This author describes his ideal readers as those who love chills and thrills. Having read this novella, I guarantee it’s filled with both, along with scary escapades and vivid imagery. And it features a basement. Tell me that doesn’t scream horror. The second book in this series released in February of this year, and it’s waiting (still – so many books!) on my Kindle. Maybe he’s inspired by the shadow figures he’s met face to face. Welcome Jonathan Pongratz!
Which urban legend scares you most?
Lately it’s been Cryptids (aka Bigfoot). There’s something terrifying about the urban legends that something unknown has been sharing this world with us the entire time, waiting in the hidden pockets we typically ignore. My reading of Harlan Graves’s short stories on them probably doesn’t help!
My mother recently told me of a time where she saw a cryptid a couple years back and it just made the fear all the more real.
What’s your favorite season of American Horror Story?
Either Coven or Apocalypse. I can’t resist the mystifying allure of witches since the days of Charmed, and I love all the great characters and their amazing powers! Can I join the coven? Please? I promise I won’t try to end the world. *fingers crossed behind back*
Do you ever see figures in your peripheral vision?
All the time. The hardest thing to figure out is if it’s actually shadow people or just a trick of the light. I’ve seen them face to face a number of times and it’s terrifying. Maybe they’re just passing through and don’t want to mess with me … yet.
How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book?
A huge party with all of my supportive friends and copious amounts of alcohol. Maybe not so much on the alcohol these days, but life’s too short to not share your successes with those you care about.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
Anyone who loves chills and thrills. Regardless of what genre I experiment with, my novels will always have a dark edge to them. It’s something I feel is necessary and is a trademark of mine.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on an LGBT Horror novel called The Ruins. In a nutshell, a travelling video blogger and his boyfriend get more than they bargained for when they unwittingly unearth an ancient malicious evil on a trip to Peru. Expect plenty of suspense and paranormal mayhem!
How do you fight a monster?
Halloween night, 1992. Promised the allowance he’s always dreamed of, Gregory has to babysit his little sister Imogen and hand out candy.
That was before the basement door opened on its own. Before the strange door appeared in the basement. Before Imogen was taken from him by that terrifying monster.
Now, Gregory has to scramble to put the pieces together before it’s too late. Where did the door come from? What was that creature? Can he save his sister, or is she already gone forever?
Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9FCQT8
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/reaper-a-horror-novella
B&N Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reaper-jonathan-pongratz/1130732747
Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1550231114
Author Bio and Social Media
Jonathan Pongratz is a writer and author of captivating horror, fantasy, and other speculative fiction stories. When he’s not writing, he’s busy being a bookworm, video game junkie, and karaoke vocalist. A former resident of Dallas, he currently resides in Kansas City with his Halloween cat Ajax. By day he works magic in finance, by night he creates dark and mesmerizing worlds.
Website: www.jonathanpongratz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonathanpongratz
GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/jonathanpongratz
Thanks so much for having me, Teri! Happy to answer any questions anyone may have or just gush about horror. It completes me!
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Always a pleasure to host you, Jonny. As for horror, somehow I missed the 2018 Halloween movie with Curtis, and I just recorded it this week. With the new one releasing, I’m behind!
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Aw, thanks! Oh, I love the Halloween franchise! I havent seen the one out in theaters but it may be worth going out in public and being around people for a change. Hope you get some free time to catch up on some chills and thrills!
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I love cryptids, too! Nice to meet you, Jonathan. Best wishes.
Thanks, Teri.
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Nice to meet you too! I’m going on a hike today for my day off. Let’s hope there arent any cryptids hanging around!
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Ah, crypts!!!! As Teri will tell you, Jonathan, I am extremely passionate about the critters, especially one in particular (the Mothman). Love the cover of your book. Both Reaper and The Ruins sound very shivery!
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I thought about you the second I read Jonny’s answer to the question, Mae, lol. You two could have some conversations!
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🙂
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Hi Mae. Cryptids are definitely frightening! I actually havent read up terribly much on the mothman. I definitely have some homework to do!
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🙂
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Nice to see Jonny again! Love reading his answers and see what he’s up to these days! Happy Halloween! 🙂
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Thanks Sue! Happy Halloween to you too! I cant wait for the festivities to start!
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I enjoyed Reaper and its sequel! Whoa, Pongratz’s mom saw a Bigfoot/Jersey devil/alien/whatever? That’s terrifying!
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Maybe Mae should talk to Jonny’s mom – ideas for her next book?
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Haha totally! My moms an open book.
