Interview with Suzie Lockhart of Dastardly Damsels
Interview with Suzie Lockhart of Dastardly Damsels
I recently got to chat with Suzie Lockhart about her latest anthology, Dastardly Damsels, which would have grabbed my attention from the title alone. And then, of course, there was the blurb:
A transcendental anthology of women in horror, altering all you know by revamping traditional lore while exploring the unfathomable and the obscure.
Prepare yourself for a harrowing journey through Dastardly Damsels, an anthology that redefines horror with a powerful lineup of female authors. This collection dares to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the supernatural, presenting a diverse range of chilling narratives that will captivate and unsettle you.
From the Victorian Era’s haunted secrets to futuristic global disasters, Dastardly Damsels serves up an array of stories that blend psychological fear with mythological intrigue. Dive into tales of revenge with a twist, where women wield dark powers and confront terrifying entities, from cannibalistic horrors to vengeful ghosts. Experience the suspense of a secretive stripper turned avenger, a gladiatrix with a taste for brutality, and a peculiar elevator with a sinister personality.
Each story promises a unique thrill—whether it’s the heart-stopping tension of a final girl like no other or the unsettling aftermath of witchcraft gone awry. The anthology’s gothic and steampunk elements enhance its eerie atmosphere, while the psychological twists ensure that each page turn brings a new shock.
If you’re ready for a blend of suspense and horror narratives that push the boundaries of traditional lore, Dastardly Damsels is your ticket to an unforgettable reading experience.
L.S.: What does “dastardly” mean to you, and why did you choose this theme for the anthology?
SUZIE: A very good question indeed. So… here is how the title and the book came to be.
I have enjoyed immensely working on all-female anthologies. I edited Killing It Softly 1 & 2 and A Scream in the Night. I had the desire to edit a new one, but had no publisher. Just an idea brewing. I thought about the proverbial ‘damsel in distress’… and was trying to think of an oxymoron. The image of the old cartoon character, Dastardly Doolittle popped in my head. I wanted strong, ‘Dastardly Damsels’ as main characters, and thus the title was born!
L.S.: I love this idea of strong main characters, though I think you have a range of protagonists in these tales that might not match what a reader expects. What do you think makes a character strong, and what kinds of strengths are being shown in these stories?
SUZIE: As for the dastardliness of the characters, it did not always refer to the protagonist. A ‘dastardly’ female had to be a central character. I checked into descriptions of meanings for dastardly, and words used were ‘wicked, underhanded, treacherous.’ In my own mind, I also felt a certain amount of deception rose to fit the bill.
As for the stories, I looked for not only stories that fit the term perfectly, but tales that would stretch the reader’s imagination.
There are women seeking vengeance through plotting and scheming, obviously. Sometimes plans don’t play out. Sometimes they do with an added twist. But that is only a basic scenario that arrived wrapped in terrific storytelling. There are women whose lives have been utterly turned inside out, and it warps them into unrecognizable versions of themselves. There are fearless women using whatever tools of treachery or deception to protect loved ones. Strong women using any tools at their disposal. Many of the stories are about women persevering against all odds. Some are even quite amusing.
Each story, not to mention the exceptional poetry, is strung together to keep the reader entertained and engrossed until the very end!
L.S.: How did you approach diversity in the submission process?
SUZIE: I highly value diversity in the submission process. I asked for it in the open call and encouraged it.
Unfortunately I did not receive enough diversity. I am thankful I have some, but would tremendously enjoy the opportunity to work with authors from a wealth of backgrounds.
The stories themselves are very diverse. That I can assure…
L.S.: I was touched to see the Rachel Caine story as the final piece in the book. For readers unfamiliar with her, who was Rachel Caine, and how did you come to include her terrific story?
SUZIE: Thank you for asking that question, Rachel was very special to me. She allowed me to reprint ‘Death Warmed Over’ in Killing It Softly 2, and I was over the moon about working with her… and Nancy Holder again! (Not to mention persuading the matriarch of WiH, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, to allow a reprint of ‘Endra’ in Dastardly Damsels!)
