S.E. Cox, editor of House of Horror Ezine has put together a new anthology of haunted house tales, Mausoleum Memoirs, available this month on: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/mausoleum-memoirs/7414491.
Amongst the authors in this collection are several Flashes alumni: Bob Eccles, Shane McKenzie, Graeme Reynolds, and Angel Zapata, and myself.
Not only are the stories excellent, but all proceeds go to Birmingham Hospital. I had a chance to talk to S.E. Cox about the cause that’s closest to her heart, and her upcoming plans for House of Horror.
LT: Mausoleum Memoirs must have been a big project to undertake with so many different authors and stories to review. How did you go about it?
S.E Cox: It was quite easy actually. I had a lot of help from some of the well known writers such as Shells Walter, P.S. Gifford and a few others, and as time went on some names that I didn’t recognise started pooling in. Originially it was only supposed to be 20 stories but once they started coming in they didn’t stop and I had a hard time rejecting some of them. I then decided as most of the stories were quite short, I had enough room for a few more.
I read every story as they came in and then made an instant choice whether I like it or not. My favourite bit in the book are the author signitures at the back of the book. I thought that the idea would make it different and stand out above other anthologies out there at the minute.
LT: What inspired you to chose Birmingham Hospital as the charity recipient?
S.E. Cox: Both my daughters were born with heart defects. They are ok now though. My eldest Libby was born with a hole in her heart but we didn’t find it until she was 3 months old and that came as a shock. But now she is four it has completely healed itself and she has had no lasting problems from it. My youngest Lacey is is one now is a different story. Her father has a condition called Marfan’s Syndrome and two years ago had his aeorta valve replaced with a mechanical one. Lacey also inherited this heart condition and will eventually have to have the same operation in the future. Until then she will be monitored closely. I figured if I can use my books to raise some money for the hospital that have been so good to me and my kids then why not at least try?
LT: Are you planning any similar ventures in the future?
S.E. Cox: Yes I have just recently decided to change over into a paying market. Although the monthly ezine instalments is a free-zine, every three months there will be a special print edition filled with my fav stories etc., from the past three isues. These stories and poems will be paid for and the print will go out as a magazine every three months. The first edition is out in August.
I am also planning another two anthologies. One themed again and another one at the end of the year which will be a ‘Best Of 2009′ Collection. I am again looking forward to the both of them and hope to have the same kind of support again.
LT: What do you like/ dislike most about working with writers?
S.E. Cox: I LOVE seeing the different ways writers get their words across. I do not consider myself to be a great writer as my vocabulary is quite limited. In the last year I have only ever had 3 acceptances and non paying either.
I hate it when writers cannot take constructive help. I have read a couple of stories - and books, that have been sent to me which I think may need cleaning up a little and some times alot, yet when I try to be subtle and helpful, I get my head bitten off about it. If writers are not serious enough to take advice offered to them and work on their stuff, then they will never really make it in the harsh world of writing and publishing.
LT: When did you first fall in love with the horror genre?
S.E. Cox: I think I was twelve when I first realised my love for horror. My best friend made me sit and watch Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and I just loved it! Of course I didn’t have a clue what was going on in the film because if anyone has seen that film, they will know that without watching the ones before it, it will not make much sense. It was then that I started seeking out all of the ‘ Point Horror’ books from the library and progressed from there. I barely watch anything else now.
LT: What types of books/stories do you enjoy on your personal time?
S.E Cox: Horror of course! What else would quench that blood thirsty feeling I get when I stay in the real world for too long haha!
LT: What have you learned about writing by being an editor?
S.E. Cox: I have learned that there are several. Everyone should know the basic ‘Rules’ when writing and editing, but there are variations depending on the writer. What works for one editor, doesn’t always work for another, but thats ok. As long as the basics are correct, then who am I to say what is the write and wrong way to edit a story?
LT: When did you start House of Horror?
S.E. Cox: House Of Horror is on its third issue now and began on the 13th June. It was all done basically within a week. I learned how to set up the website in three days then bought the domain then I asked for help from a few writers to fill it and then I advertised for a couple of days and then before I knew it, it was out there and suddenly I was getting all of this overwhelming recognition for this simply put together site. I was in my element! Now I seem to have a big following thats getting bigger by the day and I just hope we can stay on the up and up and do some new things.
LT: Do you have any upcoming projects that we should watch for?
S.E Cox: Me personally S.E.COX? Well I have my collection of short stories out at the minute clled TWISTED CONFUSION, of course MAUSOLEUM MEMOIRS is out too. With House Of Horror, watch out for the next anthology call. Not sure about the theme yet but we will be putting out an advert for it very soon.
LT: Do you like the direction that the horror genre is going in? Is there anything in movies/books/or tv that you’d like to see more or less of?
S.E Cox: It seems that horror is becoming the favourite genre at the minute. There are a lot of horror films emerging - some adapted from great books. You know what, I am a big fan of vampires and I have to say really enjoyed Twilight. Some may think I am an idiot for enjoying the film but I also read all of the books and personally think that is a great example from book to film.
Just on a personal note, I have a short story that I have been told would make a good short film and I am looking for a film maker in need of something new, so if there is anyone out there interested, then get in touch at horrorhouse.editor@yahoo.com
LT: When you read a submission for House of Horror, what are you looking for?
S. E Cox: I want to see a build up of intensity, lots of blood and gore. I especially like creature horror and things like that. I recently accepted a story by the wonderful Natalie L. Sin called Acceleration - its in issue 3 and that was quite fresh and different to me.
LT: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
S.E. Cox: Yes. Please please please go and get yourself a copy of Mausloeum Memoirs. Vist the site at www.houseofhorror.org.uk to see how to purchase it. This book is filled with fantastic authors and great stories. All the stories are based on haunting houses/builds etc. And of course the book is signed by all of the contributors. Oh and if you enjoy vampires, then you can find book one in my trilogy - Rosella Book One Forbidden Love on Amazon right now. The sequel Hybrid theory will be available very soon…
You can also visit me on myspace at S.E.COX ~ Writer of horror & mythological fantasy.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
S.E. Cox has a great site with a neat layout inspired by each of the rooms found in the House of Horror. It’s great to see works of horror do beautiful things for a worthy cause.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
House of Horror is such a great zine! I hope to submit a story sometime in the near fututre.
III
August 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Sam and HOH rock! And she can do backflips!
Lee