“The most haunting poetry springs from truth.”
– LindaAnn LoSchiavo
In poetry, the truth often lies in the most chilling and uncomfortable aspects of life. LindaAnn LoSchiavo, an award-winning poet and member of the British Fantasy Society and Horror Writers Association, uses her work to confront these truths. In this interview, she discusses her creative process and the impact of her work.
Your recent collection, “Always Haunted: Hallowe’en Poems,” has earned the BREW Seal of Excellence. Congratulations! Can you share what this recognition means to you? What inspired you to create a poetry collection centered around Hallowe’en, and how did you infuse it with the elements of true crime and supernatural themes?
While my previous Hallowe’en-themed collections like “Messengers of the Macabre: Hallowe’en Poems” (Audience Askew, October 2022) and “Vampire Ventures” (Alien Buddha Press, October 2023) received positive attention—partly due to the seasonal appeal of Hallowe’en titles—”Always Haunted: Hallowe’en Poems” represents a deeper artistic vision. With this collection, I deliberately used the atmospheric backdrop of Allhallowtide to illuminate genuine societal horrors: systemic injustice, domestic violence, religious persecution, and unsolved crimes. By combining serious social issues with familiar autumnal imagery—scarecrows, trick or treating, witches, hauntings, ghosts, and graveyards—I aimed to create something both accessible, entertaining, horrifying, and meaningful.
Receiving the BREW Seal of Excellence felt particularly validating because it recognized not just the poetry itself, but my commitment to addressing difficult truths through an engaging format that offered readers both a compelling experience and educational context through the footnotes. This award recognition affirms my belief that poetry can serve as both art and advocacy.
Receiving an Elgin Award for speculative poetry is a remarkable feat. How has the accolade influenced your approach to writing and poetry?
Receiving the Elgin Award for “A Route Obscure and Lonely” (Wapshott Press, December 2019) was transformative—a brilliant confirmation that my leap from playwriting and literary poetry into the speculative niche was not just a detour but a destined path. This recognition illuminated my creative journey, not merely validating my work but igniting a deeper passion to explore the otherworldly landscapes of speculative poetry. The award became my literary North Star, guiding me toward bolder artistic horizons I might otherwise never have discovered.
Your work often explores the macabre and the mysterious. How do you balance creating chilling, eerie content with ensuring that it resonates deeply with readers?
The most haunting poetry springs from truth. My work draws from real experiences—my uncle’s poker games in a poltergeist-infested house, for instance, or the brutal realities of suicide, murder, and violence against women. I’ve discovered that when the macabre is anchored in authenticity, it creates a visceral connection that purely fictional horror cannot match. Readers don’t just shiver at my words; they recognize them—feeling that chill of awareness when the supernatural magnifies a lived experience. The most effective terror, after all, is not what lurks in imagination, but in the shadows we’ve actually glimpsed.
You’re an active member of several notable literary organizations, including the British Fantasy Society and the Horror Writers Association. How have these affiliations shaped your career and your writing process?
Communities like the Horror Writers Association and British Fantasy Society have been vital to my journey. My HWA-NYS chapter creates exciting NYC opportunities through readings and events that elevate all the participants. Though based in England, the British Fantasy Society has similarly boosted my visibility through their journal BFS Horizons and ZOOM readings. These affiliations offer more than just professional advancement—they provide a home among kindred creative spirits who understand and celebrate the darker literary paths we wander through together.
In addition to your Halloween-themed poetry, you’ve recently published “Messengers of the Macabre” and “Vampire Ventures.” How do these works compare to your previous poetry collections, and what themes or styles do they explore?
“Vampire Ventures” emerged from extensive research into vampire literature, challenging me to honor tradition while crafting something innovative. I deliberately balanced the usual atmosphere of gothic gloom with unexpected humor and irony—though I discovered some readers had strong reactions to this tonal blend, particularly those expecting pure darkness.
“Messengers of the Macabre” marked my first collaborative venture. This book was co-written with David Davies after conceptualizing the project within my speculative poetry critique group. This collection embraces classic Hallowe’en elements—Samhain rituals, spellcasting, cemetery lore, ghouls, trick-or-treating, and Santa Muerte—while bringing our distinct voices to these familiar motifs.
Both collections represent an artistic evolution: “Vampire Ventures” tests the boundaries of a beloved subgenre, while “Messengers” explores the creative synergy possible when two poets interpret shared themes through different lenses.
