BooksChatter: ℚ Jinxed: Jinxed Trilogy [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Thommy Hutson to talk about Jinxed (13 March 2018, Vesuvian Books, 246 pages), a Young Adult Horror, book one in the Jinxed Trilogy.

“Thommy Hutson is the ultimate authority in nostalgia-driven storytelling.” ~ Clive Barker, Bestselling Author of Books of Blood and The Thief of Always

“Jinxed is the teen whodunit that Wes Craven and Lois Duncan never made. Hutson has created the best new slasher franchise since Scream.” ~ Peter M. Bracke, Author of Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th

“A dark, tension-filled thriller that’s wicked to the very end. Bad luck was never so much fun!” ~ Jeffrey Reddick, Creator of Final Destination

|| Synopsis || Teaser: Excerpt || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Thommy Hutson; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Jinxed?

"The idea for “Jinxed” came out of my love of horror and teen movies of the 80s and 90s. I grew up watching “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th,” “Halloween,” John Hughes movies, “Scream” and so many more.

I wanted to do something to combine thrills, chills, and kills, mixed with a little teen angst, snark, drama, secrets and the notion of superstitions. Throw in a masked killer and, hey, what could go wrong!?"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I actually went to a performing arts school when I was younger, so a lot of the way the characters are feeling are things I have experienced, or things that my friends thought and went through. I have always thought a performing arts school would be a fun place to set a horror novel. In this case it is heightened in the fact that it is very posh and very secluded.

I thought having a cast of characters that are all interested in becoming stars, or at least well-known, in their field of choice would be interesting. This group of friends (and even the adults) all have reasons for wanting to be on top and wanting to make sure they are number one. That attitude and desire has an effect on the way they talk to one another, act toward one another and leads to a lot of fingers being pointed."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Jinxed - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I am so thrilled with the cover! It was created by the incredibly talented Sam Shearon. I had a general notion of the things I wanted to see and told him in my very non-artistic, rudimentary way that it would be great to see the school, seclusion and, of course, the mask.

When I saw it I was absolutely blown away. I thought it was stunning in the way he was able to nail each of those items and bring them together in something that is as creepy as it is intriguing. Sam just knocked it out of the park and I couldn’t be happier."

Sam Shearon is very talented, his art is amazing.

Why should we read Jinxed and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your series unique?

"I’m excited that the book has a throwback feel to it and I think fans of horror, thrillers and ten movies will understand and appreciate. So much of horror today is very “now” and supernatural. I wanted to craft something that was an homage to the kinds of films I love: teen horror and dramas.

The performing arts setting is also fun to me and was a way to keep these characters together and isolated in a way that wasn’t a cabin in the woods. It’s different, but not too different.

And the characters, their interactions and reactions are fun. They’re snarky, know what they want and think they know it all. Of course that attitude might very well land them in a not-so-pleasant situation with a masked killer and a knife. But that is the fun of this kind of thing: who will live, who will die and just who is under that mask?

It’s meant to be a fun, thrilling, scary, romp in this microcosm of reality I created."

Can you tell us something quirky about Jinxed, its story and characters?

"Fans of horror films will probably notice a few nods to classic films or stories in the genre, whether it is a character name or the name of a building on the school campus. I wanted to put some of those in as a nod to the films and stories I loved."

Who would you recommend Jinxed to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Anyone who enjoys horror movies of the 80s and 90s, snarky teen angst and drama, and stories with a “whodunit” aspect. The mystery isn’t just who the killer is and why they are doing it, but also who might be connected to things in way they never could have anticipated.

There are, of course, murders in the book, but nothing that would shock the constitution of a reader who knows the genre or is even interested in it."

If you could / wished to turn Jinxed and the Jinxed Trilogy series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I would love to see “Jinxed” as a film! I think it would be scary, fun, mysterious and thrilling. That said, there are so many great people out there that I would love to work with, I‘d rather not, well, jinx it by naming names. Suffice it to say I think the roles would be very fun to play, and the film could have plenty of action, scares and some laughs. And it’s the start of a trilogy!"

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to write about things that really, really interest me. I’m not someone who puts something together because it is the “hot” or “now” thing that is “in.” I write what I like to read and see. For instance, I love exploring horror movies, which is what prompted me to write my first non-fiction book, “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy—The Making of Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street.” And, for “Jinxed,” it was my love to bring a story that felt like an homage to 80s/90s horror and teen movies."

What is in store next?

"I am currently working on book 2 of the “Jinxed” trilogy. I can’t give too much away, but it definitely builds on the characters, relationships and mystery set up in the first book. I came up with the end of book 2 first and am really thrilled about it; it’s definitely going to be quite a cliffhanger!

I am also working on another non-fiction book about a movie from the 80s that I loved as a kid. I can’t reveal what the film is just yet, but like my book on “Elm Street” it will explore the making and legacy of the film.

I’m also a screenwriter and have two projects (a horror film and a Christmas film) I am working on that I am really excited about. If all goes as planned they will release later this year."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?