Tag: bookblogger

Book Review: Lucien by J.R. Thornton

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PLOT SUMMARY:

The son of working-class Czech immigrants, Christopher “Atlas” Novotny is a talented painter who arrives at Harvard on a full scholarship. Raised amid hardship, he is unprepared for the privileged world introduced to him by his freshman roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti.

Born to wealthy European diplomats, Lucien plays the part of the confident, sophisticated bon vivant. Where Lucien is bold and brash, Atlas is timid and introverted. Growing up a lonely outsider, Atlas is insecure, impressionable, and in awe of his brilliant roommate. But is Lucien all that he seems?

Sensing a willing disciple, Lucien introduces Atlas to a glittering new world of lavish parties and elite social clubs. When Atlas struggles to afford his new lifestyle, Lucien offers a solution, convincing the naïve artist to become a forger, passing off fakes to galleries and dealers.

But Lucien’s charismatic facade conceals something darker and more sinister. As Lucien’s behavior grows increasingly unstable, Atlas is forced into escalating risks with devastating consequences.

GRADE: C

REVIEW:

Lucien by J.R. Thornton suffers most from how it was marketed. Billing it as The Secret History meets The Talented Mr. Ripley sets up expectations the novel simply doesn’t meet. The comparison feels misleading, and ultimately works against the book rather than for it.

The story follows Christopher—renamed “Atlas” by his enigmatic roommate, Lucien—who comes from a modest background and finds himself immersed in the rarefied world of Harvard. There’s an interesting premise here: the tension between his upbringing and this new, elite environment. But instead of digging into that contrast in a meaningful way, the novel drifts. Much of it revolves around Atlas attending parties, with the central plot feeling thin and underdeveloped.

As literary fiction, the book seems to lean heavily on style and dialogue, but this is where it falters most. The conversations are long and frequent, yet rarely compelling. There are no standout lines or moments of insight, and at times the dialogue feels surprisingly shallow. If the intent was to portray a certain emptiness or privilege among Harvard’s elite, that idea never quite sharpens into something purposeful, it just comes across as dull.

Honestly, I likely would have DNF’d this if I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook. The narrator does a lot of heavy lifting, bringing some much-needed energy to an otherwise flat reading experience.

I also found myself hesitating over the perspective. When an author from a wealthy background writes about financial struggle, there’s always a risk it feels more like performance than lived understanding. Here, that distance occasionally shows, making parts of Atlas’s experience feel less authentic than they could have been.

Overall, Lucien has the bones of an intriguing story, but it never quite comes together in a satisfying or memorable way.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Harper Perennial for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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10 Tips for Writers on How to Find their Muse this Spring

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Spring is basically nature’s way of saying, “Hey, maybe try again.” And honestly? Writers should take the hint.

If your creativity has been hibernating all winter—wrapped in blankets, surviving on snacks, and side-eyeing your unfinished draft—it’s time to gently (or aggressively) wake it up. The muse isn’t gone. It’s just waiting for a better invitation.

Here’s how to roll out the welcome mat.

1. Romanticize your writing life (yes, really)
Light the candle. Open the window. Put on a playlist that makes you feel like the main character in an indie film. Writing isn’t just about output—it’s about vibe. And spring is peak vibe season. Lean into it.

2. Get out of your usual writing cave
If you’ve been writing in the same spot for months, your brain has officially filed it under “meh.” Take your notebook outside. Try a park bench, a patio, or even your front steps. New scenery = new ideas. It’s science. (Probably.)

3. Go on a “no pressure” idea hunt
Leave your project at home, mentally. Go for a walk with zero expectations except noticing things. Weird conversations. A dog with main character energy. A couple arguing about oat milk. That’s your raw material now.

4. Write small, win big
Not every session needs to produce 2,000 words and a life-changing plot twist. Try flash fiction. Write one vivid paragraph. Describe a moment. Tiny wins build momentum, and momentum is where the muse likes to hang out.

5. Clean your creative space (or at least pretend to)
You don’t need a full Pinterest makeover, but clearing off that chaotic desk can do wonders. Add a plant if you’re feeling ambitious. Suddenly you’re not just a writer—you’re a writer with a plant. Growth!

