My debut novel, The Haunted Halls, was born from a combination of me working at a hotel and my love for horror. I wanted to craft something that gave me the creeps and that would do the same for others. I loved the eerie atmosphere of novels like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Richard Matheson's Hell House and the oddness and wicked fun of Bentley Little's The Resort, and I knew I wanted to incorporate those loves in my own work.
You'll find pieces of me and my influences littered throughout the novel. I named the hotel in the story the Bruton Inn (Bruton was the name of one of the towns on Robert McCammon's Boy's Life) hoping it would help to carry some of the magic from one of my favorite books. I always listen to music when I write and this one was scribbled to the sounds of every thing from Metallica to Bruce Springsteen. Also, the terrific cover art was done by a good friend of mine. That hotel looks just like the one I work at. I've thought about trying to sell copies to our guests. Wouldn't that make a nice welcome gift?
Despite the book being released this July, I'm looking to have an official release party on Facebook in September. The plan is to have a special Kindle Discount Deal that night, as well. Look me up if you're interested.