Alma Katsu
Author Interview - Alma Katsu
Author of Fiend
Some families have skeletons in their closets. This one has a demon in its boardroom.
When Maris Berisha was nine years old, she heard something scratching at the walls of her family’s penthouse. It felt like something malevolent was there, watching them.
The Berisha family runs one of the largest import-export companies in the world, and they’ve always been lucky. Their rivals suffer strokes. Inconvenient buildings catch on fire. Earthquakes swallow up manufacturing plants, destroying harmful evidence. Things always seem to work out for the Berishas. They’re blessed.
At least that is what Zef, the patriarch, has always told his three children. And each of them knows their place in the family—Dardan, as the only male heir, must prepare to take over as keeper of the Berisha secrets, Maris’s most powerful contribution, much to her dismay, will be to marry strategically, and Nora’s job, as the youngest, is to just stay out of the way. But when things stop going as planned, and the family blessing starts looking more like a curse, the Berishas begin to splinter, each hatching their own secret scheme. They didn’t get to be one of the richest families in the world without spilling a little blood, but this time, it might be their own. (It's been optioned for TV!)
Author Interview - Alma Katsu
Author I draw inspiration from:
There are too many to choose from! Lately I've been enjoying Emma Donahue's last book, The Paris Express. Her historical fiction is always great and Slammerkin is one of my favorites of hers.
Author Interview - Alma Katsu | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Lying in bed while cuddling with my two dogs, Nick and Ash.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
It might be best to be stuck with someone with magical powers, so they can transport us to someplace safe. Failing that, I'd like to be stuck with a good conversationalist. Maybe Mr. Morrell from Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke?
Author Interview - Alma Katsu | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I was a reader from an early age, so I don't recall the exact moment but it seems like I wanted to write stories forever. I always had my nose stuck in a book and couldn't imagine a world where I couldn't read. Reading seems to lead to writing, in many cases.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback: the gravitas! Covers are usually richer and more beautiful. They've lovely to look at on the shelf.
Paperback: Portability. Utilitarian. You can get more books for your buck and don't get as upset if someone doesn't return it.
Ebook: a real lifesaver when it comes to books I need for research. You can get it instantaneously.
Audiobook: Perfect for long road trips and commutes. A well-done audiobook is a delight.
The last book I read:
I'm currently reading an advance copy of Darker Days by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. Really enjoying it so far; reminds me a lot of his breakout book, Hex.
Author Interview - Alma Katsu | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer. I'm all about efficiency. But lately I'm using notebooks in the exploration phase to jot down ideas, and especially to diagram plots and sub-plots.
Generally, I have to write a proposal in order to sell a book to a publisher. That includes an outline and anywhere from 50-100 pages of the manuscript. Once I'm under contract, I work from the outline to write the book but the book often ends up diverging from the outline as the world and characters become real to me.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I don't know about best friends... I like interesting people, but interesting people are often difficult in their own way. Maybe Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?
Author Interview - Alma Katsu | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I was an intelligence officer for 35+ years! Yup, worked at several three-letter agencies. It was a constantly interesting and very satisfying career. It allowed me to do a wide variety of tasks, many I never would've considered otherwise, and I made a lot of life-long friends.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
The clothing of the Victorian era was beautiful for sure, but I wouldn't want to have to dress like that every day.
Place I’d most like to travel:
The Mongolian steppe. It's fascinated me for years, perhaps because I like wide open spaces and would happily ride ponies for transportation. One of my stories (Black Vault, on Amazon Original Stories) opens on the Mongolian steppe.
My signature drink:
A good white that pairs well with food. Pinot grigio, riesling or sauvignon blanc.
Favorite artist:
Again, how can you narrow it down? I prefer modern, abstract art. I don't listen to music much anymore after spending my 20s as a part-time music critic. Now married to a musician, I generally listen to whatever he's listening to.
Number one on my bucket list:
My husband and I haven't been able to travel much because of responsibilities at home/caretaking, but we're looking forward to going abroad and taking long, long road trips once we're able.
Find more from the author:
https://www.instagram.com/almakatsu
https://bsky.app/profile/almakatsu.bsky.social
About Alma Katsu:
Author Interview - Alma Katsu
Alma Katsu’s books have been nominated for and won multiple prestigious awards including the Stoker, Goodreads Readers Choice, International Thriller Writers, Locus Magazine, the Western Heritage Awards, Spain’s Celsius 232 festival, and appeared on numerous Best Books lists including NPR, the Observer, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Goodreads, and Amazon.
She has written two spy novels (RED WIDOW and RED LONDON), the logical marriage of her love of storytelling with her 30+ year career in intelligence. She also writes novels that combine historical fiction with supernatural and horror elements. THE HUNGER (2018), a reimagining of the story of the Donner Party, was named one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories, was on numerous Best Books of the Year lists, sold rights in 17 languages, and continues to be honored as a new classic in horror. Her first book, THE TAKER (2011), was named one of the top ten debut novels of 2011 by Booklist.
Ms. Katsu is also a contributor to the Washington Post Book World, where she reviews thrillers. She has relocated from the Washington, DC area to the mountains of West Virginia, where she lives with her musician husband Bruce and their two dogs, Nick and Ash.
