Simone le Roux is a speculative fiction writer based in Cape Town, South Africa with her partner, two cats, and an ancient dog. She has a cum laude Neuroscience degree that she does not use, and an enduring interest in anything spooky or dangerous. When she's not writing, Simone is a semi-professional aerialist.
Simone’s story, “The Man Outside,” originally appeared in No Trouble at All from Cursed Morsels Press, and will appear in BRAVE NEW WEIRD: The Best New Weird Horror Volume Two, available to preorder now.
Give us the elevator pitch of your BNW-nommed story, please.
There's a man who gets closer to your front door the older you grow, and no one seems to be worried about it except you. In fact, hey, why are you worried at all? It's not like he's doing anything yet.
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 usually write in the evenings. The essential component to my writing sessions is a cat curled up nearby or preferably on my lap. Yes, the latter makes writing difficult when my laptop is also on my lap, but adversity is important for my process.
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?
In my mind, "Weird" means just a bit out of step with everything. Something feels off or not right, but it's hard to explain what, or why it bothers us. As someone who was often the new kid in school, I thought a lot what helps people fit in, what makes them stand out despite their best efforts, and the nuances in-between. What makes something or someone weird? And is it the fault of that person or thing, or the context that they're in? This is hardly a new question, but it influences a lot of my thinking when I write.
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.
Let's go with Jennifer's Body x Hozier
What’s the Weirdest thing—capital W—that’s ever happened to you (that you’re comfortable sharing)?
I don't know how much I believe in ghosts, but I've definitely experienced spaces that feel wrong. I had terrible nightmares for a whole year until I swapped rooms with my housemate, and they suddenly stopped, only for her to begin having nightmares. This is something that's happened to me since I was a child – places that I just can't exist comfortably in. My mom, who's a bit more spiritual than me, trusts my taste in houses implicitly because of this. Is it most likely anxiety manifesting? Of course, but it still feels weird to me.
BRAVE NEW WEIRD: The Best New Weird Horror, Volume Two, is out June 26th.
