An Interview with Steph Walsh

Steph Walsh is a professional copywriter and web content writer who likes writing blog posts but would much rather make a living through fiction.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Last year, I entered a micro-fiction writing contest with a horror/Halloween theme. My love of horror attracted me to this contest, and I had so much fun writing it. I didn’t win the contest, but it triggered something. I’ve always loved writing short stories, but this started me on a new path of writing up an absolute storm. Many of the stories I crafted were in the spooky/horror realm. So, you could say that I wasn’t exactly “inspired” to write a book, more so that I had lots of fun writing some shorts and realized… these could be a book!

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It just seemed natural. “Uncovered” is the first short story I wrote that will end up in the book, and it’s also the longest. I figured it makes sense for it to be the “main” story, and the one represented in the title.

Describe your dream book cover.

Well, I’m actually married to a very talented artist who has already created an amazing book cover that I’m in love with. It’s unique, spooky, and fits the vision I had for it from the start. He perfectly recreated the “mansion in a forest” scene I had envisioned from the inception of Uncovered.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Anything by Black Veil Brides! Their dark, moody, introspective style has always inspired me.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I just got finished with Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, and I absolutely loved it. Not at all in the same category as my book, but one thing I do take away from it is the intricate and beautiful worldbuilding. I’m currently in the middle of The Treasure Hunter’s Club by Tom Ryan, which is a wonderfully crafted mystery. I hope to weave storylines and mysteries like he does, even in the smaller word count of my short stories.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’m currently a full-time copywriter for a telecommunications company, which is certainly in the realm of my nature as a writer. What many don’t know is that when I was 20, I spent a year working on the professional show-jumping circuit as a show groom for a Grand Prix barn. This took me to Florida for six months, which was amazing as I got to skip the cold, frigid Canadian winter that year. Ultimately, I decided it was not what I wanted as a career, but it was a great experience.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always had it in me. Since before I even knew how to write, I was “writing” by scribbling lines and swirls in little journals, and “reading” the stories to my parents. It’s the one thing that’s always come somewhat naturally to me; the one thing teachers complimented me on through my school years. I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to write.

Where is your favorite place to write?

About six months ago, my husband and I moved from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom, which means I got a proper office! To celebrate, the first thing I did was get a nice new, much larger desk. So right now, my nice new desk with all its space and features, right under the window, is my favourite place to write.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

Start writing fiction sooner! I’ve spent the last decade building a career in blogs, web content, and marketing copywriting. Which I do not regret, but I do regret not investing time in my fiction sooner.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

Existential dread and the questioning of reality as they know it.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.