Out of all of the modern horror authors, no one has impressed me more than Michael Spinelli. All of his books are dark, disturbing, and extremely compelling. My nose was plastered in his books Wake and Target until the very last word. I highly recommend you check out Michael Spinelli’s work. You can buy his books here on Amazon.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Spinelli. We discuss his latest work Dark Corners, his writing style, and the advice he can give to other writers.
1. Talk about your upcoming book Dark Corners Anthology
My upcoming book, DARK CORNERS is due out by the years’ end. It’s an anthology of short horror and thriller stories written by myself over the last 20 years or so.
Some of these stories haven’t seen the light of day in that time, so I have been rewriting and updating them for this book.
2. You’ve been reading your books and stories live lately. What gave you that idea?
Lol, yes. The live readings. I started that in April when the quarantine/lockdowns started after seeing people try to entertain folks trapped in their homes, singing-playing instruments. I cannot do either of those things, so thought I would do my part in the only way I know how using the only platform I had at my disposal. It’s been fun.
3. Now your books are published in different languages! How did you go about doing that?
So the books published in other languages was neat. For the Anthology DEATH AMONG US, I am only a contributing author and the author that put that mashup together was responsible for that. That book is now available in English, Italian and Spanish languages. My first book WAKE is about to be translated into Italian and an Italian publisher reached out to me after reading it. Most likely because of my last name, they feel it would sell well there.
4. All of your books are compelling but I’m most intrigued by Target. How did you get the inspiration to write about real-life kidnappings at retail stores?
Thank you! Target happened right after I read the article about the real kidnap attempt in a Target store in Oklahoma. The thing that got my attention was the kidnappers used a young child they already had kidnapped to help them lure the children away from their parents at the store in broad daylight. I remember thinking how ballsy and diabolical. It all escalated from there in my head and I couldn’t let the possibilities rest. What would I do if that were me?? If they got the kid, what COULD I do?? As a parent, the prospect was terrifying.
5. All of your novels are short but very intense. How do you write with so much detail in so few words? are there benefits to writing shorter novels, for the readers as well as for yourself?
What a great compliment, thanks! I am not a fan of overlong rambling details. I think it feels like a lot of detail but in reality, I use small references and don’t get too specific. Like, “the man was tall and built strong. He was willfully bald and unshaven and had the look of a man with dark thoughts on his mind” basic description (not a very good one either) that lets the reader fill in the rest. I believe it is this that makes it feel like I am so detailed, but the reader’s imagination actually supplies the rest. I think anyway (laugh). It’s like TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. People remember that movie way more graphic and violent than it really is. That’s a credit to the filmmakers’ psychological impact in editing and filming and I strive for that same result.
As far as the length goes, I never really set out to write a short story versus a short novel, etc. It all just comes out as it does. I believe my stuff ends up being in the shorter side because don’t want to waste too much time hearing myself speak for the sake of myself. I try to think of the reader I am and be respectful of the people who take the time out of their busy days to read my writing and not bore anyone to tears.
6. With that being said, your books always have surprising endings. I was definitely shocked by the ending of Wake and was really surprised by the ending in your new story “Oh Martha, Oh Christmas.” Why is it important to make your endings unpredictable?
I’m glad you said surprise endings! Some people say there are “twists” and I think that is an oversimplification. I never try to get someone with a twist but like to leave “surprises” for those paying close attention. When I write something like that, I leave breadcrumbs everywhere so in a second read knowing how it all ends, the reader can be like “how did I now see that?” I enjoy a little misdirection here and there. I like [my books to be] unpredictable. I can’t stand when I figure out endings to things labeled clever way too soon. In a thriller you should be thrilled, and I try to surprise myself while writing. I never want people to feel bored or cheated or that they’ve seen that before.
7. Who are some of your writing influences?
I have two major writing influences. Hunter Thompson is a big one for me. I Love his cadence and runaway train thought process. And the big enchilada, Stephen King. I got in trouble in 5th grade for bringing IT to my catholic school for reading time. I have been addicted ever since.
8. What makes a horror novel scary?
That’s a tough one. Horror and comedy are so subjective. The most subjective of all genres.
For me, if you can make my hair stand up or send a chill through me, that’s a good scary story. Mood and atmosphere are probably the biggest components in a good scary horror novel. Set the stage!
9. How have you evolved as a writer?
I feel I have evolved as a writer over the years and I think it is mostly due to growing up and having perspectives change while still remembering the way I thought and felt in the past.
What scared me at 20 is not necessarily what scares me at 46. But I have characters across all of those age ranges, and I think going through those different life stages helps me construct more believable characters and situations having now experienced those differences in life.
10. Feel free to give some advice to other writers. You can also promote anything you want.
The only real two pieces of advice I can give at this stage of my writer’s journey is keep daydreaming and asking yourself “what if” on as many different levels and topics as you can. What if you woke up bound and gagged in a boat in the middle of night in the ocean, piloted by a scary stranger? What if some jerk just used a little kid to kidnap your child and got out of the store with them?? What would you do? What could you do? I think all fun stories start with a good “what if.”
The other piece of advice would be to keep writing and share your work with a few people you trust to give honest feedback. Don’t surround yourself with folks that blow sunshine, or you can never grow. Take criticism and feedback. Love my work or hate my work. Love and hate are passionate responses. Just don’t feel ambivalence.
Stephanie, thank you so much for your time and this interview it was a ton of fun!
You yourself are a hell of a fun writer also! Keep writing!
You can find all of my three books WAKE, TARGET and DEATH AMONG US on Amazon and Kindle and DAU is also available on AUDIBLE!
49 FIVE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️REVIEWS! What have you got to lose but sleep?