Mary SanGiovanni is the author of a number of novels, including The Hollower Trilogy–The Hollower (2007 Leisure Books), Found You (2008 Leisure Books) and The Triumvirate (2012 Thunderstorm Books); Thrall (2011 Thunderstorm Books), and Chaos (2013 Thunderstorm Books), a few novellas, including For Emmy (Thunderstorm Books), and her short work has appeared in a number of collections, including her own Under Cover of Night (2002 Flesh & Blood Press) and Is There A Demon in You? (Camelot Books).

1. Can you give our readers a brief introduction?

My name is Mary SanGiovanni, and I have written five supernatural horror novels, three novellas, and numerous short stories over the last 15 years or so.  I have a Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, and am a member of The Authors Guild. I’ve been published by both NY publishing houses and small presses, and have been both traditionally and non-traditionally published.  I am currently working on a new novel, a number of short stories, and a new novella, to all hopefully be completed and published this year.

2. Why do you write horror?  What draws you to the genre?

I’ve come to the conclusion over time that I write horror for a number of reasons.  For one, there’s a thrill in writing a fun, scary story. But it’s more than that.  With all the injustice in the world, all the unexplained violence, all the senseless brutality that we have little or no control over, preventing, or fixing, fiction gives me an outlet to vicariously re-establish justice in the world, to oversee or control the universe.  Also, I believe essentially in the innate goodness of human beings.  Horror to me is a genre of hope, of survival – in this genre, we can safely explore and learn to cope with a wide range of fears and insecurities.  Often, horror re-establishes perspective on one’s own life, and offers a glimpse into not just the lowest and vilest that humanity has to offer, but also the most heroic, clever, and triumphant.

3. Can you describe your writing style or the tone you prefer to set for your stories?

I guess I think of myself as writing supernatural/psychological horror, more quiet than splattery, often with monsters.  I strive to get my work to tap into true fear, whether it’s falling on the disquiet/disturbing side of the spectrum or the flat-out terror end.  To me, graphic depictions of violence or viscera are necessary only so much as a true understanding of the threat – the monster, the killer, what have you – is established.

4. Who are some of your influences?  Are there any women authors who have particularly inspired you to write?

I think our particular genre is rich with literary greats.  A few whose work has influenced me noticeably and greatly are Stephen King, Peter Straub, Gary Braunbeck, Ramsey Campbell, Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, William Faulkner, Dennis Lehane, Ian McEwan, along with great female writers Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Shirley Jackson, Joyce Carol Oates, Sarah Langan, Beth Massie, and Yvonne Navarro.  Honestly, I think writers can’t help but be influenced by so many sources – not just good books but good movies, video games, art, non-fiction, and music, both inside and outside of the horror genre.  I think just life experience – news, current events, social trends, those special personal moments, those terrible moments, dreams, nightmares, human interaction – it’s all an influence on fiction.

5. What authors do you like to read?  Any recommendations?

I’d say work from any of the above-mentioned authors are all valuable reads: King’s IT, The Shining, or Skeleton Crew, Straub’s Ghost Story or Houses Without Doors, Campbell’s Alone With The Horrors, Lehane’s Shutter Island, Lovecraft’s or Poe’s collected works, Langan’s Audrey’s Door, Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House, etc.

6. Where can readers find your work? 

Most of my work is currently available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.  A handy guide to what’s available and where can be found at: http://marysangi.wordpress.com/bookstore-2/.

Interested in learning more? Visit Mary SanGiovanni’s Amazon page or her blog.

Come back soon and see who we talk to next!