Sumiko Saulson

What inspired you to create the Horror Addicts Guide to Life originally? 

I can’t take the credit for the first book. It was the brain child of David Watson. However, when he brought up the idea, I was all for it. He collected the articles, I created the almanac, and Dan Shaurette supplied us with the gooey pumpkin-flavored recipes in the middle.

What inspired you to come out with a sequel to Horror Addicts Guide to Life? 

We had so many great articles on the blog about Horror, diversity in Horror, and different viewpoints that I felt needed to be collected, I decided to put them in a second book. I also wanted to change it to a different format—a workbook, with puzzles, crafts, and monthly themes. As you know, Horror Addicts don’t just watch horror movies…we LIVE the life 365 days a year. I wanted to give the Horror Addicts fun stuff to do all year around.

Do you feel that being a Horror Addict is a subculture, and if so, how does the horror subculture relate to this guide?

I definitely do. I don’t believe everyone who likes Horror is a Horror Addict, but I do believe us Horror Addicts take Horror fandom to a new level. Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2 is the ultimate guide for us because it contains content that only we would appreciate. There are going to be things that the reader knows in it, but there are also going to be things they don’t know, or that are looked at from a different angle. It will also bring back memories and aid in their fan-girl/boy/they-ing! 

A lot of things in the guide are cute and funny. Do you think that there is a relationship between the horror genre, humor, and cute things? And if so, what is that relationship like?

I think we Horror Addicts tend to like comedy mixed in our Horror. As a group, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and several of the articles explore that trait we share. With the puzzles and coloring book items, I just wanted to add some fun to our sometimes mundane lives. I mean, how many times do you get to do a horror-themed word search? We often don’t have things made just for us—except at Halloween—and the thing is… Other times of the year are when we need Horror fun the most.

One thing that I noticed about this new HAGL 2 is that there is a real dedication to showing the diversity within the Horror Addicts community, can you talk about that?

I want people of any race, culture, background, or subculture to feel like they are accepted at HorrorAddicts.net. In this book, I wanted a wide-array of voices because Horror isn’t something that belongs to just one of us. It’s an ever-changing, evolving blend of experiences, environments, and occurrences that effect all of us, not just a chosen few. By excluding different perspectives, we close off a whole world of cool Horror stuff we could be experiencing. 

In HorrorAddicts Guide to Life 2, you’ll find diverse voices speaking to the adverse conditions they’ve overcome in their own lives in our “Perspectives” section. But you’ll also find diverse voices throughout the other sections of the book because diversity isn’t something to be put into a box and forgotten about. It’s something that should come about naturally by giving everyone a voice equally. I know it’s hard to put your voice out there when it’s been silenced or “shushed” all your life. By publishing works from different perspectives, I hope to encourage those out there that have a unique voice to speak and know that HorrorAddicts.net is a safe place to do so.

Have you tried out all of the recipes in HAGL 2? And what is your favorite recipe, and why?

Haha… well… no. I haven’t tried them all, but that is because I am not a cook and I am allergic to everything! I leave the kitchen mayhem to Dan and those Horror Addicts out there who are brave enough to try them. One I feel Dan wrote specifically for me was The Stuff because I really loved that movie when I was a pre-teen and when I featured the movie on the show, Dan was teasing me that he was going to make the recipe and force me to eat it to see if I became a zombie. I didn’t think he was serious. When the recipe ended up in my inbox, we both had a good laugh at that! And no, I didn’t become a zombie. No Horror Hostesses were harmed in the making of The Stuff. Ha! I have to say that although I don’t eat seafood, I’d really love to be invited to a dinner party where they served the Beetlejuice “Day-o” shrimp cocktail. Just watching that movie scene play out in real life would be fun. 

What would you most like our readers to know about HAGL 2? 

Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2 really has something for every Horror Addict. If you love monsters, you’ll love the beginning of the book where we talk about all kinds of creepy creatures. If you like interviews and articles about how diversity plays a role in today’s Horror, you’ll love our “Perspectives” section. If you love puzzles and coloring, you’ll have tons to do throughout the month-by-month almanac. If you like movies like The Shining or Night of the Living Dead, you’ll get your fan-fix for sure. If you’re a crafter, there are tons of things to make in here. It’s the guide that every Horror Addict needs to invest in and it’s available now at: Amazon.com

BIO:  Author, artist, voice actress, and editor, Emz is best known for being the Horror Hostess of HorrorAddicts.net, an internationally acclaimed horror podcast, now its 17^th season. She is the author of the Night’s Knights vampire series and has been published in over 40 fiction anthologies. Find out more at emzbox.com.

Horror Addicts Guide to Life 2

Do you love the horror genre? Do you look at horror as a lifestyle? Do the “norms” not understand your love of the macabre? Despair no longer, my friend, for within your grasp is a book written by those who look at horror as a way of life, just like you. This is your guide to living a horror addict’s life. 

Our month-by-month almanac with important dates, movie lists, puzzles, crafts, articles, and recipes will guarantee your whole year is occupied with delightful horror activities. Don’t miss our monster guide with articles about vampires, zombies, ghosts, and some creatures that just can’t be categorized. Enjoy interviews with creators of horror content and hear perspectives from different cultures and backgrounds. Read stories of real hauntings, nightmares, and vile vacations. 

Available now at: Amazon.com

Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YNF5QM3))

~ by Sumiko Saulson on July 12, 2022.

Posted in Horror Addicts, Interviews
Tags: anthology, articles, collectiion, Emerian Rich, guide, HAGL2, Horror, Horror Writers Guide to Life 2., Interview, scary, spooky, stories