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Yeah, when she told me I was completely floored. Shes also seen some ghosts as well. Guess it runs in the family!
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Hello from Pratt, Kansas! I just moved here, so is there any spooky “local lore” (yes, you may be in Kansas City, MissourI?) or cryptids that you know about? (I got a copy of Wichita Haunts!)
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And hello from Kansas city, missouri! Most of the local haunts I’ve visited are the Vaille Mansion (most recently with a little bit of creepy happenings occurring), an overnight stay at the McIntyre villa, and frequent visits to the Belvoir Winery, which has a long tragic history. I havent yet mustered up the courage to stay at the Sally House in Atchison, which is rumored to be frequented by demons. That’s a whole other level of scary!
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(My family is originally from Missouri 🙂 ) I’ll write these down for future reference, for sure. Thanks for the spooky info!
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Oh nice! I’m a native, though I grew up in Dallas. At the Belvoir you can sneak into some dilapidated buildings (they have a renovated one where they sell their wine and do weddings etc) and do some DIY ghost hunting. Very fun with a group, but safety first!
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I’m glad to see you here Jonny. I can’t wait for your next release. I’ve read Reaper and it’s sequel and I can say they are both worth the read if you haven’t already read them!!
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Thanks for stopping by Misty! So glad you enjoyed my Reaper series and I’m hoping to keep writing in between grad school assignments. It’s been a rollercoaster so far!
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Schools important and I know how busy that can make life.
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Oh yeah. It threw my previous time schedule out the window. Still trying to pick up the pieces to an extent, but I’ll get there. 🙂
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Oh I have no doubt you will figure it out and have a schedule figured out soon!!
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Nice to see Johnny here. I enjoyed all the answers. Big Foot scares me as well. Thanks, Teri.
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Yep – I don’t think I’d want to come across him in a forest. Or my back yard.
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Hahaha.
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Pingback: #BadMoonRising – Post 22 Featuring Jonathan Pongratz | The Write Stuff
Great answers! Thanks for sharing, Teri. Thanks Johnny!
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Thanks for visiting, Jill – have a great weekend!
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“I’ve seen them face to face a number of times ” – well if that isn’t terrifyingly spooky then I don’t know what is!
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Sounds like the plot for a horror movie I’m thinking.
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A face-to-face sighting would be frightening. Wishing you all the best, Johnny!
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That’s what I’m thinking, Joan – and also what they looked like.
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Jonathan, I love your point about “shadow people.” Perfect image for Halloween this week. I was reading Algernon Blackwood’s The Empty House for my blog. The ghosts in this haunted house story qualify as shadow people for sure. Of course Blackwood is a master at ghost stories and he does a great job with this one. Can you tell us more about shadow people in your life or writing?
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Sorry I am late to this party, but congrats to Jonathan, and it’s great to learn more about him here! How incredible that his mother has actually seen a cryptid! Wow! Thanks, Teri!
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Right? I think it’s a great idea for her and Mae to talk.
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Hi Teri, I enjoyed Jonathan’s answers to the questions very much. I agree that life it to short not to enjoy every minute. The blurb of this novella sounds very good.
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It’s a chilling novella, and I’m so excited to get to the sequel, Robbie. Can’t believe it’s been out so many months and it’s still waiting for me.
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Freaky cover, Jonny! And you had me at “Bigfoot.” Nothing excites me more than a hairy man-ape tearing through the woods. Thanks for introducing me to Jonny, Teri! Best of luck with the writing.
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You’re welcome, Chuck – glad you dropped by to meet him!
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I have this one on my to-read list, and am pretty sure there’s a copy waiting for my attention on my Kindle. Now book two is on my to-read list as well. Ah, so many awesome books, so little reading time…
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Couldn’t have said it better, Tori – so many awesome books!
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Another fun interview. I’m amazed at how many people see “ghosts” in their peripheral vision. It seems quite common based on BMR posts! And interesting point about Bigfoot. Up here in the PNW, we are always on the lookout. Lol.
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It also surprised me how many people see things in their peripheral vision. Kind of puts some ideas in my head. Hope Bigfoot doesn’t show up unexpectedly at your house, Diana!
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Ooooh, inspiration brewing, Teri. No bigfoot sightings yet in our area, but wouldn’t that be fun?!
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‘Reaper’ sounds like a terrific book., And I love the sound of Jonny’s new book too. I’ve yet to read an LGBT horror story, so I look forward to that one.
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I just started listening to it, Hugh, and it’s a tense one. It starts about five years after the novella ended.
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