Novel: The World in a Glass Dome
Release Date: November 22nd, 2024
Available for Preorder, or add it to your wishlist!
About the Author:Anthony Engebretson lives in Michigan (originally from Nebraska), with his wife and critters. He has been published in several anthologies and has served as co-editor of a horror anthology. Anthony’s first novella was published in 2022.
In this exclusive interview, we step into the mind of Anthony Engebretson, author of The World in a Glass Dome, to explore his journey through the genres of horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction. Known for his innovative storytelling and ability to weave dark themes with imaginative worlds, Anthony brings his passion for monsters, the macabre, and unique fantasy settings into each of his works. Join us as he reveals his inspirations, how his love for horror evolved over the years, and his advice for budding authors hoping to capture that delicate blend of fear and wonder.
What initially drew you to genres like horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction?
I grew up watching monster movies and my tastes developed from there. Honestly, horror used to terrify me when I was younger. I scared quite easily. But at some point, something clicked. I wouldn’t say that horror really scares me anymore. But it’s still a genre I love.
As for dark fantasy and the weird, that’s a more recent fascination. I love fantasy and creating worlds, but I also like combining those sensibilities with my old friend, horror. And I love weird fiction because I really believe in going out there and creating stories that nobody else would think of.
Do you ever have nightmares inspired by your own stories? How do you feel about exploring such dark themes?
I’ve never had any nightmares inspired by my stories. I think the dark themes I like to explore most are ones that I have personal connection to. That is to say, I draw from my own experiences, my own fears, and struggles. I guess, in that sense, writing can be therapeutic.
Can you share a time when a character or plot took an unexpected turn during the writing process?
I can’t think of a time this happened. I do a lot of planning for my stories. By the time I reach the actual drafting phase, I have my major character traits and plot beats laid out. That isn’t to say that variation doesn’t happen along the way, but not in a major unexpected way.
If you could step into one of your fantasy worlds—or face one of your horror villains—what would you do, and why?
I would not step into the world in the glass dome, that’s for certain. I think a horror villain from one of my books that I would be happy to face would be Neville from my novella Lumberjack. I think I could easily take him.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring horror or fantasy authors who want to blend both genres effectively?
I think, again, you can create a lot of good horror by drawing from your own fears and experiences. The trick, then, is applying that to a fantasy world. But I think if you’re drawing from a place of truth, you can make any fantasy world something people can connect to.
Beyond The World in a Glass Dome, are you exploring any new projects or ideas? What can readers look forward to from you in the future?
I’ve been developing a large dark fantasy world with several stories set in it. Hopefully I can get one of those published soon. I also have an idea for a dystopian sci-fi novella that I’m in the process of developing.
Thank you to Anthony Engebretson for sharing his insights and the creative spark behind The World in a Glass Dome. His dedication to building immersive worlds and exploring fear through a deeply personal lens offers a refreshing take on horror and fantasy. We’re eagerly looking forward to what Anthony will bring to his readers next, and we’re sure his stories will continue to leave a lasting impression.