6. Chase a slightly unhinged idea
Spring is not the season for playing it safe. Got a weird concept? A chaotic character? A “this might be terrible but also amazing” premise? Follow it. The muse loves bold energy.

7. Read something totally different
If you always read the same genre, your brain gets a little too comfy. Shake it up. Read something unexpected and let it spark new angles, styles, or “wait…what if I tried that?” moments.

8. Let yourself be bad for a minute
Perfection is a creativity killer in a cute outfit. Give yourself permission to write something messy, dramatic, or downright ridiculous. You can’t edit a blank page, but you can shape chaos into something brilliant later.

9. Make it a ritual, not a chore
Instead of “I have to write,” try “this is my time.” Even 20 minutes counts. Especially 20 minutes. Show up consistently, and eventually the muse will get the memo.

10. Remember: the muse likes movement
Not just physical movement (though yes, go outside), but creative movement. Try, fail, pivot, play. The worst thing you can do is sit still waiting for inspiration to knock. Go make some noise instead.

Spring isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about starting again, a little lighter, a little braver, and maybe with better snacks.

Now go write something. Even if it’s weird. Especially if it’s weird.

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Book Review: Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward

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Secrets in the flames. Answers in the ashes.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Riley and her brother Oliver set off in the pitch-black night, fleeing their troubled home. They are heading for Nowhere—an abandoned ranch, once the playground of its former eccentric movie-star owner, now a haven for runaways.

What awaits could be the freedom they crave.

But this mysterious clan guards dark secrets, and the scorched grounds hold the ghosts of the past. Riley quickly realizes that while she and Oliver may have escaped the devil they knew, something darker lurks in the burnt shell of Nowhere.

Something which asks a terrible price for sanctuary…

GRADE: B-

REVIEW:

Ward is usually an auto-buy author for me, so whenever I get the chance to read an ARC of hers, I jump on it. That said, this is the first of her books that didn’t completely captivate me.

What worked best for me was Riley and Oliver’s storyline. Their escape from an abusive situation is gripping on its own, but things take a darker turn when they fall in with a group of kids living alone in the woods—very Lord of the Flies vibes. That section had the tension and emotional pull I’ve come to expect from Ward.

The novel then shifts to Leaf Winham, a famous Hollywood actor who retreats to the woods to indulge his serial killer tendencies. It’s an interesting premise, but I found it less engaging than Riley and Oliver’s arc.

The final thread follows two investigative journalists trying to piece together what happened at Winham’s burned-down property—and what became of the so-called Nowhere children. This part ties the narrative together, though it didn’t deliver the level of suspense I was hoping for.

Overall, the book is compelling, but I wouldn’t classify it as horror. It leans more toward drama, and it lacks the shocking twists I usually associate with Ward’s work. I still recommend it—just go in knowing it’s less eerie and more grounded than her previous novels.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Sonora Taylor

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Sonora Taylor is an American horror writer known for blending psychological dread with surreal and often unsettling themes. Her work frequently explores identity, body horror, and emotional trauma through novels, novellas, and short stories in the modern indie horror scene.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it

My next book is a novelette called “Passing Glance,” which appears in SPLIT SCREAM VOL. 8: CURSED PLACES. It’s about a woman who attends her friend’s 30th birthday party at an eccentric mansion filled with mirrors that may or may not be cursed. It’s based o a wild museum I went to in Washington, D.C., called the O Street Mansion, which is filled with quirky decor that gives the place a sinister vibe. I walked through it, though, I felt like the place itself wasn’t haunted, but the mirrors definitely were. I think readers will enjoy how twisty and strange it is, with something creepier around every corner. I sometimes felt as discombobulated as the main character while writing her journey! It’s coming out April 21 from Tenebrous Press, and you can preorder it here.

