JULY NEW RELEASES

It has been a while. I’m sure I’ve missed a few titles with the chaos life has been. I will try to keep up to date going forward. We have a few titles releasing this month. Two of them are through our NeoParadoxa imprint, and one is under our main eSpec Books imprint. We hope you’ll check them out!

Click the titles below to order.

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Even in the Grave

edited by James Chambers
and Carol Gyzander

“In death – no! even in the grave all is not lost.”
                          –Edgar Allan Poe

Wandering souls! Restless spirits! The vengeful dead! Those who die with unfinished business haunt the living and make their presence known from the world beyond: 

• A scientist’s invention opens a window onto a terrible afterlife.
• A New York City apartment holds the secrets of the dead.
• A grandmother sends text messages from the grave.
• A samurai returns to his devastated home for a final showdown with his past.
• A forgotten TV game show haunts a man with a dark secret.
• A tapping from behind classroom walls leads to a horrible discovery.
• The specter of a prehistoric beast returns to a modern-day ranch.
  And the one seeing eye knows all—including what you did.

Haunted from the other side, these stories roam from modern cities to the shadowed moors to feudal Japan to the jungles of Central America, each providing a spine-chilling glimpse into the shadows not even death can restrain. 

Do you dare open these pages and peer into the darkness they reveal?

Stories by Marc L. Abbott, Meghan Arcuri, Oliver Baer, Alp Beck, Allan Burd, John P. Collins, Randee Dawn, Trevor Firetog, Caroline Flarity, Patrick Freivald, Teel James Glenn, Amy Grech, April Grey, Jonathan Lees, Gordon Linzner, Robert Masterson, Robert P. Ottone, Rick Poldark, Lou Rera, and Steven Van Patten.

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Vox Astra: When Clouds Die

James Chambers

The Stars Will Sing Our Songs Long After We Are Gone…

…but who will remain to listen? Who will hear the stories they tell of the wisdom of species dying to protect worlds against a cosmic threat, to witness the crisis of warriors faced with unconscionable acts and soldiers determined to cling to hope amidst violence and despair?

Open your ears to these tales of heroes both fantastic and ordinary, who travel among the planets or dwell deep in the canyons of city streets. Hear the voices of the stars as they speak of lost loves, long-slumbering guardians, brutal conflicts, wars beyond time, and the powerful ties that hold people together in the face of violence. Though humanity may one day vanish, the stars forget nothing. We can only hope they will be kind when they tell our stories.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – APRIL GREY

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign is approaching its final week! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews April Grey, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

AG:  My writing group was doing a gothic story challenge and I was inspired by my apartment house and next-door community garden to write about a disabled vet and her challenges as she struggles to rebuild a life for herself.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

AG: Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas. He’s man’s best friend and devoted to Jack Skellington.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

AG: Yes, my novels take place in NYC (where I’ve lived for nearly 50 years). As I’ve lived much of that time in old tenement buildings, I often incorporate what it’s like to live in a place where you walk up five flights of stairs, have inadequate heat and hot water, deal with pests, walls that are cracked and ceilings that cave in.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

AG: Fear of alienating readers and friends when I deal with controversial subjects. I fear going too far.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

AG:  Horror is an incredibly flexible genre. As long as you are invoking a sensation of unease or fear you can write with elements of other genres: There’s romantic horror, gothic horror, SF horror, horror westerns, comic horror, cosmic horror, you get the idea. It’s an emotion and so as far as world building goes there are fewer rules. Just scare people!

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

AG:  Self-promotion and marketing. It can take up a huge amount of time and effort possibly better spent writing. This is harder on a novelist than a short story writer as most publishers have it in the contract that the author will at the least maintain a social media presence.

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

AG:  Two teenagers walked up to me at the HWA booth at Comic Con and said their teacher recommended to his students to read the anthologies I produce. I thought at first someone was pulling my leg. I was deeply touched that I was helping young people become fans not just of horror movies but also short stories.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

AG: I have three urban fantasy novels out, and I am editor of the Hell’s series: Hell’s Garden, Hell’s Grannies, Hell’s Kitties, Hell’s Heart, Hell’s Bells, Hell’s Highway, and Hell’s Mall.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

AG:  Broad Universe and The Horror Writers Association—both excellent organizations.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

AG:  Read and write every day, and understand your genre and the business aspects of being a writer.

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April Grey’s short stories are collected in The Fairy Cake Bakeshop and in I’ll Love You Forever. She is also the author of urban fantasy novels: Finding Perdita, Chasing the Trickster and it’s sequel, St. Nick’s Favor.

She edited the anthologies: Hell’s Heart: Tales of Love Run Amok; Hell’s Bells: Wicked Tunes, Mad Musicians and Cursed Instruments; Hell’s Garden: Mad, Bad and Ghostly Gardeners, Hell’s Grannies: Kickass Tales of the Crone and last year’s, Hell’s Kitties and Other Beastly Beasts. She is a co-editor on the Stoker Award nominated New York State of Fright.

She and her family live in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC in a building next to a bedeviled garden. Gremlins, sprites, or pixies, something mischievous lurks therein. Someday she’ll find out.

Learn more about April Grey:

GoodReads  *  Amazon

Follow April Grey on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram  *  Pinterest

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – MARC L. ABBOTT

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has passed the halfway point! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Marc L. Abbott, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

MLA: My story, The Bells, is the story of a man who uncovers a horrible family secret when he goes to settle his father’s estate. Restless spirits in the house terrorize him using bells to get his attention, then forcing him to confront the truth about the man his father was and why he may or may not be the true heir to the family fortune.

In the story, I talk about the use of bells as a way of the dead reaching out to the living. I was inspired to use this idea after reading about how bells used to be connected to headstones with a string that was connected to the corpse when someone was buried. This was done because often times a misdiagnosis would lead to a person being buried alive. If a person were to wake up in their coffin they could pull on the string and the bell would ring, signaling to anyone nearby that the person should be dug up immediately. I built the story off of that then went back to include the family dynamic and the idea that appearances are very deceiving especially when lies are accepted as truth.   

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

MLA: It was the setting for me. I have written ghosts stories before, but they have often been set in the present. This time around I wanted to challenge myself and do a period piece. I also wanted to make the whole reason for why the ghosts do what they do a bit more complex than say a simple haunting. I wanted to give the ghost a true purpose to what they are doing and coming up with something believable and not filled with tropes, that was also a challenge.  

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater uinverse stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

MLA: This story is a stand-alone tale and not part of any of my other works. What makes this story unique is that in this universe the ghosts interact with one another in order to tell their own tragic story.  They are also capable of being seen by anyone who comes to their residence. They don’t stay hidden or use many parlor tricks to the attention of the living. They’re very straightforward in their ways.    

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

MLA: I don’t see myself revisiting these characters or revisiting this world I created. There isn’t anymore that I feel I want to say about the living or dead characters here. This is really a one-and-done type of tale which allows the reader to make up in their own minds what they think happens beyond the end.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

MLA: My favorite ghost, hmm, it would have to be Joseph from the movie The Changeling with George C. Scott. That ghost really scared me when I saw that film because of how he interacted with the environment around him. The things he would do to get Scott’s attention ranged from subtle to haunting playful. He never did anything harmful but they were often unexpected (chasing someone down in a rickety wheelchair comes to mind) and it would send chills through me. It still scares me to this day when I think about it.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

MLA: I absolutely believe in them. I had an experience when I was little, shortly after my grandfather passed away, I was staying over my grandparent’s house and sleeping in the bed he used to. I remember I woke up and saw a figure in the dark walking toward the bed from an adjacent room. I could tell it was my grandfather from the hunched way he was walking. I pulled the covers over my head and a few seconds later I felt his hand touch my shoulder. When I pulled the covers back he was walking away then he disappeared. My family told me that he came to look in on me.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

MLA: This may sound silly but my 9 to 5 haunts me as an author. That chunk of time I spend working there gets in the way of the amount of time I could be writing. If I could do both at the same time I’m sure it wouldn’t bother me as much.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

MLA: Mine was more of who than a what. My father was the one who drew me to the genre when I was a boy. We used to watch old Universal horror movies on PBS on Saturday Nights and the way he would explain the backstories of the monsters was fascinating to me. He had a way of speaking in a kind of Vincent Price voice to make the story more ominous which forced me to ask questions and look up information on monsters. This was also I realized a ploy to get me to read spooky stories. After being introduced to Edgar Allen Poe and the short story, The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs, I started dabbling in writing my own horror stories. What inspired me was the challenge to one-up anything I saw or read and see if I could scare myself with my own work. If I could do that, I knew I was on the right path.

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

MLA: I have two books that are not horror. One is a YA coming-of-age novel called The Hooky Party about two high school seniors who throw a hooky party after their Senior Cut Day is canceled by their principal. Then there is my children’s book, Etienne and the Stardust Express which tells the story of a little boy and his dog who use the power of imagination to travel through France and Italy without ever leaving home.

