Therefore, when I got out of the Army, I started writing.

It occurred to me then that it might be a lot of fun to be a writer. I have a vivid imagination, so soon I was imagining mixtures of contemporary horror (which was pretty new back then) with Lovecraftian trimmings. It was during these times, mainly out of boredom, my mind would engage creatively and I would craft my own stories mentally.

Copyrighted material may not be republished without permission of LSFF.-What was the first thing in your life that inspired you to grab a pen or a keyboard and start writing fiction?ĮL: Actually it was a manual Smith-Corona typewriter with a cloth ribbon! When I was in the Army (in Germany in the late ‘70s I was in the 1st Armored Division) I began reading horror fiction, everything from Lovecraft to Stephen King, and every 2 weeks I’d have guard duty, which meant I had to spent 4-hour shifts guarding a tank park. We rely on reader donations to keep the magazine and site going, and would like to keep the site paywall free, but WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT to continue quality coverage of the science fiction and fantasy field. While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or recurring donation. Gonzalez Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for 2021 is John Skipp. The awards were presented online on August 8, 2020. The New Flesh: A Literary Tribute to David Cronenberg, Sam Richard & Brendan Vidito, eds.The Big Book of Blasphemy, Regina Mitchell & David G.Polish Extreme, Edward Lee & Karolina Kaczkowska, eds.Dig Two Graves, Jarod Barbee & Patrick C.WINNER: And Hell Followed, Jarod Barbee & Patrick C.Resisting Madness, Wesley Southard (Death’s Head).This Is a Horror Book, Charles Austin Muir (Clash).Dawn of the Living Impaired, and Other Messed-Up Zombie Stories, Christine Morgan (Death’s Head).Various States of Decay, Matt Hayward (Poltergeist).Dead Sea Chronicles, Tim Curran (Bloodshot).WINNER: Dirty Rotten Hippies and Other Stories, Bryan Smith (Grindhouse).“Norwegian Woods”, Jeremy Wagner ( The Big Book of Blasphemy).“Param”, Susan Snyder ( Trigger Warning: Body Horror).

“Shoulder Pain”, Chandler Morrison ( The Macabre Museum 10/19).“Censered”, Christine Morgan ( And Hell Followed).“Breaking the Waters”, Donyae Coles ( Pseudopod 9/19).WINNER: “Angelbait”, Ryan Harding ( The Big Book of Blasphemy).How Much To.?, Matt Shaw (self-published).Saint Sadist, Lucas Mangum (Grindhouse).White Trash Gothic Part Two, Edward Lee (Section 31).WINNER: One For the Road, Wesley Southard (Deadite).Toxic Love, Kristopher Triana (Blood Bound).Reception, Kenzie Jennings (Death’s Head).Carnivorous Lunar Activities, Max Booth III (Cinestate/Fangoria).

Flesh Gothic by Edward Lee