Publication date: October 14th, 2022
A hair-obsessed serial killer…
A flesh-eating motorway pileup…
A grotesque holiday illness…
Forget what you think you know about the human body. In Rob Ulitski's debut short story collection, get ready for a thrilling, gut-churning ride through death, disease and destruction.
Boasting thirteen unique stories and a whole host of brutal bodily afflictions, 'Fleshed Out' explores the fragility of flesh and blood, and the gruesome ways our bodies can twist, contort and transform into our worst nightmares.
What attracted you to the genre(s) you write in?
I have always been a huge horror fan. From reading Stephen King at far too young an age, to my first film memory being the original Resident Evil (2002), I've always been attracted to the grislier side of life.
Where were you when you first thought "I need to write this story?"
It was during the pandemic - my work as a filmmaker suddenly dried up, and I realised that I wanted a creative outlet I could do from anywhere in the world.
Did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Definitely. A lot of my writing before was far too lengthy and wordy. Knowing it was going to be published meant I got a far better editor than myself involved, and went through more drafts than I do with my personal writing.
What's your favorite "bad review" that you've gotten?
I haven't had any reviews at all yet, so this is still to come!
What comes first for you - the plot or the characters?
The plot! I think the plot really informs the characters, so it makes sense to me to start there and grow the characters from a certain problem or perspective.
Do you have any writing superstitions?
Not yet! Maybe these will come as I write more haha.
Is there a word you find yourself using too often when writing?
Surreal. Everything in my stories is surreal, so it's a word I try not to use now!
A lot of authors have a soundtrack while writing. Are there are songs you had on repeat?
Actually, it's quite obscure, but I used an industrial electronic soundtrack on a short film before, and I tracked down the guy who remixed it, Plaster Music. He had an EP out which I listened to on repeat every time I worked, and I feel hugely inspired and thankful for such an awesome soundtrack. It's this one. https://plastersound.bandcamp.com/album/in-between
Do you have a favorite line that you've written?
The opening line of the first story in my collection: "Natalia was soaked through with blood, fresh tangles of hair dangling from her puckered lips."
What is something about the genre that annoys you?
I don't know if it's in the genre, but the fact that many authors have to hide the fact their books are horror, and call it 'supernatural thriller' or something like that to make it sell. It's one thing I'm very passionate about, making it clear that I am writing horror, and very proud to do so.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
This writing malarky might actually materialise into something awesome and different opportunities, so stop using the word 'surreal' so much!
What advice would you like to pass on to aspiring writers that is unconventional but true?
You don't have to have been writing for ages to publish a book. Just have a good team around you, and especially a good editor.
Do you have a WIP? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
Right now I'm looking to expand an idea from my collection into a book series.
Which of your characters was your favorite to write and why?
Helena in my short story 'Crystalline'. She has such a bad go of things, but still has hope and optimism for the future.
Killing off characters your readers love - Risky or necessary?
In this genre, very necessary.
Did any of your characters surprise you while you were writing?
Again, I think Helena. She held out hope much longer than I first thought she would.
You've watched a movie 50 times and you still aren't tired of it. What movie is it?
Resident Evil (2002). For some people it's a guilty pleasure, for me it's just pleasure.
Which animal (real or fictional) would you say is your spirit animal and why?
A llama. They're my favourite animal, though I've never had a good experience with them. I like the fact they just trot around doing their own thing, looking cute and avoiding any stress they aren't involved in. I like to think I have some of these qualities at least some of the time!
Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or a cottage surrounded by fairytale creatures?
A haunted mansion. Think of the stories you'd have to tell!
Using only emojis, sum up your book.
💪💀💇🐟 🩸🏭
You've just gone Trick or Treating. What do you hope is in your bag? What do you pawn off on your kids/SO/random stranger?
In the UK, we have these two chocolate bars called Bounty and Snickers. I'd give away anything liquorice flavoured.
What is in your internet search history (researching for your book) that you would want someone to wipe if you were under suspicion from the police?
What happens if you eat a lot of hair.
You wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. What was it?
Falling. Always falling or being on tall buildings about to fall.
What cliched tattoo would your main character have?
I feel like Doug from the short story 'Doug' would have a cliche tramp stamp (UK lingo for cheap tattoos just above the butt crack)
What movie completely scarred you as a child?
Deep Blue Sea 🦈
What's the strangest thing a fan (or other author) has said to you?
Nothing yet!
If animals could talk, which one would be the rudest?
Oh, cats. Definitely cats.
Your main character is at the hardware store. What do they buy?
A spade...
If you were bitten and changed, would you want it to be by a vampire or a werewolf?
Vampire!
You're riding through the desert on a horse with no name. What are you going to call it?
Horseface.
What are your SM links? Can we follow you and pretend we're besties?
@robulitski on everything and @robwriteshorror just on IG - OF COURSE!
Rob writes visceral, concept-driven horror stories, anchored by complex
characters and offbeat narratives.
Writing primarily in the body horror genre, his debut release, ‘Fleshed Out’ is
a thirteen-part short story collection which explores the “fragility of flesh and blood, and the gruesome ways our bodies can twist, contort and transform into our worst nightmares.”
Rob was born in Portsmouth, UK, and received his bachelor of arts in Film
Production from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.
Having trained in filmmaking, and working as a director and producer on
everything from music videos to shorts to feature-length anthology films,
Rob’s official writing journey started in 2020.
When not writing, he can be found watching cheesy 90s films, baking cakes
and haunting local bookstores.