Horror Aficionados discussion

This is the thread for the April 2024 Group Read with Guest Author, Andrew Najberg, joining us all month long as we read his post-apocalyptic tale, Gollitok. Grab your copy at the link below and please help me welcome to HA… Andrew Najberg!

https://www.amazon.com/Gollitok-Horro...

I thought Gollitok was an excellent read! I was fortunate to read it early on Netgalley, and it really, really sparked my interest!

I will poke around on this thread once the convo starts jumping. I know you guys will be in for a great story!

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out Gollitok! Looking forward to answering questions and being part of the conversation!

Welcome Andrew!

Netanella wrote: "I thought Gollitok was an excellent read! I was fortunate to read it early on Netgalley, and it really, really sparked my interest!

I will poke around on this thread once the con..."

Thanks for being an early reader! So glad you enjoyed it!

Welcome Andrew!

I’ll be starting this tonight. The first thing I notice right away is this amazing cover! Can you tell us who did it and how the process/design came to be?

WOW, this cover is incredible! I'm going to try to join in. The synopsis sounds REALLY cool and unique :) welcome in, Andrew!

Welcome Andrew !

I just purchased Gollitok and The Möbius Door

I definitely want to join in for this one!

Hey! Thanks so much for having me and for checking out the book!

So - the cover came from two angles! I really wanted the cover to focus on an arrival at the island and to convey the looming presence of death in the book associated with the island. The island's (real) history is one of brutal violence and suffering - to me, I feel like it's in the very rocks and soil.

Now - all my books with the exception of my poetry have thus far had their covers created by the artist Christian Bentulan. I got linked with Christian when Wicked House Publishing took The Mobius Door (he does most of the WHP covers) - and he took the idea along with a mock up, some thematic notes, and a few other artifacts of the writing of the book - and produced the original version of the cover. We went back and forth on a couple details (the addition of the boat and the green tone of the cover to represent the toxicity of the island were the main outcomes of that conversation).

Hi! Thank you for the explanation, I agree it is a fun cover and cool to know how you worked together with your artist. I’m about 30 percent in and really enjoying your novel and your setting and sense of place is very believable, how did you even begin to think of this?

So- i am really glad my approach to setting is convincing. I have always seen myself as a writer about place and so Ive always taken particular care to make my characters feel like theyre in a place with depth. Its something that runs through all my fiction and poetry. Now - Goli Otok is a real island off the Croatian coast, albeit fairly different from what I describe for reasons that are part of the world of the story, but much of the history of the place is inspired by the real stories of people from across the Dalmatian island chain - including my maternal grandfather who was actually a prisoner at the Goli Otok prison. There are so many things that are amalgamations of things that Ive heard that came from this comination of real history - and my love for island and isolation stories.

Oh wow that’s fascinating about the history and your connection to the island. Your writing definitely gives the feeling of being right there along with the depth of your main character. I’m intrigued and jumping back in!

Andrew, can you tell us what got you into writing and who your early influences were?

When I was in 3rd grade, my sister had this stretch where she was really into parody magazines like Mad Magazines - but she wanted to someone to share the interest with, and she didn't want to create alone.

So, she decided to lock me in her room and we just started writing together. Our mutual favorite movie was and still is Aliens. We'd watched it dozens of times then - hundreds now - and we started writing parody versions of it (though the first thing I did was write out the transcript of the movie from memory).

Amusingly, I still have mine - they're this bizarre mishmash of the film Aliens and virtually every other cartoon and movie I was into at the time. We filled so many spiral bound notebooks.

From there, my sister drifted off to other pursuits, but I kept having my interest in writing renewed by guest speakers at school , creative assignments, and supportive teachers willing to read my work in their spare time. As I kept at it, I started getting a lot of praise that built my early confidence.

Amusingly though - I started college as a computer science major - I was targeting "employability" at the time - but I took a poetry class from the late Dr. Arthur Smith and my experience there convinced me to switch to Creative Writing/English.

As far as influences - Stephen King, JRR Tolkien, Arthur C Clarke, Asimov, Koontz, Crichton were all early favorites.

Ill add too - as I developed towards what I write now, Ive built a pretty wide set of influences. Im pretty fascinsted by contemporary Japanese literature, even teaching classes in it. Haruki Murakami, Neil Gaiman, Jeff Vandermeer, and Franz Kafka are probably the most influential on my current voice.

I bought and just started Gollitok. I have read nothing about the novel. I will read it over the next week I hope.

Pisces51 wrote: "I bought and just started Gollitok. I have read nothing about the novel. I will read it over the next week I hope."

Awesome! I hope you enjoy!

Andrew, I can appreciate your attention to detail. For instance, you use the metric system as the unit of measurement. Not only does that feel right for the group and the story, but its a small detail than many authors wouldn’t have thought of. Kudos to you.

I’ve just stumbled onto this thread and I decided that I should try this book. The cover looks amazing and the book sounds really horrific, so I’m just gonna dig right in. 😱🫣😱

Zain

Kenneth wrote: "Andrew, I can appreciate your attention to detail. For instance, you use the metric system as the unit of measurement. Not only does that feel right for the group and the story, but its a small det..."

