1. How did you get started writing fiction? 

I have always had ideas (even as far back as elementary school).  Lots of those early ideas were probably derivative of other materials at the time, but I was driven.  While I was attending OCTC (Owensboro Community and Technical College), I started submitting poetry to their literary magazine, The Skylark.  My earliest published work (besides a poem in a senior creative writing book) appears in several of Skylark’s volumes.

2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing? (Such as fantasy, romance, horror, or unspecified)  

My writing tends to gravitate more towards horror fiction (although other genres/interests tend to creep their way in).  In my story for Halloween Horrors (“The Doom That Came to Lot 19”), I dabble ever so slightly in urban fantasy.  I have a novella in the works that blends horror with crime (for an inspired mix of country murder ballads and revenge from beyond the grave).

3. What was it about writing short stories that just seemed to "click" with your writing career?  

A lot of avenues open up when crafting short fiction.  You can create one-and-done stories that are standalones, waiting to be collected.  You can also write stories that are pieces of a larger, shared universe of your own creation.  The options are just about limitless.

4. Is there a type of short story that you enjoy writing most? Please explain.

I love writing stories that make slight-to-moderate references to my other work, but can also be read as a standalone story.  It’s so much fun crafting these kinds of stories and seeing how they fit into one another when/if I were to decide to collect them in an omnibus or anthology.

5. What was it like when you sold your first short story?

Like many people (I’m sure), it was exhilarating. My first story submission/approval came from Nadine Stewart and her anthology, Curbside Curses. I am so proud of that story for many reasons. It introduces a villain/scourge that becomes a recurring character in my Elysian Grove universe (even though this story exists outside of those stories, paradoxically) and it includes an Easter egg involving the murder ballad story I mentioned earlier.  It became so much more tangible when I held my copy of the physical release in my hands. I’ve been chasing that high ever since.

6. Where do you find short story markets to submit to? 

I follow all kinds of publishers and authors on my various social handles, which helps me see when submissions are open and if my style would fit with theirs. Along with that, I have plenty of friends in the community that give me a heads-up about submission calls. I’m thankful for the community for all they do.

7. What is one lesson you have learned as a writer when it comes to writing short fiction?  

Let your friends/peers read your work as you go. Their insights can be helpful (especially if you take breaks in between your writing sessions) and their praise helps you keep going.

8. How is writing short fiction different from your work as a writer of longer fiction?

I’ll let you know when I get a piece of longer fiction out there.  I’m kidding. But, in all seriousness, writing shorter fiction gives it a sense of urgency due to deadlines. Longer fiction gives you some breathing room and a bit more play room as well.

9. What is some of the best advice you have received from other writers or editors when it comes to writing short fiction?  

Let the story tell itself. I can’t remember who told me that, but it’s true. Trying to force a story tends to leave less-than-desirable results. Let it guide you and tell you where to go.

10. Do you have any advice of your own to share with other writers?  

I personally love listening to music while I write. The genres I listen to depend on what kind of story I am writing. It sets the mood and allows a bit more immersion. 

ABOUT ROBB:

Robb Basham was born, raised, and currently resides in Owensboro, Kentucky. He has been writing stories and poetry (with sporadic consistency) since high school and has had three stories published as of this interview. When he isn’t working on his latest writing projects, he avidly watches films and reads novels of all kinds of genres. Since getting sober in 2020, he also enjoys a cold N/A brew with a good book on the porch. He is at work on his first novella, You Drove Me to It (a country murder ballad horror story).