Strangely Funny Interview: Henry Herz!

Henry Herz edited the dark fantasy anthology Beyond the Pale, featuring short stories by award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors Saladin Ahmed, Peter S. Beagle, Heather Brewer, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Kami Garcia, Nancy Holder, Gillian Philip & Jane Yolen. He participates in literature panels at a variety of conventions, including San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon.
Henry also writes fiction and creative nonfiction for children. His most recent books are The Magic Spatula (with Sam Zien, Month9Books, 2020) and I am Smoke (Tilbury House, 2021).

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When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

About ten years ago, I wrote my first fiction story to entertain my young sons. It turned into quite a project. We ended up self-publishing it, and I discovered my love of writing for children. I've authored 11 traditionally published children's book titles. In the last year or so, I've started writing short stories for adult anthologies. I've enjoyed being able to address more mature themes and leverage higher vocabulary.

Who is your favorite author, and what really strikes you about their work?

That is a Sophie's Choice. There are so many great authors from which to choose. Among my favorites are J.R.R. Tolkien, Kevin Hearne, Maggie Stiefvater, Isaac Asimov, and Lloyd Alexander.
 
Your story is funniest for people familiar with the Beatles. Are you a huge Beatles fan, or did you come up with the idea and then research the details? Tell us about your fandom and/or creation of "Four Fab Physicists."

I admire the Beatles' music, but I'm not a mega-fan. I simply got the idea to write about a group of people who were famous for one thing, but had a hitherto unknown secondary skill. Not unlike Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I also find incongruous mashups amusing, so this story is The Beatles meet Big Bang Theory, with a touch of This is Spinal Tap.
 
What is your current project, and can you share some information about it with us?

I have several adult horror, fantasy, and sci-fi short stories on submission (including my first steampunk and western horror stories). For kids, I have a sci-fi middle grade novel and short story on submission. To be published later this year and next, I have a contemporary magical realism early chapter book (The Magic Spatula), a narrative nonfiction picture book (I Am Smoke), three short stories for Highlights for Children and one for Ladybug (Cricket Media). My website is www.henryherz.com

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Sorry, I don't understand the question.  :)

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Read "Four Fab Physicists" for yourself in Strangely Funny VII, now available in print and on Kindle. "It Won't Be Long" before you're day-tripping!