Inside the Thrilling Mind of Horror Author Janelle Schiecke: An Exclusive Interview

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Janelle Schiecke, a distinguished horror author from New Jersey, known for captivating readers with her three compelling novels: "The Clatter Man," "Death Cult," and "Ghost Room." During our insightful Q&A session, we delved into her upbringing and the experiences that sparked her passion for writing in the horror genre. Janelle offered intriguing insights into her journey as a storyteller, the inspirations behind her chilling books, and her deep-seated love for horror. Her unique perspective and vivid imagination are evident in her work, making the discussion particularly engaging and thought-provoking. I trust you will find this interview as enjoyable as I did.

Amit Ahuja: Let’s start at the beginning — tell us about where you grew up. What was your hometown like, and what kind of environment did you call home during your early years? Was it a small, tight-knit community where everyone knew each other, or a lively city full of movement and change? What are some of your fondest memories from growing up there? We’d love to hear about the people, traditions, or everyday moments that helped shape who you are today. How do you think your upbringing and community influenced your perspective on life or the path you eventually chose?

Janelle Schiecke: I grew up in a rural town in Northeast Ohio. The houses were pretty spread out, but it was very much a tight-knit community where everyone looked out for each other. My friends and I would go creek walking, biking, play kickball, you name it. We’d play and explore for hours until it was time to go home for dinner. 

It was a wonderful childhood that I have very fond memories of. Some memories that come to mind are the tranquility of where I grew up, and the sound of the train at night. There was a beautiful valley behind my house which a train ran through, and I remember listening to the train whistle in the late-night hours, wondering where it was headed. It was so soothing, yet always a bit spooky since it sounded off in the dark valley below. 

I was fortunate to have such close friends growing up, and we loved watching horror movies together and exploring local haunted places. Some favorite horror movies we watched were “The Gate,” “Dolls,” and “Child’s Play.”

With regard to haunted places, our favorite to visit was Squire’s Castle in Willoughby Hills. We visited that location often. Though we never saw anything unusual, the energy there was certainly off-putting, especially in the late-night hours. 

My parents both passed away in 2020, but they were incredibly loving and supportive and taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and having an open mind and respect for others. They always supported my love of horror and, though they weren’t fans of the genres themselves, delighted in hearing about the books I read and the movies I watched.

Looking back, it’s no wonder I chose this path.

Amit Ahuja: Can you take us back to the very first moment you can remember being introduced to horror — whether it was a childhood experience, a particular book you read, or a film you watched — and describe how that moment sparked your fascination with the genre? What was it about that experience that stayed with you, and how did it eventually grow into the desire to explore horror through your own writing?

Janelle Schiecke: I love this question, because I know exactly the moment! I was about 8 years old, and my oldest brother had a few of his close friends over. They were watching “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in our living room as I hid behind the recliner, cringing and cowering when the scary music played and those screams erupted from the screen. 

Even in this state of sheer terror, however, I didn’t want to leave the room. The energy and the adrenaline rush were too thrilling. At one moment, my brother told me it was okay to look at the TV because nothing scary was happening. And I chose to look, my 8-year-old mind trusting he was being sincere. But we know how older brothers can be, right?

When I popped my head out from behind the recliner and glanced at the TV, I saw Johnny Depp being pulled into Nancy’s bed and that horrific fountain of blood gushing to the ceiling. I immediately ran out of the room, trembling with fear. It was absolutely terrifying!

As you can imagine, I had a few weeks of nightmares afterward—both from being scared of falling asleep and from being pulled into my bed by Freddy Krueger. 

What remained, however, was how exhilarating that experience was… and how creative! I wanted to experience it again, so I began watching more horror movies and eventually reading horror books. 

Horror is a genre that can explore such emotional depth and creative freedom. The wide-ranging subgenres (from slashers to found footage) also provide a vast range of storytelling.

In turn, I absolutely love to weave dark tales of my own now. 

Amit Ahuja: When you first started writing, did you always know you wanted to work in horror, or did you experiment with other genres before discovering this was where your voice was strongest? What convinced you this was the path for you?

Janelle Schiecke: I knew I wanted to write horror even before I started writing. It’s what I know, having grown up with the genre. I love comedies as well, but horror has always held that spark for me. 

To marry these two genres, I enjoy adding in comedic elements to my horror stories—usually in the form of playful banter and awkward situations.

Amit Ahuja: Are there particular cultural myths, folktales, or urban legends that shaped the way you think about horror, and how have you drawn on them in your own work?”

