Interview with A.P. Fuchs by David Kempf
1. Tell us how you became interested in writing?
There are two answers to that. One is a bit cliché. I found a lot of joy in writing short stories as a kid, and I did so on a computer. I had a paper route and saved up for almost two years to buy the first PC in our household back when Windows 3 was the latest thing. Writing became a way to explore different adventure fantasies and exercise my imagination, much like drawing pictures. Of course, that old PC also provided endless hours of Solitaire.
The second answer is more tragic. I lost someone very close to me, someone who truly believed in my ability to succeed in the arts. My goal at the time was to become a comic book artist. I enrolled in animation school, thinking that if I could draw things in motion, drawing them standing still would be easier. Of course, comics and animation are two very different mediums, each with its own capabilities, but that was my mindset back then.
Halfway through the course, the school essentially stopped teaching us. I was surrounded by comic book enthusiasts with similar aspirations, so I began writing short scripts for them to illustrate. I discovered I enjoyed writing and decided to try my hand at short stories, this time as an adult. One day, I had the idea to write five or six interconnected short stories. By the second or third story, I realized the idea was too big for short fiction, so I embarked on writing my first novel, A Stranger Dead. It is currently out of print, but there are plans to bring it back. I still stand by the story, but the writing itself needs some revision.
What I found while writing it was how cathartic the process was. It allowed me to channel my feelings of loss onto the page. Sadly, but perhaps fortunately for readers, every book I have written since has been connected to that real-life event in some way. I believe we all have things we cannot fully move past, no matter how hard we try, and that alone is a kind of horror story. Sometimes we are haunted, and sometimes the ghost never leaves.
2. Do you prefer short stories or novels?
For reading, I prefer novels. For writing, I also prefer novels. While I have nothing against short stories, I find it challenging to work within the constraints of brevity. Short stories require you to fit everything into a limited space, whereas novels offer almost limitless room to develop ideas. If a novel grows beyond its intended scope, you can even consider expanding it into a series.
3. How would you classify the genre of writing in your work?
I primarily work in two genres, with some smaller peripheral ones. My main genres are superheroes and monsters. My superhero series, The Axiom-man Saga, already includes several books, with more to come soon. If you want a comparison, Axiom-man is like a blend of Superman, Nightwing, and Spider-Man. The series is packed with action and has an overarching endgame in mind, though that is still a long way off. This series is designed to be a lifetime project, consisting of twenty-five novels and twenty-five novellas released alternately.
In terms of my monster work, zombies have been my primary focus. However, I have been branching out into creating my own monsters, such as the blood-based creatures in A Red Dark Night that terrorize a summer camp for girls, or the monstrous gators in Giganti-gator Death Machine: Triple Feature. The latter has been well-received, and I am glad readers are enjoying it.
4. What is your average writing workday like?
When working on a project, I make it a daily effort. I used to aim for a word count of 1,500 to 2,000 words per session, but these days I simply focus on completing the book within a reasonable timeframe so readers are not stuck waiting too long.
I do not have a rigid system for my writing day. It is more about having a story in my head and committing to the work. I write until a scene or set of scenes is fully finished. By the end of a session, my mind is usually blank, but I hand over what remains of the idea to my subconscious. By the next day, my subconscious presents new insights to my conscious mind, and I write those down.
During the first draft, I avoid overthinking word usage or details. I believe stories are living, breathing things that know themselves better than we do. It is important to let the story tell itself without interference. Fixes and adjustments can be made during later drafts.
5. What inspires your stories?
As mentioned earlier, a single personal tragedy has shaped much of my work. The fantastic elements, spooky atmospheres, and characters all stem from that event. I often joke that my entire body of work is one giant exercise in catharsis.
6. What are your favorite horror books?
I do not read a lot of horror, mainly due to time constraints and my diverse reading interests. However, The Summer I Died by Ryan C. Thomas was a brutal and eye-opening introduction to extreme horror. Though difficult to read, it taught me how to immerse readers in harsh scenes rather than simply describing them.
Stephen King’s Everything’s Eventual also stands out, particularly the story The Road Virus Heads North. It creeped me out completely with its pacing, atmosphere, and unknown elements. The ending was especially impactful, and I have not revisited it because of how deeply it unsettled me.
7. What are your favorite horror movies?
I enjoy B-movie horror with its often over-the-top or cliché elements. When written well, such films allow for full suspension of disbelief.
Two films that genuinely scared me are The Blair Witch Project and The Ring. The Blair Witch Project worked because the monster was unseen, letting the imagination fill in the gaps. The Ring was deeply unsettling, with its artful presentation of certain scenes adding to the overall creepiness.
For horror-comedy, Shaun of the Dead is a classic. Its mix of subtle and overt humor makes it a standout.
8. What do you think is the difference between American and British horror?
I am not entirely sure. However, I have noticed that Western horror often leans on Hollywood clichés and sensationalism, while British horror tends to let moments speak for themselves. To me, that restraint creates true horror, as the unembellished moments feel more realistic and unsettling.
9. Why do you think horror books and novels remain so popular?
Horror is a part of everyday life. Whether it is small, unsettling moments, vivid nightmares, or real-life tragedies, horror is ingrained in the human experience.
From an entertainment perspective, horror offers a safe way to explore fear. Readers and viewers can experience dark and terrifying scenarios while remaining completely safe. This sense of control allows us to confront fears in a manageable way, offering comfort and even catharsis.
Horror also reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. Knowing others have faced similar fears or tragedies can provide a sense of solidarity and strength.
10. What are your future projects?
Currently, I am finishing the final book in the first act of The Axiom-man Saga. This concluding arc is a trilogy that wraps up many threads from the earlier books.
I am also working on "Eventual Books," projects that take over a year to complete. For example, I collect my weekly newsletter, The Canister X Transmission, into an annual volume.
In terms of horror, I am considering a sequel to Zombie Fight Night: Battles of the Dead, which combines UFC-style battles with various monsters. A potential follow-up, Werewolf Fight Night, could explore lycanthropy in similar ways.
2025 will be dedicated to art projects, but I also have several books planned for release. Some of these will include horror elements, though I am not ready to reveal specifics yet.
In the meantime, readers can visit my website at http://www.apfuchs.ca or my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/@apfuchs, which features horror content, a podcast, and pop culture discussions.
Thank you.
Find all of A.P. Fuchs' books on Amazon at
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