It’s Thursday, and here I am posting the blogdom thoughts. Yeah, I’m just moving it to Thursdays… *eyeroll*

This week it’s five people who mean a lot to me. Since it’s Women in Horror recognition month, I thought I’d post the five most important female influences on my tastes and yes, my work.

In no particular order are:

Alexandra Sokoloff – A few years ago, I read her novel The Harrowing, and found its subtlety, its atmosphere and its tension to be delightfully refreshing. She didn’t rely on crappy tropes to move the story along, she wrote the story and allowed the tension to carry the reader forward. My imagination ran wild through-out, and drove me to pick up her next novel – The Price. I wasn’t disappointed.

Jennifer Pelland – I was introduced to Jennifer’s work through Apex, and between she and the next lady of horror, I found women did write some pretty nasty stuff. Never mind the blood babies – try being a Captive Girl. Or Organ Nell. o_O I cherish my copy of Unwelcome Bodies so much so that I don’t loan it out. Ever. Don’t ask, ‘cuz you’ll be laughed out of my house.

Fran Friel – has written some pretty frightening and subtly gruesome tales, and the best of which are all included in Mama’s Boy. Fran’s stories are awesomely twitch-worthy. I always check under my bed… mostly thanks to her. Thing is, Fran is also one of the most friendly, sweet ladies I’ve ever had the chance to correspond with. The contrast between her words and herself is just amazing… ya gotta watch out for those happy, friendly people, I swear.

Cate Gardner – this woman is twisted, sick and demented, but she’s so quiet about it, you don’t notice until after your fingers have torn through the cover because you’re gripping the book so tightly. Known for her twisty and unpredictable stories, Cate is probably the shooting star of our time. Again, you won’t notice her ascent until she’s got a handful of Stokers and other awards cluttering her desk. Stealthy is our Cate.

And now, the one I’m not only happy to read, and happy to publish, but also whom I’m happy to call friend. I should say, blessed to call friend. This is where I get all stalkery and creepy…

Gina Ranalli – I’ve cuddled up to Gina’s writings for a few years now, and while it sometimes lacks the subtlety of Fran or Alexandra’s work, it has a nuance that I still can’t and haven’t ever been able to put my finger on. Gina is unique, and her voice is strong. Another of my cherished books is her 13 Thorns: never leaves my house, and I don’t even let the girls read it. It’s MINE. No touchy. Her fantastically bizarre horror has introduced me to the bizarro genre, and while my attempts to write something utterly bizarre have thus far failed – she is the inspiration for me to keep trying.

Gina is not only my favorite female author of dark, twisty, horrific materials, she is an extremely talented abstract artist as well. When she posted photos of one piece in particular to her blog, I immediately recognized the symbol she’d painted, the great White Horse from Uffington in the UK. To people of my faith, the site is symbolic of the horse goddess Epona – often referred to as Rhiannon in England and Wales. Naturally I squee’d, and then I went gooey too, cuz she offered it to me as a solstice present! About two weeks later there it was. She made me cry, I’m telling you… and the painting is currently gracing the wall to the right of my desk. When we move, it’s being matted and framed, and will be front and center on the living room wall. PS – no touchy!

‘Til next week folks – and it’ll be Thursday, no doubt – support women in horror, go buy their books. And I’ll be back tomorrow with another handful of women writers that have inspired me – this post just wasn’t enough!