Horror aficionado and speculative author Rebecca Fraser
Rebecca Fraser: Coralesque
What are you reading at the moment?
Like most readers and writers, I’ve got a number of books on the go. Current reads are ‘Swallow the Air’ by Tara June Winch, ‘The Gate Theory’ by Kaaron Warren, and Tim Winton’s ‘The Turning’.
What’s your favourite place on the Gold Coast, and why?
That’s a difficult question – so many to choose from. Probably Burleigh Headland. The walk from North Burleigh along the Esplanade, round the Headland / National Park, down to Echo Beach and back again was one of my favourite things to do when I lived on the Gold Coast.
What’s your connection with the Gold Coast?
I moved to the Gold Coast in 1981 and left two years ago to live on the Mornington Peninsula. I will always have a special fondness for the Gold Coast. It was the backdrop of my formative years and, in some ways, I feel like we grew up together. It is a city of great beauty, diversity and contrasts, stuffed with fabulous characters and stories.
What does your story convey about the Gold Coast?
Hopefully a sense of nostalgia. I think for most people of my vintage, the 90’s was a defining decade. Coralesque is set in 1991, and I have incorporated a few landmarks and iconic pop culture references to underpin the sense of setting and place. The Gold Coast has always played happy host to a range of cultures and sub cultures. Surfing, for some, is akin to a religion.
What attracted you to the photo you selected?
I have always had an affinity with the ocean, so I was drawn to it immediately.
Tell us about your story in one sentence.
I think the cover blurb nailed it: A surfer becomes horrifyingly one with the sea.
What else have you published?
I started taking my writing seriously in 2007. Since then my short stories and poems have appeared in a number of anthologies and magazines. If you’re interested, my published works are listed here: http://rebeccafraser.wordpress.com/published-work/
What’s your main genre?
I’ve been drawn to speculative fiction since childhood. I have a bent for the dark, quirky and unsettling. I adore horror, although don’t like to pigeon hole myself purely as a horror writer as I enjoy exploring and experimenting with other genres.
What are you working on now?
I’m studying towards a Masters of Creative Writing, so that takes up a fair bit of time. There are a couple of Australian spec fic anthologies I’m working on submissions for, and a couple of longer works in progress. At the moment they are making more noise in my head than the rattling of fingertips on keyboard!
Anything else you’d like to add?
It’s a pleasure to share the table of contents with a talented group of writers and be part of an anthology that celebrates the city that I love.
Happy writing, happy reading and, of course, happy days.