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

Sky Daddy by Kate Folk. It’s a novel about a woman who is romantically attracted to airplanes. She believes it’s her fate to be chosen by a plane who will then “marry” her by melding their bodies into one–ie, crashing. So, she spends a lot of time each month flying planes in the hopes she’ll be chosen, but this desire hits a hiccup when her best friend at work starts to hang out with her more often in their off-hours. It was so strange and wonderful, and the depiction of the female friendship was really great.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

Most of my stories start with one thought, and that thought is usually “Wouldn’t it be funny if”, but with something that’s not that funny unless you share my gallows humor. For instance, “Wouldn’t it be funny if a serial killer’s mom was so proud of them, they hung up their trophies like A+ tests on a cork board?” became Without Condition. From there, I try to dig deeper into more than just that thought, and usually end up with something much darker but also much richer.

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

Ooh, good question. Probably tea. I try not to eat while I’m writing (I’ve been trying to be better in general about not doing other things while I eat). I’m a tea fanatic and have so many different kinds.

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

Haunted houses. I love a good ghost story. Stories from the perspective of the killer, because I find a fractured mind much scarier to inhabit.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

Selena from 28 Days Later. Though I guess both she and Hannah survived. Still, she’s amazing. 28 Days Later is my favorite horror movie. (I don’t acknowledge the sequels)

Are you currently working on anything new?

I am working on two longer stories: one about a TV cooking show host embarking on a “good for her” change in career, and a ghost story about the spirit of a little girl blamed for children’s deaths in her neighborhood, and her one surviving friend’s quest to discover the truth about her.

Bio:

Sonora Taylor (she/her) is the award-winning author of several books and short stories, including Errant Roots, Little Paranoias: Stories, and Without Condition.  She also co-edited Diet Riot: A Fatterpunk Anthology with Nico Bell. Her short stories have been published by Tenebrous Press, Rooster Republic Press, PseudoPod, Kandisha Press, Camden Park Press, Cemetery Gates Media, Tales to Terrify, Sirens Call Publications, Ghost Orchid Press, and others.

Her short stories and books frequently appear on “Best of the Year” lists. In 2020, she won two Ladies of Horror Fiction Awards: one for Best Novel (Without Condition) and one for Best Short Story Collection (Little Paranoias: Stories). In 2022, her short story, “Eat Your Colors,” was selected by Tenebrous Press to appear in Brave New Weird: The Best New Weird Horror Vol. 1. In 2024, her nonfiction essay, “Anything But Cooking, Please,” was a Top 15 finalist in Roxane Gay’s Audacious Book Club essay contest.

She co-managers Fright Girl Summer, an online book festival highlighting marginalized authors, with V. Castro. She also serves on the board of directors of Scares That Care.

Her latest short story collection, All the Pieces Coming Together: Collected Works, is out now from Manta Press. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband and a rescue dog.

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Women in Horror Interview Series: TM Lunn

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TM Lunn is a horror writer that explores feminist themes in a provocative new ways.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it?

The Final Chapter is a standalone short novella (part of the Fight Like Final Girls series with other indie women in horror) which follows the day in the life of a thriller writer, interspersed with some fairly gruesome survival stories. If you like strong female characters and getting into some feminine rage, you’d definitely enjoy!

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

You Invited It In by Sarah Jules is one of my absolute favourite readers. Besides being a lovely person and supporter of fellow indie authors, Jules’ story of evil spirits and possession had me terrified the entire time.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

I would describe my writing process as fairly chaotic! I write sporadically, pretty much just when inspiration strikes and interrupts my procrastination enough. I love a project though which is why you’ll often find me in anthologies and collections. I write most of what I come up with from some version of real life and have fun twisting it into horror.

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

I’m such a snacker! Crisps are my weakness, anything salty, but always followed by something sweet. Caramel dairy milk chocolate it my favourite.

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I’m all about the final girls, especially those that subvert the original archetype. And to be honest, I love a bleak ending!

Who’s your favorite final girl?

That’s a tough one. I’ve always loved Sydney from Scream for her resilience and no-nonsense attitude. I also love Tree from Happy Death Day for her smarts and flaws.

Are you currently working on anything new?

I’m incredibly honoured to be featured in a horror anthology called My Friends In Hell coming May 1st. And I’m currently working on my first full length novel to release next year which I’m really excited about.

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Joni Chng

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Joni Chng is a horror author with many of her stories appearing in various anthologies.

Can you talk about your latest book or story and what readers might find appealing about it?