Janelle Schiecke: Oh absolutely! Bloody Mary and Candyman are two urban legends that inspired The Clatter Man. I’m also fascinated with conjuring rituals, and had great fun creating a unique conjuring ritual for the Clatter Man by including elements that made it quite personal.

As kids, my friends and I would chant “Bloody Mary” into a bathroom mirror with the door closed. We never chanted her name the third time, though—we’d just run out of the bathroom, too scared to chance it! We never tried chanting “Candyman,” though. Way too scary! But I remember well that adrenaline rush and electric jolt of fear.

My friends and I would often tell ghost stories around a campfire as kids too, and so I wanted to include a campfire scene in The Clatter Man as well. There’s just something so enchanting and magical about sharing scary stories with friends around an open flame with the vast, sparkling night sky above.

Amit Ahuja: Could you walk us through the books you’ve published so far — in particular The Clatter Man, Death Cult, and Ghost Room? I’d love to hear what each of these stories is really about at its core, and what initially inspired you to bring them to life. How did the characters, themes, and suspenseful twists come together during the writing process, and what do you feel makes each installment stand out on its own? Finally, how do these books connect with one another — are they pieces of a continuous storyline, or do they offer readers fresh experiences that still feel linked within a larger arc?”

Janelle Schiecke: Ghost Room is my first published novella, and is an homage to my childhood. Since I also grew up on an acre of land in rural Ohio, I set the haunted house in a rural area. The characters are all largely based off of myself and my childhood friends, and the dialogue is very much how we interacted with each other. 

Another inspiration for this story was a dream I had for a couple months. It revolved around a person walking up a dark staircase and discovering a quaint and cozy room. The energy is this room was also laced with a sense of foreboding. I wove the rest of the narrative around this premise. 

After Ghost Room, I took a chance and leapt into much more graphically violent storytelling with Death Cult. This story tells the dark tale of a cannibal death cult lurking in the outskirts of a ghost town in the Nevada desert. When Eddie, Jason, and Carrie find themselves stranded in that town, there is a desperate fight for survival. 

It's gory, it’s intense, and it’s one hell of an adrenaline rush!

Eddie and Jason are largely based off of my two older brothers, and Carrie has elements of myself.

I love classics like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Hills Have Eyes,” so wanted to pay homage with my own gritty tale, and set in the ‘80s.

These two novellas both paved the way for my third, The Clatter Man. I set this story in the ‘90s, and had great fun creating my own urban legend (since I loved urban legends growing up). When a group of college friends rents a lakeside cabin for a summer getaway, a night of smoking and drinking leads to his conjuring. They all find out he is, in fact, very real.

I love movies like “The Cabin in the Woods” and of course the old-school slashers, so wanted to create my own take on this vibe. Slashers are fun, because there are so many elements to work with.

All three of these books are unique stories, though I did put an Easter Egg in The Clatter Man and do plan to include Easter Eggs in future books as well. These are so fun to include, and I love when readers tell me they found them!

Amit Ahuja: In your process, how important is the atmosphere or the setting of your story — do you usually start with a specific location in mind, and if so, how do you bring that environment to life in a way that unsettles readers?

Janelle Schiecke: Since I grew up in the Midwest, I set Ghost Room in Ohio and The Clatter Man in Pennsylvania. Growing up in Ohio and visiting Pennsylvania often made it natural to envision the landscape and atmosphere. 

With Death Cult, I chose the Nevada desert. This was inspired by memories of driving across the country with my family from Ohio to California. I remember as a kid feeling so small and vulnerable as we drove through Nevada, and we spotted a few cars broken down by the side of the road. In Death Cult, Jason’s car breaks down, so I enjoyed adding this memory in.

The settings for The Clatter Man and Death Cult both especially allowed me to dial up the fear factor by focusing on isolation and wide-open spaces. In Ghost Room, the isolation we have is a haunted room that is far removed from the main hub of the house.

I also enjoy setting my stories in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which means there are no cell phones. Death Cult takes place in the ‘80s, and Ghost Room and The Clatter Man take place in the early ‘90s. 

I find that setting stories in these decades heightens the tension by removing the simple task of making a cell phone call from the middle of nowhere. Or maybe there’s an abandoned building off the beaten path that may house a phone. Do you dare go in?

Since I grew up in the ‘80s, these decades hold such nostalgia for me as well. I love returning to this place in time and bringing it to life for readers.

Amit Ahuja: When you sit down to write, how do you approach the challenge of creating suspense and dread — do you carefully plan out each moment of tension, or do you prefer to let those frightening elements emerge naturally as you draft?

