Rebecca Rowland’s story, The Cycle of Consumption, is incredible. The horror elements are evident immediately and remind me of a an actual true crime case, bringing cannibalism to the brain instantly.
This story is fantastic. The research involved, the knowledge about mushrooms, bringing in some of the creepier ones, it works as a brilliant lesson in both fungi, writing, and horror.
The terrible cavity grows wider, contorting the rest of Pauline’s face into a funhouse mirror reflection even as her jaw goes slack and the muscles of her shoulders and back release, sending her torso forward onto the table.
The Cycle of Consumption by Rebecca Rowland, 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 (Rebecca Rowland): Last year, I read about a case in Leongatha, Victoria, Australia where a woman was charged with poisoning her former in-laws using death cap mushrooms, but just writing about intentional poisoning seemed like low-hanging fruit (fungi?), so I used the case as a spore and melded it with a real horror from nature: the zombie-ant fungus Cordyceps. Throw in my own experience with living in a suburb just north of Boston in the middle of a hot summer, and the tale simply…mushroomed.
Q: Why do you write horror? What about the genre appeals to you as an author?
A: I’ve written in other genres, but I find that I feel most at home writing art house horror because it offers the best opportunity to surprise the reader. I’m a huge fan of the twist, that pulled-the-rug-out-from-under-you turning point in a story where a reader can be surprised, and dark fiction offers the most authentic opportunities for that.
Q: There are a number of different flavors of horror. Where does your story fit, and what drew you to this particular category?
A: Despite being a mushroom lover, I have always been a bit sickened by the appearance of a cap’s gills: even the tactile nature of them gives me the creeps. While it’s not a subgenre I always tumble into, I do find myself dipping a toe into body horror now and again, and this story definitely slides neatly into that corner because of my personal squeamishness.
Q: What do you love about mushrooms? What drew you to this anthology?
A: I have been a vegetarian most of my life, and despite periods where I have to consume meat protein for health reasons, I eschew animal products simply because I don’t care for the consistency of them. I’ve always liked mushrooms—they are my first choice of topping on a pizza, and even though I’ll eat them raw in salads, I like that they absorb the flavor of sauces and seasonings easily. A portabella burger beats a meat one any day! That being said, when Carol first approached me for this project, I was a bit hesitant. How can I make mushrooms scary? I thought. To be honest, the decision to join Dark Spores was more about working with Carol and Rachel than the theme. I knew they’d do something amazing with this book, so I jumped in with both feet.
Q: When you’re not writing, what might we find you doing? (Free time or for a day job?)
A: By day, I teach high school seniors in an urban high school, and I love it. In my free time, I wander about New York City or travel around the country. Southwest Airlines may send me a Christmas card this year.
Q: What’s next in your writing journey?
A: Dark Spores is one of eight anthologies or magazines where a piece of my short horror fiction appears in the next eight months, and I’ll be announcing the upcoming publication of my second novel soon. In the meantime, I am busy helping my HWA chapter!
About The Author
Rebecca Rowland is a Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author who writes too many short stories. Despite her love of the ocean and distaste for cold weather, she makes her home in a landlocked and often icy corner of New England (USA). She is represented by Becky LeJeune of Bond Literary Agency. Follow her tomfoolery on Instagram, Facebook, bluesky or visit RowlandBooks.com.
Be sure to check out their story in Dark Spores
Crone Girls Press 