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Horror Q&A: Lawrence Dagstine (Something Wicked This Way Rides)

Chris Well

“I’ve written traditional western stuff in the past, but never molded two genres together to give it a speculative flavor...”

The short story collection Something Wicked This Way Rides from Dark Owl Publishing is an anthology featuring some two-dozen authors exploring the Old West with a twisted view, showcasing the 1800s through stories featuring the wicked, supernatural, demonic and just plain weird.

Lawrence Dagstine contributes “The Show Must Go On.” In this interview, the author discusses writing Horror vs. Westerns, the inspiration behind his story, and compares it with his other fiction.

More interviews in this series:

  1. Horror Q&A: John A. Frochio

  2. Horror Q&A: Steve Gladwin

  3. Horror Q&A: Alistair Rey

  4. Horror Q&A: Jonathon Mast

  5. Horror Q&A: Matias Travieso-Diaz

  6. Horror Q&A: John B. Rosenman

  7. Horror Q&A: Kevin M. Folliard

  8. Horror Q&A: Gustavo Bondoni

  9. Horror Q&A: Jason J. McCuiston

  10. Horror Q&A: Andrea Thomas

Q1 What’s your favorite thing about mashing up horror with the Old West?

How both genres can have unsettling instances or circumstances, and, in some cases, consequences. The Old Frontier was a dangerous place.

I like to think of the movie Ravenous as a good example of Western and Horror done right. I think this is a go-to film for anyone looking to get into writing western-horror.

Q2 Did you approach your story as a western story with elements of horror—or vice versa?

Actually, more a speculative tale with dark undertones. And perhaps a bit of mystery about one of the protagonists.

Also, I don’t think anyone has ever written a Western story about a Djinn before. I wanted to bring something fresh to the table.

Q3 What inspired this particular story of yours?

Back in the mid 1800s, when people were settling different parts of the West, there were these traveling acts. Traveling thespians or theater acts, and sharpshooter shows. The kind Wild Bill Hickok had.

Think of them as early circuses. These actors (and actresses) would come to these small frontier towns to perform.

Q4 How does your story in this anthology compare/contrast with your usual fiction?

I’ve written a western novel, and some other traditional western stuff in the past (short fiction). But never molded two genres together to give it a speculative flavor.

I’m mostly known for science fiction and traditional horror, often with a sociological bent.

Q5 What do you want to tell Monster Complex readers about your latest or upcoming work?

That every character you encounter in my work, including this one, has a mysterious “past.”

FIND THE AUTHOR ONLINE

ABOUT THE BOOK

Something Wicked This Way Rides

(Dark Owl Publishing)

An anthology of weird westerns and genre fiction in the Wild West

Click here for the Goodreads page!

This book is appropriate for teenagers.

The anthology Something Wicked This Way Rides explores the Old West with a skewed view, showcasing the weird western genre through stories that explore the peculiar and fantastic, the wicked that was and could have been. Experience spiritual nightmares, mythical monsters, cosmic outlaws, discerning gods, and science run amok. Even the North Pole Security Division isn't immune to the supernatural strangeness that stalks the late 1800s. In the tradition of pulp and western stories of a bygone era, these are thirty tales to intrigue, amaze, and perhaps downright spook readers out of their boots.

Includes stories from:

MORE HORROR AUTHORS