While there are scary stories found in YA and Children’s genres, these two stories I wrote were more grounded in reality than my dark fiction. Children use their imagination all the time when playing by themselves with their toys or after they see a movie they will act out scenes pretending they’re in the story. I felt like I could just go with the flow and really explore that ideology. With YA, having to go back and remember what that time was like (this story takes place in 1990) as a teenager I took a very light-hearted approach. I lingered a lot on the good times and aspects of how my friendships were. I can really be free to explore and have fun. Horror is a different animal for me. I feel like I need to know where I am at all times. I can’t be all over the place and come back to the linear tale. The objective is to make the reader unsettled and on edge which means that I often need to be on edge when I write. It’s fun but much darker.   

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

MLA: I do live storytelling. I tell true stories about my life on stage and I run a monthly storytelling show called Maaan You Got To Hear This (at least I did before COVID but I intend to go back to it). I’m a 2015 Moth Grand slam Storytelling Winner as well. So, not all of my stories are fiction.    

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

MLA: I have two horror novels I penned with fellow author Steven Van Patten, Hell at the Way Station, and the sequel, Hell at Brooklyn Tea. I am also featured in several anthology collections including Under Twin Sun (Order of Wilde), Hell’s Mall (Djinn in Tonic), Hell’s Heart (A Marked Man), and New York State of Fright (Welcome to Brooklyn, Gabe). I also have two non-horror books. A children’s book entitled Etienne and the Stardust Express and a YA coming-of-age novel called The Hooky Party.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

MLA: I’ve found a lot of support through the HWA since I joined in 2013. Being given the chance to participate in readings, have publishing opportunities, and get the help I need, I always know there is someone there willing to support what I do.

eSB: What advise would you give aspiring horror writers?

MLA: Write about what scares you. Tap into that one thing that makes you afraid and incorporate it into your work. Also, do your research on the type of monsters you want to write about. Don’t just rely on the fiction you know or have read before. There are always very fascinating nuances to things and interesting history when it comes to folklore. You will be pleasantly surprised what you discover and how much you use to make your own work stronger.  

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

MLA: Readers can follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

I also have a website www.whoismarclabbott.com where they can catch up with me on my latest projects and appearances.   

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Photo: John F. Sheehan Photography (www.jfsheehanphoto.com)

Marc L. Abbott is the author of the YA novel The Hooky Party and the children’s book Etienne and the Stardust Express. He is the co-author of Hell at Brooklyn Tea and Hell at the Way Station, the two-time African American Literary Award-winning horror anthology with award-winning author Steven Van Patten. His horror short stories are featured in the anthologies, Hells Heart, Hells Mall, Under Twin Suns: Alternate Histories of the Yellow Sign and the Bram Stoker Nominated horror anthology New York State of Fright.

In film, he is the writer and director of the horror shorts SNAP and Being Followed. A two-time nominated best actor for his role in the science fiction film Impervia and Best Actor winner for the film Identity Check.

In storytelling, A 2015 Moth Story Slam and Grand Slam Storyteller winner. The writer and performer of the storytelling solo shows Love African American Style and Of Cats and Men: A Storytellers Journey. He is the host of the monthly storytelling show Maaan, You’ve Got to Hear This! in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

In addition to being an active member of the HWA New York Chapter, Gamma Xi Phi Fraternity and co-host on Beef, Wine and Shenanigans, he also heads the Beyond the Tropes reading series with the Center of Fiction in Brooklyn, NY .

Find out more about Marc L. Abbott:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon

Follow Marc L. Abbott on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – TREVOR FIRETOG

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Trevor Firetog, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

TF: My story is about a 1950’s TV game show that haunts a man with a dark secret. This was largely inspired by both mine and my family’s love for those old game shows like “I’ve Got a Secret” and “What’s My Line?”. I’ve been toying around with this idea for a few years, but it never seemed to click. When I sat down to write something for this anthology, this story was the only one I wanted to tell. It suddenly came together, and writing it was such a beautiful and cathartic process. In the end, I am quite happy with how it turned out.

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

TF: I am an absolute lover of ghost stories, especially those from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. That said, I knew that with a project like this, there would be a temptation to tell the same kind of story that readers have seen a thousand times before. This particular story idea forced me to change my thinking of how I view “ghosts”, and that’s how I knew I had something that would stand out.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

TF: Casper. I mean, he’s the friendly ghost. What’s not to like about him? On the more serious side, I really appreciate the character of Santi in The Devil’s Backbone. Such a sad story, accompanied by an eerie apparition. It was really the first film that showed me that even ghosts can be haunted.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

TF: All of my bookshelves stacked with the thousands of books I have purchased but have not gotten around to reading yet. They watch me, patiently, all the while planning their retaliation against me.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

TF: Horror is something that has always been an important part of my life. There are a lot of real life horrors in the world, and that’s why I believe it is so important for the genre to exist. It gives us a glimpse of the darkness without pulling us any further, and there is a kind of beauty in that.

Growing up, the works of Clive Barker inspired me the most. Opening one of his books was a truly surreal experience. He could blend darkness, romance, thrills, story-book fairytales, and some of the nastiest horror you’ll ever read into one story or novel.

 

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

TF: Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time writing mysteries and thrillers. There is certainly some crossover between the thriller and horror genres, but what I find most challenging about thrillers—at least the kind of thrillers I write—is that I can’t rely too much on any supernatural aspect. This forces me to examine my plot from every angle and make sure everything is airtight. It narrows the sandbox you’re writing in, but also opens up different possibilities.

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

TF: I used to attend New York Comic-Con every year with the Horror Writers Association. This was a fantastic way to get my books into the hands of enthusiastic readers. However, anybody who has ever been to NYCC, or any comic convention in general, might know about the interesting characters that wander the show floor. It’s quite challenging to try and explain your work to a potential reader while there is an army of cosplayers all dressed as Deadpool trying to chase down a man in a Tyrannosaurus rex costume.

Or there was that time—also at NYCC—that the lead singer of one of my favorite bands stopped by our booth, picked up my book, and then handed it back to me asking me to sign it for him.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

TF: Here is where I would mention that I am an avid typewriter collector and restorer. My collection exceeds the hundreds, and I own some of the rarest typewriters in the world. However, that wouldn’t surprise any of my readers because I use any chance I can to talk about typewriters. So no, I’m not even going to mention a single thing about typewriters at all. Not one word.

However, something more surprising is that I am a classically trained actor. I have appeared in plays, television pilots, off-broadway productions, and films. Acting was my first love, and I believe it is a skill that has helped guide me into the minds of my characters.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

TF: My novella, Usual Monsters was published by Crossroad Press and is out now. It is the story of a woman who is suffering from a tumor that makes her hallucinate monsters that she believes aren’t really there… until her husband is viciously torn apart and her niece goes missing.

Also, my short story European Theater was recently published in Under Twin Suns: Alternate Histories of the Yellow Sign, which was edited by James Chambers. This story is about what would happen if The King in Yellow play fell into the hands of America’s enemies during World War II. This story involved an immense amount of research, and I believe the result is apparent in the final product. I’m thrilled to have that story alongside such amazing others in that anthology!

 eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

TF: The Horror Writers Association has been an amazing help while I navigate my journey as a writer. They have provided me with guidance and support, and I can honestly say that I would not be the writer I am today without the help of the HWA.

 eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

TF: Don’t give up. Be ready to make mistakes. Be ready for rejection. Don’t give up. Read widely—not just horror. Read romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, western. Read everything you can get your hands on.

Did I mention not to give up? That’s pretty important.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

TF: As I mentioned before, I am wrapping up a thriller novel that will soon be looking for a home. Aside from that, I’ve been working on a comic-book series that I can’t wait to share with the world. Hopefully I’ll have more news about that soon.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

TF: Readers can find out more about me through Twitter — @TrevorFiretog — and Facebook. Even though I don’t post quite as often as I should, I love it when readers reach out! Feel free to recommend me a book you’ve enjoyed recently! I am always looking for new reads, and to add another soldier to the army of unread books that will ultimately lead to my demise.

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Trevor Firetog writes out of Long Island, New York. He is the author of the horror-thriller novella, Usual Monsters. His short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Aside from writing, Trevor collects and restores vintage typewriters. When he’s not reading on the beaches of LI, or scavenging used bookstores, he’s usually holed up in his office, working on his next project. 

Learn more about Trevor Firetog:

Amazon

Follow Trevor Firetog on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – ALP BECK

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has passed the halfway point! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Alp Beck, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

AB: Bob Burchwald wakes up in a hospital room after a devastating car accident. He has no memory of the event or anything before. He moves back into his mother’s house to recuperate, when he does, small bits surface, but not enough to form a full picture. He is not bothered by any of this until he remembers he has a daughter.

When I started, I only had the picture of a plump, middle-aged man, living in his mother’s house, building airplane models in his old study. The story changed over time and became a different animal. Not to sound dramatic, but I felt haunted as I wrote it. The process felt different from my usual routine. I felt somewhat diffused as if my memory was also compromised along with Bob’s. Writing it was difficult, I felt the darkness the characters were experiencing as if it was my own. There were moments where I wasn’t sure which of the two main protagonists pushed my pen. It was an odd experience. Time will tell if I simply lost my mind, or I was so deep in the process that I lost my own identity. It was the first time I finished something but felt as if someone else had written it.

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

AB: Finding a story that would surprise me. Hopefully, I succeeded.

