Slade Grayson has worked a series of dead-end jobs, but only truly felt comfortable writing. Currently, he is a stay-at-home dad of a precocious not-quite-two-year-old boy. Occasionally, he writes books and movie reviews.

What first attracted you to horror writing?

I enjoy writing stories in different genres, but there’s a sense of urgency and suspense in horror that you can’t get elsewhere. Plus, my mind tends to go that way. I blame a rough childhood.

What is your most notable work?

Autumn Moon, my novel about werewolves in a small, Montana town, coming from Permuted Press (September 30).

What are you working on now?

The sequel to Autumn Moon, titled I Am The Night, coming from Permuted Press September 2015.

How much planning and research do you undertake before writing?

Very little. It’s fiction, so I tend to make it up. If I have a technical question, something about weapons or a historical event, I’ll research it as I go. But I generally don’t do much beforehand. I was never a fan of homework.

Describe your writing routine.

Get my ass in the chair and do it, whether it’s 10 words, a 100, or a 1000. Being a full-time dad means I don’t have a lot of spare time, so I usually set aside a couple of nights a week after my son goes to bed. I work until my eyes feel like they’re burning out of my skull from staring at the screen (which usually happens around midnight).

Who do you admire in the horror world?

I’ve always liked Robert McCammon and felt he didn’t (and still doesn’t) get the recognition he should. Joe Lansdale is a favorite. I recently discovered Stephen Graham Jones. I’m looking forward to reading more by him.

Do you prefer all out gore or psychological chills?

I’ve always been of the mindset that less is more. The reader can imagine a much more horrific scene than anything I could possibly throw at them, so why deprive them of that pleasure? And really, it’s what you don’t see that is more frightening than what you do. Don’t you think?

Why should people read your work?

Hopefully, I bring something new and different to the table. Plus, my son will need college money some day, so…Please help! I don’t want to have to get a real job! I suck at those!

Recommend a book.

The Wolf’s Hour by Robert McCammon. It’s my favorite werewolf novel not written by me.