From The Backlist: "Why Do People Like to Read Scary Stories?" by Merrie Destefano

 .
It's that time -- and when it comes to backlist posts, this take on why we love a scary story is hard to beat.

It's penned by the fabulous Merrie Destefano, and we think you'll enjoy it every bit as much as we do. 

Why Do People Like to Read Scary Stories?

by Merrie Destefano

The sun goes down, the sounds of the city grow quiet, and the rest of the family nestles, safe and sound in a world of incandescent light. Meanwhile, one person huddles alone in a darkened room, face turned toward a screen, eerie blue light carving shadows on her face while her fingers slowly tap out a message, letter by letter.

A writer is writing.

October winds blow outside her window, leaves gather in shadowed corners of the yard and nearby trees sway, branches creaking.

The writer is writing a scary story.

Why do some writers always return to the dark side of literature, spinning out tales that make readers sit on the edge of their seat? Perhaps an even better question, and one that I’d like to discuss here, is why do some people love to read scary stories?

While, I can’t answer this question definitively, I can offer some suggestions.

1. ADRENALINE RUSH:
This is my favorite answer, although many of the others are just as good. We read scary stories so we can experience artificial situations of “fight or flight.” These scenarios, whether real or imagined, get your body ready for action by giving you an extra dose of adrenaline. Your heart beat speeds up, your breathing increases and your blood pressure increases—in other words, it’s like an instant dose of caffeine combined with heavy exercise. You’re ready to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, although you may be screaming “Mommy!” all the way.

2. FAMILIARITY:
You’ve been here before and you liked it. You’ve been reading scary stories for years, you have a list of favorite authors and you’re waiting in line, with sweaty palms, when his/her next book releases. You stay up late (reading these stories is always better at midnight, right?), turning pages while everyone else is asleep. But the truth of the matter is you can’t sleep, can you? Not until you know what happens next…

3. A VISCERAL REACTION:
The desire to feel something strongly—no matter what the emotion is—can drive readers to these books. Detailed descriptions of eviscerated body parts in zombie stories may not get you excited, but there are plenty of readers out there who live for this stuff.

4. TO FEEL ALIVE:
Similar to the answer above, books that put you on the edge remind you that you are alive. You’re not watching some soap opera at lunch time; you’re hunched over a novel wondering if the heroine is really strong and smart enough to survive that demon horde that’s been chasing her for the last twenty pages.

5. TO CONQUER THE DEMONS:
We all have our demons, things we’re afraid of but don’t want to admit. Things like clowns (It), menacing dolls (Chucky), the end of the world (The Stand), rampant pestilence (Contagion), rabid dogs (Cujo), vampires (Interview with a Vampire) and serial killers (Darkly Dreaming Dexter). By vicariously facing your fears in a novel, you’re able to tame them, or at least, imagine that you’ve tamed them. Until they show up the next night, waiting for you in the closet.

6. TO EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN:
There are boundless supernatural realms, where wonder and horror walk side by side—realms where people rise from the dead or where someone learns the future in their dreams or where someone is giving an extraordinary power. There’s just enough enchantment and mystery to make you want to know more, and just enough danger to make you glad this is fiction.

7. TO FEEL STRONG EMOTIONS:
Anger—hatred—fear—love—surprise—terror—repulsion—empathy…Scary stories have all these emotions and more trapped between the pages, just waiting for an innocent reader to come along and release them. Before you know it, you’re experiencing the same emotions. Again, this is similar to Number Three, but I felt that it needed to stated again. (It is my list, no?)

8. TO PROVE WE CAN SURVIVE:
Isn’t that what it’s all about? You’re secretly taking notes, so if X, Y or Z ever really happens, you’re ready. Doesn’t everyone know what to do in a zombie/alien apocalypse by now? And if so, why? Because you’ve all been making a list and checking it twice while watching The Walking Dead or Falling Skies.

9. SATISFACTION WHEN TERROR IS OVERCOME:
There’s an unbelievably sweet moment when the heroine finally plunges a stake through the heart of the last vampire—almost instantly, your muscles relax, you slump backward in your chair and then breathe a well-deserved long sigh because, without realizing it, you’ve been holding your breath and sitting on the edge of your seat, ready to run.

10. TO PROVE THAT DRAGONS NOT ONLY EXIST, BUT THAT THEY CAN BE DEFEATED:
What? Scary stories can give you hope? To quote someone more knowledgeable on this subject than me: “Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”― G.K. Chesterton. Watching a character deal with the monster in the closet can give you the courage to face up to your own monsters. Yes, tales of terror can actually be uplifting, when written with that purpose in mind.

To read the original post: click here 

To check in on Merrie, you can find her on her website and on Facebook 

Welcome To A Year Of Heroines: #1 — Aerin, Elfrid, & Malian of Night

 .

