PIHM: Spotlight On Jamie Zaccaria
Jamie Zaccaria
Writer
IG: @jamierosegold1
Twitter: @JamieRoseGold1
TikTok: @jamierosegold
Her debut short story collection, Lavender Speculation, will be released by Wildling Press on October 17, 2023.
Jamie Zaccaria works full-time as a science writer doing communications for an ocean exploration organization. She writes fiction and nonfiction in her spare time and also enjoys lobbying for important causes, doing witchy things, and hanging out with her pitbull and cats. She lives in New Jersey with her wife.
What drew you to horror?
I was raised on a steady diet of witchy things and horror films and in my family, Halloween was a lifestyle. I think I’ve gotten even more into horror over the years because of the fascinating (and entertaining) way it expresses society’s fears and desires. I also firmly believe that the horror genre offers a wider and more complex variety of roles for women than other genres, allowing for more diversity and self-expression when discussing the female experience.
Who/What are your biggest inspirations?
The people who support me, especially my family and my wife, inspire me to keep telling stories, even though I always doubt myself. The stories I tell are inspired by everyday life experiences and the constant thought of “what if?” I’m also constantly inspired by other people – especially women – in horror, including writers like Shirley Jackson, Nadia Bulkin, Sara Tantlinger, Jenny Hval, Mary Shelley, and Jewelle Gomez.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known when starting?
Your stories will never be perfect and that’s okay. You don’t need a degree in writing, you don’t need to be a grammar specialist, and you definitely don’t need to have a page full of perfect lines. Just write it and someone, somewhere, will want to read it. Even if they don’t, you should write for yourself first and foremost but I guarantee you, you will surpass your expectations of yourself.
What is your favourite queer book?
It’s cliche but my favorite queer book has to be Carmilla. I love the original work itself but also the amount (and diversity) of adaptations that have allowed authors, filmmakers, and artists to express themselves through the lens of lesbian vampires.
Pride in Horror is all about celebrating our queer community! So is there anyone you want to shout out to who has helped along your own journey?
My family, friends, and wife have been my biggest supporters but I also want to shout out to my editor at Wildling Press, Christina Kann, and fellow WP writer Kara Badalementi who have made my debut collection publication experience a delight.
