We chat with author Johnny Compton about Devils Kills Devils, where he brings his trademark terror and dread that readers fell in love with in The Spite House to a new roster of monsters—angels, devils, vampires—and a heart-pounding race to save the world.
Hi, Johnny! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a lifelong lover of scary stories, author of the novel The Spite House as well as several short stories. My latest book is Devils Kill Devils.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I started writing short stories that weren’t good at all in fifth grade, but I had a good teacher who encouraged me while also letting me know I wasn’t giving it my best. I didn’t truly take up writing in earnest until my senior year of high school, thanks in part to another teacher who emphasised writing essays over worksheets, and helped reignite my interest in writing.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: In a Dark, Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz.
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver
Your latest novel, Devils Kill Devils, is out September 24th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Frightening, violent, tragic, triumphant, sincere.
What can readers expect?
An intense, terrifying and imaginative story about a woman seeking revenge after her husband is murdered by what she believed to be her guardian angel, who might in fact be a form of devil in disguise.
Where did the inspiration for Devils Kill Devils come from?
When I was much younger I wrote a line of dialogue in a different story about an assassin. Someone commented that she was born with a guardian devil instead of an angel. I sort of hate that line now, but it gave birth to this idea, so I have to acknowledge it.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Cela, the primary villain, was fun to write. Sarita, my protagonist, was rewarding to develop as well, although a little less fun because I had to grapple with putting a character I like through a lot of pain and turmoil. And then Everett became a surprisingly interesting character.
Why horror?
I’d be here a while trying to explain the why of this. In a nutshell I think horror lives in some capacity in most popular works of fiction. Shakespeare wrote stories with witches and ghosts. Ancient mythologies birthed enduring monsters. Practically every Disney movie has at least one horror-inspired scene or character (or both) in it. To me it’s less “why horror” than “why do people deny their affinity for horror?”
For a longer, more passionate version of this, I answered the question during a virtual panel ahead of Stokercon and I think the response I received from other horror creatives on the Zoom that I sort of took everyone to church speaks to how I feel about the genre and my need to defend it.
This is your second published novel. What are some of the key lessons you learned between the two when it came to writing and the publishing world?
Be ready for the editors to do their jobs. They’re going to have feedback and push for things to be cut here, added there. Be honest with them and yourself about what you really think works and what ideas are crucial. Also, if you have an idea that you think your editor won’t like, write it anyway. They might surprise you. The advice of “Don’t self reject” is still applicable even after your work has been initially accepted.
What’s next for you?
I’m in the midst of writing my third novel and trying to sell a short story collection. Also working on a potential sci-fi horror novella.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Currently reading The Drowning House and really enjoying that. American Rapture and Wake Up and Open Your Eyes were great, apocalyptic stories. This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer and In the Valley of the Headless Men by L.P. Hernandez jump to mind as well. And Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles is an excellent gothic piece.