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater universe stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

AB: Schrödinger’s Ghost stands on its own. It’s steeped in what obsessed me at the time: physics, the nature of reality, who we are—really, and the possibility that we are many things at once.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

AB: Not with the same characters. I’m done with them, but there is a possibility I might explore their world further. As I wrote it, each answer created more questions.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

AB: Don’t laugh, it’s but the ghost from, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, played by Rex Harrison in the 1947 film, featuring Gene Tierney. I’m a romantic at heart, plus I had a huge crush on Harrison.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

AB: Yes, but not in the traditional sense. More likely, there are many overlapping ‘realities’ and sometimes we perceive the inhabitants of these other planes. I’ve experienced many things that are not explained with today’s definition of science. I’m pretty sure that fire must have seemed like magic at some time. Today’s science is yesterday’s magic. When I was 13 we moved into a house my dad had rented, in Flushing, Queens. We were always broke, so we couldn’t afford phone service. This was in the early 70s, before cell service, wireless, or cordless phones, when you could not buy your own phone.  You could only rent one from the phone company that provided service. The only residential phones in existence were corded black or tan varieties with one cord going into the walls. The cord fed the phone service and power to the unit.

When we moved in, a large, clunky rotary phone sat on a small round table in the foyer. It was not plugged into anything. The cut cord hung limply by its side. I lifted the handset and listened: nothing. It was dead.

My stepmom, Gregg – short for Gregoria – played the piano. We placed her upright piano in the foyer. Gregg practiced every morning. She played short pieces, piano exercises, scales, etc. Sometimes she worked on original compositions. On this day, Gregg started with Bach’s Ave Maria. As soon as her fingers hit the keys, the phone rang. I came running, and we both just stared at the phone. I walked over and looked for the cord. Yup, still sat there, unplugged as the phone continued to ring. I hesitated, then picked up the handset. The line was open, echoey like the other side sat in a large open space. You could feel the vastness. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I said, “Hello?” Nothing. I felt the open connection, but to where I could not guess. I hung up and just stared at my mom who was by now looking thoroughly spooked. I picked up the handset again and now it was dead as usual; no open line.

From then on, anytime Gregg played Ave Maria, the phone would ring. Greg, or I, would pick up the line and be greeted by that creepy feel of the open line. Somehow, we both had the feeling that someone was at the other end, listening, trying to speak. We got used to it. Even once we were able to get phone service, we left that phone on the table, unconnected.

Many weird things happened in that house. We were sure we had a poltergeist. Many mornings we’d walk into the kitchen to find all the cabinet doors opened and many of the canned goods on the floor. Yeah, definitely haunted.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

AB: Not in my early work, but I’m doing some of that now. The novella I’m working on, FRESH, incorporates my experiences as a traveling underwriter, (admit it, you thought I was going to say, circus clown) and the familiarity I developed as a professional traveler.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

AB: Boring my readers.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

AB: I grew up in the middle of nowhere, in the countryside outside of Rome, Italy. Our house was the only one for miles. A road had to be built to reach it. I was raised by my grandparents. My frequent companions were feral cats, and the wild boars and vipers that would chase me through the woods. I learned to climb trees really fast. The only reading material in the house was my grandfather’s medical reference books, along with works by Homer, Virgil, and Cicero. So, from the age of six and on, that’s what I read. I didn’t see a children’s book until I was nine. Let me tell you something, going through medical journals featuring gruesome, fluorescently lit human deformities and injuries can really shape a mind. During the school year I was in convent schools run by nuns, not the Catholic-lite ones they had here, but the ones dressed all in black, with the huge wooden crucifixes dangling by their waists, where the only visible skin was that of their face and hands. Those hands were capable of a lot. How could I be anything else but a horror writer?

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

AB: I love writing essays and observational non-fiction pieces. There is something wonderful in opening up a topic in unexpected ways and focus on a common topic but come at it from a surprising angle.

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

AB: Getting up early. I’m not capable of it anymore, and I do my best writing in the early morning. So I’m in a constant internal battle to reclaim the early hours. Most times I lose.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

AB: I opened for Tiny Tim.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

AB: You can find my short stories:

HEELS in New York State of Fright: Horror Stories from the Empire State edited by James Chambers

DEADMALL in Hell’s Mall: Sinister Shops, Cursed Objects and Maddening Crowds edited by April Grey

TO THINE SELF BE TRUE in Hell’s Grannies: Kickass Tales of the Crone edited by April Grey

SB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

AB: My wife, Barbara and my friend, Laurie. In addition, nothing beats the amazing support and friendship I’ve found in the Horror Writers Association. The HWA is like a big, soft cushion of support, filled by amazing warm, generous, kind and welcoming writers. Whether experienced or beginners, I can’t say enough great things about being part of the HWA. Maybe because of what we write and because sometimes people sometimes tilt their heads and look at you with that, ‘uh-oh, I thought she was normal’ look, that space is so important. Writers, by nature, are like plants. We work alone, we are lost in our fictional worlds, roaming among our characters, but when we come up for air, the company of oddballs like you is welcome and needed. It feeds our soul and supports our dreams. You can’t ask for more.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

AB:         Keep at it. Your skills get better the more you write.

Embrace rejection. When you receive a rejection, the editor is responding to you as a writer, not you personally. They assume you are a professional. Editors are underpaid, (sometimes unpaid) overworked humans, who might have had a bad morning, had a fight with their other half, spilled coffee on themselves, or had their apartment invaded by bedbugs. In other words, you don’t know what is going on in their world when they come across your manuscript. If they give you advice, heed it. It’s rare, and you should be flattered they took the time to do it.

Read everything, every subject, not just horror. Expand your world to include wide topics. If you only read horror, you will eventually only mimic what you read.

Write the first draft for you. Don’t worry about how strange, good or weird it is. Write what you want. Shut off the inner editor. When you start your 2^nd draft, become your reader. Cut all the extra; doesn’t matter that you think it’s pretty or clever. If it doesn’t move the story forward it has no business being there. You need to be merciless.

Be professional. Format your manuscript correctly, follow the submission guidelines for where you’re submitting to. Make sure to do your research. Don’t be lazy. Nothing throws a reader out of your world faster than a poorly researched scene. For example, if you are writing a scene with police in it, make sure the procedure you’re describing is accurate. You might have readers that are cops and they will know that you couldn’t be bothered to get the details right. It’s insulting.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

AB: I have a couple of horror themed fairy tale shorts I’m working on, along with FRESH, my passion project.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

AB: Any of my social media links or website will give you more details. But the best way, is read my stuff. That’s where the chewy center resides.

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Alp Beck lives in New York City. She writes in all genres but prefers horror. Her essays have been featured in the NY Times and the NY Blade. She is a big fan of the short story format and believes “Only when you master the art of the short story, are you ready to tackle novels.” Therefore, she will continue to writer in the format until “she gets it right”. You can find her story, TO THINE SELF BE TRUE, in Hell’s Grannies: Kickass Tales of the Crone, by Lafcadio Press, HEELS, in A New York State of Fright, by Hippocampus Press and DEADMALL, in the anthology, Hell’s Mall by Lafcadio Press. She is hard at work on a series of stories, including EYEWITNESS and THE UNDERRIDE.

Learn more about Alp Beck:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon

Follow Alp Beck on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – OLIVER BAER

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has passed the halfway point! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Oliver Baer, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

OB: “Insubstantial” is about being haunted. Perhaps it is more about the consequences of not preparing the right conduit to the living. It could also be said that it is just the ravings of a madman who is trying to relate to the other side.

Most of the idea came from a novella I wrote in 2020, which is a rewriting of a play that has been in the constant state of revision since the late 1980s. I threw in some Lovecraftian references because they called to me. It’s also possible something crept in from the weirdness that is my existence.

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater universe stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

OB: “Insubstantial” does stem from a recently written novella. I’m not sure the universe of the novella is unique but I’m hoping the telling of the story is.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

OB: I’m hoping to write more stories with these characters. The novella mentioned above is split into five parts. My idea was that each part could be its own stand-alone story. “Insubstantial” proved to me that each part does not stand alone as it currently is, so now I need to take the other four and create stories out of them as I did with the part that became “Insubstantial”.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

OB: I believe in ghosts. I believe that there is an energetic component to human beings. Whatever one wants to call it, consciousness, a soul, or life force, over time it becomes something that can become attached to our physicality. When that physicality is gone, depending on how strong the attachment is can determine whether the energy disperses into the universe or whether it stays around. One of the experiences that strengthened my belief involved one of my martial arts and meditation brothers who passed. Both my instructor and myself felt his presence among us at least a year or more after he died.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

OB: I appreciate the horror genre for its attempts at giving explanation to the unknown as well as giving us a way to talk about fears, especially fear of the other. I started writing horror as a way to deal with the fears and unknowns, of which I have many, in my own life.

