Today's Spotlight is on author Caitlin Marceau! Caitlin is a fast-rising star in the industry and the range within her stories is just incredible.
She can make you hate, love, and cry all within a few short pages and the horror she builds crawls under your skin and burrows in deep. Her stories linger long after the book is closed.
Read on for more about this remarkable woman and what drives her.
Enjoy!
What defines “horror” for you?
I generally define horror as work that either fills me with unshakeable dread or work that’s so upsetting it triggers my flight or fight response. Now I realize that this is super vague and that these definitions leave a lot of room for interpretation, but I also think that horror is massive and open for interpretation. And that’s part of what I love and appreciate about this genre!
What is your personal favorite horror movie or story and why?
I firmly believe that 2011’s Cabin In The Woods is a perfect horror movie. Not only is it a hilarious commentary on horror films and the genre at large, but it was a wonderfully upsetting movie in its own right. It’s compelling, it’s bloody, it’s hilarious, it’s gut wrenching, it’s perfect. It has everything I could ever want from the genre. I really don’t think I’ll ever fall in love with another piece of media the way I fell in love with this movie.
What is your favorite thing about being a female author in the horror industry?
I don’t think I can pick just one thing because there’s so much that’s meaningful to me about being a woman in horror. Getting to be part of such a vibrant community of women is so important to me. Collaborating with so many incredible authors and working with them to build a community that uplifts and supports women is one of the most rewarding experiences. And watching the genre change for the better, seeing it grow more inclusive and diverse, has been such a privilege.
What differences do you believe women bring to the table within the horror industry, and why are those differences impactful and important, in your opinion?
Not to sound depressing, but I think women bring a fresh perspective to the genre because we experience horror on a daily basis in a way that most men will never understand. And I think a lot of women in the genre explore these real-world terrors through their work. There’s a reason we’re seeing such a wonderful rise in pink horror, books focusing on women’s wrongs, and female characters doing horrible things to worse people.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in the mostly male-dominated world of horror? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?
Definitely! I mean, I think most women in the genre have dealt with everyday sexism, microaggressions, and objectification. One of my earliest experiences in the genre was a university professor telling me not to put my real name on my work because nobody reads women in horror. So naturally I put my real name on everything I write and have proven him wrong with each new story I’ve released.
What advice do you have for the next generation of female horror authors?
Remember to build your community up, not just yourself! We can’t do this alone. And I really mean that. Make sure to look out for other women in the community, stand in solidarity with them, and keep fighting for equitable opportunities in the industry for marginalized women in the genre!
Caitlin's Bio:
Caitlin Marceau is a queer Canadian author and illustrator known for her award-winning novella This Is Where We Talk Things Out. Her forthcoming work includes her debut novel, It Wasn’t Supposed To Go Like This, and her second novella, I’m Having Regrets. For more, find her on social media or check out CaitlinMarceau.ca.
Find Her:
caitlinmarceau.ca (currently under construction)
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