Kristopher Rufty is this week's Dark Dozen Interview! One of my favorite authors in the industry takes on the Dark Dozen interview for FULL THROTTLE!
There are only 2 interviews left before the release of the anthology and paperback copies will be available at Authorcon V in Williamsburg, VA later this month!
Enjoy!
KRISTOPHER RUFTY
If you had three sentences to pitch a recent book, STUMP JUICE, to a new reader, what is your pitch?
Two high school students steal a moonshine still. They decide to sell their own moonshine to raise funds for college. The bad guys come after their stolen still.
Do you have a favorite book or story of your own that you talk about more than others? What makes it your favorite?
I’m not sure if there is one that I talk about more than others. Thinking about one now, I’d have to say Something Violent. It was my first time experimenting with a different type of horror story and blended narratives. I really enjoyed that story, and it was so much fun to write.
Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? If so, what was the scariest moment for you?
Living in the south, I’ve experienced several hurricanes. Each one has hit the area pretty hard, but the amount of damage ranged from minor to extreme. The worst I personally experienced was when I was a kid. The power had been knocked out, and I was hiding with my family in a closet while the house shook. The wind was like big fists punching the outside walls. I had no idea if the house was going to withstand it all. Thankfully, it did.
Has there been a disaster-based movie or book that has stuck with you since you first watched/read it? What was it and why did it stick?
I’ve read quite a few, but one that has stayed with me is Moonbane by Al Sarrantonio. It’s a wild story about asteroids falling from space and werewolves invading the planet. I think the desperation and loss the main character endures, plus the entire breakdown of the world, stayed with me because, in a book as crazy as this one, it was way too believable.
What’s the one thing that scares you the most in this world and have you ever written about it?
Loss. I’ve written about it quite a bit.
Is there an author that you would like to work with that would be a dream partnership for you?
S.A. Cosby would be great to write a book with. There are so many others that would be a dream come true that it’d take a long time to name them all.
If you had one hour to speak to any living author, who would it be and why?
Again, S.A. Cosby. I’ve been fortunate to talk with several authors over the years and have cherished each conversation. Getting to talk about writing and crime fiction with one of the best would be amazing.
What has been one of the proudest moments of your writing journey?
There have been quite a few, which I’m extremely thankful for. I think every milestone I’ve been lucky enough to reach is a proud moment. It can be hard to make anything more than a ripple in the big pond of writing fiction, so whenever something I do splashes, I never take it for granted.
Who are you outside of being an author, meaning do you have other hobbies or interests that are your methods of relaxing or for refreshing, creative inspiration?
I’m a dad. I’m probably more of an author outside of being a dad.
Do you think the horror industry is having a surge of new authors and new readers and if so, do you see this as a good thing?
It seems to be. I feel it’s always a good thing because it keeps people reading. There was a time when hardly anybody wanted to read anything slightly resembling a horror story. Now, there are conventions filled with horror readers that are eager to meet the writers doing it. That could never be a bad thing, in my opinion.
Where do you see the industry in ten years with regards to the evolution of tropes, diversity and inclusion, and readers, flourishing or floundering? Explain why.
It will always flourish. Diversity is a great thing, and I feel that because of how the world continues to be, it'll inspire more creative voices and more people looking to escape the harsh realities of our lives. Horror fiction is a safe place for both sides, the writer and reader. And the writer and reader can come from any background, race, or creed. And that’s magical.
What is a piece of advice that you WISH someone had given you early in your career?
It’s actually a piece of advice I received but didn’t take to heart. The advice was: “It’s nearly impossible to make a living as a writer.” I know it to be true now, but it’s something that every writer should always remember. If it happens, that’s great. Do not take it for granted. But if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay, too. Because we’re writing, and that’s what we’ve wanted to do, ever before anybody read a single word we wrote.
Bio for Kristopher Rufty:
Kristopher Rufty lives in North Carolina with his three children and pets. He’s written over twenty novels. When he’s not spending time with his family or writing, he’s obsessing over gardening and growing food. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more about Kristopher Rufty, please visit: https://kristopherrufty.com/ or www.kruftybooks.com
Also check out his author page on Amazon:
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