 BIO Halo Scot is the author of the Rift Cycle, a grimdark, science-fantasy series. Follow Halo on Twitter and Instagram (@halo_scot), or visit haloscot.com. Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? I’m a grimdark, science-fantasy author who has written stories since I learned how to write. Writing is therapy for me — a way to escape, a way to process, a way to admit what I would otherwise hide. To get the ball rolling and get everyone relaxed, here is a hopefully lighthearted question to break the ice, which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life and have them complain at you about they way you treated them in your work. I’m fairly ruthless with my characters and tend to put them through hell, so I would prefer not to meet any of them in real life — they would all probably kill me lol. Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing? Science fiction and fantasy have been HUGE influences in my life. The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations. What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions? To me, horror is anything that summons a feeling of terror. However, I think it carries the stereotypes of “jump scares” and excessive violence. To break past these assumptions, I think we can ensure we include well-rounded characters, captivating plots, and a catchy voice. Good stories will dispel any cliché. A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years? I’ve seen the rise of more psychological horror, such as with the new Joker movie, and over the next few years, I could see the genre continuing in that direction. Given the dark, violent and at times grotesque nature of the horror genre why do you think so many people enjoy reading it? We, as a culture, love the taboo. Horror gives voice to our deepest fears, our darkest desires, and just as people rubberneck a car crash, we can’t help but fixate on our fear. What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre? I think the genre, especially over the past few years, has fleshed itself out. I don’t see anything missing, but I do see a few great trends — such as the psychological horror direction I stated above. In the past authors were able to write about almost anything with a far lesser degree of the fear of backlash, but this has all changed in recent years. These days authors must be more aware of representation and the depiction of things such as race and gender in their works, how aware are you of these things and what steps have you taken to ensure that your writing can’t be viewed as being offensive to a minority group? I have included a diverse range of nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations in Edge of the Breach and researched each in depth. As someone who identifies as gay, I understand what it is like to be a minority and went to painstaking lengths to ensure I am sensitive to the portrayal of all types of diversity. Does horror fiction perpetuate its own ghettoization? I think horror is becoming more and more popular as people are becoming more open and honest with the shape of our world. Horror is unflinching, yes, but I don’t think that ghettoizes it. People love to read about blood and gore and guts and things that go bump in the night. Take Game of Thrones, for example. It’s a fantasy, and yet, there are many horrifying elements to it. If anything, I think horror is seeping into other genres, as well, and this is increasing its popularity overall. What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice of? A few excellent authors I’ve read recently include Chris DeVito (@ChrisMDeVito), Evan Knapp (@MovementWhere), and Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden (@Baphy1428), and a couple pre-orders I’m stoked about include Ash Knight (@ForgottenAstro2) and A.C. Merkel (@Blink_Drive). What are the books and films that helped to define you as an author? Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica were HUGE inspirations to me in terms of film and TV. As for books, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, and A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab have been instrumental in my development of voice and style. Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you? The reviews and feedback by the new and upcoming authors I listed above completely blew me away. I am very, very lucky to have their support. What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult? Trusting my gut and taking risks. I used to hedge much more than I do now, but I still feel myself pulling back into my comfort zone every now and then, so it’s something I’m keenly aware of. Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? I don’t like to limit myself, but I’m probably not the best choice to write children’s books haha. How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Names are extremely important, and I choose them based on both sound and meaning. I usually have nameberry.com open, and with absolute chaos, I search for names in different cultures and meanings until one sticks. Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years? I’ve become much bolder and broken many of the “rules.” But I’ve also learned to trust my decisions more. What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing? Do what works for you. Don’t worry about what works for anyone else. To many writers, the characters they write become like children, who is your favorite child, and who is your least favorite to write for and why? In Edge of the Breach, Kyder was my favorite to write for, and he came the easiest to me (don’t judge lol). I don’t really have a least favorite to write for, because if I’m not connecting with the character in some way, I ax them. For those who haven’t read any of your books, which of your books do you think best represents your work and why? Edge of the Breach is my debut book, and it is the most representative of my tone and style. Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us? “It’s easier for them to accept physical injuries than mental illness, than substance abuse, than grief. What a pathetic, backwards society on a broken, upside-down world.” – Edge of the Breach Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next? Edge of the Breach is about how we all have the capacity for monstrosity when pushed to our limits. In a post-apocalyptic world where season of birth determines power — spring healers, summer mages, fall shapeshifters, and winter shields — a man and a woman emerge from tragic childhoods to lead humanity on opposite sides of an interrealm war. Excerpts and more information is available at my website: https://haloscot.com/books/. If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice? The oblivious family that doesn’t move out of their clearly haunted house after the first puddle of blood appears out of nowhere. SAVE YOURSELVES, PEOPLE! What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you? The last great books I read were all of the books by the authors listed above, and I haven’t been disappointed by a book in recent memory. What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer? Oof, you’ve asked such amazing questions that I have none left! Thanks so much for having me! Edge of the Breach (Rift Cycle Book 1) We all become monsters at the edge of the breach. In a post-apocalyptic world where season of birth determines power — spring healers, summer mages, fall shapeshifters, and winter shields — a man and a woman emerge from tragic childhoods to lead humanity on opposite sides of an interrealm war.
There is a hole in the sky. They call it the Rift. A portal to the gods. The scar of a suffering world. Through it, the gods rule the last scraps of civilization, harkening war. As chaos beckons, two leaders emerge from the ashes of a dying planet. Julian Kyder is the son of an abusive rape victim who compensates for his abandonment through psychopathy. Sira Rune is a cancer survivor who dedicates her life to living free and fearless while experiencing the taboo and the unorthodox. Rune is the only one unafraid of Kyder, and that terrifies him, because he only knows how to function through fear. Even though she gives him more chances than he deserves, how much violence can she forgive? When is a person beyond redemption? While he struggles to control his demons and she struggles to find purpose, the gods drag the ruined world into war. Comments are closed.
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