Q&A: Michael Wehunt, Author of ‘The October Film Haunt’
We chat with author Michael Wehunt about The October Film Haunt, which follows a woman who is pulled into a cult horror film that is determined to have a sequel.
Hi, Michael! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi there! I’m Michael, and I live just outside Atlanta with my partner and dog. Metaphorically, I live in the trees and filter the world through the uncanny lens of horror. I’ve been known for my short literary horror stories up until now, so I am very excited for my debut novel, The October Film Haunt, to crawl out of these woods into the world.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I fell in love with horror when I inexplicably saw The Exorcist when I was seven and started reading Stephen King less a year or two later. While the deepest roots of my writer self are nestled there in that fascination, it was something I nourished rather than acted on for many years. Falling in love with poetry (such as Sylvia Plath, James Dickey, and Louise Glück) later on is what honed me into the creature who would actually begin writing.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol
- The one that made you want to become an author: Generation X by Douglas Coupland
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (the ultimate metafictional novel)
Your debut novel, The October Film Haunt, is out September 30th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Can a sequel make itself?
What can readers expect?
A deep-dive homage to fandom, found footage, haunted films, the power of belief, and why scary movies hold such resonance. It’s a big hug to anyone who knows what it’s like to chase that very first thrill, that core memory of being scared and fascinated by horror.
Where did the inspiration for The October Film Haunt come from?
My first collection of stories, Greener Pastures, includes a novelette titled “October Film Haunt: Under the House.” That story – and the fact that it continued to be a favorite over the years – led to the bigger story world of The October Film Haunt. The novel actually revolves around a different group of horror movie fans and a different horror movie (this one’s called Proof of Demons), but the original story, along with another short story of mine, “The Pine Arch Collection,” are very much connected. In a bigger picture sense, I was fascinated by the dark power of belief and obsession on the internet, how that could play into an urban legend and a horror film that is rumored to have an occult ritual embedded in it. Most of all, though, I was inspired by the love of the horror genre and what it means to be a fan, both in terms of my own love and the love of every reader who might pick this book up.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Jorie Stroud, my main protagonist. I felt more kinship and compassion for her than anyone I’ve ever made up – the person she was, the mistakes she made, the regrets she is trying to slowly overcome, only to not be allowed to. The first true “slasher” scene I ever wrote is in this book, too, and it was great fun to explore all the angles of that.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I wanted to meld two types of horror that are rarely put together in literature or film: the occult and the slasher. I wondered if something like Hereditary and the Scream movies could coexist in the same framework – because it sounded so fun! – and staying true to each side and the way they overlapped and constrasted was challenging. The meta-horror angle went hand in hand with this, bringing Reddit forums and social media viral trends and horror journalism into the mix in a way that felt dynamic instead of only supplementary. I tried to make all these elements immersive and part of that deep love for the horror genre I mentioned before. Essentially, I tried to make readers feel like the film Proof of Demons is real because I myself wish it could be.
What’s next for you?
A short story or two. A novella, if the time gods are kind. But mainly my next novel, which is finished and should be going into the production timeline before long. I can’t say much of anything about it yet, but it’s going to be darker, leaner, and hungrier.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I recently read S.P. Miskowski’s brand-new novel, If You Knew Me, and loved it. It’s a smart literary thriller along the lines of Elizabeth Hand’s Generation Loss and features an antagonist who belongs in the Thriller Hall of Fame. Kristi DeMeester’s Dark Sisters was a book I blurbed early in the year, and it’s full of feminine rage and creepy imagery. Naturally, my TBR is tall enough to have occasional snow flurries at the top of it, but some books I’m eager to get to are Keith Rosson’s Coffin Moon and Rachel Harrison’s Play Nice.
ABOUT
Michael Wehunt has been a finalist for multiple Shirley Jackson Awards and was shortlisted for the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts’ Crawford Award. In Spain, his stories have garnered nominations for the Premio Ignotus and Premio Amaltea, winning the latter. He haunts the woods outside Atlanta with his partner and their dog. Together, they hold the horrors at bay. You can find Michael on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky, along with at his website.
