We chat with author Mar Romasco-Moore about Deadstream, which is a sinister YA thriller, in which a teen girl witnesses the livestreamed murder of a popular online streamer by a paranormal entity . . . and could be its next victim.
Hi, Mar! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a queer writer with two black cats. I love vintage photos, silent films, and growing vegetables from seed. There are many secrets buried in my garden.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was stapling together printer paper “books” with scribbles for words from the time I was like three, so I suspect I absorbed it in the womb somehow.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: I have a very strong memory of reading The Magician’s Nephew (the first book in the Narnia series) when I was about 6 and only understanding about half the words.
- The one that made you want to become an author: The picture book Frederick by Leo Lionni is about this mouse lazing around looking at clouds while all the other mice run around trying to store food for the winter, but then when they are all holed up in their little burrow, Frederick starts telling stories and the other mice are like “oh wow, I guess he actually does have value and we will share our berries with him” and from that I learned that being a writer is a good way to get people to feed you.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Leech by Hiron Ennes
Your latest novel, Deadstream, is out April 1st! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sometimes the screen watches back.
What can readers expect?
This book is weird, queer, and VERY rooted in online culture. It is told partially through livestream transcripts, comment sections, and forum posts. The story follows Teresa, an agoraphobic teen whose only window to the outside world is her computer.
There’s a frisson of gore and body horror, though I would say the bulk of the horror is psychological.
Where did the inspiration for Deadstream come from?
During the pandemic, when in-person socialising was replaced by little glowing rectangles with people inside them, I became fascinated with the cultural microcosm of online live-streaming. It seemed to encapsulate the best and worst of the internet. I saw people finding comfort, community and connection as they watched skilled gamers, artists, and entertainers. I also saw parasocial obsession, cynical manipulation, and cruel (sometimes deadly) pranks.
I began to imagine a modern twist on Rear Window in which a character witnesses a mysterious onscreen death they are powerless to prevent.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The most fun part of writing the book was the sections that are meant to evoke real online posts. I could browse the internet for HOURS and justify it all as research.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
When I’m trying to fall asleep at night, I usually ‘write’ snippets of whatever project I’m working on in my head. Early on in the process of writing Deadstream I actually scared myself so bad doing that it kept me awake!
I poured a lot of my own anxieties into the book. There have been multiple periods in my own life, well before 2020, where I’ve been unable to leave the house without suffering panic attacks. Sometimes it was difficult to put myself back in that head-space, but ultimately it was cathartic to write about Teresa persevering through her struggles.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a horror novel about wellness influencers, dodgy supplements, and a plant-based cult. Working title is Saint Kayleigh, so keep an eye out for that one!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’m excited to read Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou, which promises a new twist on the classic horror tale of Bluebeard.
Will you be picking up Deadstream? Tell us in the comments below!
