I met R. Thomas Riley at Hypericon a few years back. My first impression of Thomas was that of a quiet, observant, intelligent young writer. Over the course of the past couple of years, I’ve grown to know Thomas better, and am happy to report that my initial analysis of his personality is right. I’m even happier to publish his second book.

The Monster Within Idea (from Apex Publications) is R. Thomas Riley’s second collection of horror fiction. His first, Through the Glass Darkly, was published by the now defunct Nocturne Press and is scheduled to be reprinted by Apex in 2010. Riley’s work has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines and has a novella titled Phrenetic, ready to be published by Permuted Press in 2009-2010.

Jason Sizemore: There’s an emotional resonance that exists in your horror fiction that I think is lacking in many popular horror writers of the day. Do you have a sense as to how this resonance imprints itself in your stories?

R. Thomas Riley: Yes, I have a very good sense of how emotions imprint themselves in my stories. In December of 2006, my wife divorced me and something changed in my life. I quit writing for a bit, had no desire to do anything really. But the ideas built up in my head until I could barely stand it. When I sat down to write, a lot of things poured out. I strongly believe my writing changed at this point in my life. I finally had something to say about things, in general, and in particular. I wrote a trilogy of stories in quick succession and they were my way of dealing with the loss of my marriage, the loss of my son, and many other changes in my life. At the time, I didn’t really realize just what was happening, but looking back, I can see I was working through my issues one by one through my fiction. That emotional resonance came about because I was in a dark place and was questioning everything. Sure, a writer can write about various things with skill, but until you’ve actually went through the things you are writing about, the emotions can’t be genuine.

JS: I think my favorite story of The Monster Within Idea is “Twin Thieves.” It’s such a personal and moving piece. Do you ever worry about exposing too much of yourself on the page?

RTR: “Twin Thieves” is one of my personal favorites. It holds a very special place in my heart because it is so personal. It was one of the few times where what I saw in my head actually made it accurately onto the page. Yes, I’m worried about exposing too much of myself in my fiction. The emotions and feelings I was experiencing while writing “Twin Thieves” were very difficult to explore and relive once more, but I pulled at those scabs and documented the infection that poured forth. It was very cathartic to write this story and I think it shows in more ways than one my mindset at the time. Was I worried it was too personal, heck yes! Initially, I had no intention of every publishing it. It was too raw, too personal, too revealing. I was very vulnerable in that place, but the more I reread it, the more I could see just how good the story was. So, I took the chance and let it out into the world. Looking back, I’m glad I did.

JS: What’s your favorite story in The Monster Within Idea?

RTR: I have two actually. “Twin Thieves” and “Only Spirits Cry.” I can only imagine the look on your face when I told you the latter featured a unicorn. Once more, both stories are extremely personal and reveal much about my personal trauma at the time they were written.

JS: You’ve had a number of stories published via the Amazon.com shorts program. Now, I’ve heard good and bad about the program. What’s your take?

RTR: I’ve actually had good experiences with the program. It definitely opened up a new audience to my fiction. I reached people that normally didn’t read horror and were unfamiliar with the small press in general. When my first story was accepted, it rose very quickly and at one point was the number 3 best seller in horror. I was right along side Bentley Little and David Morrell. That probably wouldn’t have happened any other way, I think. At the moment, the program appears to be on hold and not accepting new fiction, while Amazon reevaluates things.

JS: You told me once that you’re a company killer. That at least a couple of publishers you’ve worked with have gone under. Explain to me why you decided to kill Apex next? This doesn’t seem fair to me!

RTR: I sincerely hope I don’t kill Apex, honestly. It sure did seem there for awhile that I sold something and the company folded soon after. I wondered if I were cursed, even.

JS: What’s your writing process? Do you scream at everybody to be quiet so that you can work, or do you skulk off quietly and do your work in secret?

RTR: My writing process is erratic to say the least. I don’t really have a set pattern I adhere to. I write as it strikes. Being single now, I have plenty of alone time to work. I’m always writing in my head, though. I read something one time that is very true. Even staring out the window for an hour is still writing, or something to that effect. If I’m stuck on a story, I get in my car and just drive in any direction, and if I have the time, I don’t come back until something clicks with the story. I will say that people that know me and know I write can tell if I’m not. I get moody, quiet, withdrawn and just plain around mean.

JS: What’s it like living in North Dakota? Aren’t you…cold?

RTR: At this point, cold doesn’t factor anymore, your body acclimates. Once it dips below zero, with temps reaching into the negative 40s, cold is cold. You layer up and deal with it. After a bit, you’re not cold anymore, though you know you should be!

JS: Zombies. Love them or hate them?

RTR: I absolutely love zombies and I am thrilled with the resurgence they have experienced over the past couple of years. I like slow and fast zombies, and I have explored both.

JS: Who’s your favorite contemporary horror writer?

RTR: Brian Keene. The guy’s work ethic is simply amazing and his novels and stories are great as well. James A. Moore is also a big favorite. I also dig Ray Garton and Tom Piccirilli’s noir/crime work of late.

JS: Mari Adkins. Frightening Apex editor or harmless sweetheart?

RTR: Ha! I won’t give away Mari’s secrets. She’s a great friend and an excellent writer/editor. She can be both, as the situation calls for.

The Monster Within Idea is available for order via the Apex Shopping Mall.

His Amazon.com short stories can be bought here, here, and here.