Horror novel – Enjoy this interview with Hunter Shea about his new book Misfits published by Flame Tree Press. A creepy journey into the world of a little known urban legend. Check out the book here https://amzn.to/2YAdV4Z
Of all the creative ideas you have, how did this one idea rise about the rest and get written?
I had it in my head that I wanted to set a story in the early 90s with a bunch of grunge kids who were looked at as the outcasts. Most of my friends back then (and still today) are those outcasts. It was a chance to show that there is more to everyone than what you see on the surface. I felt it was time to tackle a modern urban legend, and I thought it would be nice to pick one that would give my Monster Men podcast buddy, Jack, a thrill.
Where we grew up, we heard about the crazy Melonheads living in certain areas of the woods or abandoned buildings. We were told if we went anywhere near their special places, the Melonheads would run after us and chase us out…or worse! Doing some research, I realized the Melon Heads haven’t gotten much love in the world of fiction. They were long overdue for a book.
What is the book about – protagonist, setting, and conflict?
It centers around 5 ‘stoner’ friends living in a depressed town in Connecticut in 1993. The members of the group have very different personalities but they are bonded by true friendship. When something happens to one of them at a bar, Mick, their unappointed leader, a teen living in a rotting Air Stream trailer in the woods who has been abandoned by his parents, decides they need to take matters into their own hands. He hatches out a plan that the rest think is crazy and nonsense. Unfortunately for them, he was right. At least until things go south very quickly.
I haven’t heard of the Melonheads before. In what other parts of the country besides Connecticut was this legend circulating? And why were they called Melonheads?
Aside from CT, they are also purported to live and hide in Ohio, Michigan and parts of suburban New York. They get the name from their deformities, which either comes from inbreeding or some disease. It all depends on who is spinning the yarn.
What sort of aesthetic does the book have?
I’ve had early readers compare it to Jack Ketchum’s work in that it is gritty and unflinching and deals with real human horror. Anyone who grew up in the 90s and loved Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees will dig the nostalgia. If you ever felt like you didn’t belong while in high school, you might see bits of yourself in this hearty group of teens. As always with me, it’s a love letter to monsters and legends and hopefully made a lot of lefts when you thought I was going right.
If the book had a soundtrack, what might it be like?
Anything by the pioneers of grunge. I’m talking Hole, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains. I think this is the first time I ever wrote a book with a soundtrack directly in mind.
Did you have to do any research for the book?
I lived the 90s grunge aspect. I did some research on the Melon Heads, but there really isn’t much reliable source material out there. Again, a perfect reason to write the book. I remember when I wrote The Montauk Monster, there just wasn’t anything in terms of fiction floating around. I guess I love a murderous underdog.
What are some of the genre works that inspire you – books, movies, tv, music, etc. ?
I’m an absolute horror addict. I draw on decades of movies and books. I love it all, from the original Frankenstein to modern classics like It Follows and Overlord. I watch at least a half dozen or more horror movies a week and I feel at this point I don’t have many gaps in my horror knowledge and experience, but there’s always something out there waiting to be discovered. I started reading adult horror when I was around ten and haven’t stopped. The 80s was an explosion of horror with King, Barker, Koontz, Saul and movies like The Burning, Motel Hell, Re-Animator, Witchboard, you name it. The genre exploded and people were breaking new ground and pushing boundaries. Thank God I was born when I was!
Do you get to watch much horror from other countries besides say the US and the UK? What stands out particularly for you about maybe non-English or non-Western horror?
I have to tell you, whenever I see a movie is from Australia or New Zealand, I know I’m in for a great time. There’s something about their dark humor and risk taking that appeals to me. I especially love The Loved Ones, Houseguest, Dead Alive, Bait, Wolf Creek and so many more. I’ve written articles on how I’m not a fan of Italian horror, but I keep trying and have found my view softening. I mean, Phenomena is so bat shit bonkers, how can I not dig it? Same for Demons and Demons 2. I try to watch as much as I can and the proliferation of streaming has helped all horror fans select from a wide and varied buffet.
What is your writing and editing process like? Anything different from other authors?
