Mike Thorn is an author and film critic who currently resides in Calgary, Alberta (mostly inside his apartment, at the moment). Thorn’s Darkest Hours, a collection of short stories, is anything but mundane. Although his writing is full of darkness and supernatural horrors, it is always rooted in something painfully human. A genre film enthusiast, Mike excels at uncovering allegorical meanings behind fantastical works of art, often rooted in depictions of trauma and hidden pasts. He also can name the top ten horror flicks from any decade at the drop of a hat; the man has lists for everything. Mike is unique in his approach to writing, as he is informed not only by his intense love for literature, but also by his extensive knowledge of cinema. He is particularly influenced and inspired by 1930s horror. Currently, Mike works as an instructor at Bow Valley College, while also keeping up with personal writing projects. Keep your eyes peeled in February 2021 for his debut novel, Shelter for the Damned.
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What ‘hood are you in?
I live in Kensington, where I’ve been renting the same place for nearly five years. This neighborhood has changed very rapidly over the past decade or so, but it still contains some of the remnants that I hold near and dear (Hot Wax, Raw, the Plaza, Pages, the Roasterie, and Kensington Pub).
What do you do?
I write horror fiction, film criticism, and book reviews. I’m also lucky to have a day job that I enjoy, working as an instructor at Bow Valley College. This semester I’m teaching English composition and literary analysis.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently neck-deep in a novel that I’ve been developing for about two years. It draws on my interest in the Satanic panic of the late eighties/early nineties, Bela Lugosi’s poverty row films, cosmic horror, and the complications of nostalgia. I’m also writing a short story for a themed anthology, which features two reconnected friends contending with a deadly cult.
Where can we find your work?
You can find links to my work on my personal website. My debut collection Darkest Hours is available to order here and my recent duology Dreams of Lake Drukka & Exhumation is available to order here.
You can also connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Facebook.