Thanks so much; detail is everything to me. I'm sure I miss things - but the way I see it - horror relies on creating a kind of internal plausibility within the world of the story that allows the reader to immerse in the experience as if they're reading something that *could* almost happen. The details give the character/narrator a sense of authority - like they know the world they live in because they really live there.

I finished Gollitok last night. I enjoyed the history of the prison and the personal history you shared. The story was a little difficult for me initially when you were setting the stage so to speak. By the 50% mark the pace had escalated dramatically and from that point I was thoroughly engaged and immersed in the cold dangerous future world you had created. Frankly, the horror subgenre of futuristic post apocalyptic landscapes is not my niche. That said your narrative is clean, crisp, and utterly chilling when the small group of protagonists must face horrific unimaginable obstacles and dangers straight out of hell.This is one scary book, and your grasp with penning extreme horror is truly dead on. Really liked this frightening journey to Gollitok and liked the ending. Thank you for your generosity in spending time with us.

Pisces51 wrote: "I finished Gollitok last night. I enjoyed the history of the prison and the personal history you shared. The story was a little difficult for me initially when you were setting the stage so to spea..."

Oddly enough - I know what you mean about futuristic post-apocalyptic horror. I had never actually seen myself writing one of those until I sat down to write Gollitok. An early version of the opening sequence through the conversation in the Midway office with Brogden came out first in the composition, really as more of an oddity of a piece of writing that I'd not expected - it simply fit a particular mood I wanted to capture at the end of 2020 and then I wanted to bring the story to the island chain where it is currently set. However, when I sat and considered the declining cold-war bloc vibe the story had begun to shape, I decided I didn't want to write a retro piece set in the 70s or 80s, but rather I needed to develop a narrative framework/world that would allow a re-incarnation of that vibe. That's when the real narrative began to emerge. I DO have another futuristic science fiction novel coming out next year, but it's a space story (orbital at least) and, I think, has a rather different approach.

Thank you for your candid response, and a glimpse into the birth of "Gollitok". Again you and your time are appreciated.

Hi yes thank you for your candid response and spending time with us! I’m having the opposite feeling, I really liked the first half with all the nuances and psychological issues and when it got going into the action I was less invested but it’s very well written and I believe this is a me issue not a criticism of your work at all!

Dawn wrote: "Hi yes thank you for your candid response and spending time with us! I’m having the opposite feeling, I really liked the first half with all the nuances and psychological issues and when it got goi..."

I understand! In a lot of ways, I enjoy the kind of writing in that first half more. However - I think of it as kind of having a pot of rice on the stove. The temperature grows slow - but there just comes this point where all of a sudden, the boiling erupts.

I just started this (just found the thread, a bit late to the party :sheepish:) and I am super-excited to sink my teeth into it! I agree that the cover is fantastic and I love the setup!

lupine wrote: "I just started this (just found the thread, a bit late to the party :sheepish:) and I am super-excited to sink my teeth into it! I agree that the cover is fantastic and I love the setup!"

No such thing as late to a book party! The words are always the same on the page no matter the day!

Andrew wrote: "lupine wrote: "I just started this (just found the thread, a bit late to the party :sheepish:) and I am super-excited to sink my teeth into it! I agree that the cover is fantastic and I love the se..."

So true!!!!

I agree; words remain!

I've read and reread (once) Gollitok; I really enjoyed it. The Naked Island was quite a place, very imaginative. I read the Wikipedia, having not been aware of the prison before. It was a horrible place with an evil history and the perfect setting for this novel!

There are several pictures on Google of the island and what's left of the prison buildings; I enjoyed the context while rereading.

I have to ask, Andrew. What is it with the smell of hibiscus, sour or otherwise?

Best wishes. Great book.

Oooooh, the hibiscus smell is a really good question, and I am also curious about it!

I've reached the "Disciplinary Hall" and I really love how the progression of the story feels like sliding down an icy slope--it starts out slow-ish at the top, so that you almost feel like you could stop your descent and then you slide faster and faster until you reach a spot where you know you just have to try to survive the rest of the hill!

The story and setup, and how the characters react to various events and each other reminds me of Vandermeer, esp Annihilation, and I'm loving it!

Aaron wrote: "I agree; words remain!

I've read and reread (once) Gollitok; I really enjoyed it. The Naked Island was quite a place, very imaginative. I read the Wikipedia, having not been awar..."

Great question! Hibiscus as a flower is generally known for having no scent at all. So, by having the government issue soaps, detergents, etc smell like "sour hibiscus" as their labelled scent is a way the Bureau makes it sound like they have a flowery fragrance but they're just unpleasant.

lupine wrote: "Oooooh, the hibiscus smell is a really good question, and I am also curious about it!

I've reached the "Disciplinary Hall" and I really love how the progression of the story feels like sliding dow..."

Oh! I hope you like what they find in the disciplinary hall and beyond. That stretch was one of my two favorite parts of the book to write!

And I like your analogy a lot! I definitely saw this book as something of a collision course plot and one of my goals was to make readers imagine pretty wild things about what the story might collide with. One of my favorite reviews came from Alex Reid author of One Must Go - and he said that while he read the book he felt like everything he read about was going to try to kill him.