I am delighted to share the very good news that early last month I sent the manuscript for The Wall Of Night (WALL) series finale to Harper Voyager. 

The Wall of Night series, Books 1 - 3 (USA)

Although it will be some time yet before it reaches readers, I have been reflecting on the epic nature of the series, which is very much at the high-heroic end of the fantasy spectrum. 

Another aspect of the series that commentators often mention, is the degree to which it stars heroines—although there are still heroes in plenty. :-) 

What Makes A Heroine?

In 2022, I discussed the qualities that make a hero, from commitment through to character and courage. This year, I aim to take a favorite heroine (or two ;-) ) from loved books and feature them alongside a heroine from the WALL series. 

I know I'll have fun penning these posts, and hope you do the same with the reading. :D

A Trio of Heroines: Aerin, Elfrid, and Malian of Night

Aerin

Aerin, Firehair and Dragonslayer, is the hero(ine) of Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown. She is a princess of the nation of Damar, where all scions of the ruling House are famous for their magical power, or Gifts, also called Kelar. Except that is, for Aerin, who also ends being on outsider in the royal household because her mother was not of Damar, and is rumored by some to have been a witch. Because she takes after her mother in coloring and features, Aerin also looks very different from the multitude of her cousins, all growing up together in the royal court.

In short, she is a solitary and lonely child, and then young woman, who compensates by rehabilitating and retraining Talat, her father's injured warhorse. Together they set about slaying dragons—mostly small, but dangerous and nasty opponents nonetheless—that plague the countryside's remoter regions. Or so it begins, but inevitably a much larger dragon (Maur) arrives to terrorize Damar, at the same time demon armies, led by an evil sorcerer, are invading from the north. 

2007 edition

In the course of fighting them, Aerin's own magical powers finally manifest and she becomes the greatest hero of Damar. Given her solitary upbringing and the immense odds she must face, Aerin is the classic underdog, or "ugly duckling" (because she resembles her foreign mother) who must overcome daunting magical odds to win both her love, Tor, and succeed her father as a coruler of Damar. 

Elfrid

Elfrid, the protagonist of Ru Emerson's The Princess of Flames, is also a heroine alone—though like Aerin she comes from a large family of half-siblings, with a shared inheritance of magical powers. Elfrid possesses these powers from the outset, has trained as a warrior, and is renowned for her size and strength. (Think Brienne of Tarth in A Game of Thrones.) In her case, the major point of contention with her half-siblings is that she is illegitimate, and when a cabal among the siblings revolt against the old King, Elfrid first defends his life, then chooses to go into exile with him.

Where Aerin's storyline occurs in an unbroken sequence, Elfrid returns from exile some years later. She has served as a mercenary in the army of Gespry of Rhames, a kinsman whom she resembles physically—sufficiently so to take his place in leading the army that ostensibly fights against her country's enemies. Elfrid's true goal, however, and the army's, is to right her now-dead father's wrongs and overturn her corrupt half-brother's rule. 

The ensuing tale is one of battles and duels, rebellion and revenge—and love that must tread a proverbially thorny path to determine if it is also true.

Malian

USA

Like Aerin and Elfrid, Malian is the motherless daughter of a political and military ruler, the Earl of Night—a king in all but name. She, too, is a solitary heroine, although unlike both Aerin and Elfrid, she  has no siblings or extended family about her, and very few other young people of her own age. Yet like Aerin, Malian is her father's legitimate heir, so is destined to rule after him—until her magical powers manifest, resulting in flight and exile from both her warrior House and their ancient and demonic enemy.

These events occurs in The Heir of Night (#1), while The Gathering of the Lost (#2) takes place during Malian's exile. Where Elfrid's path centers upon family conflict and setting a kingdom's internal wrongs to right, and while Aerin must save her country, Damar, from external perils, Malian is confronting an extinction-level threat to her entire world. A threat that has arisen before, and where her predecessor has been promised that Malian, unlike herself, won't have to face it alone.

UK

Yet Malian frequently is alone, in part because of her nature, but also because of the sorcerous and demonic forces she opposes.  In this, her path resembles Aerin and Elfrid's, but where they are essentially warrior-heroes, with additional magical powers, Malian is primarily a mage. One who also operates as a secret agent, with more than a little ninja thrown in, during her years of exile. This path, and the adventures that go with it, reinforce her solitary course—although a vital part of Malian's story is the friends and allies she makes along the way.

As for lovers, it's the recently completed Book #4 that will reveal whether, like Aerin and Elfrid, romance lies in Malian of Night's stars.  

UK

~*~

About Helen Lowe

Helen Lowe is an award-winning novelist, poet, and lover of story. With four books published to date, she has recently completed the final instalment in The Wall Of Night series, which is now with its publisher,
.
Helen posts regularly on her “…on Anything, Really” blog, monthly on the Supernatural Underground, and tweets @helenl0we.

