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 Patrick Freivald, contributor to Even in the Grave, edited by James Chambers and Carol Gyzander.
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?
PF: My classroom is right above the band room at school, and I often can’t escape the sound of drums.
eSB: Do you foresee writing more stories with this character or in this world? Whichever your answer, why?
PF: Almost definitely not. My short stories tend to be one-offs almost exclusively; once I’ve told that character’s story, I move on to something new.
eSB: Do you believe in ghosts, and why? Is there an experience in your life you can share with us that strengthened that belief?
PF: I don’t! I’m a true-blue physicist by training, and highly skeptical. They’re awfully fun to think, read, and write about, though! First-hand accounts from true believers are very interesting, too—because they fervently believe things that can’t have happened.
eSB: Have you ever incorporated aspects of your own experiences in your fiction? Tell us about it.
PF: My books Twice Shy and Special Dead are black satire of high school life, zombie-style, and I drew a lot on my experiences both as a student and as a teacher of over twenty years.
eSB: What drew you to appreciate the horror genre? What inspired you to write in it?
PF: I have a lot of older brothers, so grew up with the imagery of Iron Maiden and Frank Frazetta all around me, not just Eddie and Conan and the Death Dealer, but other dark works—Frazetta’s “Eaters of the Dead” hangs above my desk, along with Reiko Murakami’s “Mother,” and fell asleep many nights as a child hidden behind the couch where I could watch Tales from the Dark Side, The Outer Limits, and The Twilight Zone. I’ve always liked things dark and creepy, so even when I set out to write something that isn’t, it ends up that way anyway.
eSB: Could you tell us about one of your most amusing experiences promoting your books?
PF: When promoting Blood List, a gaggle of gay men surrounded my booth and talked my ear off about how brave and wonderful it was to put both my and my co-author husband’s name on the book. They were gracious and amused even after I explained that Philip Freivald is my twin brother and writing partner, not my husband!
eSB: What are some of your other works readers can look for?
PF: The Matt Rowley books are supernatural thrillers of Captain America-like soldiers vs. fallen angels. They’re a hyperviolent mashup of horror and action.
eSB: What advice would you give aspiring horror writers?
PF: Don’t write horror, just write the stories you want to tell. Let other people figure out what genre they are.
eSB: How can readers find out more about you?
PF: patrick.freivald.com, or find me on Facebook or Twitter! I have a YouTube channel as well, but it’s mostly food-related.
Patrick Freivald is the four-time Bram Stoker Award nominated author of nine novels and dozens of short stories. A physics teacher and beekeeper, he lives in Western New York with his wife, cats, parrots, dogs, and millions of stinging insects.
Learn more about Patrick Freivald:
Website * GoodReads * Amazon * BookBub
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