It’s another BMR debut today! No haunted dolls for him, either – apparently there are a lot of homeless haunted dolls out there. But this author had a hair-raising experience with another haunted item. Welcome Steve L. Clark!
Do you believe in any ‘mythical’ monsters like chupacabras or shadow people?
I split the line on this one depending on which monsters are in question. As much as I’d like to believe in Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, I think they are both unlikely. That said, I believe the oceans are home to ‘monsters’ beyond what we imagine. I also absolutely believe in aliens and life on other planets. The truth is out there!
If you were stuck as the protagonist in any horror movie, which would you choose?
This is an easy one. Dawn of the Dead. George Romero’s 1978 classic is my favorite movie of all time. I got into horror at a young age, and I was completely enthralled by the fight for survival against zombie hordes in a shopping mall.
Would you buy a doll that you knew was haunted?
Absolutely not. I do believe in ghosts and hauntings, and I had a personal experience with a haunted item. My father built several grandfather clocks for the family when I was young. One of those clocks went to my aunt. After she passed away, I was given that clock to keep in the family, as well as having something built my dad, who unfortunately had also passed away. My aunt was never particularly fond of me, and within days of having her clock in my house, both my wife and I noticed odd occurrences. There was a strange energy in the house that we had never experienced. Then, my wife saw a shadow walk through the kitchen from our bedroom. I connected the dots and moved the clock out to the garage. I told my mom what happened, and she agreed to trade me that clock for another one she had at her house. The incidents stopped immediately once the clock was gone. I believe my aunt did not want me to have it, and I obliged. So, yeah, I’ll pass on haunted items.
What books did you grow up reading?
I’ve always loved to read. I was in 4th grade when Goosebumps first came out, and I ordered them from the Scholastic book fair order forms we got each month at school. I devoured those, getting each new book as soon as it came out. As I got older, I moved on from Goosebumps to Fear Street, and then read my first Stephen King novel in my early teens. The rest of my teenage years were spent mostly on what I considered the big three, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Dean Koontz. I didn’t discover the independent horror scene until much later, so I still have a lot of catching up to do.
What is your kryptonite as a writer?
Consistency. I rarely have issues with writer’s block. When I sit down to write, things flow at a good rate. My problem has always been and continues to be maintaining any kind of routine. I do not do a good job of making time to write. I’m getting better, but I’m still not where I would like to be. It’s a work in progress. Always, looking to improve.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my next novel/novella. It is a supernatural horror story set in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. I am on track for a December 2022 release.
When Janie’s boyfriend Mark goes missing while filming a ghost hunting documentary, she spirals into a deep depression. Three months pass with no leads or answers.
With all hope fading and facing the reality of a future without him, Janie receives a package in the mail with no return address. It contains a flash drive and a simple note…
Mark is not dead. I need your help. Watch the videos.
The truth is more sinister than she imagined. She shares the videos with Mark’s sister Leslie, and together they are pulled into a mystery that changes everything.
Sometimes the missing should not be found.
Purchase Links
The Doors of Chamberlain: Clark, Steve L: 9798528507927: Amazon.com: Books
The Collapse of Ordinary: Clark, Steve L: 9798529126295: Amazon.com: Books
Author Bio and Social Media
Steve L Clark is an author of horror and dark fiction from Southwest Ohio where he lives with his beautiful wife and three wonderful children. He is the author of the cosmic horror novella The Doors of Chamberlain, the short story collection The Collapse of Ordinary, and a contributing author to the anthology Dark Words: Stories of Urban Legends and Folk Lore edited by Matt Wildasin, all of which are available on Amazon.
Twitter @stevelc8349
Books and Such 
It’s great to see Steve here. The clock story is terrific for raising the neck hair. Best wishes on the new book, Steve. Thanks, Teri.
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Wasn’t it? That’s one creepy story that would make an excellent novel. Thanks, John!
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😁
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Thank you, John!
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I love that clock story, Steve. All the best for the new book.
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So did I, Craig. A shadow walking through the kitchen? I’d be getting that clock out of there for sure.
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Thank you! I’ve yet to use the clock experience in a story, but perhaps that needs to change?
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for reposting!
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I fully agree with the others. The clock-story is great. I now fear to turn the light off. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Teri! Best wishes, Michael
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Can you imaging trying to sleep in the same room as the clock? No way I’d sleep. Thanks for sharing, Michael!
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Haha!
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The Doors of Chamberlain sounds good. Freaking about Steve’s aunt’s clock!
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That’s such a cool story – although I’m sure it didn’t feel like that for Steve and his wife at the time.
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Thank you very much! Fortunately the clock incident only last a few days, the length of time it was in the house. I wasn’t taking any chances lol.
