Meet Horror Fiction's Subversive Rising Star Eric LaRocca in this Exclusive Interview

Thank you so much! I’m so delighted those feelings of claustrophobia crept in while you were reading the novella. I suppose the genesis for the idea really began with my interest in grieving rituals in other countries. The inevitability of death remains a constant source of anxiety for me, and I was interested in learning about how other cultures grieve when their loved ones perish. 

During my investigation, I discovered a particular ritual that truly unnerved me but also fascinated me. I read about a particular ritual where the relatives of the deceased would have their fingers amputated, as if it were a physical penance for their suffering, for their grief. That really fascinated me. It also inspired several key moments in We Can Never Leave This Place where I attempted to illustrate the physical manifestations of the grieving process. 

That’s absolutely accurate. I tend to write only when I’m feeling particularly inspired. I don’t see much good in strapping myself to the keyboard and demanding that I execute a certain word count or else. That’s not fun. In my experience, that doesn’t elicit the best quality of writing. 

If I’m working on a certain project, I’ll make sure I carve out enough time to write between one thousand and two thousand words. But I never beat myself up for not meeting the goal or make unreasonable demands of myself to catch up quickly during my next writing session. I try to keep the writing process as fluid and as enjoyable as it can. Of course, it’s hard work and sometimes very difficult at times. However, I try to enjoy myself and make certain that I truly love what I’m creating. If I don’t, I usually stop working on that project and focus my energy on something else.

It was such an honor to share You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood with my readers. I knew that some folks were clamoring for new material from me, and I desperately wanted to offer them something until my new releases arrived. What’s been so inspiring about watching the success of You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood has been the fact that the book has had zero promotion and zero author endorsements. Meanwhile, it’s found a devoted readership, and folks really seem to enjoy it.

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Well, I always need a quiet, dark corner to commune with the sinister forces. Other than that, I usually need the room to be completely quiet. I cannot write in public places because I usually become far too distracted. If I’m editing a piece, I’ll sometimes put on music. But if I’m writing a new draft, I find it very difficult to concentrate if too much is going on around me. I usually have a cup of tea near me when I’m working as well because that always calms me down and keeps me centered.

Other than my crippling anxiety, usually thoughts of death and destruction. I think I’m most fearful of loved ones passing away and leaving me behind. 

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A book I constantly think about has to be The Vegetarian by Han Kang. It’s so decidedly gruesome and yet so elegant and sophisticated at the same time. It also captures such a nuanced view of human sexuality. I absolutely adore that book.

For all of my indie released books, I’ve had total creative control when it comes to the cover artwork. For You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood, I knew I wanted to work with artist Kim Jakobsson (Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke) and I knew for a fact I wanted to use a particular print for the cover. For We Can Never Leave This Place, I came across the work of a Greek artist named Ble. I found a painting he had done called “Fever” and was completely awestruck by it. I knew it had to be the cover art for the novella!

After We Can Never Leave This Place, I’ll be focusing all my efforts on my upcoming Titan Books release, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes. The collection contains the titular novella as well as two never-before-published novelettes, “The Enchantment” and “You’ll Find it’s Like That All Over.” Then, in October, I have a very special release coming out on Halloween from Bad Hand Books. The release is titled They Were Here Before Us. It’s a novella told in various vignettes/stories. I’m very much looking forward to sharing more of my work with such kindhearted and devoted readers!