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

OB: I write dark poetry, only some of which is horror, and have written essays as well as theatrical reviews. My book of poetry and photographs, Baer Soul, is laid out so that the poems can be read individually or together as an abstracted story. The photographs were created to be stills from a film that was never made so they also tell a story of sorts. The two stories are only tangentially connected, yet are presented together. In some of my poetry, words are together because of how they sound. In others, I’m thinking of an image or scenario in the abstract and then trying to convey that. This may not be that different from what we find terrifying in some stories. I have cowritten a history of the martial arts school I attend, Wu Tang Physical Culture Association. This was pretty straightforward factual writing whereas the theatrical reviews tended to be more subjective.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

OB: I’m not sure who my readers are, other than humans, so I’m not sure what would surprise them. Perhaps that I’ve been part of a ritual to contact an ancient Taoist patriarch for guidance.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

OB: Cthulhu Sex Magazine, Horror Between the Sheets, Letters to the Editor of Cthulhu Sex Magazine, Baer Soul, Gathering Souls by A Conclave of Baer.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

OB: I have an ongoing collaborative project, A Conclave of Baer, where I ask artists to interpret my work in any way they would like. I’m interested in getting my book of poetry and photographs, Baer Soul, reprinted. I have a novella and some stories that could become a collection as well as possibly another poetry book.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

OB: Go to my website, try summoning me, or just ask.

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Oliver Baer was the editor of Cthulhu Sex Magazine and Two Backed Books. His epistolary novel, Letters to the Editor of Cthulhu Sex Magazine, was published in October 2019. His short stories have appeared in April Grey’s anthologies as well as others. His essays have been on blogs as well as books. His poetry has appeared in Goodreads Best Poems 2020, Paper Teller Diorama, Hell’s Mall: Sinister Shops, Cursed Items and Maddening Crowds, Birds Fall Silent in the Mechanical Sea, Cthulhu Sex Magazine, Horror Between the Sheets, Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase Vol. II and other publications. His book of poetry and photographs, Baer Soul, came out in 2011. His CD of poetry set to music, Gathering Souls, which came out in 2013, spawned the show A Conclave of Baer. The band Lucky Witch and the Righteous Ghost, released an EP, Dreams in the Witch House, that is inspired both by HP Lovecraft and his poems. He has appeared as an indescribable horror from the depths, sometimes with a light saber, and his likeness has appeared on tv and film while his voice has been heard on internet radio as well as a podcast or two. There have also been various artistic renditions created of him. 

Learn more about Oliver Baer:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  Alignable  *  BandCamp

Follow Oliver Baer on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  LinkedIn

EDITOR SPOTLIGHT – CAROL GYZANDER

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Carol Gyzander, co-editor of Even in the Grave.

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eSB: This isn’t your first time editing an anthology. What is it that you enjoy about the process that keeps bringing you back? What is your favorite part?

CG: The collaboration is wonderful. I’m always thrilled to work directly with authors on their stories when needed and lend an extra set of eyes and different viewpoint to their efforts. It’s tremendously rewarding to help a good story get even better!

Working with co-editors is terrific, as well. When I first started out as Editor for Writerpunk Press, we had several editors who worked together. I reviewed all the editorial comments and acted as the liaison between author and editor; I learned quite a bit by studying what other editors suggested about a story with which I was also involved.

eSB: Do you foresee more anthologies in your future? If so, what is the next project you are excited to get started on?

CG: I’m thrilled to be editing an anthology for Crone Girls Press, starting up this summer. They’re a horror press, so yeah—it will definitely be horror stories. More info later, when I can share more!

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

CG: I’m a child of the 60’s so I have to say that Casper, the Friendly Ghost, was my buddy as a kid since he was on cartoons and in comic books, and he always made a new friend. But let’s be honest. He’s not terribly scary! Even his uncles/brothers the Ghastly Trio “scary” ghosts, were just kind of jerks.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

CG: I do. Actually, there are two experiences! My grandmother Alva appeared to me in my apartment after she passed away. She was sitting at the table, getting ready to play a hand of gin rummy, which was our favorite pastime together. It was comforting.

My family has a story about my other grandmother, Mother Evelyn, as well. She passed away from Alzheimer’s after being in a nursing home, where she would frequently try to escape—saying that she had to get to the train so she could get home. Well, one of my cousins dreamed he was visiting our great-grandmother, who had also passed. They had a delightful visit until she heard a train whistle and told him it was time for him to leave because Evelyn was on her way. He woke up from the dream in the middle of the night—at the exact time and day that Evelyn passed away.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

CG: Writing cyberpunk was my gateway drug to horror! As well as meeting folks in the HWA NY Chapter. I’d been writing cyberpunk novellas, which are typically dark. A standard theme is that the common, downtrodden person tries to improve their lot in life in a tech society where all is controlled, only to find out they have made things worse than when they started. Then I attended a reading by the HWA NY Chapter in NYC and realized that horror was just a half-step further! But I don’t think I would have made the leap without meeting the wonderful folks in the chapter.

eSB: You are an author, as well. Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

CG: I also write science fiction and mysteries. Sci-Fi can be hopeful or dark, or vary somewhere in between, but I always love the “what if” aspect where you can change one small thing and set up a different world. As for mysteries, there is a lot of similarity as I feel that every story has some kind of mystery at its heart. If we knew everything about the subject, then why would we read it?

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author/editor, and why?

CG: My least favorite part of being an editor is having to turn down stories! We are all aware that there will be more stories available than can fit in any given volume, but I know what a rejection feels like, and I hate to have to say no.

As an author, it’s that last phase where I’m trying to wrangle my piece into final shape. I feel like I should be done, but I know it still needs attention. From “this wonderful idea,” it goes through “this cool story I’m working on” to become “my WIP”—and when it finally turns into that “%^$#@ story,” then I know I’m almost done.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

CG: I spent almost fifteen years in uniform. Not the military, but as both a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader! I went from den leader through the volunteer ranks in my local Boy Scout units, then district, then local council as a leader and trainer. I also staffed the WoodBadge adult leadership training course multiple times (I’m a Buffalo!), finally as Senior Staff. I was qualified to be a Course Director but left scouting to care for my father with his Alzheimer’s. I followed the similar path with Girl Scouts. What can I say? I’m bi-scoutual.

eSB: What are some of your other anthologies readers can look for?

CG: With Writerpunk Press, I’ve edited a series of anthologies that are ’punk stories inspired by classics, including Edgar Allan Poe (Merely This and Nothing More: Poe Goes Punk) and classic horror tales (Hideous Progeny: Classic Horror Goes Punk). Our latest is punk tales inspired by myth, folklore, and legend (Taught by Time: Myth Goes Punk). Easiest to find these on my Amazon Author.

I have a story, “The Yellow Crown,” in Under Twin Suns: Alternate Histories of the Yellow Sign, from Hippocampus Press, edited by my EITG co-editor, James Chambers.

eSB: As a horror editor, where do you find support for your craft?

CG: Definitely the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and more specifically the HWA NY Chapter. HWA has many educational programs, including the annual StokerCon convention, where one can meet and learn from many other horror authors. Check out horror.org for more info.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

CG: I’m thrilled to have a cryptid novella, Forget Me Not, coming out with the Systema Paradoxa novella series from eSpec Books in late spring of 2022. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the press provides books to the Cryptid Crate subscription program. Every box includes really cool stuff related to the cryptid theme of the month! 

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Carol Gyzander writes and edits horror, dark fiction, and science fiction. Her stories are in over a dozen anthologies, including a dark fantasy story, “Deal With the Devil” in the alternative Beatles anthology, Across the Universe: Tales of Alternative Beatles, edited by Michael Ventrella and Randee Dawn.

A recent story, “The Yellow Crown” is in Under Twin Suns: Alternate Histories of the Yellow Sign, from Hippocampus Press. This weird historical fiction anthology, edited by James Chambers, explores the madness of Robert W. Chambers’ classic work of weird fiction, The King in Yellow (1895) and those under the sway of the Yellow Sign.

She’s the Editor of Writerpunk Press, where she’s edited four charity anthologies of punk stories inspired by Poe and classic horror. Their latest anthology is Taught by Time: Myth Goes Punk.

Carol is Co-Coordinator of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) NY Chapter and one of the co-hosts of the monthly HWA NY Galactic Terrors online reading series. As HWA Chapter Program Co-Manager, she helps support chapters in the US.

Learn more about Carol Gyzander:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  BookBub

Follow Carol Gyzander on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram

eSPEC BOOKS AUTHOR READING SERIES – 2/12/22

Okay! We have had a rush of activity, so there are going to be a lot of videos to recap here. Many, but not all, are from the #GhostsAndGhoulsAndOtherCreepyThings campaign.

Because most of these are from the anthology Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander, I’m going to put the book description here, rather than repeat it with each video:

“In death – no! even in the grave all is not lost.” –Edgar Allan Poe

Wandering souls! Restless spirits! The vengeful dead! Those who die with unfinished business haunt the living and make their presence known from the world beyond:

• A scientist’s invention opens a window onto a terrible afterlife. *A New York City apartment holds the secrets of the dead.
• A grandmother sends text messages from the grave. *A samurai returns to his devastated home for a final showdown with his past.
• A forgotten TV game show haunts a man with a dark secret.
• A tapping from behind classroom walls leads to a horrible discovery.
• The specter of a prehistoric beast returns to a modern-day ranch.
• And the one seeing eye knows all—including what you did.

Haunted from the other side, these stories roam from modern cities to the shadowed moors to feudal Japan to the jungles of Central America, each providing a spine-chilling glimpse into the shadows not even death can restrain. Do you dare open these pages and peer into the darkness they reveal?

