HORROR INTERVIEW : 5 MINUTES WITH GARY WOSK

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

I live in North Hills, California with my wife Mina. Our son just graduated from UC Berkeley. He’s not following in my foot-steps thankfully, writing is hard way to earn a living; his goal instead is to become a doctor. I started out as a newspaper reporter and then switched over to public relations and media relations. I am the former spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. After the Great Recession hit and I found myself without a full-time job so I transitioned to freelance work and creative working. It gave me a chance to re-connect with my childhood passion, “The Twilight Zone” and “The Outer Limits.”

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


I probably fall under the category of Dark Fiction. I tend to stay away from too much graphic gore and stress concept, plot, suspense and  character development.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Stephen King and John Grisham.

What are you reading now?

Stephen King’s anthology “Just After Sunset.”

How would you describe your writing style?


Dollops of straight forward journalism sprinkled with Rod Serling, and occasionally a pinch or two of Alfred Hitchcock.

Describe a typical day spent writing. Do you have any unusual writing habits?

Sometimes the freelance work prevents me from writing on a daily basis, but when I am able

No more than two to three hour straight in front of the computer, otherwise my creative juices come to a grinding halt. That’s when I go for a bicycle ride or long walk to get reinvigorated. Also, having my two beagles, Max and Kimmie, at my side inspires me. Why? Who knows. They’re sleeping the whole time.

What’s your favourite food?

Any type of  chicken. My wife says that’s why I have skinny legs.

What’s your favourite album?

Can’t say I have a current favourite album, but I do love the Rolling Stones and Beatles, which kind of dates me.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned about writing?

Rejection only makes me stronger because just like love and romance there’s someone in the world for everyone and that holds true for stories too. If the story is written half-way decently and it has something to say, it will eventually find a home. Also, by all means, join an online or in-person critique club. I belong to the California Writers Club (San Fernando Valley branch) and would not have been as successful without them.

Fame and fortune, or respect?

As far as I know, I’ve already experienced my 15 minutes of fame; if it happens again, that’s fine, but that’s not my goal. A far greater goal is just to be happy with yourself and enjoy the process of getting down something on paper.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

I wrote a short story last year based on my mom titled “Bubbe to the Rescue.” It caught her good sides and not so good sides, but it was also humorous above all else.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

I am not working on a book per se at present. I enjoyed writing the short story “My Gym,” which appears in Diabolic Tales III, because it gave me a chance to vent at the outrageous things I witnessed at my health club, which was becoming not such a great place to work out. I reached the conclusion that the members and management deserved to be classified as zombies. I’m of course not a member of the club anymore. They didn’t appreciate the free publicity. I am presently finishing a short story about the president of a meat-cutters union who is about to be executed by the mob. It’s called “Big Frank.”

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Gary Wosk works as a freelance public relations specialist and is always looking for new challenging assignments. He a serves on the Board of Directors of the San Fernando Valley branch of the California Writers Club in Calabasas, Calif., After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge, he became a newspaper reporter for such dailies as the Newhall Signal, special sections editor for the Los Angeles Daily News, and then went on to become senior communications officer/spokesperson/editor for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles and media relations manager of The ALS Association in Calabasas, Calif. Previously published short fiction stories in the genre of sci-fi/horror and fantasy include “My Gym,” “Bubbe to the Rescue,” “The Unnatural,” “Weather Vain” and “Sugar.” Wosk and his wife Mina live in North Hills, Calif.

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