Today on MASTERS OF HORROR we get a visit from an incredible new writing talent, Ben Young. I first met Ben when he entered the August edition of my FLASH HORROR FICTION CONTEST and won the GRAND PRIZE for his story DARK RIVER JINN. His smooth writing style and innate gift for storytelling were immediately apparent and he captured the coveted top spot with grace. His debut novel STUCK has just been released and is currently available on Amazon. So let’s go through the 5 Questions with this new and exciting horror writer and get to know Ben Young just a little bit more!
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I grew up and have lived most of my life in northern Kentucky, near Cincinnati, Ohio. My wife Lauren and I moved to New York City for a time, but came back here to raise our son Welles, who is turning five soon. He loves to draw and most of it turns out creepy so I post lots of his art on my social media pages. We have two dogs, a golden retriever named Boone and a greyhound named Cowboy (who is a central character in the novel I'm currently working on). My day job is in HR, which isn't as bad as it sounds because I get to do some storytelling (not spooky stories, but I'll take it).
Why write horror?
I don't have a direct answer as to "why", but I've been obsessed with scary books, movies and music as far back as I can remember. And like so many others, I attribute that to RL Stine and Stephen King. All of my free time is spent reading or writing horror, listening to metal, watching scary movies, or wishing I could do one of those. Nothing compares to those moments where the house is a little too quiet and I find myself drawn back to a scary scene from a movie or book. That kind of resonance is something I don't think I'll ever get enough of! I've been writing for years, but just recently decided to take it seriously and see what happens.
What’s the scariest book you have ever read?
Savannah Shadows by Tobias McGriff. Tobias is the founder of Blue Orb Tours in Savannah Georgia, and we took his Midnight Zombie tour back in 2010 or so. He’s a gifted storyteller with a healthy skepticism, open mind, and a diligent scientific approach to research, all of which enhanced his credibility as he talked about the haunted locations we visited. The book is a collection of the best stories from that tour, but there’s a particular section toward the beginning where he describes a personal encounter with something supernatural. It’s an image that’s lived in my head for over a decade now. Sure, books like Pet Sematary and The Exorcist have scared me in a way few others have. But to read the real-life account of someone I’ve met and see as credible, describing a monster wearing his friend's face and lurking behind a nearby tree in broad daylight? That's a new level.
What are you working on currently?
I'm working on the first draft of a standalone horror novel, the working title of which is "Home." It's about a small town where a mysterious stranger opens a funeral home in a house that everyone claims is haunted. He soon begins telling his customers he can put them in touch with their recently deceased loved ones, for a price. Think Needful Things meets Six Feet Under.
Describe the most significant success you have had in your writing career.
I had my first short story accepted to an anthology in April of this year, after more rejections than I'd like to admit. I owe that to the Books of Horror Facebook group because I had gotten too discouraged a few years ago and given up. Books of Horror showed me how strong the indie horror community is and that got me restarted sending my short stories out, and comfortable with self-publishing too. One of the biggest thrills of my life was inscribing a copy of that anthology for my wife and seeing it on a shelf in our house.
As always on MASTERS OF HORROR I want to thank Ben Young for stopping by and giving us a glimpse into his life. Not only is the man an excellent writer, but he’s also a fierce supporter of the horror writer’s community and a genuinely pleasant person. Let’s give this amazing writer the best start we can and grab his new novel STUCK today.
STUCK is available for FREE as a digital download on KINDLE UNLIMITED and in paperback, and check out these early reviews!
“…Ben Young's debut novel, ‘Stuck,’ employs the entire arsenal at a writer’s disposal to create a fascinating yet cunningly crafted story full of imagination and emotion…eventually all the pieces fall into place and the novel proves itself to be a masterpiece of grief horror!” -Amazon Reviewer
“I loved this debut from an up-and-comer who is one to watch! Nothing gory or terrifying here, this is researched, epistolary, cerebral, existential, cathartic, (some would say claustrophobic) psychological horror about two troubled main characters - the best kind of characters, am I right?” -Amazon Reviewer
I’m telling you. This Ben Young guy has skills. If you’re looking for a twisted horror story full of unreliable narrators with mysterious agendas STUCK is your next favourite read!
Where can we find you?
The best place to connect with Ben and read more of his work is at his WEBSITE where you will find all the links to his social media accounts, news and exciting updates!
If you are a horror writer who would like to be featured on MASTERS OF HORROR for some free publicity just click the link below, answer the 5 QUESTIONS as fully and completely as possible and soon, you too, will be a MASTER OF HORROR!