I’ll just recommend my three latest published short stories:
Becoming the Deathless, published in the Into the Dread Unknown anthology in 2025, if you love Slavic mythology. This is a villain origin story sort of retelling of how Koschei the Deathless attained his immortality. It’s the first retelling I ever did, and I had fun with it.

Next, check out my first fantasy story published, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones in A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic by Malaysian indie publisher, Teaspoon Publishing. It has extensive world building that will be explored in my future work.

My third recommendation is Faceless Portraits in The Big Book of Malaysian Horror Stories. I thought I invented a phobia for my protagonist when I wrote this story in the midst of the pandemic lockdown. It was only when I was giving this recommendation that I learned from a quick Google search of “fear of faceless people” about masklophobia – an irrational fear of people with hidden, obscure and absent faces, often rooted in an inability to read emotions, creating feelings of uncertainty and danger. I’m proud to say I was quite on point with my main character, but there’s more to his avoidant personality and masklophobia in the story. This anthology was published in 2022, with my story being one of 20 (but the illustration for my story is the cover art). If you want to explore horror beyond western media, I highly recommend it.

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

Misery by Stephen King. It’s technically and conceptually brilliant and a good introductory book for those getting into King’s work and horror fiction in general. It was my first King book. It is a must-read for aspiring writers looking to improve their craft. The first few pages that introduce us to the protagonist and his predicament are so masterfully written that you can feel a sort of phantom pain from the descriptive prose alone.

It also shows that horror can come in so many forms that it needn’t have a ghost or serial killer.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

I tend to work within my own pocket universe, which I continue to build and expand with each story I write. This fictional universe of mine is an alternative to our current reality; there is magic, there are mythical and divine beings, and weird science. Every time I start a new project, whether it’s a book or short story, I go into this universe and see what kind of stories can be told from there, with its laws are at play. So, with a very few exceptions, if you see any of my stories published in anthologies and journals, know that they all take place in the same universe.

Inspiration comes to me everywhere, really. Culture, history, myths, folklore, the latest scientific discovery, from observation, even something mentioned in passing in a conversation or a comment under a social media post can spark an idea. You can’t be a good storyteller without a curiosity and a certain love for the pursuit of knowledge. Every rabbit hole I ventured down is a potential building block for my universe.

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

Usually just morning coffee before I start working. I make it a point to not eat while I work; it’s not a good habit conducive to focus, not to mention having food around your workspace can be a messy disaster waiting to happen. What if you get crumbs in your keyboard or worse, spill something over your work? So, yeah…not recommended.

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I have a special love for religious horror or holiday horror (that is not Halloween), just about anything that juxtaposes a happy occasion with something dreadful and morbid. There’s something so undeniably unsettling about finding a deeper darkness behind what’s supposed to be sacred, holy and joyful. And once you see it, you cannot un-see it.

My particularly favorite is something called the “clashing of red and white” often done in Chinese language media. In Chinese, a “red affair” refers to auspicious, happy events associated with celebration, usually weddings, with red being an auspicious color. Meanwhile, white is the color of mourning. A “white affair” refers to sombre events associated with death. So, the ghost bride is a common trope. There’s also a belief in Chinese culture that if a person is killed dressed in red, the spirit will return to seek revenge. What would make for a more wrathful spirit than being killed on one’s wedding day, right?

Visually, with the traditional Chinese wedding procession, the bride is carried to her husband’s house seated inside a box-like sedan chair. It’s not that different from a funeral procession with the deceased being carried in a coffin (essentially another box). When you think about it, a wedding is symbolically a woman’s funeral, where her identity and personhood dissolves.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

I have a few, but for now, the one I can think of is Margot, in the movie, The Menu, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. She survives because of her empathy for the villain and quick-thinking.

Are you currently working on anything new?

I’m currently on the last leg of revisions for my first novel and hoping to start shopping for a publisher by mid-2026. It is an urban fantasy, set in Malaysia where I live. It will be the first book in a series of standalone but interconnected novels set in the same universe. It has fae folks, Chinese Gods, Hindu Gods and vampires walking among humans. That’s all I’ll say about it without giving away too much.


For a taste of this corner of my universe, read my aforementioned short story, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones.

