Four horror novelists—Riley Sager, Leah Rowan, Rachel Harrison, and Grady Hendrix—have shared how they celebrate Halloween, offering advice for those who prefer to avoid the scarier aspects of the season. From vintage radio shows to corn mazes and homemade costumes, their traditions range widely, and they also revealed their favorite Halloween candies.
How Horror Writers Celebrate the Season
Rachel Harrison, author of Cackle and Play Nice, said she loves to do a corn maze, describing herself as "very basic in that way." She enjoys spiced cider and wholesome activities alongside her horror writing. "Give me a Shudder movie marathon, fun-sized Snickers and I'm as happy as can be," she said.
Riley Sager, author of The Unknown and Home Before Dark, still carves a jack-o'-lantern, a tradition he described as "such a highlight of Halloween as a child." Grady Hendrix, author of The Southern Bookclub Guide to Slaying Vampires, said Halloween is "a lot of pressure" for a horror writer, and this year he is "boarding up like it's the zombie apocalypse." He plans to read The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane that night.
Advice for Scaredy-Cats
Harrison suggested that those who are not fans of horror can lean into "whimsical witch stuff" and cozier, less intense horror. "There's horror that's a little bit cozier and less intense," she said, recommending the film Lisa Frankenstein as a good spooky season movie that is not too scary.
Hendrix noted that horror fans often love the genre because they grew up watching horror movies with friends. He described Halloween as "a social time of the year," adding that it is the only time of year not in denial about the fact that "we're all going to die."
Recommended Halloween Reads
Harrison described her novel Kiss Slay Replay as a "horror, time-loop novel that takes place at a fall wedding." She said her books are "a good balance of being scary, but also not too heavy," and that she wanted to write something "cinematic, fun and entertaining."
Leah Rowan said her novel Marion is "not just a commentary on Psycho; it's all those slashers" she worked through as an employee at Blockbuster. She described it as a thriller about "a woman who has a lot of rage," calling it "kind of cathartic."
Sager recommended Home Before Dark, noting that it involves haunted houses and family secrets. "That's the one that every year this time of year I see the sales tick up," he said. Hendrix recommended The Southern Bookclub Guide to Slaying Vampires.
Decorations, Costumes, and Candy
Harrison said most horror writers are busy in October, comparing it to how an accountant is busy in April. "I've had no time to put up any decorations," she said. Rowan, however, makes a family costume every year, and this year they will dress up as characters from Disney's The Little Mermaid.
When asked about their favorite candy, Sager chose Reese's Pumpkins, Rowan picked Starburst and Skittles, and Hendrix chose Canadian chocolate.