Janelle Schiecke: I am more of a panster when I write my stories, meaning many of my ideas materialize spontaneously. While I do craft a minimal outline, pansting is where my ideas really shine.

My outlines are very bare bones, but I’ll fill in the details as I go. When in the moment, I can clearly envision the scene I’m describing and senses I’d like to elaborate on. Horror largely revolves around the senses, and how an author can fittingly describe these in order to make the fear more palpable. How does something smell or taste? How does a sound resonate in a long, dark hallway or in the middle of a wide-open field in the dark of night?

These are ways to really immerse the reader into the scenes and dial up that adrenaline.

Amit Ahuja: Do you believe villains or monsters are scarier when they’re explained with clear motives and backstory, or when they remain mysterious and unknowable? How do you decide which approach works best in your stories?”

Janelle Schiecke: This is a very good question, and I feel both are just as impactful. With Death Cult, I left some mystery to the story, allowing the reader to tap more into their imagination. With The Clatter Man, however, I chose to include his lore and wove in details about his personal life. I wanted readers to feel a sense of sorrow for him, because I appreciate this complicated connection with a villain. 

I feel the story itself primarily guides which approach you decide to take.

Amit Ahuja: Do you have a particular method for deciding when to deliver a big scare, when to hold back, and when to let silence or ambiguity do the work of frightening the audience?

Janelle Schiecke: I’ve been watching horror movies nearly all my life, and have picked up on my favorite methods for delivering scares. It’s fun to build up to a possible terrifying situation, then allow it to play out safely, giving that rollercoaster ride of emotions. 

Other times, I enjoy slowly revealing a dangerous situation followed by intense chaos and a bloody battle and aftermath. 

I feel these decisions come more innately with each particular scene you’re working on, but also feel it’s important to give readers a bit of a break between intense scenes with some lighthearted humor and playful banter.

Amit Ahuja: Horror has stayed popular across generations, constantly reinventing itself through books and films. Why do you think people love being scared so much — is it just the thrill, or something deeper, like facing real-life fears in a safe way? And out of all the eras of horror — from gothic classics to slashers, psychological thrillers, and today’s ‘elevated’ horror — which one speaks to you the most, and why?

Janelle Schiecke: I do think that for many people, the adrenaline rush horror provides is exhilarating. You’re immersed into a hellish situation, buckle in for a crazy ride, and then are able to go about the rest of your day when the experience is done. It can provide a psychological reset, which can sometimes even lower stress and anxiety.

There’s also something to say about being able to connect with a certain character and have the experience of struggle and survival on the screen become that much more impactful.

Horror also provides such a sense of community, because horror fans are very passionate about the genre and this offers many opportunities to share experiences and thoughts on books and films.

It’s hard to choose an era of horror or a subgenre that speaks to me the most, but I will say I do love slashers. I like there to be an element of fun and playfulness along with the scares. 

You have a group of friends seeking a good time, then all hell breaks loose. Poor decisions are made, the core group breaks up, and this leads to a thrilling storyline that can include different POVs and parallel narratives.

There’s ample opportunity to build tension and create very different and compelling scenes with this subgenre.

Amit Ahuja: Some of the most iconic villains and monsters in horror come from movies — like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, or Pennywise. Which cinematic villains do you find the most terrifying or compelling, and do they inspire the kinds of antagonists you write?

Janelle Schiecke: I’m definitely partial to Freddy Krueger, and in turn imbued the Clatter Man with supernatural elements. Including the supernatural allows for more creativity, which really opens up the storytelling. You have more options with regard to kills and story elements. I’ve always loved Candyman as well, and the fact that you can empathize with him. In turn, I gave the Clatter Man a sorrowful backstory.

Michael Myers definitely inspired The Clatter Man as well, and many readers have likened the Clatter Man to horror slasher icons like Myers and Voorhees. 

Though Death Cult has supernatural elements, I will say that the human villains in this story were inspired by characters in movies such as “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Hills Have Eyes.” I wanted to create a ghost town inhabited by grimy characters who enjoy toying with their victims.

Amit Ahuja: Have you had any experiences that you would describe as supernatural or paranormal?

Janelle Schiecke: I have! When I was about 10 years old, my 2 older brothers and I were in the basement and we were about to fly a paper airplane we had made. We were all standing in a circle, back-to-back, and my oldest brother threw the airplane into the air. 