Stories by Marc L. Abbott, Meghan Arcuri, Oliver Baer, Alp Beck, Allan Burd, John P. Collins, Randee Dawn, Trevor Firetog, Caroline Flarity, Patrick Freivald, Teel James Glenn, Amy Grech, April Grey, Jonathan Lees, Gordon Linzner, Robert Masterson, Robert P. Ottone, Rick Poldark, Lou Rera, and Steven Van Patten.

Hope you enjoy!

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Teel James Glenn reading an excerpt from “The Red Mare” from the upcoming EVEN IN THE GRAVE, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander, funding now on Kickstarter.

About the Author

Teel James Glenn’s poetry and short stories have been printed in over two hundred magazines including Weird Tales, Mystery Weekly, Pulp Adventures, Space & Time, Mad, Cirsova, Silverblade, and Sherlock Holmes Mystery. His novel A Cowboy in Carpathia: A Bob Howard Adventure won best novel 2021 in the Pulp Factory Award. He is also the winner of the 2012 Pulp Ark Award for Best Author. His website is: TheUrbanSwashbuckler.com

Gordon Linzner reading an excerpt from “Moshigawa’s Homecoming” from the upcoming EVEN IN THE GRAVE, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander, funding now on Kickstarter.

About the Author

Gordon Linzner is the founder and former editor of Space and Time Magazine, as well as the author of three published novels (The Troupe, The Oni, and The Spy Who Drank Blood) and dozens of short stories in F&SF, Twilight Zone, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, and numerous other magazines and anthologies, most recently Corporate Cthulhu, Baker Street Irregulars II, Release the Virgins! and the forthcoming The Mountains of Madness Revealed. He is a lifetime member of SFWA, a licensed New York City tour guide and lifelong resident of that city, edits, cat-sits, and leads the Saboteur Tiger Blues Band, among other distractions.

Amy Grech reading an excerpt from “Bruised and Battered Nevermore” from the upcoming EVEN IN THE GRAVE, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander, funding now on Kickstarter.

About the Author

Amy Grech has sold over 100 stories to various anthologies and magazines including: A New York State of Fright, Apex Magazine, Dead Harvest, Flashes of Hope, Gorefest, Hells Heart, Hells Highway, Hells Mall, Needle Magazine, Punk Noir Magazine, Scare You To Sleep, Tales from the Canyons of the Damned, Tales from The Lake Vol. 3, The One That Got Away, Thriller Magazine, and many others. She has a poem forthcoming in the Under Her Skin anthology. Amy is an Active Member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers who lives in New York. You can connect with her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_grech or visit her website: https://www.crimsonscreams.com.

Caroline Flarity reading an excerpt from “I Am Helen Gunthe” from the upcoming EVEN IN THE GRAVE, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander, funding now on Kickstarter.

About the Author

Caroline Flarity is a freelance writer living in NYC. Her fascination with fringe topics and scary movies led her to begin her writing journey penning creepy screenplays. Her debut novel The Ghost Hunter’s Daughter began its life as a feature script, placing in the finals of the StoryPros Awards and as a semifinalist in Slamdance Film Festival’s writing competition. The Ghost Hunter’s Daughter was named a “Best YA of 2019” listee by Ginger Nuts of Horror and won Crossroad Reviews’ 2019 Indie Book Award. Caroline is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association.

Michelle D. Sonnier reading an excerpt from her novel Death’s Embrace, an ancillary prequel to The Clockwork Witch.

There is no aspect of life that magic does not touch, including death.

Raised to follow in her mother’s footsteps, groomed to be a proper hedgewitch, Macaria longs to blossom and bloom both into womanhood and her magic. But deep inside, doubts have begun to take root.

During a springtime ritual meant to ensure a fruitful growing season, fate conspires to redirect Macaria’s path. Falling victim to ill omen after ill omen, she returns home bloody and bruised to meet her destiny.

With the dawn, and an unfortunate sacrifice, her magic unfurls and her new vocation as a death witch is revealed. Can Macaria learn to see the beauty in Death? Or will the Council of Witches force her into its final embrace?

About the Author

Michelle D. Sonnier writes dark urban fantasy, steampunk, and anything else that lets her combine the weird and the fantastic in unexpected ways. She even writes horror, although it took her a long time to admit that since she prefers the existential scare over blood and gore. She is the author of The Clockwork Witch and Death’s Embrace and has published short stories in a variety of print and online venues. You can find her on Facebook (Michelle D. Sonnier, The Writer). She lives in Maryland with her husband, son, and a variable number of cats.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – STEVEN VAN PATTEN

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Steven Van Patten, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

SVP: My story, “Blind Spot” is about a man traumatized by a childhood incident, only to end up even more damaged.

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

SVP: Honestly, it wasn’t that much of a challenge. The pandemic, along with my work writing Black History episodes for the Extra History has put me in a mood. Not saying I need an intervention or something, but lately coming up with dark stuff isn’t that hard.

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater universe stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

SVP: It’s a one-off, a total stand alone. It’s unique in that along with it being a horror story, there is a deep sadness running throughout.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

SVP: I don’t think so, but I can’t say for sure. I’m a creative. Who knows what’s going to hit me or inspire me down the road.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

SVP: Alma/Eva from Peter Straub’s Ghost Story.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

SVP: People say I claimed to see ghosts when I was a child. I don’t remember the incidents, but I have had other experiences that have led me to believe in lingering energies.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

SVP: Strangely, I never told anyone what my grandparents said about me claiming to see their friend. You guys are the first ones to be told this outside of family. I have yet to use the story.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

SVP: Creative writing can be a lonely process. That’s what haunts me. Loneliness.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

SVP: I was a bullied outcast as a kid, so horror, science fiction, and anything fantastical were my escapes. In many of these stories, heroes faced ridiculous odds and triumphed. I aspired to be those heroes, at first, but because I was often shunned by schoolmates (mostly because of my innate work ethic as well as my awkwardness), I also identified with certain monsters.

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

SVP: Well, one of the things I do is I write for a YouTube channel ‘Extra Credit’. They have various wings and initially asked me to tackle mythology… you know… because I’m the spooky guy. Months later, George Floyd was murdered and the organization realized that they were sorely lacking in anything that tackled the African-American perspective. They asked me to tackle Black History and dealing with my own traumas, I took to the assignment gladly. Medgar Evers, The Negro Leagues, The Tulsa Riot. The history of the Cotton Gin and how it helped set the stage for the Civil War. What’s the difference? Well, in writing these stories, I am confronted by real monsters like institutional racism, and real boogeymen like J. Edgar Hoover. Some days, these stories are harder to work on because of the real suffering connected to them. I write horror because I want to. I’m doing the Black History work because I need to. 

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

SVP: I messed up. I should have become famous for something else and THEN become an author. My work, which feeds my soul, is not always feeding the wallet.

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

SVP: I get asked some pretty funny questions as I move through various events and convention spaces. Some examples:

1) Why do you hate Christmas? (To be fair, this is probably because I have written a few Christmas horror shorts and even performed them in public, as demonstrated here.)

2) What is wrong with you? (I usually ask the person to be more specific.)

3) Are you really a vampire? (Yes! There, I finally said it!)

And of course:

4) You write horror? But you’re Black!

Wait… is that last one funny? I guess it depends.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

SVP: I’m a fan of Humphrey Bogart. Or maybe his writers. That guy had some slick retorts back in the day.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

SVP: There is Brookwater’s Curse, my vampire series. There is also Killer Genius: She Kills Because She Cares and the sequel, Killer Genius: Attack of The Gym Rats, which revolves around a socially conscious Black woman serial killer. Marc Abbott and I raised some hell with Hell at The Way Station and brought in fantasy/ sword and sorcery guru Kirk Johnson for the sequel, Hell At Brooklyn Tea. Kirk came up with a great tagline for those two. “It’s ‘Three The Hard Way’ meets ‘The Dresden Files’.” Also, I am in a number of other horror anthologies.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

SVP: My fellow members of the NY chapter of the Horror Writer’s Association have been tremendous. They always make me feel included and cared about. And Mom, even though some of the material disturbs her, is a constant cheerleader.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

SVP: Spend as much time reading as you do writing. I think that will keep you from falling into doing the same thing everyone else is doing.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

SVP: I have sequels for all of my series slowly pulling themselves out of the primordial ooze that is my imagination.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

SVP: Well, my number is 917… kidding.

Holler at me on social media. That is probably the best way.

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Steven Van Patten is the author of the celebrated Brookwater’s Curse vampire trilogy, and the Killer Genius serial killer series. He’s also co-author of Hell at The Way Station, which won Best Anthology and Best in Science Fiction at the 2019 African American Literary Awards. Numerous short stories have been published in over a dozen anthologies and he’s a contributing writer and consultant for the YouTube channel Extra History as well as the Viral Vignettes series.

He’s a member of the New York Chapter of The Horror Writer’s Association, The Director’s Guild of America, and professional arts fraternity Gamma Xi Phi Incorporated. He’s also the publisher of Growth: The Basics of Our Gardens, a how to guide for anyone interested in growing medicinal marijuana. A fourth of the Brookwater’s Curse series and a final Killer Genius installment are in the works now that Hell at Brooklyn Tea dropped in early 2021. His website is http://www.laughingblackvampire.com. When he is not writing scary or salacious tales, Steven can be found stage managing a plethora of TV shows and events across the tri-state area.

