled SHALLOW GRAVES.

Q. The book INSATIABLE is extremely brutal and bloody horror, which also has a rather a twisted humour. How did the original concept for the story come about and what can people expect from the novel?

This is what I mean about people’s perceptions of my writing. I always saw INSATIABLE as a fun pulp horror story like Tucker and Dale, but I think the unpopular subject matter makes people see it as something more extreme. Some reviewers have described the antagonists as rapists, when they are in fact sex maniacs. I have a dark sense of humour and I wanted this to be portrayed by the two punks. That part went to plan! What can people expect? Some young stoner punks have to save the town after a virus outbreak from a local Government laboratory. There’s black comedy and sex maniacs. Lots of weed and tequila are consumed and people die.

Q. What were some of your influences regarding the style when writing the book?

My influences are from everyday life. I’m a punk rocker who has smoked too much weed and drank lots of booze. The punks team up with a couple of people from the lab. These characters were written by Robert. I think it’s a fun pulpy horror novel. It’s meant to be fun but maybe we have a fucked up sense of humour?

Q. The book has an unusual mixture of humour and sexual violence, where you concerned as to how the book may have been received as it is not a book which will appeal to everyone?

At the time, No! I wasn’t concerned as I never envisioned it to be extreme. After reading a few reviews I’ve changed my mind and probably wish I’d gone more extreme. I certainly would have done if I intended to write an extreme horror novel. Readers might be put off by the extreme label. I don’t think its extreme enough for fans of Edwards Lee, Kristopher Triana or Ryan Harding., but the sexual violence labelling might put off the pulp audience that it was intended for.

Q. What is your favourite moment in the book?

I particularly enjoyed the scenes in the house when the punk kids have to dispose of a body…

Q. It feels as though the events could have been expanded and is left open for a possible continuation of the story. Would you consider do a follow up story to Insatiable?

Probably not!

Q. AIN’T WORTH SHIT has a more serious tone, dealing with human trafficking? How did you come up with the idea for this book and what can people expect?

Yeah, this book is a different beast entirely. The whole process started when I entered a short story into a competition about 6 years ago. I had to first submit the opening paragraph. The opening paragraph in the short wasn’t anything, so a wrote a new one. It got passed the first stage. I then had to submit a synopsis. That one was rejected, so I removed the unintended opening paragraph and re submitted the short, and it was later accepted elsewhere. But I liked the opening paragraph, so I sent it to Robert, who added half a chapter. A girl was kidnapped walking home from her nightshift. Bang, we had an idea. It’s set in the underworld of human trafficking and the sex trade. Nasty stuff. Real horror. Fuck sexy vampires. It’s been described as a suspenseful horror thriller. It has noir-ish crime elements with a gruesome horror edge.

Q. Some of the action in the book takes place in the red-light district of Amsterdam, which despite its sordid reputations is still seen as a tourist attraction. The book takes a grim look at the reality behind the lights which people often choose to ignore. Do you think the book will change peoples perception and was this an intentional?

I’ve visited Amsterdam many times in my youth and I’ve used it a few times in short stories. They say: Write what you know. It’s the perfect place for a sex trafficking story. I love the vibe. The seediness. I think the sex industry in general is a grim place. Amsterdam has done a lot recently to change its image. Like Soho in London and Times Square. The story could easily have been set there in a different time. But I didn’t know those places. Stoner punks remember…

Q. What is your favourite moment in the book?

The end of chapter 3 when Issy is in the hotel. It’s the only time writing I have had a feeling of dread in my gut. Like reading Ketchum’s THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.

Q. Do you have any new projects you are working?

I’m currently working on a crime novel but I have become self-employed and the initial start to working for myself has consumed my headspace. I need to get back into it as I’m half way through and have a lot of it mapped out in my head. I’m also working on a new story with Robert Essig. We are only a couple of chapters in so I don’t know if it’ll have a twist and be a short story, or if it’ll be a larger project. I really have no idea where it’s going.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get into writing themselves?

Just do it. Don’t waste time thinking about it, just turn on your computer and start writing.

Kindle versions of Ain’t Worth A Shit and Insatiable are currently only $0.99 in the US and £0.99 in the UK

Philip Rogers

Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!