We chat with author Codie Crowley about Body Count (Disney Hyperion), which is a queer feminist YA horror/slasher novel, perfect for fans of You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight.
Hi, Codie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m the author of Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch and Body Count! I love scaring people. In a fun way, I swear! Though…to be fair, my greatest accomplishment is that I once made a man shit his pants in terror, so maybe it’s only fun for ME.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I don’t really think I ever had to discover it, it’s just always been a part of me. One of my earliest memories is of listening to Hotel California on a little record player (I’m old) over and over again, imagining the adventures of the ghostly characters who lived in the hotel. My mom spent all of my grade school years fielding phone calls from angry parents whose kids couldn’t sleep at night because of some story I told them. They begged her to make me stop, but luckily refused to crack down on my penchant for spinning spooky yarns.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: A Very Scary Ghost Story by Joanne Barkan (the ghosts glow in the dark!)
- The one that made you want to become an author: Blackbriar by William Sleator
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Natural Selection by Clare Edge
Your latest novel, Body Count, is out May 5th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Slutty scary sapphic supernatural slasher!
What can readers expect?
A killer with strange and otherworldly abilities, a final girl who accidentally Legally Blonded her way out of a pact with him, a cheerleader falling in love with a punk rock loser, and as with all my books, there’s a diner scene and a dead cop.
Where did the inspiration for Body Count come from?
I saw a sign posted near a public pool that said, “Keep eyes closed underwater to avoid irritation.” Instantly, I thought chlorine-induced irritation was just a convenient scapegoat, and that something would happen if you opened your eyes underwater in this pool. Next thing you know, I have a slasher who appears as a drowned doo-wop singer at the bottom of a motel pool in Wildwood.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had so much fun writing the dialogue between the two film buff characters, Edison and Dallas. I also love writing action scenes, and I got to write so many for this book, since Sundae is a FIGHTING final girl!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Oh my god, yes. This is my sophomore novel, and it’s the first book I’ve ever written under contract, and everything about that process was a nightmare for me. Paired with the imposter syndrome and shock of having my first book out in the world, I had a very long mental breakdown where I convinced myself I was actually shit at writing. I overcame it eventually with the help of my amazing editor, Rachel Stark, and also by realizing that I have to tell the stories I want to tell, and that I need to trust in my own vision and voice instead of doubting myself and constantly taking in the advice and opinions of others. At least that way, I know I will enjoy the story.
What’s next for you?
I’ll keep telling stories, and hopefully those stories will continue to become books!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I’m SO excited for Natural Selection by Clare Edge! It comes out August 25, but I’ve already read it, and let me tell you, it is the most satisfying feminist rage-fueled revenge thriller I’ve ever read! I’m also looking forward to We’re All Going to Die Tonight by Veronica Bane and Barbie Just Won’t Die by Tanya Pell.
