From his interview with Andrew Peterson for ITW:
As a kid, you read horror and watched horror movies. Why do people enjoy being scared--why do we read horror novels and watch horror films?--Marshal ZeringueWe all like to have creepy adventures and face untold horrors--when we know we're safe at the same time. We all have that wonderful feeling of relief when we wake up from a nightmare and realize it was only a dream. Horror movies and books allow us to enjoy the nightmare because we're aware the whole time that we're not experiencing real horrors.
This is a metaphorical question, but do you ever get emails from parents who've caught their kid reading your books under the covers with a flashlight--after lights out? How do you respond?
I receive many letters from parents who tell me their kid never liked to read--and then they caught them reading Goosebumps or Fear Street under the covers late at night. That's always a thrill for me. You know, my career really isn't about terrifying kids--it's all about motivating them to read.
If you could change one thing or aspect of the publishing industry, what would it be and why?
I'd...[read on]
