This week I returned with episode 2 of #indieauthorsummer. In this week’s article, I was able to sit down with new author Kat Delani. Based in Maryland, the Cat is hardworking and has now released her new novel. Unclaimed property, It was released on June 17th. She also has several other upcoming projects and published short stories along with certified powerhouse authors Clay McLeod Chapman and Grady Hendrix. BookWorms Horror Zine Issue 6.
In the same Q&A format as my last indie author’s summer article, we talk a bit about everything about cat work and get insight into what her personal experiences have happened on her journey to indie publishing.
Abby Wolf: At what point in your life did you want to pursue professional writing?
Cat Delani: “Essentially forever” could be the answer, but until I started reading horror in 2021, it wasn’t a really serious focus.
AW: Could you please tell me a little about existing work? Which of your favorites so far?
CD: I’d like to take a moment to highlight future releases that are not my novels. There is a short story called “#ideverit” that has been released in anthology. Little Red Flagfrom Dark ink This fall. I had so much fun writing it and I am so happy to find the home it had. I lovingly call it the “Slasher Crater” story.
AW: Whether your latest projects, newly released publications, what can you tell us about your latest projects?
CD: Unsolved properties It is a horror novel about sadness following a young woman named Mallory. She lost her entire family in a house fire when she was only seven years old. This novel is an outrage over the meaninglessness of tragedy, and the quest for the time of wounds is unhealable.
AW: What’s the most amazing thing you’ve learned during the writing process?
CD: I’m always wrong. I told my friend earlier this month that I was kidding, and that’s true. My writing process thinks about what I was wrong when I set out to write. The first spark of inspiration looks very different from the final product. Anyway, if I do my job. Strong stories and strong characters will guide your work to make it what it is.
AW: What advice would you give to an author who is just starting out?
CD: Don’t focus on writing the best books of the day. Unless you plan on being a One Book Wader (and am I sure there are some people who are sure?), your best job will be born for years from now. In my long career, choosing to focus on working has eliminated the pull of perfectionism for me. I hope I do that for you too.
AW: What was the strangest thing you had to research for the project?
CD: I’m currently working on a collection of heavy science fiction stories, so it includes a lot of niche research. But when I first set it up, there must have been the strangest information Unsolved properties In 1920 (remember what I said about being wrong?) that was when I learned that iced tea wasn’t a Southern drink. I’m not saying that’s why I changed the settings…
AW: Tell us what you like about the work on the indie side of publishing and one difficult thing about it.
CD: The community is hands down. I can’t talk to other genres, but the indie horror community is full of some of the kindest, coolest, and most inspiring people and creators. The hardest thing about that is putting the right value on my job.
AW: If we could welcome authors on a remote island, who and why?
CD: Brian Keene, I’ll tell you. If we hadn’t left that island in a week, we would have lived in relatively extravagant. Survival skills aside, you have to go with someone you trust and you can talk for a long time. I think we’re fine.
AW: What was your latest 5-star reading?
CD: All sinners suck blood By Sa Cosby
AW: What are you currently reading and/or listening?
CD: For now:
Fully open By Joe Hill
The beast you are Paul Trembray
rise Brian Keene
Please bury my body somewhere Calvin Ellis
bunny Mona Awad (REREAD)
Killer on the road Stephen Graham Jones
Do you think that’s everything? I can’t read one thing at a time.
Dear reader, thank you for joining me in the summer of an indie writer. Also, thank you to Cat for allowing me to interview her. I had the opportunity to read very early copies of both #ideverit and the unclaimed property. Both take on a unique and fresh horror ratio, and I absolutely enjoyed both. You can find cats on Instagram under Handle @cat_winedark, keeping you up to date with current and future projects. Stay tuned for the third episode of the indie writer’s summer next week!
The photo is courtesy of Cat Delani
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