Annihilation is one of my favorite books, and there are several intended homages to it during the book.

I'm another fashionably late reader... I'm glad I saw your comments on this thread in my notifications because I started reading this today and it is fantastic so far!

Jennifer wrote: "I'm another fashionably late reader... I'm glad I saw your comments on this thread in my notifications because I started reading this today and it is fantastic so far!"

So glad you're joining us! It's never too late - and I definitely hope you continue to enjoy your venture to that quiet little island where everything is as routing and ordinary as the Bureau expects!

Andrew wrote: "Aaron wrote: "I agree; words remain!

I've read and reread (once) Gollitok; I really enjoyed it. The Naked Island was quite a place, very imaginative. I read the Wikipedia, having..."

Thanks Andrew, now I see. I had thought of an universal sour hibiscus scent of bureaucratic desperation, rather than government issued soap. It's a small point, but I'm glad to know your intent.

Hammel Varka was such a good narrator and character! When you consider the mission he was given overtly vs. what was actually going on, he responded heroically. The Bureau should have promoted him, not sent him for extermination; unfortunately, that's not the way of fascist governments.

I've tried to imagine his lingering last look behind and the ambiguity ahead.

Once again, Andrew Najberg, congratulations on a great book. This is my best horror novel of the year, so far. Added to The Mobius Door, you're 2 for 2 as far as I'm concerned. Best wishes.

Aaron wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Aaron wrote: "I agree; words remain!

I've read and reread (once) Gollitok; I really enjoyed it. The Naked Island was quite a place, very imaginative. I read the Wi..."

I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I don't know if you're on other social media - but you might be interested to know that there is a companion short story coming out in an anthology this summer. It's set at the same time as Day 2 of Gollitok.

Andrew wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Aaron wrote: "I agree; words remain!

I've read and reread (once) Gollitok; I really enjoyed it. The Naked Island was quite a place, very imaginative...."
I'll definitely be watching for your upcoming story. I've so enjoyed the time spent with Gollitok. Keep 'em coming!

Andrew, Gollitok has been chosen to be one of the 32 in Books of Horror’s Indie Brawl. You face some stuff competition in those brackets. For those that may not know about this, can you tell us about it and how it feels to be included in this fun competition?

It's been a ton of fun. Just for example - I've noticed that next month, These Things Linger by Dan Franklin and In the Tall Trees by Angel Van Atta are up for discussion in this group. These Things Linger is one of my favorite reads from this year and I'm literally reading In the Tall Trees right now and loving it. All the books that have been chosen are such excellent company - I've read 13 or 14 at this point and though there are differences in quality - they're all great work.

Behind the scenes too - the brawl has been an enormous bonding opportunity. A lot of the brawlers converse behind the scenes - there's so many little things that go along with it that add to the fun including things like events, bookstore displays, limited edition covers - the positive energy around it is incredible!

Andrew wrote: "It's been a ton of fun. Just for example - I've noticed that next month, These Things Linger by Dan Franklin and In the Tall Trees by Angel Van Atta are up for discussion in this group. These Thing..."

I think it's awesome that they have so many things like this for readers to find new authors these days.

I also love that you pointed out what an amazing bonding experience this event is. A lot of authors going in don't realize that writing doesn't have to be a solitary experience. In fact, when you work with other authors, it can help both your mental health and career so much.

"the brawl"?

Netanella wrote: ""the brawl"?"

If you're asking what's meant by "the brawl", on Facebook's Books of Horror group they have a "contest" of sorts called the Indie Brawl where numerous indie authors' books are listed sort of Final 64 style, and the members read and vote on their favorite books. Andrew's book was included in the latest one.

Ahhh that makes sense.

Ash wrote: "Andrew wrote: "It's been a ton of fun. Just for example - I've noticed that next month, These Things Linger by Dan Franklin and In the Tall Trees by Angel Van Atta are up for discussion in this gro..."

Honestly, the community aspect is SO important too - I think in the modern climate where things like social media play such a huge role and authors are expected to do a lot of their own promotion even by the big 5 publishing houses, building strong relationships and mutual support with fellow authors is absolutely huge. Not to mention the fact that you can build genuine friendship with folk who have shared/mutual interests, great taste in books...

Andrew, we really appreciate you joining us for this Group Read. Can you tell us what you’ve got for upcoming books, appearances, and projects coming for 2024 and beyond?

Thanks so much for having me! It's been a lot of fun! I have quite a bit coming up!

I have a collection of short fiction called In Those Fading Stars due out December 13th through Crystal Lake Entertainment.

In May 2025, I have a sci-fi horror novel called Extinction Dream due out through Wicked House Publishing.

I have a Try Not to Die title under contract - Try Not to Die in the Shadowlands - a semi-follow up to my recent release The Neverborn Thief (Mar 2024, Olive-Ridley Press).

For appearances - you can find me at Books and Brews in August in Chicago, TBR Con in Knoxville in September, and I hope to appear at Next Chapter Con in Dalton, GA in October. After that, it's hard to say - I have a few things in the works!