Are 'Old Farts' Really Blocking New Voices?

In recent years, there's been much chatter about so-called 'Old Farts' acting as gatekeepers within the indie horror community. The narrative goes that these seasoned authors, publishers, or influencers wield exceptional and undue power, keeping fresh talent at bay and holding the keys to success tightly in their grasp. But is this really the case, or is the situation more nuanced than it appears at first glance?

It's undeniable that, as in any sphere, a handful of established figures in indie horror maintain strong networks and platforms. They might prefer working with familiar names or may be slow to embrace newcomers. This can give the impression of a closed circle, leading to frustration for those trying to break in. However, it would be misleading to claim that this dynamic is the prevailing force shaping an author's trajectory in the genre.

The truth is, while pockets of gatekeeping do exist, those maintained by the ‘Old Farts’ are far from universal. The indie horror scene is vast and continually evolving, with new communities, small presses, and grassroots initiatives springing up all the time. Many of these are not only accessible to emerging writers but actively seek out fresh voices and diverse perspectives. Social media, online forums, and indie publishing platforms have democratised access in ways that simply weren't possible a decade ago.

It’s also true that gatekeeping is not the sole dominion of the elders, as there are many groups etc out there that gatekeep for a variety of reasons, including some that prevent old farts and other demographics from taking part.

For every group or anthology that seems 'locked down', there are countless others searching for new talent. Open submission calls, online writing communities, and self-publishing opportunities mean that the barriers to entry are lower than ever before. Authors can build their own audiences, connect with like-minded peers, and carve out their own space without having to wait for validation from the old guard as it has never truly been needed, people just assume it was.

Ultimately, the notion of insurmountable gatekeeping in indie horror is more myth than reality. Yes, there are cliques and established circles, as there are in any creative field, but they do not define the limits of what is possible. With persistence, creativity, and a willingness to seek out open doors, writers can find their place, or even create their place, and thrive in this vibrant, ever-expanding community.

Welcome to the Q&A section of the joexyoung.com forums. Here, my aim is to gradually build a comprehensive reference hub featuring the most frequently asked questions about the world of horror, whether you're curious about writing chilling stories and novels, navigating the path to publication, or exploring the broader landscape of the genre.

This evolving knowledge base will eventually cover all aspects of horror, extending well beyond publishing to include topics such as the history of horror, subgenres, influential authors, film adaptations, and the cultural impact of the macabre. No corner of the horror universe is off limits as this entire site is dedicated to it and the Q&A will often provide links to the relevant information with more in-depth responses.

For example, you might find questions like:

How do I craft an effective atmosphere of suspense in my horror writing?

Brief answer: Focus on sensory details and pacing. Use description to build tension gradually and let your characters react authentically to their fears.

FIRST DRAFTS AND REWRITES

What are the best ways to submit a horror novel to publishers?

Brief answer: Research publishers who specialise in your type of horror, follow their submission guidelines closely, and consider seeking representation from a literary agent familiar with the genre.

PUBLISHING SECTION

What are some lesser-known subgenres of horror?

Brief answer: Subgenres include cosmic horror, folk horror, splatterpunk, and psychological horror, each with its own unique conventions and appeal.

WHO WRITES THIS?

How has horror evolved in film and literature over the decades?

Brief answer: Horror has adapted to social changes and technological advances, shifting from Gothic tales to modern psychological and body horror, while continually reinventing classic themes.

GETFLIX 'N' KILL

The site has so many categories that it would be overwhelming to go into all of the section here, but I reckon you get the general idea of what it's all about.

Feel free to ask your own questions or share insights into what you want to know about that's not already covered, as together, we can make this a valuable resource for horror enthusiasts at every level for every aspect of horror.

I've been interviewed a few times, but I've been asked to do quite a lot more than I accepted, and I'm going to be totally honest about why that is... 

Even though the presence of this site, especially this section of it, and my general infiltration of the indie horror community might suggest otherwise, I am actually quite a reserved person. In real life I keep myself and my 'stuff' private. I've never attended a horror convention, and only ever met one person from the indie horror community in real life in spite of being deeply involved in it behind the scenes for years. The guy in question was Mark Tullius, who was attending the Frankfurt Buchmesse (One of the World's largest book fairs). He knew I live in Frankfurt so he sent me tickets to attend so I could meet him, which I did. I mean, in spite of me rarely mingling with the public there are times when it just seems to be the right thing to do, especially as I have a little something in one of his anthologies.

Regarding turning down interviews, it's not the case that I think I am above such things, more the reverse as I don't consider myself that interesting, and didn't want to do interviews which had very little substance or relevance to the communities and/or topics involved, especially as one of the words most commonly used when my name turns up in conversation is 'Who?'


I've been invited onto a few podcasts, some audio, others video, and my shy nature rebelled, keeping me 'off air' because as well as reckoning that I don't have much of interest to say, I'm also somewhat wary of my physical condition. I avoid cameras wherever possible. However, as with meeting people in 'real life' there are certain things I will need to change in order to evolve. So I'm getting braver these days and having interviews, so far not on screen, but I have done one audio interview mostly regarding my thoughts on A.I. (I'll include it in this section).

A little while ago I was asked by CC Adams to be part of his series of interviews regarding 'Game', in which we discuss my approach to what I do and the reasons behind it. I'll include a link to that in this section too.

There are other interviews with me out there, though those are not so much about me as they are about things I have done, such as explaining about the 'get Writing Horror' facebook group in an issue of Phantasmagoria magazine, and doing the same sort of thing, this time about this website, for the first issue of Horrorsmith: The Magazine.

To those whose offer of an interview I rejected or said 'maybe someday', it wasn't an outright snub, more the case of thinking I had nothing much to say that your audience would want to know about.

In this section I'll put the interviews I've done so far, and if I get the chance to do any more I'll put those here too.