Follow that unusual or “weird” idea to embrace your full creative potential. If you love your story, no matter how offbeat, chances are others will too.
A science communicator, KC Grifant learns about cool discoveries and helps science institutes translate the technical or scientific into lay stories for the public. Often in her head imagining things, Grifant writes short stories and has recently published her debut multi-genre novel, a first in a weird western series.
Lyndi: How did writing from a young age contribute to your current writing?
KC: I’ve written speculative tales for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I created adventure, fantasy, sci-fi and horror stories featuring everything from clones, aliens, parallel universes, mythical beings, monsters, and more. Like many early writers, I wrote fan fiction, mostly centered around X-Files, X-Men, Star Wars and Frankenstein. I also tried to emulate the writing of authors I admired, including Margaret Atwood, Anne Rice, William Gibson, Octavia Butler, L.J. Smith, Toni Morrison, and Philip K. Dick. My (unpublished) novels written as a teenager, helped to build a foundation upon which to figure out my particular writing style and habits.
Today, I continue to write about fantastical short stories and novels, and strive to combine expansive world-building, character development, and evocative themes into my stories.
Lyndi: Short stories are a challenging form to write. Why start with these?
KC: While I was a prolific writer of poetry and short stories as a teenager, I largely focused on long, novel-length works. Then I experienced a multi-year writer’s block in college and grad school. I still wrote during that time, but it was hard to commit to projects.
Once I had more stability in my early thirties, I started writing regularly again. But I hit a wall with my novels-in-progress, so began with short stories centered around individual characters or moments from those novels. I re-discovered the joy of writing short stories as an adult, and set about sharpening that skillset. This eventually helped me settle back into novel writing, so I’ve come full circle, in a sense.
Lyndi: How did publishing short stories lead to writing and publishing your debut novel?
KC: Publishing short stories was a wonderful way to connect with fellow authors, editors and publishers. In the last few years, I wrote several original short stories starring two characters who are monster exterminators in an alternate Old West: Melinda, the stoic sharpshooter, and her easygoing partner, Lance. These weird west short stories were published internationally in magazines and anthologies, and were very well received. It seemed like a natural next step to write a novel starring them in an epic, high-stakes adventure.
This adventure led to my debut supernatural western novel MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Brigids Gate Press), published in February 2023. It’s been described as a blend of Bonnie & Clyde meet The Witcher and Supernatural, with reviewers calling it “a fun, fast-paced, monster-filled joy ride,” “genre-blending,” “a story that is fascinating and irresistible,” and a “massive crowd-pleaser.”
The book takes place in the late 1800s in a place that resembles the southwestern United States but where species of monsters terrorize the land. The story features Melinda and Lance who fight everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. During one of their jobs, they accidentally release a demon that steals their friend’s soul. They must track a notorious outlaw across treacherous lands to save their friend before an army of soul-devouring demons descend on Earth.
Lyndi: What is your writing process?
KC: With full-time work and two small kids, my writing process is a bit hectic. I do on-the-go “micro” writing: dictating on my phone during a break or while stuck in traffic, for example. It’s usually not until everyone has gone to bed where I can dive into the fictional world and get larger chunks of writing done.
Lyndi: What is a weird western and how does it differ from other westerns?
KC: The “weird west” genre is a combination of the Old West aesthetic/setting, but fused with speculative elements, such as horror or fantasy. Everyone defines it a little differently, but generally a “weird western” is distinct from traditional Western tales because it contains something out of the ordinary, like a zombie infection, ghost haunting, magic casting, etc. Think Cowboys & Aliens, Jonah Hex, or the Dark Tower series.
Weird westerns, like traditional westerns, can highlight the fascinating juxtaposition of romanticized notions of gunslinging heroism with real-world violence and tragedy. In my own weird western world, I enjoy subverting some of the archetypes in Old West mythos, e.g., the lone gunslinger, the helpful mystic, the love interest.
Lyndi: Why is Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger categorized as horror? Does your story keep people up at night?
KC: I’ve heard that MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER keeps people up at night because they want to find out what happens next in the story, rather than from being disturbed or afraid. I consider this book horror in the same way the Buffy or Supernatural series are horror: they’re not deeply disturbing per se, but rather are focused on entertaining, high-stakes adventures infused with monsters and tension.
Lyndi: What marketing methods have you found effective for selling your books?
KC: First and foremost, I’ve found that connecting with a community of other readers and writers helps set the stage for having a successful book launch and subsequent marketing efforts. I have been so fortunate to find wonderful indie horror/writing communities online and locally that provide endless support, particularly through the Horror Writers Association (HWA).
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all tactic when it comes to marketing. I enjoy experimenting with various approaches, such as: storytelling through various social platforms; connecting with book lovers and reviewers via social media; and talking with local authors in person to brainstorm interesting ways to get our books out there. Also, I have had wonderful support from Brigids Gate Press and Creative Edge Publicity in terms of promoting this book. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having enthusiastic partners and in genuinely engaging with other readers and authors.
KC Grifant is a Southern Californian author who writes internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories for podcasts, anthologies and magazines. Her writings have appeared in Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine, Siren's Call Publications and many others. She’s also contributed to dozens of anthologies, including: Chromophobia; Musings of the Muse; Dancing in the Shadows - A Tribute to Anne Rice; Field Notes from a Nightmare; The One That Got Away - Women of Horror Vol 3; Six Guns Straight From Hell; Trembling with Fear Year 1; Shadowy Natures - Tales of Psychological Horror; Beyond the Infinite - Tales from the Outer Reaches; and the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror. A member of SFWA and a co-founder of the San Diego HWA chapter, she enjoys wandering through beachside carnivals. For details, visit www.KCGrifant.com or @kcgrifant on the social networks.
