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Thrilling Scares
Chimaera and Other Stories is a collection of Flash Fiction for fans of psychological horror with a sharp, bloody edge. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
The inspiration for Chimaera and Other Stories came from growing up immersed in horror. As a child, I watched a lot of horror films. The first one I remember seeing was A Nightmare on Elm Street. But it wasn’t only films. I also read R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series in primary school and the darker, more gothic tales of Edgar Allan Poe like “The Tell-Tale Heart.” I’ve always been captivated by how horror lingers in the mind and leaves a lasting impact long after the lights go out.
What intrigues you about the horror genre that led you to write this book?
As H.P. Lovecraft said, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” Writing this book allowed me to tap into that primal instinct, crafting narratives that explore the unsettling, the gruesome, and the terrors lurking in the unknown.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I explored many themes in this collection in order to give it a “pick and mix” feel. But my main focus was more on form than themes. I wanted to craft something for people who crave that sense of fear but don’t have the time or patience for a full-length novel. Life is busy, and I understand how difficult it is to find time to read between responsibilities. I wanted to write stories under fifteen hundred words that deliver thrilling scares without the need for hours of commitment.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’ve almost finished writing another collection of flash horror stories. While I don’t have a specific release date yet, I’m eager to create new narratives that will continue to unsettle and engage readers. I’ll be sharing updates with members of my mailing list, which you can join through my website, as the book progresses.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Winner of the 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award
Chimaera and Other Stories
Horror can come in many forms; sometimes, it’s visceral and gory, and other times, it digs deep into the mind. Chimaera and Other Stories by Steven Bruce gives readers a mix of both. In the titular story “Chimaera,” a woman trapped in a crumbling relationship is haunted by terrifying hallucinations. Elsewhere, a teenager’s life unravels after encountering a mysterious creature, while a pair of kidnappers find themselves battling a monstrous force in a secluded cabin. In another unsettling tale, a restaurant owner prepares a meal for an engaged couple who aren’t at all what they seem. Each story is a doorway to sleepless nights, and Bruce doesn’t hold back in making sure you regret opening them.
This collection of Flash Fiction reminds me of the dark genius of Stephen King or Clive Barker, particularly the latter’s Books of Blood series. Bruce has a sharp eye for detail and doesn’t shy away from taking his readers to some truly gruesome places. If you’re easily disturbed, be warned—stories like “Voila” and “Gristle,” both centering on the horrors of food gone wrong, will churn your stomach in the best possible way. Just when you think you know where a tale might lead, Bruce twists it, often to the grisliest extremes, relishing the macabre journey. But it’s not all blood and guts. The title story, “Chimaera,” stands out for its psychological horror, which makes it even more unnerving. Unlike some of the other entries, this one sneaks up on you with its subtler approach. Anyone who’s been in a doomed relationship will recognize the protagonist’s growing paranoia and doubt, making it a truly relatable nightmare. It’s this slow descent into madness, rather than overt terror, that leaves the most lasting impression.
This collection offers plenty to devour for readers who enjoy exploring the darkest corners of the mind and are unfazed by a bit of bloodshed. Steven Bruce dives fearlessly into horror’s most unsettling depths, and the results are nothing short of chilling. Chimera and Other Stories should be at the top of your reading list if you’re a fan of psychological horror with a sharp, bloody edge.
Pages: 40
Reading The Accounts Of Suffering
White Knuckle shares your experiences with grief, loss and abandonment through impassioned and raw poetry. Why was this an important collection for you to publish?
Initially, I never intended to publish White Knuckle. The manuscript came as a result of the final dissertation for my Master’s Degree. It wasn’t until I decided to start a small press that some of the poems saw the light of day. I printed ten of them in a handmade chapbook and placed copies in my local bookstores. After that, I thought no more of it.
A few months later, I was sitting in a café in Warsaw when I received a heartfelt email from a girl who’d read my work. She said she’d suffered similar experiences and found solace in knowing that she wasn’t alone.
That’s when I knew the full collection was worth publishing. And since its release, I’ve received a lot of similar emails and messages.
I believe that by reading the accounts of suffering, we get a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
My favorite poem from the collection is Black Dog. Do you have a favorite poem from the book?
I wouldn’t say that I have a favourite. However, one that sticks out for me is Sleep. Although, I’m not quite sure why. The piece originally contained over fifty places where I’d slept. But for brevity’s sake, I cut it down to fourteen.
And if I may offer a parenthesis to your favourite poem in the collection, the black dog is a metaphor for depression.
I first discovered the term when reading about Winston Churchill, but it also has interesting roots in classical mythology and medieval folklore.
What inspires you to write poetry?
On a personal level, poetry is paramount for meditation and catharsis. It’s my preferred method of coping and analyzing the internal, an exercise of introspection.
To speak broadly, I find inspiration in paintings, people, landscapes, music, literature, the follies and triumphs of society.
If you care to look, poetry is everywhere.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
To answer that, I’d like to quote one of my favourite authors:
“Trust time; it usually provides a sweet way out of many bitter challenges.” – Miguel de Cervantes.
Author Links: Website | Goodreads | LinkedIn
Bruce’s debut poetry collection, an autobiographical report on the reality of life in a poverty-stricken, drug and violence-fuelled environment, is a gut-wrenching composition of grief, loss, and abandonment at an early age.
This powerful book is brutal, tragic, and moving: an essential read.
White Knuckle
A collection of poetry that unearths the heartache and tragedies of child abuse. Steven Bruce has written a book about his experiences as a child afflicted by parental abuse and the abuse of the foster system. This collection of poems goes over several hard-hitting topics like addiction and substance abuse, domestic violence, verbal abuse and growing up homeless. White Knuckle is a heart-wrenching read for those who don’t see this pain every day and, hopefully, a comfort to those who are fighting similar demons; know that you’re not alone.
Bruce’s poems are very direct and leave little to the imagination. They are eloquently written. So, as someone who has had a happy childhood, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could be so inhumane to a child. I will confess I choked up several times reading about the abuse and pain Bruce went through. Some of the poems had me wondering if they relate to any myths or legends like Black Dog. There are folklore stories about demonic black dogs wandering cemeteries in search of lost souls to eat or guide to the afterlife/drag to hell. There is another story I found while looking up the myths about black dogs –newly created cemeteries would replace the first resident with a deceased black dog to save the person’s soul from going to hell. I’m not sure I see the reason for the last one, but Bruce’s poems, like this one, give a person pause to reflect on a deeper meaning.
There is no wrong way to write a poem as long as it has meaning to the poet. Readers will be pondering the meaning of some of the poems, like Sand and Moonlight, Street Gum and Avocado. There is a deeper meaning to these poems that is elusive yet potent.
White Knuckle is an intense and gritty collection of rousing poetry. I personally try to avoid these extremely emotional and heart-wrenching topics based solely on the fact I try to avoid crying but this is one book that I would definitely read again.
Pages: 102 | ASIN: B08HY35T2W
LITERARY TITAN 