Sarah Langan

Sarah Langan is the author of the novels The Keeper, The Missing, and Audrey’s Door. She is currently finishing her fourth book, Empty Houses. Her work has garnered three Bram Stoker Awards, an ALA Award, a New York Times Book Review editor’s pick, a PW favourite book of the year selection, and has been optioned by The Weinstein Company for film. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, daughters, and a rabbit.

What first attracted you to horror writing?

Probably the womb. It’s got to be very bloody and Cronenberg-looking in there. Also, old Vincent Price movies, run during the summer time on local television in New York, which I watched at far too young an age.

What is your most notable work?

I think that depends on who you’re talking to. The Keeper sold best and got a New York Times’ editor’s pick. The Missing and Audrey’s Door both won Stoker awards, along with an ALA Award, and lots of other stuff. I also write plenty of stories in plenty of genres.

What are you working on now?

A fourth novel called Empty Houses, a YA series called Kids, a screenplay called Glen Cove, and a collection of short stories. My most recent stuff is in Nightmare Magazine (‘Afterlife’), and Lightspeed Magazine (‘Family Teeth’), as well as in the Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women, which is out now in the UK.

Who do you admire in the horror world?

The usual. Ketchum has been a mentor. Straub as well. Andrew Pyper’s Demonologist, which came out in March, is fantastic. I’m getting into sci-fi lately, so I’m crazy about Le Guin and Octavia Butler.

Do you prefer all out gore or psychological chills?

Both. They just have to be good.

Why should people read your work?

You’re right… They should probably watch reality television instead.

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