Marcus Hawke - dReadCon Author Spotlight

We are so excited to have you joining us this September. That is a huge trip and we are very honoured!!!

Tell us a little bit about yourself, what books we can expect to see at dReadCon, and where we can find you on social media.

Why thank you! I’m thrilled to be attending. I am a writer of dark and disturbing things, a lover (not a fighter) of music, the willing minion of a feline overlord, would-be vampire if one would just bite me already, and once a month either a half-elf druid or a gnome rogue. I was born in Toronto and moved around quite a bit during the dreaded formative years before finally settling Calgary, though I long to own a house with a checkered past in the English countryside where I can become a recluse and succumb to stark raving madness. You can expect to see every book I currently have available—The Miracle Sin, Acts of Violence, Grey Noise, The Axe Remembers, and You Can’t Take It With You. (and possibly a surprise or two.) You can find me on Instagram @marcushawke and @hawkehaus, and TikTok @hawke.tok.

Why is DreadCon important for horror and dark fiction authors?

It’s not only important, it’s vital, particularly for the Canadian horror and dark fiction community. So much of the industry is centered elsewhere, primarily in the States, that it’s more important now than ever for Canadian writers of horror and dark fic to have a distinct presence in this niche.

What’s the biggest misconception about horror authors or dark fiction?

That we’re scary, disturbed, evil psychopaths when really we’re kind, friendly, compassionate psychopaths.

If readers take away one thing from your books, what do you hope it is?

The world is dark and full of horrors far worse than those found in fiction. So find whatever light you can and guard it fiercely with all your heart.

What's the strangest thing you've ever Googled while writing a novel?

How long a person can be dead before being revived. Turns out the answer is that while it’s still possible several hours later, the longer it goes the less likely it becomes.

If you could co-write a story with any famous monster (Dracula, Frankenstein, etc.), who would it be?

Dracula! No contest. I may even have a plan to do so. Will I ever get to it? That’s the real question.

Has writing ever made you confront personal fears or experiences?

Confronting personal fears and experiences is why I write what I write. I firmly believe that if you don’t deal with things they deal with you, so this is my way of doing just that.

What advice would you give to new writers trying to break into the genre?

Don’t give up, don’t give up, and most importantly, don’t give up! Success isn’t guaranteed but if you quit failure is certain.

What type of music if any do you listen to while writing?

I don’t always but if so I try to cater it to the subject matter. If it’s a period piece, something from the time in which the story is set. Or something that fits with the theme of the story; for instance Nine Inch Nails was pretty much on repeat while writing Grey Noise, Christmas music while writing You Can’t Take It With You, and so forth.