“Allyson Bird is a rare bird indeed. An original voice in a world of plain vanilla. She rides some dark waves with grace and a heart full of light and shadow. If there’s any justice, she’s on her way to real recognition.”
—Joe R. Landsdale
“Allyson Bird is a writer who never plays it safe. Her wild imagination and power to evoke both myth and madness make her one of the most interesting writers working out there on the edge of horror/fantasy.”
— Lisa Tuttle
Notable quote:
“Horror invokes fear. Some like to be taken to the brink knowing they can find their way back…they can put the book down. It is the perfect medium to convey emotion. Heightened experience. Violence can be part of horror and we want to see, perhaps, someone escape it. Many people don’t want to face their fears. Some of us play out our fears in the genre. Horror surrounds everywhere … we can’t escape from it except in fiction where it isn’t happening to us. I won’t be watching A Serbian Film though any time soon. Some back away from horror because they think it is all about violence. It has a far more complicated history and place in real life. Some of us like to feel fear. It reminds us we are alive. Some can’t stomach horror in all its forms. The thought of death. Understandable.”
(From an interview with Ginger Nuts of Horror, 2011)
Like many of the women who have been featured on my women of horror posts thus far, Allyson Bird likes to go to the places that make people uncomfortable, and that make them squirm. She is a master of short fiction, and her first short story collection, Bull Running for Girls (2008), is a testament to that. She’s got a great career ahead of her, and one that I’m sure will include more award nominations.
Interesting interviews:
For Book’s Sake (2010)
Ginger Nuts of Horror (2011)
Little Miss Zombie (2011)
What to Read First: With Allyson’s recent Stoker nomination, it’s a good idea to start with Isis Unbound, her first novel.
Notable Works:
Bull Running for Girls (2008)
Wine and Rank Poison (2010)
Isis Unbound (2011)
Fun Facts:
* From the South Yorkshire moors in England
* Grew up with two older siblings
* Attended Salford University
* Collaborates with Vincent Chong on artwork, including the header for her website, and Daniele Serra
* Moved to New Zealand last year
* Her favourite playground, as a child and adult, has been the village graveyard.
* Fan of Joe R. Landsdale
* Some of her favourite writers include Robert Aickman, Lisa Tuttle, Ramsey Campbell, and H.P. Lovecraft
* Was a fan of Wonder Woman comics as a kid
Career Highlights:
* Co-edited the anthology Never Again (2010) (with Joel Lane)
* Nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (2011) for Superior Achievement in a First Novel
* Winner of the British Fantasy Award 2009 for Best Collection with Bull Running for Girls
What she’s working on now:
Allyson is writing some short stories for collections and anthologies. For more information, visit her website.
Find her on Twitter.