You can find more of Joni’s writing here: jonichng.substack.com

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Pascale Potvin

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Pascale Potvin is a bit of a triple threat, author, filmmaker, and actress.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it?

Game Over Books recently published Demondust, or On Wanting and Killing Men, my short story collection that I guess is self explanatory—the demon that is loving men and the dust that is killing them. But the book is not just about those things. In general, they’re stories for people who like quieter, interior, self-inflicted horrors of any gender/kind. In a context where thought is the ultimate masochism, the horror skews abstract and unreliable, in itself, as a means of getting into your head if you’ll let me.

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

Lolita is one of the best works of literary horror—change my mind…

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

My process can be all over the place, also depending on what genre or form I’m working with. Before I was medicated, horror was my saving grace and a cathartic means of ‘fictionalizing’ things that were too real. More so then, but even now, my writing sparks the most at night when my inhibitions are lowered. Across genres, a lot of it starts with a big existential or metaphysical question (which horror just lets me answer in the most deranged way available.)

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

Honestly, wine, but the problem is it’s also an easy road to losing focus. So I actually really like non-alcoholic white wine for that purpose (the *vibes*).

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I love an unstable body. Possessed, transformed, decaying, etc. We could write a million original stories from that trope—and we will—because it’s a terror so inherent to us. Even more than that, I love an unstable reality: my favourite type of book or movie is probably the kind where I have to go and Google “___ ending explained” and can lie there reading reddit threads of speculation before bed.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

Good question. Maybe Maxine from X!

Are you currently working on anything new?

Yes, a lot of little things and a new screenplay. I’ve co-written a book of autofictional/experimental erotic horror that has been ready to go for a while now. The working title is Gasps That Seduced Even Ghosts as They Flew By. One of its main pieces is coming soon in an anthology titled SMUT, so I hope to get to share more about it then.

Find out more about Pascale at her website: pascalepotvin.com

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Renee Thomasin

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Renee Thomasin is a writer of 90s/Y2K nostalgic horror. She has written Pixel Pefect and Best Friends Forever.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it?

My most recent short story is called “Pixel Perfect,” and it’s my commentary on the dangers that existed in online diet culture spaces. This story appeals to readers who remember that time period firsthand or those who want a peak into the dark side of y2k and body horror.

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

Can I list more than one? I have been recommending The Blueprint by Rae Giana Rashad and The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

I am very much a “shiny new idea” person, so I’m always jotting down ideas for different stories. This can deter me from current works in progress, but it’s just how my mind works. I find inspiration and ideas flow when I’m driving or on a walk. As a full-time teacher, I have to force myself to get into a creative flow, which can be a challenge when your cup is empty at the end of the day. I always start in a notebook and sometimes find it difficult for my ideas to flow when it’s just me and a keyboard. I find inspiration in the world around me and always have some sort of mood playlist where I let my imagination take over.

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

I typically like some sort of latte, hot or iced depending on my mood, my water bottle with pink lemonade electrolytes, and something bubbly like a ginger ale. I’m somewhat of a drink goblin, haha. But coffee definitely sets the mood!

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I enjoy some body horror and gothic elements and always enjoy a vampire retelling. I’m also drawn to grief and nostalgic horror.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

Janelle Monae’s character, Veronica/Eden, in Antebellum is a powerful final girl. I’ve also been drawn to movie Wendy Torrance as well.

Are you currently working on anything new?

Yes, I am working on a reimagining of The Stepford Wives but as dark, pink academia, as well as a 90s YA horror novel.

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Claire L. Smith

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Claire L. Smith is a gothic author who delves into the haunting depths of love and life’s darker moments.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it?

My most recent release is the rerelease of my YA horror novella, WHEN WE ENTERED THAT HOUSE. Lovers of haunted house stories, gothic horror and queer coming-of-age narratives will be all over this.

Here’s the back cover copy for those who are interested: Best friends Zoe and Elle share a secret. Every day after school, they sneak into the ominous woods surrounding their small town. The isolation of the remote wilderness shelters them from the chaos at home, but it also brings dangers of its own.

Something wicked watches the girls from a rotting Victorian mansion. Zoe and Elle will soon discover the mansion’s decaying walls hide centuries-old secrets and a family whose bloodline is stained with violence and insanity.