Fiction Predictions - When Writers Become Seers

Better Tomorrow by YuumeiART

Hello, Supernatural Underground Community!

A new year is here, and with it begins my new monthly series of posts. The theme for 2026 (drum roll) is Fiction Preditions.

It was sparked by the question: "How can authors write a work of fiction about society or technology, and then, decades later, we are living it?"

Introduction

Even the possibility of this happening provokes a deeper exploration: how do writers operating in the realm of imagination and fantasy travel the boundaries of time by predicting future technologies, social norms, and cultural shifts? That's exactly what I want to explore, month by month, until we hopefully come up with some answers.  

Neuromancer and AI vs. The Midnight Train

To kick off our exploration, let’s take a closer look at William Gibson’s iconic novel *Neuromancer*, published in 1984. This cornerstone of cyberpunk literature introduced readers to "cyberspace," a term Gibson coined that has since become embedded in our daily vernacular. He prophesied the notion of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, fleshing out a digital landscape that now feels completely familiar. Not only did Gibson capture the essence of hacker culture, but he also accelerated conversations around technology that many of us are still navigating today.

Fast-track to 2026, and we see an exciting new release: *The Midnight Train* by Matt Haig. This narrative explores how revising the past can reshape the future. (More on backward causation/retrocausation in a moment). TMT resonates with our current climate, where the past and present intersect through the lens of technology, quantum physics theory and inner active imagination therapy. 

All very interesting, but how does this happen?

The Role of the ‘Seer’

Throughout history, figures like Nostradamus have been branded as seers, individuals with the ability to foresee events long before they happen. Some view this as pure coincidence, or as synchronicity, while others argue that these predictions stem from 'truths' -  insights into human behaviour, trends, and the cyclical nature of society. Writers often follow similar trajectories, utilising their imagination to extend beyond the constraints of their time. By examining current sociopolitical climates, technological advancements, and cultural movements, even unconsciously, writers can craft narratives that resonate with readers and reflect potential futures.

I know it's not an answer, but it's a starting point.

Let's take Isaac Asimov, for instance. While his name evokes images of robot armies and galactic empires, it’s his scientific education, observations of technological progress and of human nature that propelled him to make accurate predictions about future advancements. From the advent of computers in homes to the rise of biotechnology, Asimov’s foresight illustrates how speculative fiction can serve as a mirror to cultural and technological evolution. Or maybe, a window into. . .

Imagination vs. Reality: The Lens of Storytelling

YA Art by PrasetuaJQ

Still, how does this happen? Part of it lies in the audacity to attempt. The audacity to dream. Our speculative genre inherently invites us to stretch our imaginations and explore the possibilities that may appear outlandish today. By challenging societal norms and igniting conversations about future happenings, writers create a worldview for us to project our hopes, fears, and aspirations onto.

But here is the core, the point and the purpose of storytelling. While we call it “fiction,” it can still become rooted in reality. The ability to envision the "what ifs" of our world allows fiction to create pathways for innovation as well as to support psychological readiness for change. This brings us to our contemporary narrative world, where current writers continue to explore the motivations behind our ever-evolving 'reality'.

Backward Causation: A Curious Concept

As we reflect on our relationship with fiction, we discover the idea of backward causation, also known as retrocausation, a theory that claims the future influences the past, not the other way around. This concept challenges the way we perceive time, in a first-then-final order. Notions such as visualising a future prompt changes in the past may describe a fluid universe we are not quite prepared for!

So, is speculative fiction a self-fulfilling prophecy? If so, is the collective unconscious involved? Can innovations presented in a book inspire real-world advancements as inventors and thinkers draw from movements in the collective? These are questions I want to explore in the Fiction Prediction Series this year.

Conclusion: A Journey Begins

Can this meeting of imagination and 'real life' in speculative fiction lead us to reconsider how narratives potentially create reality? As we embark on this twelve-month journey, I plan to offer a kaleidoscope of visionary books—past and present—each prompting us to ponder a new way of seeing this topic. 

From iconic works to fresh perspectives in contemporary literature, we’ll explore how writers can be seers, capturing insights that connect us through time, forward and back. 

Please join me in this series, and feel free to drop a comment on what books you want to explore, too. Suggestions are always welcome.

Let’s see where this idea takes us! 

Happy New Year!

xx Kim

* * * 

About Kim Falconer

Kim Falconer, also writing as AK Wilder, has released Crown of Bones, a YA Epic Fantasy with Curse of Shadows as book 2 in the series. 

Currently, she is ready with the third book, planned to be out in 2025. TBA

 Quantum Enchantment

Kim can be found on AKWilder.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and KimFalconer.com. 

Throw the bones on the AKWilder.com site.. See you there!

