What genre do you write?
While I consider myself first and foremost a literary fiction writer, I have gravitated into the horror, weird fiction, and magical realism genre. I still stick true to my form which is the short story, but I have discovered ways to expand my short story world by writing linked narratives connected by characters, town, and theme. This method has been used by such authors as Elizabeth Strout and Alice Munroe and is typically referred to as a composite novel or a short story cycle.
What was the inspiration for your novel, The Bystanders?
I lived in rural Missouri for seven years amongst horse farms and farmers. The town of Lawrenceton, Missouri, and the surrounding area inspired the story.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a novel called One Man’s Graveyard is Another Man’s Worth-Mart (think Grady’ Hendrix’s Horrorstor, but cheekier) and a speculative memoir, called The Dandy Chronicles.
Southern Sisters Book Club 