Instead of flying in a somewhat straight line and falling to the ground, it actually circled us very slowly. I remember us stepping backward and watching in horror, our backs pressed against each other, trying to find our breath. After it had completed one full circle, staying steady the whole time, it gently began its descent to the floor.

We were left completely baffled and terrified. So what do you think we did after it had settled on the floor and lie still? We booked like hell out of our basement! 

Our childhood home was built by our grandfather for our parents, so there were no past families who had lived there who’d experienced a death in the family. To this day, we still bring that experience up now and then.

Amit Ahuja: If you weren’t writing horror, which other genre do you think you’d feel most drawn to, and how do you think your style of storytelling would adapt to it?

Janelle Schiecke: I suppose if I weren’t writing horror, I would be drawn to writing thrillers which deal more with emotions and the psyche. In this way, I could still include that intensity, but focus more on inner narrative.

Amit Ahuja: What has it been like for you to be an indie author in 2025? Can you talk about the unique challenges and rewards you’ve experienced while navigating the publishing world on your own terms—whether that’s managing the writing process, handling the marketing and promotion, connecting directly with readers, or carving out space for your books in such a competitive industry? How has the landscape for independent authors changed in recent years, and what opportunities do you think exist today that maybe weren’t available before?

Janelle Schiecke: Since I published my first book as an indie author in 2023, so much has changed! I will say that the biggest challenge (which just takes time and patience) is finding readers and becoming noticed. I’ve found that being genuine and just putting yourself out there is so very important. This doesn’t mean you have to talk about all aspects of your life, though—just be yourself. Talk about your interests and enjoy connecting with others.

Marketing is tricky, and what works for most people may not work for you. Experiment and find what works for you, then stick with it. Essentially, marketing is really about building connections with readers, fellow authors, indie bookstores, etc. It also doesn’t hurt to create a brand, so to speak. Your brand as an indie author is largely your personality, which brings us back to genuineness. 

The landscape for indie authors has changed tremendously in recent years for the better, with social media being an effective tool for getting noticed and building those connections. In addition, there are more self-publishing services available.

Competition can be hard to shake, and I feel it doesn’t do much good to focus on being competitive (healthy competition aside) because then you’ll cease to notice what makes you unique. 

You’ll never stand out if you’re trying to be like everyone else, and you won’t shine as bright. Tap into what makes you unique and build from this.

Have fun celebrating your own wins, but also celebrate the wins of others. As indie authors, we’re all in this together.

Amit Ahuja: How do you personally define happiness in your life, and in what ways does that sense of fulfillment connect to your vision of success as a horror writer — especially while working in a genre that so often explores fear, darkness, and unsettling emotions?

Janelle Schiecke: Happiness to me is many things, namely: health, family, hobbies, and friends. I generally eat pretty healthy and get regular exercise, make sure to spend quality time with my husband and son, get in lots of horror movies and horror books, and regularly schedule time with friends. A sense of community is important, and it’s also essential to surround yourself with people who have a positive impact on your well-being. 

It's a balancing act, and of course sometimes not everything is flowing as it should. Life in general is so hectic these days, so it’s also important not to be too hard on yourself. Get done what you can, and be proud of your continued progress. 

Horror is such a creative genre, and it does involve a lot of brainstorming. I’ve found that when I’ve hit a dead end, I can speak with my husband, son, and close friends and they’ll help me explore possible ideas. In this way, my writing brings us all closer together, which is absolutely wonderful. 

Amit Ahuja: Who are three individuals who have had a significant impact on you, whether in your personal life or in your writing career, and in what ways have they shaped your journey, your perspective, or the kinds of stories you create?”

Janelle Schiecke: My first horror novella, Ghost Room, would not have been published had it not been for the support and encouragement of my husband. When I had my recurring dream of a haunted room, he’d encouraged me to explore turning it into a story, which then turned into a book. When I began to research how to self-publish, he was there every step of the way. He’s the love of my life and my biggest supporter.

My son is such an inspiration and shows me every day the power of kindness, love, and an open mind. His creativity knows no bounds, and just hearing him talk about aspects he loves in a video game he’s playing or a book he’s reading helps spur on my creativity as well. 

My mother, who instilled in me the love of reading. Growing up, her birthday gifts to me would often be Stephen King books. I remember when I was in college, she bought King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft and I devoured it. 

My mother always inspired my creativity, and often asked how my first book was coming along. Though I didn’t publish Ghost Room until after her and my father had passed, the parents in Ghost Room are largely based on them.

Amit Ahuja: Outside of your professional work, are there hobbies, passions, or personal interests that you genuinely love spending time on? What activities bring you joy, recharge your energy, or give you a sense of fulfillment and purpose?