In order to escape, the girls’ friendship and inner strength will be tested. The house’s clutches are strong, and both friends will be caught in a struggle they may not be able to win.

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

I really loved Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito. I’m such a sucker for the horrors of the Victorian Era and I loved how much of it was crammed into this little book. The narrative was also morbidly funny in the best possible way. It made the horrid things that the FMC does more enjoyable to read as she is the definition of chaotic. I struggle to recommend it though because it may understandably be a bit too much for a lot of people but I love it all the same.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

I’m a big planner. I like to have at least 50% of an outline done before I properly start writing. I normally intentionally leave the ending unplanned just because I usually come up with the best idea for the ending after I’ve spent a good amount of time with the story itself. Visuals are very inspiring to me, which is why I’m obsessed with making boards for my WIPs on Pinterest. It’s a great way to come up with ideas by looking at a cool photograph or peice of art and making up a story from what I see. 

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

I love herbal teas, matcha or chai lattes. Or when I’m feeling chaotic, a Monster Energy drink (Aussie Lemonade Flavor).

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I really love when the setting/scenery becomes a character or at the very least important to the plot. I love settings that feel alive in their own way, like they could work with or against the MC.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

I loved Joey (Melissa Barrera) in Abigail (2024). I don’t think she’s talked about enough as her character is very complex, flawed but also likable. I love characters in horror movies who go in being flawed and/or afraid of something other than the monster chasing them but by the end, they survive and get a new lease on life (even if they got it the hard way haha).

Are you currently working on anything new?

I’m currently working on an Australian Gothic novel based in the Blue Mountains (NSW). It’s taking a bit longer to outline than expected so I’m also working on a fantasy / horror book loosely inspired by Slavic folklore that I’m hoping to make into a trilogy.

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Women in Horror Interview Series: Holly Knightley

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Holly Knightley is a compelling horror writer, known for crafting dark, gripping tales that always deliver unexpected, sinister twists.

Can you talk about your latest book and what readers might find appealing about it?

My short story, Piggy, just came out on Feb 15th! It was an average day when Alley Faye found a five-dollar bill on the ground with a message: Here piggy, piggy, piggy. Greed is a sin, and you just let me in. This quick 38-page read will keep readers on their toes until the last page. This story has true crime vibes with a stalker who has a thing for the story of ‘The Three Little Pigs.’

What’s a book you can’t stop recommending?

We are talking women in horror, and I would be remiss not to say ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley. It is one of my favorite books, if not my favorite. Shelley explores themes of morality while giving her readers one amazing monster story where who is the ‘real’ monster is always in question. There is a reason this story still haunts readers today, it is simply brilliant.

Can you explain your writing process? What inspires you?

Most of my stories are inspired by my real-life experiences or moments that have made me pause. You know, that feeling that you get when something unsettles you? I explore why things make me feel the way I do, often using the supernatural to tell the story. My process usually goes the same. Something makes me pause to think and my brain whispers the story to me. If I have the time, I will outline the entire story the moment it pops into my head. If not, I will at least get down the vibe and characters and come back to it later.

Is there a snack or drink that gets you into a writing mindset?

Coke Zero. I am totally addicted to it and can’t start my day without it. I have a can in the morning, sometimes two—that’s when I know it’s going to be a good writing day.

Are there any horror tropes you especially love in books or films?

I love the haunted house trope. Nothing scares me more than a haunted house. When I was a child, I always thought: Just leave. As an adult, I realize you can’t just leave, which has made this trope and genre scarier for me. Throw in an unreliable narrator and buried secrets, and I’m hooked.

Who’s your favorite final girl?

This is a hard question, there are so many great final girls, but I am going with Ellen Ripley, Sigourney Weaver’s character from ‘Alien’. She’s badass and hot as Hell.

Are you currently working on anything new?

Yes, I have a new haunted house mystery thriller coming out July 16th entitled Cadbury House. This is such a fun mashup between the haunted house trope and haunted object trope. The story is pure chaos, in the very best way, and I can’t wait for it to be read!

You can keep up with her writing at: https://hollyknightley.com/

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