We chat with author Nick Medina about his spine-chilling mythological horror Indian Burial Ground, which is a dual timeline story about a string of mysterious deaths, decades apart, haunting a woman and her uncle
Hi, Nick! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a Chicago native who loves local folklore (we have a lot of great ghost stories around here), along with Native American mythology. As such, my first two novels, Sisters of the Lost Nation and Indian Burial Ground, feature Natve American stories. When it comes to hobbies, I like to workout, read, and play guitar.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
When I was a kid, so long ago that it’s fuzzy in my memory. I remember wanting to write stories as soon as I could write. My elementary school printed my very first (very) short story in the school newsletter.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
- The one that made you want to become an author: I don’t remember its title, to be honest, but it was a children’s book about a dinosaur that I read as a kid. I tried to write my own dino story after reading it.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
Your latest novel, Indian Burial Ground, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Unsettling, heart-breaking, healing, hopeful, empowering.
What can readers expect?
Indian Burial Ground is part mystery, part family drama with a coming-of-age-story at its core. It’s about pain and trauma that—left untreated—comes back from the burial ground uglier than when it was first laid to rest, ultimately leading to healing and hope.
Where did the inspiration for Indian Burial Ground come from?
An article I read in 2012 about a toddler who supposedly sat up in his coffin and spoke before falling dead again served as inspiration for a scary story that grew into Indian Burial Ground, which was also inspired by Native folklore, personal fears, and troubling issues (namely alcoholism and suicide) that are currently wreaking havoc within Native communities.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I enjoyed writing Louie’s story arc. At sixteen years old, he’s faced with big responsibilies and even bigger challenges. He faces quite a bit of heartache as a result, but he finds a unique way to emerge stronger in the end.
This is your second published novel! What were some of the key lessons you learned between writing the two?
I learned to have more faith in myself and my work, but I’m still working on that.
What’s next for you?
I’m hoping to see my next novel released in 2025. I have a lot of ideas. I’m not ready to stop yet.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
I can’t wait to get my hands on Paul Tremblay’s new novel, Horror Movie. I’ve talked to a few advance readers who have raved about it. I’m also looking forward to Rachel Harrison’s So Thirsty. Vampires. Can’t go wrong.
