Q: Today, I’m excited to be spending time with dark fiction author Katherine Silva! If you can, I’d love it if you can share a little bit about yourself and what types of stories you enjoy writing as well as which genres you write in?
A: I am a dark fiction writer from Maine. I have a grey tuxedo cat named Lemon Jelly and I have an unhealthy love for sharks, books, and coffee. While I prefer to write about spooky things, I have dabbled in comedy, in urban fantasy, and in sci-fi in my past publications.

Q: What can you tell us about your latest release and where can we find it?
A: I’m gearing up to release my 6th book, THE WILD DARK. It’ll be the first book in a new series called The Wild Oblivion and features an ex-cop trying to survive a forest purgatory merging with her world while being tethered to the ghost of her dead partner. That book will be available in paperback and e-book in October. Also, my story, “The Night Has A Chill” will be in the upcoming New England Horror Writers’ anthology WICKED CREATURES coming out at the Merrimack Halloween Book Festival.
Q: You also have a series out titled “The Monstrum Chronicles”, what can you let me know about it? .
A:The Monstrum Chronicles is an urban fantasy series about vampires living amongst humans. There are secret organizations, monsters, murders, and plenty of mayhem between the three books and one short story in the series. I have plans to write two more novels for it eventually.
Q: This fall, you’re releasing ‘The Wild Dark.’ Are there any teases you can share about the book? 
A: The Wild Dark is a story about love and death, loyalty, spirituality, and choices. The protagonist, Liz, is an ex-police officer who witnessed her best friend and partner of ten years get killed on the job. She’s a loner by nature which has sent her into the White Mountains of NH for solitude and reflection. With the background of this unearthly forest purgatory apocalyptically taking over the world, it’s really a story about the love and friendship of these two people and how it’s surviving beyond the grave. It’s not only about surviving a harsh winter but it’s also about surviving one’s guilt and grief.
Q: Where were you born (and/or are you from) and how has that affected your writing?
A: I was born in Maine. New England is haunting and geographically gorgeous. It’s mountainous and covered in dark woods and then nestled next to the hungry Atlantic ocean. The small-town quaintness of a lot of its corners is mixed with this deep history and comforting familiarity. The wilderness here is authentic and beautiful and kind of scary, too. 
Q: As a lover of cats, and I won’t ask you to weigh in on your own, what species of cats do you think look the coolest?
A: If we’re going by looks, it’s probably going to be the snow leopard. Their coats, eyes, and physiques are just gorgeous, and that prowess? What a phenomenal creature.
Q: As a connoisseur of coffee, what are your go-to blends and brands?
A: I’ve always been a fan of darker blends. My favorite blends tend to be Sumatran. I’ve been on a Bones Coffee kick for a little while now though and they have a lot of fun with their flavors.
Q: If you could write a story with anyone writer, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
A: Michael Crichton would be SO fun to write a story with.
Q: You are involved in multiple writing organizations! Can you tell me a bit about Horror Writers of Maine, the New England Speculative Writers, and the New England Horror Writers Association? 
A: Horror Writers of Maine is an organization of writers from all backgrounds in Maine who specialize in horror fiction. We have screen, play, novel, short story, poetry, video game, and audio writers as members of our organization. New England Horror Writers is an organization that I have been a part of for so long and have met so many incredible authors through. The friendships that I’ve made there have been some of the most genuine I’ve had in the horror community and the closest. I’m still pretty new with New England Speculative Writers, but many of the writers from HWOM and NEHW are a part of the same organization.
Q: What are your favorite author resources online, from websites to tools?
A: I frequent BehindtheName.com for character names like fiend. It has such a wonderful breadth of names to choose from! I also take full advantage of the free services of Canva to create marketing material. Spotify gives me access to thousands and thousands of creepy ambient tracks while writing and that, in itself, is glory.
Q: When not writing directly, you also run Dark Taiga Creative Writing Consultations. What is that about?
A: Dark Taiga was something I started during the pandemic while I was laid off. I love the idea of a creative soundboard for aspiring and already published authors to talk about ideas with. Sometimes all someone needs is just someone to bounce ideas off of to get the creative juices flowing. I can be that person!
Finally, if there is anything else you would love to share with our readers, please do so here!
A: I have a monthly newsletter that I put out at my website! You can sign up for news about upcoming releases, giveaways, and other exclusive info at katherinesilvaauthor.com.