Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: Horror can take many forms as it holds a funhouse mirror to our everyday existence. J.V. Sadler shares her alluring horror anthology, Licking. J.V., can you tell us about your book?

J.V.: My first collection of horror short stories is titled Licking (published January 22). It is a smorgasbord of surreal horrific poetry, micro fiction, flash fiction, and long-form short stories. The stories balance between the nightmare world and the conscious, blurring the lines of reality.

Sabitha: What inspired you to write this book?

J.V.: Since many of the stories came from my actual dreams and nightmares, I would say that it was my subconscious mind that inspired me to write the book. I am a very vivid and lucid dreamer, so I said to myself “I can’t let these fantastical dreams go to waste.” So, I go to writing. When I wrote this book, I was going through some of the toughest depressive episodes I’ve ever been through. Later, I’d be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar II disorder, and mild autism. The book became my solace from my intrusive thoughts. And, in some ways, saved my life.

Sabitha: I’m very glad! Do you have a playlist for your book?

J.V.: I didn’t have a set playlist per se. I listened to a lot of Lofi radio while writing. Funny enough, I would turn on Mystic Stylez, the debut studio album from Three 6 Mafia. For some reason, that album got me in the mindset of the book.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?

J.V.: My advice: Do it anyway. Whatever doubts you have in your mind, whatever discouragement you’ve gotten from peers and outside sources, whatever limitations you think you have—write anyway. If you don’t know where to start, get a piece of paper, write “My Book” on the top, then in the center of the paper write one word that comes to mind when you think of your future book. Next, congratulate yourself. You’ve just started writing a book! Lastly, fill the white space with anything. It can be words, drawings, a picture collage, anything! Just fill in the blank space with that word in the center and use it for inspiration for your writing. That’s the advice I have for upcoming writers.

Sabitha: Sounds like you never stop writing! So what’s your next project?

J.V.: A poetry collection! I am a poet too after all. It will be a very different project to Licking and will focus heavily on themes of social justice in addition to my struggles with mental health. If you’re looking for another Licking I suggest you wait till my third project comes out—a second collection of short stories with a focus on speculative fiction.

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

J.V.: You can find Licking on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart! You can follow my author page on Facebook @JVSadlerAuthor, or find all my links here.