Ask the Author: Stephanie Hoover
Answered Questions (6)
Stephanie Hoover
Firstly, I've always had a skeptical yet indefatigable interest in anything "paranormal." Even as a very young child I loved watching horror movies and reading stories that made my friends (and many adults) uncomfortable. But I wasn't frightened, I was fascinated.
Several years ago I wrote a book called "Philadelphia Spiritualism and the Curious Case of Katie King." It touched heavily on the start of the Spiritualism movement and the motivations behind its most ardent believers. I realized that this 19th century philosophy employed a unique vocabulary - much like modern "paranormal investigators" use. So, I thought it was time for a contemporary encyclopedia that brought all of this terminology together - not just for believers, but for skeptics as well. On April 24, 2019 that book - "Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike" - was released.
Yes, it is - strictly speaking - a reference book, but I approached it so that it read more like a lively history of the supernatural. I do think I've lived up to my promise of an "entertaining encyclopedia." It's always up to the readers, however, to make that determination.
Several years ago I wrote a book called "Philadelphia Spiritualism and the Curious Case of Katie King." It touched heavily on the start of the Spiritualism movement and the motivations behind its most ardent believers. I realized that this 19th century philosophy employed a unique vocabulary - much like modern "paranormal investigators" use. So, I thought it was time for a contemporary encyclopedia that brought all of this terminology together - not just for believers, but for skeptics as well. On April 24, 2019 that book - "Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike" - was released.
Yes, it is - strictly speaking - a reference book, but I approached it so that it read more like a lively history of the supernatural. I do think I've lived up to my promise of an "entertaining encyclopedia." It's always up to the readers, however, to make that determination.
Stephanie Hoover
Writing was not a "choice" for me - it was just something I've excelled at since I was a small child. I grew up on 16 acres in the middle of God's country, raised by a single mom. When you spend a lot of time alone, your imagination tends to rule your days. At least mine did. As soon as I could hold a crayon I started jotting down little stories, thoughts and drawings of the things I imagined in my small brain. And I've never stopped.
Stephanie Hoover
My ninth book releases April 24, 2019. (Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike.) The summer will be spent promoting that. In 2020, however, I'm introducing a new series called "Interstate Ghosts." It's part travelogue, part history, and part myths-and-legends. In short, a really fun read for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story with a historical twist. You can sign up for my email list (at StephanieHoover.com) to receive updates on that and all of my books and events.
Stephanie Hoover
Write. And do TRY to become traditionally published before you jump on the self-publishing bandwagon. There's a reason why manuscripts are rejected by acquisitions editors. Either the story has been done before, it's not a compelling topic to begin with - or it's just not good enough. You MUST consider writing a craft to be learned. Thinking you're circumventing that learning process by simply publishing your own books isn't doing anyone any favors - not your readers, and not yourself. Write. Write. Edit. Critique. Write some more. Learn the basic rules of grammar and punctuation. Read other really GOOD writers so you recognize what good writing actually IS. But mostly... write.
Stephanie Hoover
Because I write about actual events, I am "forced" to learn about many, many different people, time periods, social movements, etc. I hear a lot of friends complain about falling into the rabbit hole of the internet and wasting half their day there. When I fall in - I'm doing it on purpose because it's my job as a writer.
Stephanie Hoover
I'm a non-fiction writer so I don 't really get traditional "writer's block." But I DO have days when the words I "feel" just don't seem to land on the page. I seemed trapped inside tired phrases or cliched approaches. At that point, I have to put the manuscript away - no matter how close to deadline I am. It never fails that viewing the page with fresh eyes frees my mind to really capture what I'm trying to say.
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