It’s still just over a month away, but SLEEPERS IN THE SNOW will be hitting the shelves from October 8th. By then the leaves will be falling, the mists will be rolling in from the moors, the woolly sweaters will be out of storage again and trust me, by then you’ll be in the mood for parkin, mulled wine, and ghost stories.
As you already know, I’ve always had a soft spot for ghost stories and tales of the uncanny. Here are three classic short stories that influenced the writing of this book…
L.P. Hartley: THE PYLON. One of the main influences of SLEEPERS IN THE SNOW, this story of a boy obsessed by a nearby electricity pylon encapsulates everything I’ve always found unsettling about electrical towers and pylons.
Shirley Jackson: THE DEMON LOVER. One of Jackson’s most evocative stories, THE DEMON LOVER follows a woman on her wedding day, going in search of her absent bridegroom. Nothing tangible happens, but as always with Jackson, it does it in a terrifying way.
M.R. James: THE MEZZOTINT. James’ classic story of a changing, haunted picture has inspired countless others, including perhaps this one –
