Patrick Malka (he/him) is a high school science teacher from Montreal, Quebec, where he lives with his partner and two kids. His recent flash fiction can be found in Midsummer Dream House, Broken Antler, Maudlin House, Nocturne magazine, and Sky Island Journal, among others.
His story, “Show Me,” was originally published in Broken Antler, and will appear in BRAVE NEW WEIRD: The Best New Weird Horror Volume Two, available to preorder here.
***
Give us the elevator pitch of your BNW-nommed story, please.
Up and coming punk band puts on a legendary show at a notorious venue, what would end up being their last show. The lead singer, Alfie, breaks down in front of the audience. This flash story is told in two parts: what the audience saw, and what Alfie saw.
What does your writing routine look like? Do you have an office? A preferred coffee shop? The back of the bus? Standing under your neighbor’s eaves, avoiding the rain? Are you one of those true modern Weirdos who write your entire novel on your phone?
I'm a full time high school science teacher, parent of two and partner to a hard working academic and activist with a chronic illness. So, I write when I can where I can, with little consistency.
I tend to think about my stories part by part for a long time while going about my days and the next time I sit down to write, I get as much on the page as I can, sometimes full stories. The editing has to come later.
What does “Weird” mean to you, in the context of storytelling? And what creators/experiences/influences helped sculpt this definition for you in your creative journey?
I think most horror authors step into what could be defined as the Weird at some point. It's fun to spot those stories or novels that play with style and theme in a way that makes you say about an author you thought you knew well, "where did that come from?"
I gravitate toward those that can offer a mundane slice of life where insidious Weirdness creeps in. A few names I keep coming back to right now are Nathan Ballingrud, Michael Wehunt, Adam Nevill. Aliya Whiteley's The Beauty and David Demchuk's The Bone Mother are awe inspiring in their Weird scope. The movies of Benson & Moorehead. But I'm also drawn to authors outside the genre who know how to get Weird: Steven Millhauser, Jac Jemc, Amber Sparks.
On the Tenebrous Discord, we ask everyone to introduce themselves as a Film-meets-Music Artist (Citizen Kane x Metallica, f’rinstance). It doesn’t have to be your favorite, and don’t spend too much time overthinking it; now GO.
Spring x Godspeed you! Black emperor
What’s the Weirdest thing—capital W—that’s ever happened to you (that you’re comfortable sharing)?
The Weird tends to lives in my head. I can't say I've ever had anything too Weird happen to me. Certainly nothing interesting enough to talk about here.
***
BRAVE NEW WEIRD: The Best New Weird Horror, Volume Two, is out June 26th.
