As a writer, you always want to push the boundaries. The hope is that in the process, I grow and mature as an artist. Last year I published a thriller titled On the Tip of Her Tongue. Did I go too far?

After my debut with Bottom Feeders, a dark, sometimes ugly horror story, I wanted to shift gears by keeping the darkness in my story but injecting a thread of hopefulness or at least shying away from total bleakness. Also, the prospect of the inner workings of an abused girl—barely keeping it together was too enticing not to explore.

Judy Angel was full of heartache but started every day off as a blank slate or a twisted Groundhog Day victim that never made it onto the screen. It is one thing for a well-established author to take a sidetrack from their chosen genre, but for an author with only one published book to their name, it was a frightening choice.

So, a year later, after all the dust has settled, what are my thoughts?

Although On the Tip of Her Tongue never quite lived up to my previous book or my own expectations, I still regard it as one of the best things I’ve written in terms of heart and mystery. But what I achieved by branching off into the thriller genre was cementing my need to write the things I like so I can keep my writing fresh and full of life.

Back into the Shadows

With my latest novel, Throwing Shadows: A Dark Collection, I wanted to give my horror readers a glimpse into my past. My love for shows like Tales from the Crypt with its twisty premises and often horrific endings. This book was years in the making with one story Ice Cream Man written way back during my first year in college. I think these 9 short stories show my evolution as an author, but they are also a snapshot of past decades and their forgotten sensibilities.

Throughout each short story, I presented the fragility of women and children by placing them in the worst situations to see if they can find their way out the other side. Enjoy the vintage, pulpy feel of these tales, and hope you discover a favorite of your own.

To get a signed copy of your own