Question not answered? Ask here and here.
Q: Who are you?
Since you’re here, hi, hello. I’m Dawn Kurtagich (Kur-tah-GICH, emphasis on the last syllable, and with a hard “g” like in “golf” and rhyming with “witch”). I haunt the UK, mostly. I write horror and fantasy, and more specifically I write folk horror, surrealist horror, gothic horror, supernatural horror and YA horror, plus dark fantasy/horror crossovers. I tend to skew slightly more literary, but not always.
Q: How do you pronounce your name?
Kurtagich is pronounced Kur-tah-GICH, emphasis on the last syllable, and with a hard “g” like in “golf” and rhyming with “witch”. Kurtagich, like witch.
Q: Who is your literary agent?
I’m represented by Victoria Marini at The Highline Literary Collective.
Q: How can I contact you?
To contact me, please use the contact form on this site. Please do not use any other method you may have, including but not limited to social media, Tumblr fan mail or random emails you might have dug up online little a little squirrel. The only reliable means of reaching me is via the contact form. Thank you.
If you contact me via means other than the contact form, it could vanish into the ether, or I may reply to say that I can't help you. Please respect the boundary I have stated here.
Q: Can I interview you for my blog/magazine/website?
Probably, yes! I enjoy doing written interviews as time and energy allow. If you do request to interview me, please only do so after you’ve read some of these FAQs.
To arrange an interview, please contact me via my website contact form. I try to respond to all requests, but can’t always do so right away.
Q: Can you read my book? How about some feedback?
Sorry, no! Most authors can no longer do this. But I do recommend getting some good critical feedback. If you can find a critique group, that may work for you. Having a supportive and encouraging community is wonderful.
Q: Can you show my work to your agent?
I’m sorry, no. I don’t give referrals out of respect for my agent, and for myself.
Q: I'm a blogger/reviewer/fanatical fan! Can I get an ARC of your book?
I don’t control how many ARCs, if any, I receive. They are usually sent out by my publishing team. That being said, I do often get some for promotional purposes. The best way to see if I’m hosting a giveaway is to subscribe to my Substack and follow me on Instagram, my main social app—alternatively, contact my publisher directly. Thank you for being so keen!
Q: Any news on the dead house movie?
If and when there is any news on any of my books, I’ll post about it on my social media or Substack.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?
It really depends. Two of my books I wrote in a month (bad first drafts). The longest took 13 years. One, my current magnum opus, I have rewritten 23 times. I still have not gotten it right.
Q: What’s your accent? I can’t place it?
That's okay, most people can't! I'm a bit of a hodge-bodge because I grew up all over and moved so much. It's mostly British, with splashes of South Africa and he dead, blood-moon lands of Nowhere.
Q: Is The Dead House the first of two?
Yes. The Dead House has a sequel novella available digitally. It’s called “Naida” or “The Naida Tapes” and you can find it here and here.
Q: I want to listen to the audiobook but I can’t find it!
The audiobooks for The Dead House and And the Trees Crept In are only available in the US, but the audiobook for Teeth in the Mist, The Madness, The Thorns, The Seventh Sister and The Wellness Retreat are available worldwide.
Q: What are you working on now?
Come, child. (please picture me sounding just like Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus here). Do you expect me to give away all my secrets?
Q: What is your favourite book?
I've started putting together a Pinterest board of exactly that: Books I've loved. You can find it here, though please don’t expect my squirrel brain to keep it very up to date. My Goodreads is also woefully incomplete. One that I always state is my favourite comfort read is Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariller, but I also love Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.
Q: You didn’t answer my question!
Periodically I answer questions over on my instagram and Substack. Why not message my form, or comment over there?