I’m not gonna lie – I send out a ton of invites for these 3Q’s and honestly only expect a handful of people to reply and say yes. The response so far has been so amazing and so humbling, but also nerve-wracking. Case in point – today’s guest is one of the most accomplished and lauded authors out there. When he agreed to do one, I was over the moon. I sent him the questions – and then I thought – “Shit, I just sent Laird Barron these goofy questions.” (Actually, I think that each and every time I send these out, hoping people will have fun with them and 99% of them have!)

That’s right, today, we have the phenomenal Laird Barron!

Welcome Laird!

(Photo credit: Jessica M.)

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?
Laird: I live in the shadow of the grinding wheel. Rise, shake off the cobwebs and work, seven days a week, no holidays. I tend to break the day into three or four blocks; the blocks are about two hours a shot. Unless a deadline looms, I don’t subscribe to quotas. Consistent progress is the goal—be it a thousand words or a measly sentence. Every couple of years, I pause and take stock. So long as I write routinely, the rest takes care of itself.

Steve: You decide to host a writer’s retreat. One weekend in a luxury house on an island. What three other authors do you invite to come along?
Laird: John Langan as we drink the same scotch anyway. Paul Tremblay’s a mensch. Stephen Graham Jones. Stephen is the rare genius who’s also socially adept. No question in my mind that these guys would be cool heads when the murders begin. Also, we’d solve the murder mystery in short order because I’m confident Stephen started them.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!
Laird: Try “Uncoiling” in the January, 2022 issue of Cosmic Horror Monthly. This story follows a pair of over-the-hill mercenaries as they seek to eradicate a nest of brigands while fending off the cursed attentions of an ancient mountain spirit. If you enjoy Gene Wolfe, Karl Edward Wagner, Roger Zelazny, and dark fantasy, this might be your cup of tea.

Steve: Bonus Question! You receive an invitation in the mail from one of these two people. The invitation invites you to have dinner and spend the night in their home. Do you accept the invitation from Victor Frankenstein or Dracula and why?

Laird: I suspect that Dr. Frankenstein is a wonderful conversationalist. However, his practical interest in my body parts might be problematic. I’d definitely be sweating whether the absinthe was dosed with a sedative.
Count Dracula would be fine company, regaling guests with his romantic forays and adventures abroad. More physically dangerous than Dr. F, but I’ve heard if one stays in one’s room after curfew, no harm will befall them. Besides, garlic, crucifixes, and sharp stakes are in ready supply.
So, I’ll be in Harker’s old room if you need me.

Steve: Fantastic choice! Thank you so much for doing this, Laird!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laird-Barron/e/B0034Q4PH6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LairdBarron

Website: https://lairdbarron.wordpress.com/