I was born in Staten Island, New York.  Technically it’s part of New York City, but the neighborhood where I grew up had trees and grass and even the occasional squirrel.  Staten Island is also the birthplace of the marvelous writer Theodore Sturgeon, who continues to be one of my inspirations.  (His terrifying short story “The Professor’s Teddy Bear” sounds like a sweet and cuddly Christmas special.  It’s not.)

Yup!  I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember. My first bedroom was decorated with panda wallpaper, and I actually remember naming each and every panda in the room and giving them simple little personalities.  I would talk to them when I was supposed to be sleeping each night, probably asking them profound questions such as, “Why do parents make you eat yucky stuff?” and “Who gives their kid panda wallpaper anyway?” This desire to avoid the real world only increased as I grew older.

There are lots of things I love to do, but unfortunately I never seem to have enough time! Reading is my favorite activity, but I also love movies and video games (especially scary games or epic time suckers like Breath of the Wild or Persona).  I am a huge Mets fan!

I LOVE animals, but I am somewhat allergic to dogs, very allergic to cats, and incredibly, mind-numbingly allergic to horses (if I come to visit your school, ask me to tell my tragic “Amish buggy” story).  We used to have a hamster named Ophelia, but she died a few years ago and now haunts our family room; in the middle of the night, we often hear the rattling sound of a spinning hamster wheel.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, followed closely by The Empire Strikes Back and North by Northwest. I love horror movies the most, though. My favorites include Suspiria, The Evil Dead, and Halloween (the originals, not the remakes). If you’re old enough to watch these movies, you definitely should!

Alas, I don’t think so; the fourth book pretty much ends Kara’s story.  That’s not to say I won’t explore that world again at some point, though.  Stranger things have happened.

Nope.  I can’t even draw a stick figure, let alone a book cover!  Fortunately, I’ve worked with some amazingly talented artists.  Check out the links below if you’d like to see more of their stunning work.

The Thickety books: Andrea Offermann
http://www.andreaoffermann.com

Nightbooks: Dan Burgess
https://danburgess.art  

Shadow School: Petur Atli Antonsson
http://paacman.wixsite.com/paacart

That’s a tricky question. My books have been read by kids as young as seven and grandmothers in their 70s! In general, however, I’d say the ideal age is 9-13.

Here’s the thing.  Every reader is different, and what gives Cindy nightmares might make you laugh.  I’d say that if you enjoyed Coraline and the later Harry Potter books, you’ll be fine. I would definitely start with Nightbooks if you’re having doubts. Although The Thickety is as much a fantasy book as horror, it’s definitely a darker story.

If you’re a parent questioning whether or not my books are too scary for your child, please check my book reviews at www.commonsensemedia.org, a nonprofit organization that’s a great resource for parents.  They give a good overview of what story elements might be too intense for certain children:

For Nightbooks: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/nightbooks
For The Thickety: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-thickety-a-path-begins
For Shadow School: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/archimancy-shadow-school-book-1

Yup.  It’s called Gravebooks.  Check it out!