Find out more about Steven Van Patten:

Website   *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  BookBub

Follow Steven Van Patten on social media:

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – AMY GRECH

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Amy Grech, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

AG: My story, “Bruised and Battered Nevermore”, takes place in an NYC apartment building that holds secrets of the dead. It’s an homage to author Edgar Allan Poe. I wrote it a few years after I moved out of my first apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The place was decrepit and the heat rarely worked. When it did, the ancient radiators clanged and moaned—they seemed to conjure specters from beyond. It got me thinking… what if the previous tenant died and the current occupant set out to unravel the mystery.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

AG: Definitely Casper the Friendly Ghost. He garnered a brief mention in my story, “Bruised and Battered Nevermore.” Growing up, I watched the cartoon. I remember being fascinated by the juxtaposition—Casper was pleasant and personable—the opposite of most menacing, meddlesome spooks. 

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

AG: I wholeheartedly believe we are not alone. In 2011, a few days before my father passed away, I was getting ready for bed in my Park Slope apartment. When I turned off the living room light, I spotted a white, glowing orb floating near the window at eye-level. I stood transfixed by the Illuminated sphere, which I took to be his spirt saying goodbye. 

Over the years, after my grandmother passed away in 2009, there were several instances in the same apartment where I felt a weight next to me in bed late at night—you know, like when your dog or cat cozies up next to you before bed… thing was, I didn’t have any pets.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

AG: When my family went to visit an aunt living in Kingston, NY, she gave me two of Stephen King’s novels, Cujo and Pet Sematary. I was 12-years-old at the time. Despite the mature themes, I was hooked on his work. I decided that I wanted to try my hand at writing. The lack of female authors published in the genre during the mid-1980s was a huge motivator to seeing my name in print. 

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

AG: In addition to horror, I’ve published numerous noir stories with various publishers. For me, writing horror is about telling stories where the characters are at the forefront, experiencing a range of emotions: whether it’s abject dread, or sheer, visceral terror. I want readers to empathize with my characters’ triumphs and tribulations, whereas my noir fiction blurs the line between right and wrong. My protagonists are seriously and often tragically flawed. Noir also shifts focus away from detectives and overturn standard crime narratives by turning criminals and murderers into sympathetic protagonists, who become humans with complex motives rather than heinous caricatures. Nuance allows for the exploration of difficult questions about the nature of society and humanity. By focusing on antiheroes and amoral protagonists, the ethical constructs of crime and justice and right and wrong become questionable in a world where nothing is black and white. 

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

AG: A few years ago at the Horror Writers Association NYCC Booth, a man purchased a copy of my now-out-of-print noir collection, Rage and Redemption in Alphabet City. While signing his copy, I inquired who it was for. He told me it was a birthday present for his son, Peter. After he left, one of the other writers at the booth chucked and said, “Peter’s in for quite an education.” Heh.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

AG: I’ve been a Member of the Horror Writers Association for over 25 years now. Fresh out of college and eager to perfect my craft, I subscribed to several, print writer’s magazines, including Cemetery Dance and Writer’s Digest. An ad for the Horror Writers Association caught my eye and I decided to become a member. I started as an Affiliate Member and worked my way up to Active Member status in five years.

I met Jack Ketchum way back when the Stoker Awards and accompanying convention were held in NYC during the mid-1990s. He offered me invaluable advice and gave me pointers on how to become a more effective reader. I served as the HWA’s Webmaster from 2001 – 2004—an enlightening experience. I’ve made numerous life-long friends and was proud to give back as a mentor in 2020. I currently co-manage the HWANY Chapter Twitter account with Alp Beck. 

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

AG:  I’m in the midst of final edits for two crime fiction novellas set in NYC, one takes place in Alphabet City, where rage and redemption are the primary focus. A devious eye doctor sets his sights on the wrong girl; murderous mayhem ensues. The avenues in Alphabet City tell a tragic tale: A is for Alert; C is for Caution; and D is for Death… The other is set in Manhattan and Park Slope, Brooklyn. After being caught in gang crossfire, a young woman exacts her own justice with a hot pink, leopard print Concealed Carry Glock 26 9mm that she affectionately calls Vicious Pink. I’ve also got a dystopian novella under consideration where in a post-financial collapsed dystopia, food takes on new meaning. A hailstorm of technicolor RING balls. A Gathering. A four-hour eating orgy. Cyanide. “The Lottery” meets “The Running Man”.

I’ve got a poem in Under Her Skin, due out in April.

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Amy Grech has sold over 100 stories to various anthologies and magazines including: A New York State of Fright, Apex Magazine, Dead Harvest, Flashes of Hope, Gorefest, Hell’s Heart, Hell’s Highway, Hell’s Mall, Needle Magazine, Punk Noir Magazine, Scare You To Sleep, Tales from the Canyons of the Damned, Tales from The Lake Vol. 3, The One That Got Away, Thriller Magazine, and many others. She has a poem forthcoming in the Under Her Skin anthology.

Amy is an Active Member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers who lives in New York. 

Learn more about Amy Grech: 

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon

Follow Amy Grech on social media:

Twitter  *  LinkedIn

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – TY DRAGO

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Ty Drago, author of the novel Rags.

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eSB: This is a unique book and somewhat difficult to define cleanly. How would you classify Rags, and why?

TD: It’s a fair question. On its surface, Rags is horror. There’s plenty of blood and plenty of scares. But on a deeper level, it’s a twisted coming-of-age tale. There’s a subtext of teenage empowerment and burgeoning power that smack of an origin story as well.

eSB: Without spoilers, how did you come up with the idea for the novel?

TD: I’m a Jersey Boy, born and raised. I grew up visiting the Jersey Shore, including Atlantic City. I remember Steel Pier. I saw the diving horse and walked in many of the places that Abby does in the book. In a lot of respects, Atlantic City today is a ghost of its former glory. There’s a sadness to the place that, when I visit, always calls out to me. I often find it a city of desperation and forced smiles as less and less of it returns with each passing year.

Strolling at night on the boardwalk, with the ocean roaring in the darkness and the casinos rising like monoliths against the sky, one can easily imagine a dark avenger moving through the shadows, looking for… what? Some shred of the once-glorious past of “America’s Playground?” A fading memory of music and laughter that isn’t accompanied by the bells and curses of the gambling floor?

Anyway, that’s more or less how Rags was born.

eSB: Your main protagonist is Abby, a teenage girl, what about the story inspired you to write from a perspective so different than your own? What challenges did you face in capturing the authentic feel you managed?

TD: There’s the old adage of “write what you know.” And I agree, to a point. More and more, however, I find myself asking, “But where’s the fun in that?”

Why did I write a novel told from the perspective of an orphaned sixteen-year-old girl from the streets? I guess because I wanted to see if I could. Pushing your own boundaries is, or should be, what art is all about. I poured everything I could into making Abby as authentic as possible. It wasn’t always easy. Since I had pretty much zero personal experience to draw on, I had to instead look to articles and novels about inner city life, especially works written in the early 1980s. Abby and her foster family were born from what I found there.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

TD: Rags is a stand-alone book. That said, it has the “hook” for a sequel in it. But don’t ask me what such a sequel would look like. Should I ever find myself in a position to consider writing one, the story would have to be much more than simply “The Further Adventures of Rags.” I would need to find a new and (hopefully) unexpected way to sharpen my avenger’s edge, if you’ll pardon the pun.

eSB: Rags felt very much like a superhero origin story to me. Was that intentional and is there a reason behind the choices that lead to that?

TD: As I said earlier, I think Rags is definitely an origin story, of a sort. But I don’t think “superhero” applies. Rags is a creature of violence, too dark a character to even qualify as an anti-hero, at least as the term is typically understood. I wanted to avoid “redeeming” Rags. Instead, I tried to use him to explore the darkness inherent in all of us. No spoilers, though!

eSB: The novel takes place in Atlantic City, in the early 1980’s, how much of your personal experience did you draw on to recreate such an iconic city, and how much was research?

TD: When I’d resolved myself to telling this story, I went to the Atlantic City Library. There, I partnered with a librarian and, for some hours, the two of us poured over old newspapers and magazines. There’s surprisingly little documentation from the period just prior to the blaze that destroyed Steel Pier in December of 1982. What I’ve written is cobbled together from old brochures, tourist maps of the pier, and from forgotten articles in forgotten publications.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

TD: I don’t know about “experiences.” Frankly, if some of the “experiences” in my novels had happened to me personally… well, that would be pretty awful!

That said, I do pay homage to people in my life. For example, in the Undertakers Series, the female lead, Helene Boettcher, is named after my wife. And some of the kids are named for children I grew up with. In Dragons, my SF novel that came out last year, Andy is named for my son and Kim and Shelton are named for my daughter and son-in-law. In the new one I’m writing, the heroine is named after a dear friend.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

TD: These days? Pretty much nothing. But for a long time, I dealt with the angst of having to keep a day job and still pursue my true calling. It’s an old song in the writing world: you can’t make a living writing, but you don’t want to make a living doing anything else!

