The Film You Are About to See

Author: Haley Newlin

Advance Praise:

• "Buttery snack bar popcorn, drive-in intermission ads, classic horror cinephilia: clearly I'm the target audience for this book. But I think you'll love it too. The Film You Are About to See is a book with its eyes on the past, but at the same time announces Newlin as a modern horror voice to watch. It's showtime!" - Adam Cesare, Bram-Stoker-Award-winning author of Clown In a Cornfield

• "The book you are about to read is a cinephile's spine-tingling fever dream. Haley Newlin pens a love letter to celluloid, capturing the grain and gimmicks of a bygone era where the blood seeps right off the screen and into your book. William Castle would be proud... and you'll be absolutely terrified." - Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes

• "Retro, raucous, and a roaring good time, The Film You Are About to See is a must-read for horror fans everywhere. An absolute blood-soaked delight." - Gwendolyn Kiste, Four-time Bram-Stoker-Award-winning author of The Haunting of Velkwood and Reluctant Immortals

• "Energetic and full of popcorn and bodies. The Film You Are About to See pays loving tribute to the classic horror of yesteryear with a blood-soaked romp at the drive-in." - Hailey Piper, author of A Light Most Hateful

• "Newlin takes everything we love about classic horror films and the drive-in experience, turning pages into silver screens with piercing screams." - Nick Roberts, author of Mean Spirited and The Exorcist's House

• "Like a mad scientist from the films of yore, Haley Newlin has crafted a delightfully deranged spectacle on the page with The Film You Are About to See. You'll never want to leave this blood-soaked drive-in... but the creepy thing in your backseat won't let you anyway." - Brian McAuley, author of Breathe In, Bleed Out

• "The Film You Are About to See is a spooktastic tribute to classic horror films that will leave your spine tingling. With a kick ass heroine, gore galore, and the creepiest creature ever to grace a drive-in, you'll devour this novella faster than a bucket of movie theater popcorn!" - Angela Sylvaine, Bram-Stoker-Award-nominated author of Frost Bite and Chopping Spree

• "Newlin's writing evokes both a 1950s time capsule and a fun, monster-filled romp you won't be able to put down." - Viggy Parr Hampton, author of The Rotting Room

• "From the opening reel to the final frame, The Film You Are About to See is bursting with monster-movie mayhem. This is drive-in horror at its gleefully bloody, devilishly fun, and heartfelt best!" - V.S. Lawrence, author of 80s Ghosts and With Friends Like These

• "Full of appreciation for the genre, beautifully written, and above all, a really fun time, wrapped in a celluloid skin of pure retro camp, The Film You Are About to See is a story that will not release readers from its pincered grip until the end credits roll. With nods to Castle and Price and their B-Movie brethren, this is a creature feature with claws and brains that is not to be missed." - FanFiAddict

Synopsis

It's 1959 in a rural Indiana town, and the local drive-in is hosting their first-ever Dusk Til Dawn Spooktacular! And they've got a Percepto surprise in store for the audience, complete with vomit bags, nurses on staff, and a hearse parked just beneath the monsters onscreen. But June has a strange sense about things. Always has. And as the screams spread through the parking lot, reality and theatrics begin to blur for her and her friends. Is it just a gimmick, or is something lurking amongst the moviegoers?

Author Interview: Haley Newlin

1. Tell us about yourself!
I grew up on the theatrical terror of William Castle's gimmicks and Vincent Price films — both of which have heavily influenced my work. I have published three novels, including Take Your Turn, Teddy, and my latest release, The Film You Are About To See which was featured on the 2025 Bram Stoker Reading List. I live in Indiana with my boyfriend and three dogs.

2. What does your role as Managing Editor for Cemetery Dance Magazine entail?
I’m really excited about this new role. I’ve written for Cemetery Dance Magazine for about five years. The role entails curating, editing, and publishing content.

3. Do you have a favorite book that you've written?
The Film You Are About To See is definitely my favorite. It's inspired by my dream of seeing old horror flicks at the drive-in.

4. Are you working on any new projects?
I am currently working on a screenplay and two short stories, and I'm drafting my next novel in June.

5. What are your top three Vincent Price movies?
1. Diary of a Madman (1963)
2. The Tingler (1959)
3. House of Wax (1953)

6. Do you have any writing rituals?
I start each session by listing things I’m excited about within the project to make the blank page less intimidating.

7. What have been your top horror book releases for 2026?
I recommend The Curse of Hester Gardens by Tamika Thompson and I’ll Watch Your Baby by Neena Viel.

8. Favorite backlist titles?
My favorite read of 2025 was Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory. I also enjoyed The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Canas.

9. Favorite indie horror authors?
I love the Paisley Mott series by Kalvin Ellis, and anything from Viggy Parr Hampton or RJ Joseph.

10. Any recent horror movies you've been watching?
I'm excited to see Scream 7 and I'm currently rewatching the whole franchise.

Social Media
*I’m most active on Instagram and TikTok - @haleynewlin_author
Website: haleynewlinauthor.com
*