Horror over the Handlebars cover

Horror over the Handlebars

Yankee Scares: Connecticut Horror

Interview with Judith Pancoast

horror over the handlebars cover

Horror Over the Handlebars Paperback and Kindle Unlimited


Reached #3 in New Horror Anthologies!

What's the most improbable but true thing about you?
I wrote a graphic story about necrophilia (it was for a writing exercise) that is about to be published. It’s not truly improbable that I would do this, but I think people who know me will be shocked.

Why did you choose to submit to Horror Over the Handlebars?
I thought it was a fun premise and it gave me an idea so I ran with it.

 Tell us a little about your story, “Doug’s House” and its genesis.
There is a real-life “Doug’s House” with the letters on it just as described in the story, but it’s in Maine. In the summer of 1984, I got a brand-new ten-speed and I rode it past that house every day, but I never saw anyone coming or going and I was insanely curious about it. Also, one of my best friends has Down Syndrome and I modeled Doug after her.

Tell us about “The Girl of Rocky Neck” in Horror Over the Handlebars and what you liked about it.
“The Girl of Rocky Neck” is a ghost story about a young boy who feels emotionally abandoned by his older brother and is befriended by the ghost of a girl who died at Rocky Neck State Park. What I liked most about it was the unexpected ending, and I can’t spoil that for you! Let’s just say anyone who felt “left behind” by an older sibling will be able to relate to this tale.

If you could time travel, where would you go, what would you do, and why would you do that?
Nothing as bold as trying to save Kennedy from being assassinated. I’d go back to 1966 when I was a happy-go-lucky seven-year-old. Everything went to hell when I was eight, so that was the last good year of my childhood. I wrote a short story about going back to that time that was printed in NORTHERN FRIGHTS: The Journal of the Maine Horror Writers.

Who would you bring back from the dead for one hour and what would you do with them?
My father. I’d spend the whole time just reliving happy memories and making sure he knew how much I loved him.

What's your favorite piece of art? Could be music, writing, sculpture, painting...
I’d like to say something “high fallutin’”, but in actuality no art has given me as much pleasure in my life as the Carpenters’ recording of the song “Rainy Days and Mondays.” The song, the arrangement, the sax solo, and Karen Carpenter’s incredible vocal performance all add up to nirvana for me, and a record that has given me joy for over fifty years.

What are you most proud of creating?
 My family!

What's next on your literary horizon?
I’m working on a top-secret project that will be out in 2025. I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s non-fiction and involves a subject near and dear to my heart.

Where can readers connect with you online?
My Facebook author page.

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