Read Blood and Water, a PNR alt history that will leave you questioning every natural disaster ever endured.

“There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth.”

From The Backlist: "Making A Book Trailer" by Dakota Banks

 .
We all love a great book trailer -- and Dakota Banks' "how to" is an equally great read. 

This is an excerpt from the original post, but fear not, there's  a link at the end so you can click through to read it all! 

Also, Dakota currently has a giveaway for all four of her Immortal Path series' e-books, so you may like to check that out as well. :-)

Enjoy!

Making A Book Trailer 

by Dakota Banks

...

One of the first things a professional trailer production company wants from the author is a working script. Another reason I hesitated to go to the pros was that I didn't have a script and couldn't seem to come up with one. I seemed to be writing one almost as dialogue between two characters - focused and limited in its representation of the Big Picture. I finally threw out all my drafts of that script and wrote a new one in five minutes. It dealt with concepts rather than details. Shazam! Pictures began forming in my head for the visuals to go with the words. To see how high-level this script is, here is the one that freed me:

Sumerian demons survive to this day
causing chaos, destruction, and death
with the help of Immortal human assassins.
Maliha was an Immortal assassin
until she defied her demon
and became a rogue with a new agenda ...
balancing lives she’s taken with lives saved.
Immortal Jake is Maliha’s true love
or is he?
Maliha’s mortal friend and partner
is kidnapped.
Maliha must watch him die
or accept a sinister new master.
She’s damned if she does ...
and damned if she doesn’t.
Is there a way out for her?

Notice that it's broken into short lines that are easy to read and dramatic when presented one per "page" of the trailer. This is the first step in making a quality trailer yourself. Each of these lines suggested an image to me (except lines 2 & 3, which go together with the same image). I looked for places to purchase still images, video clips, and music, and ended up using istockphoto.com, which in my opinion has the best selection. (Others are bigstockphoto.com and shutterstock.com, plus many more.) These are media that you purchase a Standard license to use, and don't have to pay any royalties per use.

I used Windows Live Movie Maker, a program that came with Windows 7 and is available as Windows Movie Maker in earlier versions of Windows. You might want to play around with it by using some family photos and text overlays just to get the hang of it. You'll end up with a nice movie you can share, too.

When you select images or video clips that go with your script, you can initially download a "comp" - complimentary - version with a watermark that can be put into place in your trailer to see how you like it before you pay for it. This is very useful! I ended up building my entire trailer, including the music, from comps so I could see how it flowed before buying any of the media. There finally comes a time when you have to lay down your bucks, though, because the watermarks are a dead giveaway that you're using unlicensed media. Before distribution, then, pay for everything and substitute the real stuff in your movie.

In my case, I used Photoshop to crop some of the images, but there are a lot of image processors for simple editing, like Picasa, that will do the job for free. You may end up buying a video clip that runs for a minute and only want to use 20 seconds of it. You can do that kind of editing right in Windows Movie Maker, which allows you to specify how long each image or clip stays visible on the screen.

...

To read the full post, including selecting music and watching the finished trailer (worth it!), click here.

To check in on Dakota and check out her Mortal Path giveaway, click here.

Happy New Year -- & A Wrap on 2025!

 .
Happy New Year, Supernatural Undergrounders! I hope life brings us all some beach -- or beach analog -- goodness in 2026.

I also understand that we're entering the Year of the Fire Horse (although not until the end of February), which sounds like there may be action and excitement of the positive sort in store. All digits pretzelled that shall prove to be the case.

The Year of the Horse, 2026

I haven't yet decided on my theme for 2026, but in the meantime, here's the wrap on 2025's Leadership in Fantasy posts:

Great Leaders in Speculative Fiction ~ Where To Find 'Em & Why They Rock:

February: Mara of the Acoma in the "Empire" series by Raymond E Feist & Janny Wurts

March:  Kaladin and Dalinar in "The Stormlight Archive" by Brandon Sanderson

April: Pyanfar Chanur in "The Pride of Chanur" series by CH Cherryh

May: John Aversin in Dragonsbane, by Barbara Hambly

June: Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

July: Ulric of the Nadir in Legend by David Gemmell

August: Signe de Barbentain in A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay 

September: Dr Mensah in the "Murderbot" Series by Martha Wells

October: Katsa & Bitterblue in "The Graceling Realms" by Kristin Cashore

November: Coltaine in "Deadhouse Gates" by Steven Erikson

December: Faramir in "The Lord of the Rings" by JRR Tolkien 

 

~*~

About Helen Lowe 

Helen Lowe is an award-winning novelist, poet, and lover of story. With four books published to date, she is currently completing the final instalment in The Wall Of Night series.
.
Helen posts regularly on her “…on Anything, Really” blog, monthly on the Supernatural Underground, and tweets @helenl0we.