ash.reads.horror | Something is Killing the Children Om...

Something is Killing the Children Omnibus Vol. 1

Authors

WHAT IS ABDUCTING THE CHILDREN OF ARCHER'S PEAK?
When the children in a sleepy Wisconsin town begin to go missing, all hope seems lost. Most children never return, and those that do have terrible stories of terrifying creatures that live in the shadows. But even monsters fear the mysterious stranger that arrives shortly after. She believes the children and claims to be the only who sees what they can see...Her name is Erica Slaughter. She kills monsters. This is all she does, and she bears the cost because it must be done.

The definitive collection of the entire “Archer’s Peak” saga by GLAAD Award-winning writer James Tynion IV (Department of Truth, Batman) and artist Werther Dell'Edera (Razorblades) is assembled here in a single volume.

Collects Something is Killing the Children #1-20.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mikayla Randolph

Welcome back to another author interview! Today I'm joined by author Mikayla Randolph as we talk about her debut novel, Not Your Final Girl.

  1. I always use this first question as a chance for you to introduce yourself. Say as much or as little as you want.

    Hello! I’m an author based out of California who writes horror, fantasy, and thrillers. My favorite stories blend genres, invert tropes, and feature complicated characters, all while being a bloody good time. Beyond writing, I love adding too many books to my TBR pile, reading while cuddling with my dogs, and waffling between wanting to travel the world and wanting to never leave the house.

  2. Your debut book Not Your Final Girl released May 5th. How have you been feeling? Excited? Overwhelmed? Everything in between?

    Yes! Absolutely everything, and it changes by the second. I’m frazzled, but mostly I’m feeling incredibly grateful. It’s a lifelong dream coming true, and I’m blown away by the support I’ve received. Close friends, family, former teachers, authors I've never even met, and so many members of the horror community, like you, have been so kind.

  3. What made you choose a slasher for your debut novel?

    A slasher has been on my bucket list for a long time. My first stab at it was in college, and I think it frightened my poor roommate, who was not a horror fan. Since then, I’ve written a few other novels, from a post-apocalyptic story to a western, but once this idea clicked, there was no turning back. It was such a smooth writing process, too; it bled right out of me.

  4. Any specific films or media that helped influence your novel?

    There were so many influences, and most don't seem like they belong together. Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’urbervilles was a primary inspiration, with this being a partial retelling. Beyond that, Scream, Heathers, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and Men, Women, and Chainsaws by Carol J. Clover.

  5. What was your favorite scene to write? The hardest?

    My favorite, I’ll say there is a scene with a shed, a wheelbarrow, and a surprise that was a lot of fun to write. The hardest was most likely the opening pages because I wanted to immerse the readers in that epic Final Girl climactic moment while introducing new characters.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

  1. Who was your favorite character to get inside the mind of?

    I loved them all, but if I had to choose, I'd say Ashley because she challenged me the most.

  2. Are you currently working on any other projects at the moment?

    I’m currently querying my next novel, which I think of as a witchy X-Men horror noir.

  3. Tell us what you've been reading lately?

    I finally caught up on Something is Killing the Children and have enjoyed several anthologies this year.

  4. What books are you looking forward to releasing this year?

    I’m so excited for Worry Box by Chris Panatier and Kiss Slay Replay from Rachel Harrison.

  5. Did you have a playlist that you listened to when writing your book?

    Yes. I have a Spotify playlist available for it here, with Chvrches’ Screen Violence album featured significantly.

Thank you again, Mikayla, for allowing me to do this interview! You can follow Mikayla on Instagram at mik_randolph.