Samantha’s story, The Mushroom Child, was one that gave me a shiver because of how much I could relate to the character! Her daughter gifts her an experience, a class that would teach her how to forage in the surrounding area. The gift was well intended. Designed to allow our main character, Nancy, to go out and get some fresh air, experience nature, and remind herself of the things she loved that her departed husband had no interest in. It’s heartwarming and sweet, shows a true bond, and made me smile and reminded me of my own mother. Of course, such a class leads to Nancy going out more, exploring… where she sees something that’s not quite right…
Even now, if she squinted, she could believe a golden-haired little girl of four or five years dressed in a red dress knelt at her feet instead of some kind of fungal growth
The Mushroom Child by Samantha J. Bryant, featured in Dark Spores by Crone Girls Press.
Q (Crone Girls Press): What inspired your story in this anthology? Tell us the “story behind the story.”
A (Samantha J. Bryant): I walk alone in the woods a fair bit, and my mind likes to shape patterns into faces, creatures, etc., even when they’re not there. That coupled with a lifelong love of fairy tales and my excitement over the concept of this anthology sent me to my keyboard and this is what came out.
Q: Why do you write horror? What about the genre appeals to you as an author?
A: Like Shrek said, “Better out than in.” The dark side of my imagination needs an outlet or it starts to feed on me. I find horror cathartic to write and read.
Q: There are a number of different flavors of horror. Where does your story fit, and what drew you to this particular category?
A: A lot of my horror is intermixed with grief, and this story is no exception. I’m also drawn to horror in ordinary settings, sort of domestic horror, if you will.
Q: What do you love about mushrooms? What drew you to this anthology?
A: What’s not to love? They’re beautiful, sneaky, sometimes insidious and outright dangerous and half of what they are happens beneath our feet every day. Moving to North Carolina, home to a prodigious variety of fungus only increased my enthusiasm. When I saw that Crone Girls was doing a mushroom themed horror anthology, I was so excited! Three things I love all in one book? (Crone Girls, horror, and mushrooms!)
Q: When you’re not writing, what might we find you doing? (Free time or for a day job?)
A: I’m a recent classroom refugee. I taught middle school, high school, and college for 27 years before walking away two years ago. Now my job is more boring, but less dangerous and more flexible–I’m a content strategist for a large company.
My non-working time is largely spent on reading, writing, and walking, though I also enjoy baking, old movies, cooking, and household DIY projects.
Q: What’s next in your writing journey?
A: I’m currently writing a trio of romance novellas–a completely new genre for me. I just turned in the final novel in the Menopausal Superhero series (coming to you in 2025!), and I wanted to try something brand new. Once I finish the novellas, I’m excited to return to a Gothic romance I started writing a couple of years ago.
About The Author
When she’s not writing, Samantha enjoys family time, watching old movies, baking, reading, gaming, walking with her rescue dogs, and going places. Her favorite gift is tickets (to just about anything). Learn more about her and her work at http://samanthabryant.com, check out her catalog of writing at http://bit.ly/SamanthaBryant or find her on Twitter or Instagram @samanthabwriter If all else fails, check the woods. She likes to get lost there.
Be sure to check out their story in Dark Spores
Crone Girls Press 