Title: Jinxed
Author: Thommy Hutson
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Young Adult
Release Date: March 13, 2018
High School Can Be a Real Killer
Break a mirror
Walk under a ladder
Step on a crack
Innocent childhood superstitions …
But someone at the secluded Trask Academy of Performing Arts is taking things one deadly step further when the campus is rocked with the deaths of some of its star students.
Layna Curtis, a talented, popular senior, soon realizes that the seemingly random, accidental deaths of her friends aren’t random—or accidents—at all. Someone has taken the childhood games too far, using the idea of superstitions to dispose of their classmates. As Layna tries to convince people of her theory, she uncovers the terrifying notion that each escalating, gruesome murder leads closer to its final victim: her.
Will Layna’s opening night also be her final bow?
A lot of my interest in the horror/thriller genre comes from Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” It was a movie I wanted so badly to see as a kid and when I actually went I was terrified! I wanted to leave the theater, but my father made me stay; I think as punishment, but little did he know how it would influence and encourage me. The experience made me realize that films and stories can be as scary and thrilling as they are smart, and can be filled with interesting, characters you believe in and care about.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process(outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
I love writing dialogue. Hearing the way the characters come to life through the words they say really appeals to me. Also, how what they aren’t saying means a lot. I’m a big listener in terms of the way people talk, the words they use, the cadence of their voice and how people speak differently to different people. It all adds up to a very big piece of who they are and how they are, and want to be, portrayed.
When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I read a lot, in a lot of different areas, but I find myself drawn to horror/thrillers and coming-of-age material. I think that both of those genres have something to offer that give us insights into ourselves. Who we were, who we are, and how we would handle things that might seem insurmountable.
If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
S.E. Hinton is someone whose work I have always admired. It would be incredible to work alongside someone who has crafted stories that have not only meant a lot to me as I was growing up, but have reached others for generations in the same way. The things I am sure I would learn!
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Telling stories was something I have been doing since I was a kid. Whether I was talking them out, acting them out, drawing pictures or actually putting pen to paper, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I actually fell into screenwriting before moving into writing books and I am thrilled that I am able to pursue both of those passions.
Born and raised in Upstate New York, Thommy graduated from UCLA and launched his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!
His career then took a thrilling turn when he wrote and produced several definitive genre film retrospectives for television and home entertainment: SCREAM: THE INSIDE STORY, NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY, MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD and HIS NAME WAS JASON: 30 YEARS OF FRIDAY THE 13th.
He was also a staff writer on Hulu’s daily web series “The Morning After,” a smart, witty, pop culture program aimed at getting viewers up-to-date on the latest entertainment news and celebrity interviews.
Thommy also produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy.
He co-wrote and produced ANIMAL for Chiller Films and Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films. The project debuted in iTunes’ top ten horror films (reaching #1) and became the network’s highest-rated original movie.
Continuing his passion for uncovering the stories behind the story, he went on to produce CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13th, which is the most comprehensive look at the popular film franchise.
As an author Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version distributed by Simon & Schuster reached number one in Amazon.com’s Movie History & Criticism category. He also has a deal with Vesuvian Media to write a YA thriller trilogy with the first book due out spring 2017.
He produced and made his feature directorial debut with THE ID, an independent psychological drama/thriller. Filmmaker Magazine stated it was “a deeply unsettling thriller that’s as moving as it is frightening…with skillful, provocative direction that has echoes of early Polanski.”
Most recently, Thommy wrote the screenplay for CineTel Films’ supernatural horror film TRUTH OR DARE. He is also directing, writing and producing a documentary with Clive Barker’s Seraphim Films in addition to developing other film and television properties with the company.
As an author, he is currently writing another book that definitively details the history, making and legacy of another fan-favorite genre film from the 1980s.
A member of the Producers Guild of America, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment through his company Hutson Ranch Media.
KOBO / iTUNES / GOODREADS TBR
