Sara Tantlinger brings us a hauntingly beautiful dance of a poem, spinning a tale of tragedy and control. The imagery her words invoke is almost ethereal, and is exactly what you want in prose.
They’ve traded in bloody toes, but I know
if I slice, just a little, on the pale rosy top how they will seep for me…
Ballerinas of the Earth by Sara Tantlinger, 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 (Sara Tantlinger): I was researching more about Mycena haematopus, also known as the bleeding fairy helmet, and I was really struck by the delicate pink color they can sometimes be. They looked like little tutus or slippers, so that inspired the ballerina approach to my poem. And since these mushrooms can “bleed” a red latex, I wanted to set a grisly scene in regard to the origin of these particular mushrooms…
Q: Why do you write horror? What about the genre appeals to you as an author?
A: Horror is the best place to creatively explore. I often write bleak stories and poems, and that has been cathartic when I need it to be. So, while horror invites writers to investigate their grief, trauma, or life experiences through the page, it is also a place where we can have fun. I loved putting together a sporror poem for this anthology because it gave me so much dark glee to write! I think the range of possibility with horror is endless, which makes it my forever favorite genre.
Q: There are a number of different flavors of horror. Where does your story fit, and what drew you to this particular category?
A: My poem plays with nature and humanity, which is where a lot of my writing tends to go. There is so much beauty and terror created by nature, and created by humankind. Pulling on those threads and stitching them together brought “Ballerinas of the Earth” to life.
Q: What do you love about mushrooms? What drew you to this anthology?
A: I watched the documentary Fantastic Fungi a couple of years ago and it made me even more intrigued about the world of mushrooms. The connection of fungi to life and death, to medicine and agriculture–there’s so much to learn! I wrote a poem with Jamal Hodge titled “Mycelium Threads”, which I believe will be in the forthcoming Bestiary of Blood anthology, and we had a blast co-writing that piece, which explores a lot of the fungi underground network.
Q: When you’re not writing, what might we find you doing? (Free time or for a day job?)
A: When not writing, I work full-time as a program coordinator, but I love to travel, hike, beachcomb when I’m near the water, and take nature photographs.
Q: What’s next in your writing journey?
A: I’m currently finishing up a body horror novel that I’ve had so much fun with! My debut fiction collection, Cyanide Constellations and Other Stories, will be published with Dark Matter INK in October 2025. Pre-orders are open now!
About The Author
Sara Tantlinger is the author of the Bram Stoker Award-winning The Devil’s Dreamland: Poetry Inspired by H.H. Holmes, and the Stoker-nominated works To Be Devoured and Cradleland of Parasites. She has also edited Not All Monsters and Chromophobia. She is an active HWA member and participates in the HWA Pittsburgh Chapter. She embraces all things macabre and can be found at saratantlinger.com and on Instagram @inkychaotics
Be sure to check out their story in Dark Spores
Crone Girls Press 