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The Doors of Chamberlain is a fantastic read! This is the first I’ve heard of the clock story… but not the first ghostly encounter from other members of Steve’s family.
I have the privilege of getting a preview of Steve’s new novella, and he is definitely delivering the creepy chills once again!! Keep your eyes on this author!!!
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I love the description of The Doors of Chamberlain – it’s definitely going on my TBR list. Thanks for visiting, Don!
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Appreciate the kind words, Don!
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Hi Teri. Thanks for this great introduction to Steve. The haunted clock tale is spook-tacular. Wishing him huge success. Happy Halloween!
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Hope you and Crystal are having a fangtastic Halloween weekend, Teagan!
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Crystal has been pretty frisky lately, for a 16 year-old. She sends a purr to Bond.
🐱
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Thanks, Teagan!
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That is so spooky about the clock, Steve. I’m right with you on believing that weird energy can attach to things. Hopefully, your aunt enjoyed her clock moving into your mom’s place. 🙂 Another great post, Teri. Happy Halloween to you both. 🙂
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Thank you! No incidents after the clock was taken to mom’s house. I’m confident she was at peace with it being there.
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That’s ggod to hear. Your mom was brave.
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Brrrrr that experience with the clock is frightening!
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It definitely put me on edge, but I think it was mostly just her way of letting us know she didn’t want me to have it.
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Okay, that is just very freaky about the grandfather’s clock. I would want that thing out of my house pronto, too! Glad Steve was able to get another clock of his father’s. I’ve always had passion for grandfather’s clocks and think it’s awesome his dad constructed them.
Wishing him all the best.
Happy Halloween!
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Thank you! He built 3 or 4 of them, and my brother did art wood burnings on the clock faces, different for each clock. He also unfortunately passed away years ago, so the clock is very important to me.
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That clock is definitely something for you to cherish!
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I remember that my father absolutely loved Dawn of the Dead. He talked about nonstop. But, I haven’t heard anyone mention it in ages. Excellent choice!
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It’s a great movie! Not for the faint of heart (or weak stomached).
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Pingback: #TeriPolen’s #BadMoonRising – Featuring #SteveL.Clark – #HappyHalloween | The Write Stuff
That clock story is wild. It gave me the creeps.
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And now every time I see one, I’ll think about Steve’s story. Happy Halloween, Wendy!
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Steve, that clock story is compelling. What a great short story that would make, right? Maybe explore your aunt’s feelings into a spooky family drama. Your novel sounds like a good one. On my list! Happy All Hallows Eve, everyone.
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I’d sure read that story, Paula. I suspect plenty of us horror fans would. Thanks for visiting with Steve!
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I recently heard a talk given by Dr. Ronald Brooks, author of A Journey Into the Spirit World. He talked about ghosts becoming attached to certain personal objects. He also described shadow people as the essence of what remains of the soul and said that they can have a dark connotation. Spooky stuff! So, yeah, clock be gone!
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That sure is some spooky stuff, Nancy. I’d have loved to sit in on that talk. Thanks for visiting!
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I hate your aunt. HOW DARE SHE! Anyway, good to see Steve here and I am a YUGE fan of his work. Having read all his stories, I can confirm that Steve has a good future ahead of him. Now let’s talk about Bigfoot and your “non-beliefs”…
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Another awesome BMR interview. Steve and I share the inconsistency of a writing routine in common. I’m working on getting better, too, Steve. Thanks for sharing, Teri!
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I’m in that group with you and Steve, Jan. Other than book reviews and blog posts, I haven’t written for waaaayyyyy too long. It’s time to break that streak.
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Yep, definitely sounds like she didn’t want you to have the clock.
I still like the Goosebumps books, even now I’m (supposedly) an adult. LOL!
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Wish they’d had those Goosebump books when I was a kid. No doubt they would have been my favorite series. And they can also be enjoyed by the young at heart, Tori!
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HI Teri, it’s nice to meet Steve although I am sorry he is another haunted doll avoider. Everything else about him sounds great, including the book. Haha! Seriously, I really like the sound of the book and the cover is great. Comments are closed on your Thank you post but there is one little writer/blogger out there who loves dolls: https://roberta-writes.com/2022/10/14/roberta-writes-thursday-doors-cabinets-creepydolls-badmoonrising/
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Creepy clocks ARE a thing. There’s something unnerving about them. I remember the scene in Burnt Offerings where all the clocks (which were supposedly not working) all moved to midnight. Scary. Great interview and nice to meet Steve!
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I haven’t seen that movie, Sue, but I sure like the sound of that scene. I always remember in the Amityville Horror things happening at 3:15 am. Even now if I wake up at that time, I always think about that book.
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Burnt Offerings is one of my FAVORITE movies. No gore. No real special effects. All the horror is through acting and story. I totally recommend it. It’ll stay with you, for sure.
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