“I like that writing is more than just writing: That might make me an odd-ball. I like to edit, developmental edit, compile anthologies, do layout, publish, run podcasts, do interviews, interview others, teaching writing… and especially author readings. My happy place is speaking in front of 300 or more people.” – Charles Barouch

In his latest novel, Charles Barouch unleashes a new terror from the deep.
Barouch introduces readers to the Great Sunken Ones: primordial beings who have lingered alongside humanity since time immemorial. Once worshiped, now largely forgotten, their reawakening comes not with a roar, but with a rising dread. As the lives of two strangers Brenda Weaver, on the edge of obscurity, and Chad Rivers, basking in the glow of Hollywood acclaim, begin to converge, so too do the threads of something much older, much darker. What they uncover isn’t just ancient, it’s patient, watching, and ready.

We sat down with Barouch to talk about process, never settling on one genre and never stop learning.

1. What was your first published work?

I was published in entertainment journalism (Gateways Magazine) and tech journalism (IPUA Journal, DBTA, and International Spectrum). My first published fiction was Adjacent Fields, a mainstream science fiction story about the invention of teleportation).

2. Is there a story inside that you have seeds of but can’t seem to connect that’s dying to get out?

I have two of those. They both have an excellent first three chapters, followed by a “what makes you think you can write” next three. I’ll get them right eventually.

3. How do you handle a rejected story?

I fail more before nine am than most people fail all day. It’s part of the process.

4. What does literary success look like to you?

Being read is half of my definition of success. The other is the people I get to spend time with. I love my writing community, my beta-readers, editors, cover artists, readers… so many wonderful people.

5. Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Not all feedback is equally useful. It’s my job to take it all in and learn. I’ll never stop learning.

6. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Hours in a day. I want more hours to create.

7. As in most times, the truth is stranger than fiction. What has been the hardest scene or chapter you’ve had to write, if you were channeling personal experience?

I use things that have happened to me, but I never really put me on the page. I write people I want to understand better. Often people I don’t like. I already live behind my eyes, no need to write me.

8. What inspired your latest work?

 Which one? The Western book (Marshall Theo Starr and the Drunkard’s Hoard) is a chance explore the breed of con man called a Rainmaker. The Horror book (The Sunken Ones) is a chance to wrap up an epic tale and take a deep dive into immortality. I have others nearing completion as well. A lot of collaborations on the way.

9. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

My lawyer informs me that I should not answer this question. He also informs me that I was never younger.

10. What the best advice you’ve ever gotten from a fellow writer?

You don’t have to quit your day job to become the artist you are meant to be.

11. What is your go-to comfort horror/Sci-Fi book?

 Nearly anything by Heinlein.

12. If you were to genre-hop, which genres would you most like to try writing?

I an genre-fluid. I have been published in SF/F, Horror, Humor, Western, Journalism, and I’m not done yet.

---