An Audience with a Best-Selling, Master of Horror

Hearing directly from the author of a book you're studying can add a whole new level of understanding and appreciation, not to mention the chance to share an in-the-know hand sign.

When Lisa Nevárez, Ph.D. teaches her class on the Horror Novel, she often features a book by best-selling and award-winning author Paul Tremblay. This semester, the professor of English and her 20 students explored his new release Horror Movie, which the publisher calls "a chilling twist in the 'cursed film' genre."

Thanks to support from Siena's Greyfriar Living Literature Series, the class scored a Zoom conference call with Tremblay on October 1. The following weekend a small group got to meet him in person at the Saratoga Book Festival, where he spoke as part of a panel on writing in the terror/horror genre.

"We had a great conversation with him," said Nevárez. "The students prepared thoughtful questions in advance, and asked about his inspiration for Horror Movie and how he breaks down the writing of a novel."

Tremblay, who teaches high school math when he isn't writing bestsellers, Zoomed in from his classroom outside of Boston. Nevárez said doing a close reading of a brand-new novel is a bit of risk, and one that paid off for her students.

"Speaking with an author adds a whole new dimension to the experience of a book," she explained. "It's a different way to be in conversation with both the book and the individual who created it."

Landon Arace '25 has been a Tremblay and horror fan for years.

"Being able to get the chance to be taught by and meet an author whose writing and work I greatly admire was something I've always dreamed about," said Arace. "I had read Horror Movie before the semester began and really enjoyed the book, so being able to see my fellow classmates learn about it was something special. Meeting with Mr. Tremblay was something else entirely, especially for my horror loving heart; it added a whole new depth to my appreciation for his craft."

At the book festival (co-organized by Amanda Martini Hughes '08) the Siena contingent spoke personally with Tremblay, got their new books signed, asked a few more questions and of course, got some photos to mark the occasion. (Wondering what the four-fingered hand sign means? You'll have to read Horror Movie.) The Saints even made Tremblay's Instagram feed.

"Meeting with Paul was a decidedly pleasant experience. He was very personable and sociable," said Daniel Montilla '26. "Getting to ask questions directly to the author of a novel we'd just spent weeks reading, analyzing and writing about was a really rich experience. Learning the thought processes behind his decisions as well as what in his personal life inspired so many elements in the novel helped me to appreciate Horror Movie all the more, and to see it in a new light, or should I say, new dark."

Tremblay is also known for A Head Full of Ghosts (which Nevárez usually features in her course), The Pallbearers Club, and The Cabin at the End of the World, among other novels.

Emma Harkness '25 also enjoyed the opportunity to meet the author in the flesh. (Horror reference intended.)

"After studying his work and discussing it in class, it was great to connect with him in person," she said. "Our shared New England roots made the conversation more personal and reinforced my appreciation for my home. Also, his insights about writing and his influences deepened my understanding of his work. I'm thankful to Dr. Nevárez for making all of this possible."