We chat with author Emily Zinnikas about I Am the Monster Under the Bed, which is a beautiful blend of supernatural horror and mystery, and proves it’s not the monsters under the bed we need to fear—it’s the humans in our orbit.
Hi, Emily! How would you describe your debut novel, I AM THE MONSTER UNDER THE BED, in only five words?
Eerie, atmospheric, psychological, compounding, hungry
What should readers know about the main character, Willa?
Willa is a reclusive artist who just wants to be left alone. She doesn’t like people, but people really want to know more about her after a reporter exposes her real identity as the sole survivor of the unsolved Rapture Mystery Slayings. After so many years spent hiding under a fake name, Willa can be distant and cold – with good reason. She’s not a people-pleaser, that’s for sure. She’s more of a people-ignorer if I had to invent a word for it. However, some people refuse to be ignored, and there’s only so far Willa can be pushed before she’s ready to push back.
What are your favorite scenes to write?
I enjoy writing arguments and unsettling scenes where the characters aren’t sure if they are truly alone. Bonus points if those are happening at the same time.
Did you have an imaginary friend as a kid? Did that inspire the title or story?
No, but I remember wanting an imaginary friend and being disappointed that I didn’t have one.
What’s an important part of your writing process?
When I need to really put my head down and focus, I usually listen to one song on repeat. This can be anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour or more. I’ll change up the song from time to time. Noise-canceling headphones are a must.
What can readers expect from I AM THE MONSTER UNDER THE BED?
Readers can expect a dark and twisty story about monsters, guilt, and grief. There are elements of mystery, superstition, and aggressive true crime reporting, but readers will have to decide for themselves who the real monster is.
