Horror Q&A: Peter Topside (Preternatural Evolution)
“I just like to see something that’s entertaining, but also has some significance and creates its own experience.”
The author shares the inspiration behind Preternatural Evolution, his pet peeves in horror fiction, and what he look for as a horror fan…
In Peter Topside’s new horror book Preternatural Evolution, it’s been fifteen years since the vampire Blackheart was defeated, leaving Meadowsville desolate and broken. Alexandra has returned to take over her father’s church but is struggling to find her true purpose. Torn by her shaky loyalty to Christian Reed—the unstable town antihero who vanquished Blackheart years ago—and increasing efforts at seduction and manipulation from Blackheart himself, she is forced to face all her deepest traumas and insecurities. As the town’s only hope, Alexandra must gather her strength and transcend her terror in order to battle these adversities—or risk losing the very soul of Meadowsville.
In this exclusive interview, Peter shares the inspiration behind Preternatural Evolution, outlines his pet peeves in horror fiction, and reveals what he look for as a horror fan…
When did you know you wanted to write? Why did you become an author?
I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I just always enjoyed it and aspired to be published one day.
What inspired this book?
I grew up always having a passion for horror. Movies, books, tv shows, anything I could get my hands on. I was the type of kid who would stay up late and watch scary movies until 2 AM and spend the rest of the night shivering under my covers. And I loved it! So that, coupled with a very abusive upbringing, made me funnel all of my emotions and energy into my writing. Each of my three Preternatural books were all written at different points of my life, reflecting being both in the trauma and my recovery, which is ongoing.
What surprised you in the course of writing or publishing this latest book?
My lifelong goal was to publish a single book. I spent over two decades writing the original Preternatural story. I finally finished it and then realized that my characters had more to do. And Preternatural Evolution basically wrote itself, which was a really cool experience.
Your fiction is for fans of what authors, movies, tv etc?
I can definitely say that I feel that my writing style is similar to HG Wells and a few of my readers have likened it to Stephen King’s earlier works. As for the content, anyone who loves horror will enjoy my stories. There are a lot or hidden themes and symbolism in each of my books, so each person can have their own unique experience with it. They can read surface-level and take it as just a horror story, or they can go deeper and really think into the characters, Meadowsville, and the always sinister Blackheart. Fans of movies like Sucker Punch, Let Me In, The Purge films, and Dogma will like it, too.
What are your pet peeves about horror fiction?
Vampire stories always having an overabundance of sexual content and somehow they all magically learn karate when they’re turned. Also, the antagonist just being evil for no good reason.
What do you (as a fan) look for in a horror story?
I like to see something original. Themes like vampires, werewolves, zombies and holiday-themed horror have been overdone so much. So i just like to see something that’s entertaining, but also has some significance and creates its own experience.
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Horror and comedy both make us jump—which is why these elements work together so well together. Looking at books from authors like Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Tanya Huff, Kelley Armstrong, John Scalzi, Diana Rowland, and Kevin J. Anderson, plus many authors you should meet.