Your books like “Apprenticed to the Night” and “Felones de Se” showcase your versatility as a poet. Can you discuss the thematic evolution between these works and your current projects?
In “Apprenticed to the Night,” sixty-six poems explore life’s phases, mortality, childhood, trauma, family bonds, and love—all infused with the flavor of my Italian heritage. Though the collection garnered praise internationally—from Beirut to Pretoria—I was struck by how consistently critics were moved by the poems chronicling my role as caregiver to my terminally ill mother. This unexpected resonance inspired my forthcoming work, “Cancer Courts My Mother,” slated for release by Prolific Pulse Press in November 2025.
“Felones de Se” serves as a deliberate preview of my more ambitious project, “Past Tense” —a fully illustrated collection featuring black-and-white portraits accompanying each poem. I released “Felones de Se” to challenge the conventional wisdom that readers avoid death-centered work. The thoughtful, engaged responses from reviewers have affirmed my instinct to complete “Past Tense,” which is now nearing its final form.
Hallowe’en holds a special place in your heart, being a Scorpio and a lover of the macabre. How does this personal connection influence your creative process and the themes you choose to explore in your poetry?
As an October Scorpio raised in the Roman Catholic faith, the three-day festival of Allhallowtide has always provoked my curiosity about life’s deeper mysteries and permitted me to escape to a realm where I felt I belonged. This connection shapes my poetry by drawing me toward themes of transformation, mortality, and rebirth. Autumn’s thinning veil between worlds heightens my creativity, making metaphors more potent.
My fascination with the macabre isn’t about shock value but serves as a gateway to explore human truths. Just as Hallowe’en involves masquerade, I experiment with different poetic structures, tones, and voices to access varied emotional landscapes. This seasonal energy fuels my work’s core tension between darkness and light, between revelation and concealment—inviting readers to find beauty in life’s inevitable transitions.
Can you share any memorable experiences or feedback from readers that have particularly impacted you or inspired you in your writing journey?
What truly moves me is when readers who normally avoid poetry chance upon my books and find themselves drawn to my writing. When they post a review that explains which specific poems resonated with them and why, it’s incredibly affirming. These unexpected connections not only brighten my day but inspire me to continue crafting verses that transcend genre boundaries and touch people in meaningful ways.
Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or new directions you’re excited about exploring in your poetry or other literary endeavors?
I’m thrilled about two upcoming collections that represent exciting new directions for my work. “Return of the Werewolf: Poems” will be my first collection dedicated to this folkloric shape-shifter, expressed through formal verse that itself shape-shifts—from glosa to golden shovels, haibun to haiku, mesostich acrostics to abecedarians, and echo verse to blank verse. Many poems will be paired with full-page illustrations.
In parallel, “Dark and Airy Spirits” will be my first collection exploring the afterlife, sharing true ghost encounters while offering fresh perspectives on the spectral realm.
What advice would you give to aspiring poets who wish to explore genres like horror and speculative poetry, and how can they effectively bring their unique voices to these fields?
To explore horror and speculative poetry effectively, immerse yourself in the genre by reading every day — start with Edgar Allan Poe and gradually explore contemporary works in publications like Penumbric, Black Petals, Bewildering Stories, and The Horror Zine. Join a critique group to gain genre-specific feedback, helping you refine your craft and progress more quickly than working in isolation. Develop your unique voice by experimenting with vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke emotions, drawing inspiration from personal fears and addressing contemporary issues through a speculative lens. Most importantly, keep writing. Maintain a daily journal to track your progress, and with commitment and persistence, your work will naturally evolve and flourish.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Poetry can serve as both art and advocacy.”
– LindaAnn LoSchiavo
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Share Your Insights
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this interview with LindaAnn LoSchiavo. Share your views in the comments below!
- How does LindaAnn’s approach to blending truth with dark themes resonate with you?
- What impact do you think poetry can have on social issues?
- Which of LindaAnn’s works has made the most impression on you?
Alignment with the UN SDGs
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Addresses mental health and trauma through poetry.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequality – Highlights societal injustices and inequality.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Discusses systemic injustice and social advocacy.
Help is Available
If you or someone you know is struggling with the topics discussed in this interview, please reach out for help. There are resources available, including hotlines and local support services. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people who care and are willing to support you.
Help is available for you.
When in Australia, here’s the information from health.gov.au:
In case of emergency, dial 000.
For immediate assistance, support is accessible 24/7 across Australia. Reach out to:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team in your state/territory
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
For urgent care, visit the emergency department at your local hospital.
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