In October, horror lovers can finally rejoice in the season’s endless supply of spooky films, haunted houses and macabre decor.
Others prefer to bask in the comforting glow of the TV while enjoying their 70th rewatch of Hocus Pocus (which arguably is scarier than you might think).
No matter what camp you fall into, you can still enjoy October, or “spooky season” as millennials call it. So I asked the most qualified people I could think of – horror novelists – how to enjoy the season.
“We don’t need to love Freddy and Jason to love horror. It’s a very broad spectrum,” said Rachel Harrison, bestselling author of the witchy novel Cackle and the haunting read, Play Nice. Riley Sager, author of The Unknown and Home Before Dark, suggests a low-key alternative: spooky vintage radio shows. “They are not terrifying. They’re just chilling,” he said. (His recommendations include Three Keleton Key and Sorry Wrong Number.)
They also shared how they celebrate the season and, perhaps most importantly, their favorite Halloween candy.
Looking for a treat rather than a trick? We also recommended the best candy from around the world.
Read the story: Canadian Smarties, Thai sourballs: the best global candies that Americans are missing out on
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
What are your Halloween traditions?
Rachel Harrison: I love to do a corn maze. I’m very basic in that way. There’s something really special about getting a spiced cider, and I also think it’s funny to just do these wholesome small activities while also writing horror. Give me a Shudder movie marathon, fun-sized Snickers and I’m as happy as can be.
Riley Sager: One thing I still do well into my 50s is I carve a jack-o’-lantern; that was such a highlight of Halloween as a child.
Grady Hendrix: As a horror writer, Halloween is a lot of pressure. My Halloween is usually an event. This year I’m boarding up like it’s the zombie apocalypse. I try to have a book and plow through it that night; this year I’m doing The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane.
How can horror haters (scaredy-cats) make the most of this time of year?
RH: There’s a lot of whimsical witch stuff that you can lean into. There’s horror that’s a little bit cozier and less intense. And so if you want to ease your way into it and sort of say, this is how I can enjoy the season without buying fake blood and eyeballs and going to a haunted house where people jump out at you. And then for films, Lisa Frankenstein is a good spooky season movie that’s not too scary.
GH: For horror fans, a lot of the reason we love horror is we grew up watching horror movies with our friends. [Halloween] is a social time of the year. It’s the only time of the year that isn’t in complete denial about the one thing we have in common, which is that we’re all going to die.
Tell me more about your latest novel. Why does it make for a great Halloween read?
RH: [Kiss Slay Replay] is a horror, time-loop novel that takes place at a fall wedding. I think my books are a good balance of being scary, but also not too heavy. So it’s not bleak … I think horror has a lot of hope in it, and horror can be a lot of fun. I wanted to write a book that felt very cinematic, fun and entertaining.
Leah Rowan: [Marion] is not just a commentary on Psycho; it’s all those slashers.
I worked my way through as an employee at Blockbuster. It’s told as more of a thriller, as a woman who has a lot of rage. It’s kind of cathartic. And, there’s a huge knife on the cover.
… or another one of your books you would recommend for October?
RS: It’s (Home Before Dark) haunted houses; it’s family secrets; it’s very spooky. That’s the one that every year this time of year I see the sales tick up.
GH: If there’s one to recommend, it’s The Southern Bookclub Guide to Slaying Vampires.
Are you decorating or wearing a costume?
RH: Most horror writers I know, this is our busy season. I’ve been on the road for two months. Like an accountant is busy in April, we’re busy in October, so I’ve had no time to put up any decorations.
LR: We do a family costume every year; I actually make them myself. (This year, they’ll be dressing up as characters from Disney’s The Little Mermaid)
Finally, what’s your favorite candy?
Riley Sager: Recess Pumpkins.
Grady Hendrix: Canadian chocolate.
