Five Minutes With John McIlveen

John McIlveen has written numerous stories, poems, and articles.  He is the author of Jerks and Other Tales from a Perfect Man, and as a technical writer has many guides and manuals to his credit. His fiction has been published in Twisted Magazine, Deathrealm Magazine, Metromoms Magazine, Horror on The Installment Plan, at BuzzyMag.com, and has had stories in Borderlands 5 (a.k.a. From the Borderlands), The Monster’s, Corner (2011 St. Martin’s), Epitaphs (2011 Shroud), Under the Bed (2012 Sirens Call) , 21st Century Dead (2012 St. Martin’s), Suffer the Little Children (2013 Cruentus Libri), and Eulogies II (2013 Horrorworld). His first novel Hannahwhere is finished and en rout to a good home, and he is well into his second and third novels, Going North and Corruption.

He is the father of five lovely daughters, the O&M/MEP Liaison at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, a writer, and a publisher.  He lives in Marlborough, MA with Roberta Colasanti.  He finds her incredibly smart and beautiful, and is very fond of the ground she walks on.

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 Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

I have five awesome daughters, respectively, Heidi, Heather, Kayleigh, Kyrie, and Lara.  I live in Marlborough, MA with Roberta Colasanti, who is brilliant, gorgeous, and a hell of a cook.  I’m the O&M/MEP Liaison at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory... Oh, and I’m a writer! 

Do you prefer the term Horror, Weird Fiction or Dark Fiction?

No preference.  You can call it banana pudding for all I care, as long as I can still write it and read it.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

In no particular order, Margaret Atwood, Harry Crews, John Irving, Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Lionel Shriver (if you haven’t read her, you should). I could go on... and on.  In retrospect, that list was in alphabetical order.

What are you reading now?

John E. Mack, M.D ‘s ABDUCTION, Kirsty Gunn’s exquisite little novel RAIN, and James A. Moore & Charles R Rutledge’s BLIND SHADOWS.

How would you describe your writing style?

I have style?  I’m not a blood and guts type of writer.  I tend to focus more on the human element and the darkness that surrounds us and/or resides in us.  I like to root for the underdog and I firmly believe that good should prevail, but it doesn’t always in my stories.

Describe a typical day spent writing. Do you have any unusual writing habits?

There is no “typical” writing day for me.  MIT has me ten hours a day, I sleep four to five hours, then there are children, necessary chores, etc.  Writing is a luxury for me and I squeeze it in whenever a window opens.  Hopefully this will change in the future.

What’s your favourite food?

The edible kind.  Top of the list… seafood and whoopie pies.  Note that.

What’s your favourite album?

Holy Cow.  How about top 100?  I’ll give you the first four that came to mind.  Yes – Close to the Edge, Porcupine Tree – In Absentia, Beatles – White Album, Tori Amos – Tales of a Librarian.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned about writing?

Don’t stop and have an editor or two.  I know that’s two lessons, but they’re both pretty damned important.

Fame and fortune, or respect?

I will go with respect, since the likes of Michael Vick and Justin Bieber fall under the former.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

My forthcoming novel HANNAHWHERE (stay tuned)

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

My last book is JERKS and Other Tales from a Perfect Man, (2012 Necon E-books) compiles a number of my humorous stories (some genre, some not).

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Praise for John 

“With one book, John McIlveen has reversed the intellectual growth I’ve acquired from every classic work of literature I’ve ever read.  In fact, even everyday tasks like tying my shoes have become a challenge, thanks to my newly eroded brain.  Oh, sure, JERKS is funny as hell, but it has ruined my life.  Screw you, McIlveen.”  

– Jeff Strand, author of WOLF HUNT 

“McIlveen’s writing is always dark and wicked. Now, in JERKS, he shows off his wickedly dark sense of humor, a love of human absurdity, and a keen eye for the bizarre details of life.  The man has a twisted mind, which is perfect for our twisted world.” 

– Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author. 

“There’s dark fiction. There’s dark humor. And then there’s John McIlveen, who combines the two in the mirthfully macabre JERKS. Funny as hell!” 

– Brian Keene, author of CLICKERS and DARK HOLLOW


HANNAHWHERE (details to come) is a 120,000 word paranormal suspense novel that tells the story of Hannah and Anna Amiel, seven-year-old twin sisters who have the ability to ‘dissociate’.  After witnessing the brutal murder of their mother, Hannah and Anna take dissociation to a new level.  Enter social worker Debbie Gillan, who through her interactions with the Amiel twins discovers secrets in her own life that could either save her, or destroy her.  

“HANNAHWHERE is a revelation.  This constantly surprising novel has some very dark moments, but John McIlveen's clean, clear prose carries you through them and back into the light of the good, decent people who fuel this story with their desperate efforts to do the right thing.  Hannah herself is a joy.  If she were up for adoption. I'd be the first in line.”

-- F. Paul Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of COLD CITY

 “HANNAHWHERE by John McIlveen is everything a book should be--filled with unforgettable characters, fast-paced, and a page-turner.  I loved it!”

--Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author of LET THE DEAD SLEEP 

"From the very first line of HANNAHWHERE, you know you're in good hands. John McIlveen raises a compelling new voice with a story that is at once playful and frightening, thrilling and heartbreaking. Highly recommended."

-Jonathan Maberry, New York TImes bestselling author of ROT & RUIN and FIRE & ASH.

"John McIlveen's HANNAHWHERE is a thrilling, emotionally complex paranormal mystery.  The little girls at the center of the story will touch your heart and unsettle you, all at the same time.  A wonderful first novel from an exciting new voice in genre fiction."

-Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of SNOWBLIND 

"Love it, love it, LOVE IT!"

--Rick Hautala, bestselling author of THE DEMON'S WIFE