Rachel died after a battle with cancer in 2020. I had begun reading the Stillhouse Lake series, and discovered she had an assistant. I contacted her assistant, and through her obtained permission from herself, Rachel’s agent, and Rachel’s husband to reprint ‘Death Warmed Over’… which is a story I absolutely loved! Rachel was a kind and humble soul, so it was an honor to get the greenlight to reprint it as a tribute to her!
L.S.: If you had to choose one story in the book to give readers a flavor of the anthology overall, which story would it be?
SUZIE: First, thanks a million to Marianne Halbert for stepping up as my Assistant Editor. There is more of a story associated with that, but I will only say that another author worked with me in tandem to get Dastardly Damsels off the ground. We ended up parting ways, and she prefers anonymity.
And a special shout-out to Joe Mynhardt for taking on this project when I presented it to him! (Twice!)
Let’s start with three of the more recognizable names in the horror community: Rachel, Nancy Holder, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I already mentioned ‘Death Warmed Over.’ The first time I read it, I adored the mix of horror and romance!
Nancy has one of the kindest dispositions, and always brings an ‘A’ game story. Beyond that, she has been incredibly supportive, and that truly touched me, having the greatest admiration for her!
I had desired to work with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and when she agreed to participate, I was ecstatic, and her ‘Endra-by memory’ stunned me. Another bit of romance set in an apocalyptic water world, starring a female pirate… wow!
I had not known Nancy Kilpatrick or Mary Genevieve Fortier, so to have additional great authors’ works was quite the honor!
Now, a few ladies I’d worked with previously, especially with the Killing It Softly anthologies, so I was familiar with their work. H.R. Boldwood sent me an elevator named ‘Lucille’ who left me in macabre stitches. I am pleased her story has gained well-deserved attention. Donna Munro sent a fabulous period piece called ‘Matilda’s Mourning’ that was hauntingly unique and beautifully executed. Rie Sheridan Rose sent a wonderful mythological story. Rose Blackthorn sent me a werewolf story that surprised me. Gerri Leen’s tale quietly disturbs, and Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert was ‘Unafraid.’ All were authors I already knew and respected.
Then there were authors who hadn’t been on my radar that brought fresh new material. L.E. Daniels and Christina Sng submitted unexpected poetry that spoke volumes!
Every time I arrange stories in an anthology, I obsess over the flow because it is of utmost importance in arranging them. That is why the second story, ‘Moth Girl’ is from an author previously unknown to me. It is about an artist who slowly becomes unhinged to morbid consequences.
Towards the middle I placed ‘In Dire Straits.’ At the point I received this long story, I hadn’t planned on accepting any more. Then… I read it! There is no lull in the midst of my dastardly damsels! (Alisha is the sweetest person and can write the most terrifying material!)
And the last story (before Caine’s tribute) is ‘The Final Girl’ by Mia Dalia. A poignant story about a ‘final girl’ trying to readjust to society after an abduction. You won’t see a final girl like this one at the theater!
There are a number of authors I worked with for the first time in this anthology. Nemma, Claire, Jezzy, Yvonne, Rosalind, Rue, Kay, Patricia, and Alex all brought fresh new flavor. Rowan Hill brought a stripper turned ‘Rambo’ by the name of Roxy, and Aelth Faye brought a bad-ass gladiatrix. Nora Peevy turned your typical fairy tales upside down. Patricia Miller put a seamstress with special sight into an impossible scenario. Elaine Pascale, our very own godmother of horror, tells a story of a woman rising through the ranks in a man’s world with unforeseen results. A lone woman living in the woods develops an unexpected friendship to protect at any cost in Sarah Jane Huntington’s touching tale, and Naching T. Kassa brings a protagonist who will go to any lengths to safeguard what is hers. An author I knew well introduced Valerie B. Williams and ‘Red Lipstick’… in which a vengeful ghost seeks to defend a woman from meeting the same fate that she had.
Dastardly Damsels is my most monumental achievement to date, thanks to all the genius talents within these pages!
You can find Dastardly Damsels at Amazon!
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