Genre : Spooky / Horror
"I write spooky books because I was a scared kid. I was afraid of everything.
But I loved spooky stories... because when I would read those spooky stories, it allowed me to experience fear in a safe, fun way. When I saw the characters in the books facing their fears, it gave me courage to face my own."
- Matt McMann
But I loved spooky stories... because when I would read those spooky stories, it allowed me to experience fear in a safe, fun way. When I saw the characters in the books facing their fears, it gave me courage to face my own."
- Matt McMann
Meet your Spooky/Horror Writing Coach : Matt McMann
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As a professional musician, Matt McMann played an NFL stadium, a cruise ship, and the International Twins Convention. Now he writes the kind of spooky mystery-adventure books he loved as a kid. He’s hiked the Pacific Northwest, cruised Loch Ness, and chased a ghost on a mountain. While he missed Bigfoot and Nessie, he caught the ghost. He enjoys brainstorming new books with his wife, New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann; viewing his son Kilian McMann’s artwork; and watching his daughter, actor Kennedy McMann, on television. |
Matt's Books
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Intro to Matt and his books
Why Do You Like to Write Spooky Books?
Do You Have Advice for Writing Spooky Books?
What Are the Challenges of Writing Spooky Books?
Matt's Bonus Interview Questions:
Q: How would you define/describe the genre of spooky/horror when it comes to children’s books?
A: Spooky horror books feature characters who experience fearful situations that often place them in some kind of danger. These situations are usually, but not always, brought about by supernatural forces—monsters, ghosts, magic, etc. This fear is different than the nervous fright that comes from public speaking or family drama or having a hard conversation with a friend.
A spooky horror book is typically called “for children” when the main characters (the protagonists) are under fourteen years old and any violence, romance, or language content is generally considered appropriate for kids.
Q: Is there a difference between “spooky” and “horror” when it comes to children’s books? If so, can you help us understand the distinction?
A: The terms “spooky” and “horror” to describe a genre or category or type of book are often used interchangeably. That said, “spooky” is frequently applied to less intense scary stories, while “horror” is used for more intense scary stories. While not a strict rule, it’s a helpful distinction.
Q: For young writers interested in writing their own spooky/ horror stories, can you recommend some books they can read for research? Or TV shows/ movies they might enjoy?
Lindsay Currie books are fantastic examples of spooky stories for kids, including What Lives in the Woods, The Girl in White, and It Found us.
Amazing classic horror books include Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dracula by Bram Stoker, and The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Other great spooky books include:
The Graveyard Book and Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Fright Watch series by Lorien Lawrence
The Puppet’s Payback by Mary Downing Hahn
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
The Lockwood and Company series by Jonathan Stroud
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
The Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine
Helpful TV shows include: Scooby Doo, Wednesday, Stranger Things, and the various Goosebumps adaptations.
Movies include: E.T., Jurassic Park, and Goosebumps.