Michael Okon is the author of Monsterland Reanimated. Read on for an exclusive interview.
After Monsterland has imploded, the entire world is thrown into chaos. World leadership is gone, economies have collapsed, and communications are non-existent. Wyatt must go beyond the boundaries of his small town to reestablish contact with the outside world, and alert the government about a traitor-in-chief.
During his journey he discovers a new threat released from the bowels of the defunct theme park.
When an army of relentless mummies, a life-sucking ooze called The Glob, and a hybrid reanimated Behemoth rise from the depths of Monsterland, who will survive?
S.R.: Your book’s description got me hooked. I have to ask first, what is Monsterland?
M.O.: On book one, Monsterland is a theme park with real werewolves, vampires, and zombies as the main attractions on Disney-esque rides.
S.R.: The book has some really cool, imaginative elements, like life-sucking ooze called The Glob, and a hybrid reanimated Behemoth. How did you come up with these?
M.O.: I’m a sucker for classic horror movies. I’ve always wanted to write the remake of The Blob but had no way of even coming close to that. Same with Frankenstein. Well, when you create a monster theme park and kill off all the werewolves, vampires, and zombies (minus a few rogue ones), you need to create a new gaggle of monsters ready to scare your audience. Enter The Glob (my version of The Blob), the Reanimated Behemoth (my version of Frankenstein’s monster), and mummies (reanimated and even more powerful zombies wrapped in linen).
S.R.: What inspired you to write Monsterland Reanimated?
M.O.: I’ve watched every classic horror movie I could get my hand on. I love how monsters are evergreen and in humanity’s folklore permanently. I wanted to add my spin on a classic monster story. Enter book two. Plus, I was watching a lot of Mad Max: Fury Road while I was writing.
S.R.: You’ve written in multiple genres (paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure, and self-help). Do you find it difficult to switch between genres?
M.O.: Not at all. I write whatever I feel is important to me at that time. If I’m really into ghost shows, I will come up with my own take on that. If I feel that action/adventure is the genre I have to write, I will immerse myself in every book/film I can get my hands on when it comes to Action/Adventure.
S.R.: What are your other books about?
M.O.: I try to cover a wide gamut of characters and genres, and the lessons in my books are universal. My books cover bullying, being comfortable in ones own skin, loss of a loved one, being accepted in society, fitting in with a popular crowd, political controversies, government issues, etc…
S.R.: What do you hope readers get out of Monsterland Reanimated?
M.O.: That lawyers, dentists and accountants are scarier than mummies, The Glob, and a Reanimated Behemoth.
S.R.: What are you working on next?
M.O.: Putting the finishing touches on Monsterland Beneath (Book III). I have two other manuscripts that I plan on giving to my agent tomorrow. One called Dragged Down Deep—think Indiana Jones meets the Creature from the Black Lagoon…and the other story is called Whillpower—it’s basically teens with special needs who become superheroes.
Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