Janelle Schiecke: I love being out in nature, and make sure to take a walk every day. Early mornings are my favorite time to walk, because the chill in the air is invigorating and it wakes up your senses. Exercise in general always helps to boost my imagination as well, and many times my walks will unlock story ideas.

I also love watching horror movies, both because they allow for an escape and also because I find visual inspiration from them. Often a scene will speak to me, and I’ll analyze the color scheme, the sounds, the body language… sometimes I’ll write it all down for future story inspiration.

Spending time with my family is very important to me as well, whether it’s family movie night, a board game, or dinner out. We do our best to stay connected and grounded through the ups and downs and hectic pace of life.

Amit Ahuja: If you could spend one night in any haunted house from literature or film, which would you choose, and how do you think you’d fare by sunrise?”

Janelle Schiecke: I’ve always loved House on Haunted Hill, so I’d choose that one. It would be very tough to fare by sunrise, though! How do you outsmart hellbent ghosts? 

I guess this is where dark creativity comes into play, which horror authors hold in abundance. 

Amit Ahuja: Suppose one of your characters escaped from the pages of your book and entered the real world — which one would terrify you the most to meet face-to-face, and why?”

Janelle Schiecke: The Clatter Man would definitely terrify me the most. Remember, he’s supernatural, so he can materialize wherever he pleases and he has an insatiable lust for blood. This bloodlust has a deeper meaning to it, and I’m exploring more of this aspect as I write the sequel.

He has no remorse, though. And when he’s conjured up, he hunts down everyone involved in the conjuring. Are there ways to ward off your slaughter if you happen to be one of the unlucky participants? Maybe, but you’d have to explore his backstory.

Amit Ahuja: If one of your books were ever adapted into a film, which director would you dream of seeing bring it to life, and imagining yourself as a character within that cinematic world — whether your own story or an existing horror movie — which film universe would you choose to step into, and do you think you’d survive the experience?

Janelle Schiecke: If one of my books were ever adapted into a film, James Wan would be my dream director. I absolutely love his directorial style, and Saw is one of my very favorite horror movies. Wan has this uncanny way of building tension and dread while also capturing beautiful framing throughout. And that pacing… it’s dead on.

Death Cult was in part inspired by Saw, and I could see James Wan bringing this gory tale to life brilliantly for the screen. And those practical effects would be tremendous!

With regard to film universe, I’d have to go with The Clatter Man. I think I’d survive. I mean, I know how he works and how to tap into the human element that still resides in him. That said, I’m working on a sequel to The Clatter Man so we’ll see what else I add to his lore. I may have a few more tricks up my sleeve that could help (or hinder) survival! 

Amit Ahuja: Finally, as we wrap up our conversation, do you have any parting thoughts, reflections, or words of wisdom you’d like to share with my readers? This could be advice for aspiring writers who are drawn to the horror genre, encouragement for fans who love exploring the darker side of storytelling, or even a personal message that captures what you hope people take away from your work. What would you most like them to remember after finishing this interview?

Janelle Schiecke: A large part of what has drawn me to horror over the years is the amazing community. Horror fans are generally so kind and accepting. If someone is new to the horror genre, we welcome them in with excitement for the thrills that await them. It’s a community where creativity is accepted and fun is paramount.

Hence, I choose to celebrate this genre by contributing my own dark tales and connecting with readers and horror fans while focusing on a sense of community and support. On social media, I enjoy spreading positivity while also sharing about myself, my stories, and engaging with others.

For aspiring writers, I’d like to impart how important it is to write in the genre you love. Whether it’s horror, romance, fantasy, etc. the importance is that you have a passion for it. This will come through in your writing, and will help you develop your own unique voice.

In closing, it is my hope that people find my stories a fun adrenaline rush and a thrilling escape, with some laughs along the way too. 

Though I find writing horror therapeutic in and of itself, the ability to share my creativity with the world is such a gift and I absolutely love connecting with readers and horror fans.

There is beauty in everything, even the darkness. 

Amit Ahuja: Thank You So Much to Janelle Schiecke, for sharing your story with us today.

For detailed information about Janelle Schiecke and her literary works, please visit her website at:

https://www.janelleschiecke.com/home

You can also follow Janelle Schiecke on the following social media platforms:

https://www.instagram.com/janelle.schiecke/

https://x.com/J_Schiecke

https://www.tiktok.com/@janelle.schiecke

****All photographs are the property of Janelle Schiecke, unless otherwise specified.***