For The Night Is Dark : Daniel I Russell

Today’s victim is Daniel I Russell. Daniel I. Russell has been featured publications such as The Zombie Feed from Apex, Pseudopod and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. He was nominated for two Tin Duck Awards in 2011 for best novel and best short story, and again in 2012 for best short story. Author of Samhane, Come Into Darkness, Critique, The Collector Book 1: Mana Leak and Mother's Boys, Daniel is also the current vice-president of the Australian Horror Writers' Association and special guest editor of Midnight Echo.

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Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

Hey guys. My name is Daniel I. Russell, current vice-president of the Australian Horror Writer’s Association and author of books such as Samhane, The Collector, Critique and Come Into Darkness. I’ve also edited for Midnight Echo and Necrotic Tissue.

Do you prefer the term Horror, Weird Fiction or Dark Fiction?

I think that would depend on the story. I’ve always considered myself to be a horror writer, and I’m damn proud to call myself a horror writer. Some stories I’ve penned I would consider as weird and/or dark fiction though. Hard to explain, but a story needs horror teeth in my eyes (not literally, although that would be pretty damn horrific…) to be horror.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Horror-wise I’m eating up anything Brett McBean writes at the moment, but if I could only read one author for the rest of my life it would be H.G. Wells.

Can you tell us anything about your story in the anthology?

I always like to try new things and this is no different! My usual style takes a back seat to a tale set at the turn of the twentieth century. With a twist on the classical ghost story, I hope readers have their gaslights ready to venture into the darkness of one of history’s famous murders.

What is the first thing that pops into your mind when someone says South African horror?

That there should be more shark stories from the area! To be honest, I’m not aware of much horror from the country, but due to the history of the region, it would be an original voice and perhaps one to look out for.

Why did you decide to submit a story to this anthology?

I was a little late to the party on this one, but once I saw some of the names on the guest list, I knew I wanted in! It’s been great so far, especially the social side. You don’t usually know who you’ll be appearing with until an editor releases a TOC, so this has been a bit different. We’re a good bunch, and I get to appear alongside buddies Tracie McBride and G.N. Braun as well as the likes of Gary McMahon, Willie Meikle, Jeremy C. Shipp and other talents I have the pleasure of knowing. Always good to want to be in an anthology because you’ll want to read the finished book yourself!

And other than yourself who would you like to see open and close the anthology?

I have no idea. How can you choose just one name from this bunch? My vote goes for a raffle or darts tournament to decide.

Could you recommend one of your own stories to the readers?

If readers want to get in on the ground floor of an upcoming trilogy, The Collector Book 1: Mana Leak is out with Dark Continents Press in print and ebook. There will be more books to follow (there HAS be. A reader threatened me in person that if those books aren’t out soon he’d beat the piss out of me…) so good to get on board now. ;-) If something shorter is to your taste, Critique (again, Dark Continents) has been turning some heads.