I don’t write outlines. I spend some weeks (or months) mulling an idea over, writing down character profiles, doing some research. When it comes to sitting my ass in a chair and writing, I just do it. I enjoy letting the story flow from me, and sometimes dictating to me. I can usually get a first draft of a full novel (minimum 90,000 words) completed in 2-3 months. Then I set it aside, let it cool off. Then I dive back in, do a few rounds of edits, send it to my trusted beta readers, and then incorporate their feedback into the final go-around. Beta readers are so important. That’s something not many people talk about, especially when you’re starting out. I’m not talking some critique group – just a handful of honest readers who know the genre and love books.
How has your approach to writing changed over time?
It started out as fun and it’s still fun. I think more about the marketing side now than I had when I started. Truth is, 99% of authors have to handle the majority of marketing and promotion. A lot see it as a necessary evil or drudgery. I kind of like it. I built my author platform a decade ago and I promised myself if I can’t have fun doing something, I’ll drop it. Between my bog, newsletter, 2 podcasts (Monster Men and Final Guys), Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, I just have a good time reveling in all things horror.
Have you done any non-writing work that has influenced how you write or what you write about? I know Hemingway didn’t say it was non-fiction, but an annual re-read of A Moveable Feast refills my writing tank. Stephen King’s On Writing is simply amazing. For myself, I did write a book with Bob Bly called How to Write and Sell Your Novel to a Traditional Publishing House. It was kind of nice to write something where I didn’t have to kill anyone off. And it was great to share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years with others. Hopefully they don’t make my same mistakes.
When you were younger was there a power, technology, or fictional setting you yearned for or to be a part of?
Crazy to say, I wanted the world to be just like Dawn of the Dead. I had fantasies of my friends and I holed up in a mall, living the good life, killing zombies for fun. Of course, there were no asshole bikers in my fantasy coming around to spoil all the fun. This is what happens when you bring a 10 year old to see a zombie movie, I guess.
Science created zombies versus magic created zombies? Which is scarier and which do you prefer?
I’ll go with science. I’m not much of a magic guy. But I do appreciate our own ambition and stupidity being responsible for our demise.
For an early morning scare, what are the best types of horror movies for you to start your day with?
Other than the morning news? You want something that is going to get the blood pumping. I suggest 28 Days Later or Evil Dead 2. If you’re going to work in an office, give The Belko Experiment a whirl.
Did you have any difficulties finishing this book?
Not at all. In fact, when we went into lockdown because of the pandemic (I live in the New York county where the first outbreak happened), I said, “Awesome! I have nothing but time to work on my book!” It was nice not having any real distractions and it kept me from going mad.
What’s your current or next writing project?
I’ve just finished up my next book for Flame Tree Press. It’s called Faithless and that’s about all I can say at this point. I have about a dozen ideas for the next. Better break out the dart board and some beer.
Where can people find you online?
I encourage anyone to become a true Hunter’s Hellion and visit me at www.huntershea.com. Join my Dark Hunter Newsletter (there’s a free book waiting for you) Watch and listen to my podcasts and let’s all just have some wicked fun!
Biographical Information
Name – Hunter Shea, author of Misfits, Slash, Creature and Ghost Mine
Bio – Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot would walk past his house. He doesn’t just write about the paranormal – he actively seeks out the things that scare the hell out of people and experiences them for himself. Hunter’s novels can even be found on display at the International Cryptozoology Museum. His video podcast, Monster Men, is one of the most watched horror podcasts in the world. You’ll also find him every week on the Final Guys podcast, available everywhere. He’s a bestselling author of over 25 books, all of them written with the express desire to quicken heartbeats and make spines tingle. Living with his wonderful family and two cats, he’s happy to be close enough to New York City to gobble down Gray’s Papaya hotdogs when the craving hits.
Check out his Video Vision column at Cemetery Dance Online for a sometimes irreverent look at the horror genre and the days of video stores past.Follow him at www.huntershea.com
Project/work being discussed – Misfits
Links of interest
Check out the book here https://amzn.to/2YAdV4Z
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Misfits/Hunter-Shea/Fiction-Without-Frontiers/9781787584976
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