Tell Us About Your Latest Book
Release is a Midwestern Gothic tale of madness, murder, and matricide. It follows Stanley Fitzgerald, who was institutionalized for killing his mother and later befriended by Marina Gardner, a fellow inmate. Upon his release, Stanley returns to his childhood home to rebuild his life, but Marina’s arrival disrupts his plans.
First Memory of Reading Horror
Release by Amelia Mangan
Roald Dahl’s The Witches left a significant impact, scaring and fascinating her as a child.
Which 3 Horror Books Do You Keep Returning To?
- Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates
- The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
- Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake
For Readers New to Horror, Which 3 Books Would You Recommend?
- Carrie by Stephen King
- The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
Who Do You Consider the King and Queen of Horror Fiction?
- King: Stephen King
- Queen: Shirley Jackson
Greatest Horror Film (Adapted from a Book) & Why?
The Night of the Hunter (1955) directed by Charles Laughton is a masterpiece for its expressionistic style and deep themes of repression and hypocrisy.
Horror Book That You’d Like to See Adapted to Film & Why?
Dr. Adder by KW Jeter should be adapted due to its influential, transgressive nature.
Best Horror TV?
Twin Peaks stands out as a timeless masterpiece.
Did You Write in Other Genres or Straight to Horror?
Horror was a natural gravitation due to a pessimistic nature but not a strict genre adherence.
Tell Us About Your Fans
Described affectionately as monsters, malcontents, and perverts.
Why Isn’t Horror As Respected As Other Genres?
Horror often gets a bad rap due to its deeply upsetting nature, confronting uncomfortable truths.
Do You Think Horror is Ready for a Renaissance?
Yes, especially with works like Twin Peaks: The Return and mother! reflecting current chaotic times.
Tips for New Writers of Horror Fiction
Ignore strict writing advice, read widely across genres, and always ensure you get paid.
Do You Believe in Evil?
Yes, as a human capability rather than a supernatural force.
What Scares You?
Cruelty, particularly because of the difficulty in understanding how people can willfully harm others.
Do you celebrate Halloween?
Every day, mate. Every day.