Norwich-based writer Kathryn Hollingworth has made the latest Twisted50 anthology – and not for the first time. Here, the retired English teacher and primary school teacher explains why she is proud to be described as a ‘demented author’
Are you Norwich born and raised? What inspires creativity in the city, do you think?
I was born in Sheffield and grew up in a village in the Derbyshire Peak District. I started writing stories and poems when in the countryside, surrounded by the natural world, was very inspiring. Although I have always written, after I trained and began to work as a teacher, I put a lot of my writing ambitions on hold, as I had less time. I have lived in Norwich for thirty years. It is a beautiful, historical city, and there are lots of artistic people living here, and in the wider Norfolk area. The rich historical history of Norwich, the nearby coast, and the Norfolk Broads, provide much inspiration for creative writing. I began to devote more time to writing a few years ago. I had a short story published in Take a Break Fiction Feast magazine, and won third prize in Ivy Ferrari crime writing competition, run by Norwich Writers’ Circle, with my story, The Nephew, The Neighbour, and The Hoarder.
How would you describe The Scalp Collector?
I would describe The Scalp Collector as a ghost/crime horror story. Set in 1978, a female detective, Gillian, is investigating a series of murders which take place on the London Underground in the early hours of the morning. Most of the victims are women with long hair, who are being strangled, and scalped, and then their hair goes missing. A frail cleaner, Dotty, claims that the murderer is the ghost of a late colleague called Jean who was pushed under a train twenty years ago and scalped in the process. She claims that Jean is seeking vengeance by murdering passengers and stealing their hair. Gillian is very keen to solve the crime, and her sexist male boss has a dismissive view of her abilities, which causes her to take unnecessary risks, leading her into danger.
How did being part of the new Twisted50 anthology come about? It’s the second time you’ve been included in the series?
I first entered a story into the Twisted50 competition in 2016, after searching for story competitions on Google. My story was shortlisted, but it wasn’t included in the anthology. After this, I extended the story into a full-length supernatural thriller called, You Owe Me One. I self-published it, and it is available to buy on Amazon. It received five-star reviews from Literary Titan and Readers’ Favourite websites. I entered the Twisted50 competition again in 2024 with a horror story about plants, called The Devil’s Ringlets. I was delighted that it was included in the anthology, but I also gained an additional award for it being the ‘best redraft story.’
Are you proud to be described as a ‘demented author’? !
I am proud to be a ‘demented’ author, although writing horror doesn’t define me, and I write for other genres as well. I only started writing horror when I discovered Twisted50.
How did the Twisted50 vol IV launch/awards night in London go?
My family and I enjoyed attending the Twisted50 Volume IV awards in London. It was fun to chat with other writers and their families, some of whom I had met before, last year. Chris Jones the founder is keen to stress that Twisted50 is not just a writing competition, it is a community. The people are welcoming and friendly. Chris invited some guests, who are leaders in the horror field, to present the prizes.
What are you working on?
At the moment I am working on two books for children, and a young adult thriller set in Norfolk.
The Scalp Collector, by Kathryn Hollingworth, is part of Twisted50 Volume IV, Back From The Dead, which is available to buy on Amazon. Visit twisted50.com.
Featured image of Kathryn Hollingworth – supplied
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