But, now that I’m retired and writing full-time, I guess you could say I’ve finally overcome that hurtle. I feels good, and I pay back whatever fates have given me this opportunity by being as prolific as I possibly can.

eSB: You are also the author of the Undertakers series, about kids killing zombies.  What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

TD: Horror’s fun. It’s as simple as that. Of all the arts, writing is the most intimate; every “performance” is entirely one-on-one, author and reader. That intimacy allows for an emersion on the reader’s part that the author, if he or she is worth their salt, takes full advantage of. I like to creep out my reader, present them with a dark and grim scenario and then pull them along with me through that scenario, showing them a little more, page by page, as the tension builds. Doing so is both my responsibility and my privilege in this covenant with my reader.

eSB: Other than horror, what other genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

TD: Horror isn’t all I write by any means. A science fiction novel of mine, Dragons, was released by the good folks at eSpec Books in 2021. There’s also Torq (2018) and Phobos, way back in 2004. I’m currently finishing up a new novel that’s set in the very near future. More on that later. And I’ve authored two historical novels. One, called The Franklin Affair (2001), was my first published novel. The other, The New Americans, should be coming out in 2022, I think.

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

TD: LOL! Okay, here’s the truth of that. My “First Read” is my wife, Helene. It’s been this way for decades. I write a novel, make it as perfect and clean as I can, and then give to her to edit. She usually gets the third or fourth revision. Then she proceeds to pick it apart, challenging anything from word choices, to characters, to entire themes. She’s ruthless and thorough. Yet, after she’s done, the final book is always stronger for her efforts—”forged in fire,” you might say.

Still, every time I hand her a story, a part of me shrivels up inside…

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

TD: I used to guest speak at a lot of middle schools while promoting the Undertakers. Overall, I visited nearly a hundred of them in six states from Maine to Kentucky, and gave talks on writing, ran workshops, and did Q&As in front of a total of about 60,000 kids between the ages of 9 and 13. Some of the questions and comments I got were nothing short of hilarious. One girl at a school library booksigning made the loud comment that “You’re so relatable!” Another boy told me he wanted me to add a water cannon to an Undertakers story and give him full credit for the idea, with photo. Yet another penned a truly disturbing piece of flash fiction for a workshop: “Three starving men boarded a boat to cross a lake. When they reached the other side, there were only two of them, but they were full!”

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

TD: My younger fanbase is frequently stunned when they find out how old I am. I’ll be sixty-two in 2022, which makes me even older than their parents! It came up dozens of times at those aforementioned school visits and, whenever I revealed my age, a shocked murmur would travel through my audience that always tickled me.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

TD: There’s a plan in the works to release my historical novel, The New Americans, sometime in late 2022. This is a “family saga” that’s based on a series of cassette tapes that my father made right before his death in 1992. The story is loosely based on my grandfather’s life as a Sicilian immigrant struggling to assimilate in 1915 America.

AND I’m excited to report that my newest novel, Checkmate, is just about ready for prime time (I’m dating myself with that metaphor). This is a near-future retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel. It tells the story of a gender-fluid vigilante who uses disguise, guile, and plain old chutzpah to expose corrupt politicians, all told from the perspective of the young journalist assigned to investigate this person’s crusade.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

TD: I recently joined the Horror Writers Association and have been slowly immersing myself in that organization and its community. It’s one of the most supportive and passionate writers groups I’ve ever come across.

On a broader note, however, most of my support as a writer comes from my wife, Helene. She’s believed in my efforts from the beginning, and has devoted her time, her emotional energy, and her considerable intellect to help get me to where I am. I’ve dedicated more than one book to her and named one of my heroines after her. These are all worthy gestures, but insufficient to truly express the depth of my love and gratitude. It’s no exaggeration to say that you would not be reading these words if not for her.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

TD: Follow the Five Rules of Writing! What are they, you ask? Well, they are this: 1) Write; 2) Finish what you write; 3) Edit what you write; 4) Submit what you write for publication; and 5) Go write something else.

Do that, over and over, without giving up—and you’ll get there, regardless of the genre.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

TD: Well, I’ve started working on an audiobook of Dragons, read by Yours Truly. And Helene and I are planning a new season to our podcast “Legacy.” This one will focus on the efforts to publish and publicize The New Americans.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

TD: I’m all over social media. You can also email me at tydrago@live.com. I love it when people reach out!

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Ty Drago is a full-time writer and the author of ten published novels, including his five-book Undertakers series, the first of which has been optioned for a feature film. Torq, a dystopian YA superhero adventure, was released by Swallow’s End Publishing in 2018. Add to these one novelette, myriad short stories and articles, and appearances in two anthologies. He’s also the founder, publisher, and managing editor of ALLEGORY (www.allegoryezine.com), a highly successful online magazine that, for more than twenty years, has features speculative fiction by new and established authors worldwide.

Ty’s currently just completed The New Americans, a work of historical fiction and a collaborative effort with his father, who passed away in 1992. If that last sentence leaves you with questions, check out his podcast, “Legacy: The Novel Writing Experience,” to get the whole story.

He lives in New Jersey with his wife Helene, plus one cat and one dog.

Learn more about Ty Drago:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  BookBub

Follow Ty Drago on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram  *  TikTok  *  YouTube

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – LOU RERA

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign has launched! Check it out to see how we’re doing, and what awesome rewards are left to be had!

eSpec Books interviews Lou Rera, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

LR: I’d thought about the idea of a groupie or fan. There seems to be “fanboy” in almost any type of pop culture, and serial killers are no exception. My protagonist stumbles onto some memorabilia which gives him a front-row seat into the hideous acts of murder. 

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

LR: How do I write a ghost story that does not rely totally on the well-established tropes of the genre?

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater universe stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

LR: I consider humans the most malevolent of creatures. During our evolution, the one trait we developed (as far as I know) no other animal possesses, is deception. I write of the darker side of human existence. My story fits that viewpoint.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

LR: No, I feel this character has taken his complete journey.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

LR: The ghost of Eva, in Peter Straub’s Ghost Story. Straub skillfully combines youth and beauty into death, revenge, and horror. Just brilliant.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

LR: I’d be ignorant to flat out say no. About two months after my wife died, I heard her call my name as I entered our house. It was as if she were standing next to me. I ‘d swear it was her. Being more analytical about the experience, I researched what it might be. Simply put: An auditory hallucination brought on by extreme grief. But to this day, I don’t know.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

LR: I do this in ALL of my work. The best resources are my own experiences. Of course, I alter everything. The example I use the most is the full moon. My first novel, SIGN, the protagonists spend their night of terror, outside, stranded during a full moon. I spent months, during all the seasons, out late, in remote rural locations to experience first-hand how a person would negotiate their world under the light of just the moon. I was stunned by what I’d discovered!

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

LR: The brevity and unpredictability of life.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

LR: I’ve always had nightmares, vicious ones. I often wake screaming. I don’t know where these come from. Outside of that, I’ve always been drawn to the irony of life in general. Horror fits perfectly.

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

LR: I write horror book reviews now and then. Since I was a professor in communication, I’ve written journal articles in the field, and I’ve edited a textbook on Visual Communication.

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

LR: The time-consuming side of self-promotion and marketing.

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

LR: When my first novel was published, I was invited to read and speak at a bookstore near Cornell University. They promoted the event. They paid for my hotel and meals. I was treated very well. One person showed at the event.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

LR: I think of and write all this nasty stuff, but I’ll capture small insects in my home, and release them outside. With one caveat: I am terrified of spiders.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

LR: SIGN (2014 novel. A supernatural tale of deception and murder) AWAKE: Tales of Terror (2020) Collection of 14 short stories)

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

LR: Writing is such a solitary endeavor. That has both and negative aspects. The finest support and comradery is through the wonderful organization I joined in 2014, The Horror Writers Association. I am part of the NY Chapter, and formerly of the Ontario, Canada Chapter. I’ve also belonged to a writers’ group for 15 years, basically the same people. All experienced and accomplished writers.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

LR: Don’t live in a tunnel. Network with writers of the genre your write in. READ, READ, READ everything that inspires you.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

LR: I am working on several short stories for themed anthology submissions. I am writing a script based on one of my stories and I am working on a new novel.

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Lou Rera writes horror, supernatural crime and subjects that delve into the darker side of humanity. He is the author of SIGN, a supernatural thriller of deception and murder. His collection titled, AWAKE: Tales of Terror, features 13 stories of horror, supernatural crime, and murder. He is a professional designer, media producer, writer, and musician. He is an experienced music producer, working in studios in Western New York and Los Angeles.

He is a member of the Horror Writers Association, New York Chapter, Just Buffalo Literary Center, and IMDB. His short stories have appeared in the Canadian anthologies, Group Hex Vol 1 and Vol 2. His collection of flash fiction There are no doors on a cocoon, is a caustic look at the seedier side of existence. His flash fiction has won awards in Art Voice Magazine. His flash fiction and short story work have been published in Queen City Flash, The Writer’s Eye, Twisted Dreams and The Flash Fiction Magazine. Lou writes occasional reviews for Horror Novel Reviews.

Lou holds an M.A.H. in Information Design from the University at Buffalo. He lives in New York State with his wife MaryRuth, a personal chef and their wire-hair fox terrier.

Find out about Lou Rera: 

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  BookBub

Follow Lou Rera on social media: 

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Instagram  *  TikTok  *  Pinterest  *  YouTube  *  Horror Novel Reviews

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – MEGHAN ARCURI

These interviews are related to our GHOST AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS campaign. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign launches tomorrow, but you can check it out today and click to be notified!

eSpec Books interviews Meghan Arcuri, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

MA: My story is about a grandmother whose spirit is trapped in her computer. Her granddaughter inherits the computer and the two discover they can communicate.

