The Pumpkin Room was the winner in the HORROR category of the 2020 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Mark Milbrath.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Pumpkin Room; September 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
The voices in my head are always from beyond the grave.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
There is a mansion somewhere in the middle of a dark and dense forest…and there is a light on, as if your visit is expected. Inside is the Seed Reader. he can talk to spirits, even spirits of jack-o’-lanterns. He collects their stories of dread and sorrow and stores them in his library of pumpkin seeds. He has carved out another 13 tales of woe…just for you. Inside, you’ll hear of a gravedigger out in the middle of the night, but you’ll never guess what he is digging for. There is a town with a Halloween curfew where everyone must be home before the bells ring. What happens if you disobey? Have you heard the rumors of a mysterious vampire living up in the hills biting off more than he can chew…two children plan to investigate. You’ll learn that there is something on the internet you should never, ever click on. Oh, and be careful of that haunted hayride. You never really know who is under that hood. Plus, you’ll get to visit a secret island where dark magic reigns and perhaps learn a simple storybook curse with very real consequences. So, come in, have a seat, and listen…if you dare…
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I’ve always had a really overly active imagination. It’s gotten me into trouble. Somehow my love of the night sky evolved into collections of spooky stories.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The Seed Reader lives alone in a forest and his life is devoted to collecting spooky stories, especially those related to Halloween. I don’t think there has ever been anyone else like him. Ever.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Some of the stories might make you think a bit…before bed…
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Alan Rickman (R.I.P.); Ralph Fiennes; or, musician King Diamond.
When did you first decide to become an author?
3rd grade detention.
Is this the first you’ve written?
No. There is also a book called Pumpkin Spirits. And more forthcoming…
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
For 6 years, I was a meteorologist on television. Then I got into commercial real estate appraisal. Both careers are mostly making up numbers. And a little imagination…
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Roald Dahl.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
James and the Giant Peach.