I had read a non-fiction article in the New York Times about a woman who had inherited her grandmother’s laptop. She kept getting emails/notifications that were addressed to her grandmother, and every time she got one, it made her sad, feeling haunted by her grandmother.

So, I thought: what if grandma’s ghost were literally trapped in the computer and able to respond?

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

MA: To be honest, this story is not particularly scary. In fact, it’s meant to be funny. When I saw Jim and Carol’s call for ghost stories, I knew that technically this fit the bill, but I also knew no one would be getting nightmares from it any time soon. I explained this to Jim and Carol when I subbed, but fortunately they decided to take it.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

MA: I love the Ghost of Christmas Present from Scrooged. Carol Kane is a comic genius, and she was on fire in that movie.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

MA: Yes. Being a parent can be super frightening. My daughter had a medical incident a few years ago which, in the moment, was terrifying. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing, but I used it as a source of inspiration for a story which went on to be nominated for a Bram Stoker Award®.
(This story—“Am I Missing the Sunlight?”—is in Borderlands 7, edited by Olivia Monteleone & Tom Monteleone.)

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

MA: The self-doubt. It can be paralyzing at times, which is not at all productive.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

MA: I love romance. As much fun as it is to mess around with your characters in a horror piece, there’s nothing like a HEA (happily ever after).

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for? 

MA: You can find my two latest short stories at 34 Orchard (“Because You’re Mine”) and Classic Monsters Unleashed (“Green with Hunger”).

My story “Found and Lost” is in Under Twin Suns: Alternate Histories of the Yellow Sign, edited by James Chambers.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing? 

MA: The horror writing community, at large, is tremendously supportive. People of every level are generous with their time and wisdom. You need only to ask for help, and at least one person will respond.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers? 

MA: Go to conventions. Go to readings. Join writers groups and/or organizations like the Horror Writers Association. These will provide you with opportunities to do the most important thing for your career: meet people. Not only will you be able to network and learn a lot of tips and tricks of the industry, you will also make lifelong friends.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up? 

MA: I recently ran my first marathon. Between that and all the Covid nonsense, my writing production has slowed. Now that training is over, I can set my sights on my white whale: writing a novel. The crazy things is, training for and running a marathon has given me a lot of strategies for how to approach the novel, so I’m feeling optimistic.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you? 

MA: I am on Facebook and Twitter, and I have a website (see info below).

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Meghan Arcuri is a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author. Her work can be found in various anthologies, including Borderlands 7 (Borderlands Press), Madhouse (Dark Regions Press), Chiral Mad, and Chiral Mad 3 (Written Backwards). She is currently the Vice President of the Horror Writers Association.
Prior to writing, she taught high school math, having earned her B.A. from Colgate University–with a double major in mathematics and English–and her masters from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
She lives with her family in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Learn more about Meghan Arcuri:

Website  *  GoodReads  *  Amazon  *  BookBub

Follow Meghan Arcuri on social media:

Twitter  *  Facebook  *  Facebook (Author)  *  Instagram

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – ROBERT P. OTTONE

The next in our series of GHOSTS AND GHOULS AND OTHER CREEPY THINGS interviews. For those just joining us, we are crowdfunding three projects on Kickstarter and also taking some time to introduce you to our participating authors, some of whom are new to eSpec. The campaign launches February 1, but you can check it out today and click to be notified!

Today’s interview is with Robert P. Ottone, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.

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eSB: Even in the Grave is a collection of ghost stories, without spoilers, can you tell us a bit about your story and how you came up with the idea?

RO: Long Island has always had a history of ghost stories, and one of those is the concept of the “lady in the lake,” which is supposedly the spirit of a First Nations princess who claims the life of one young man every year. I wanted to play with this idea of a haunted lake, or a lake with a haunted history, and so, there you go.

eSB: What was the greatest challenge you had coming up with an idea that would stand out among the other submissions?

RO: I think being rooted in Long Island folklore, something I’ve studied my entire life hopefully set me apart from the others.

eSB: Is your story a part of a greater universe stemming from other stories you have written, or does it stand alone? Whichever your answer, can you tell us about what makes that universe unique?

RO: Everything I write takes part in what is more or less a larger literary universe, past, present, or future. The universe I’m trying to craft is one where you could live your entire life and never have anything spooky happen, or, if you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough to stumble across the impossible, it’s a relatively seismic thing. What I try to do is mingle the absurd with the plausible, and I hope that translates.

eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?

RO: Definitely in this world. I may revisit the plot as a mention in another story, or the location, maybe even a couple of the characters, but I have no immediate plans to do so.

eSB: Okay, first off the top of your head, who is your favorite ghost and why?

RO: The Headless Horseman. There’s something about a spectral nightmare on horseback with no head and a jack o’lantern that gets me going.

eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?

RO: To quote M. Night Shyamalan, “I believe in believing.” I would never be so reductive as to say there’s no such thing, and I’ve had some interesting things happen. I would say that when my wife and I stayed at the Stanley Hotel (aka: the place that inspired The Shining), things happened that I have a hard time rationalizing.

eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.

RO: For sure. Losing my dad a few years back has been something I’ve revisited a few times in my writing. Using that heartache I feel every day to exorcise the demons has been cathartic, but also, there are lines of dialogue I’ve cherry picked from decades of friendships, moments with my wife that I’ve swiped and fictionalized, etc. Characters very loosely based on people in my life.

eSB: What haunts you as an author?

RO: The desire to get better and to grow. I am constantly thinking about it. I’m always thinking about writing, whether I’m doing it or not. I want to just keep growing and keep working my butt off to get to the next level, and then work harder to get to the level after that.

eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?

RO: I grew up with horror. Every day is Halloween in my heart, all other holidays are for children. My parents raised me on a steady diet of horror, and I have yet to waver in my love for it. I’m inspired by the stories and books I read, the folklore I study, and the myths of old that are present in our everyday lives.

eSB: Other than horror, what genres do you write in? Tell us something about your other works and what makes those genres different from writing horror.

RO: I’ve dabbled in science fiction, and have enjoyed it. I really enjoy YA, because I think the notion of pushing the boundaries of what “kids” are meant to be reading is exciting. There are YA novels that are complete massacres and have sex scenes that are pretty cringey, so, I think living in that YA space and introducing speculative elements into that is exciting. That said, my first YA novel, The Triangle, is due for release in 2022 and it’s the first in a trilogy of dystopian-horror.

eSB: What is your least favorite aspect of being an author, and why?

RO: Not having enough time to write. I have a normal job like everyone else and it sucks. I’d love to be able to coast on book deals and whatnot, and focus solely on my craft and writing the next thing, but that’s not feasible, especially here on Long Island. That normal nine-to-five gig is the bread and butter.

eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?

RO: I did a library event where literally one person logged in online. It was meant to be a “writing horror” class that I put together an entire presentation on and worked out all the nitty gritty, then, one person showed up besides the librarian hosting the event, so, I pivoted and turned it into a question-and-answer session where I read some of my work in between chatting with the very kind lady who attended.

eSB: What is one thing you would share that would surprise your readers?

RO: I’ve only read one fiction book by Stephen King and it was Thinner. Unsurprisingly, it was awesome and I loved it.

eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?

RO: Readers can pick up my two collections Her Infernal Name & Other Nightmares, along with People: A Horror Anthology About Love, Loss, Life & Things That Go Bump in the Night wherever fine books are sold. You can also find me in a variety of anthologies such as Unburied, Hookman & Friends, In the Shadow of the Horns and many others. Also, keep on the lookout for The Triangle, the first part in my YA trilogy, courtesy of Raven Tale Publishing.

eSB: As a horror author, where do you find support for your writing?

RO: I’m very fortunate to have the Horror Writers Association to provide networking opportunities, which have been valuable. Also, I’ve cultivated a nice group of folks I interact with on Twitter, Instagram, and online who all support writing and one-another. Finding your tribe is the second hardest part when it comes to writing, beyond finding the time to actually do the writing.

eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?

RO: If you can work a job that requires as little as possible from you in terms of brainpower and time commitment while offering you a livable wage, then take that job and use your free time to write. Avoid social media unless you have something funny to say or something to promote.

eSB: What projects of your own do you have coming up?

RO: My debut YA horror-dystopian novel The Triangle is due out this year from Raven Tale Publishing, so I’m stoked about that. I’m also currently shopping around a third collection of short stories that’s ready to go.

eSB: How can readers find out more about you?

RO: Follow me on Instagram, folks. You can follow me on Twitter, but Instagram is still fun, so, follow me there. Head over to SpookyHousePress.com and sign up for my mailing list. I literally never send anything out unless my small press has a new release or if we have a monster sale going on. Say hi!

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Robert P. Ottone is an author, teacher, and cigar enthusiast from East Islip, NY. He delights in the creepy. He can be found online at SpookyHousePress.com, or on Twitter & Instagram. His collections Her Infernal Name & Other Nightmares and People: A Horror Anthology about Love, Loss, Life & Things That Go Bump in the Night are available now wherever books are sold.

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