Questions 2026

To email me, click the envelope at the bottom of any page. Once a month my replies will be posted here.

March

Hi Shaun hope you had a great Christmas mine was absolutely shit my lovely sister passed away in January so I’ve turned to books to try to get through this ,obviously yours are top of the list followed by the late great James Herbert another one sadly missed ,just wanted to know how Erebus 2 was coming along and is there any update on Erebus 1 coming out on ebook , anyway looking forward to your next book whatever it is thanks for helping me through such a difficult time
stephen

Hi Stephen, thanks for your message. I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. I hope my books (and those of James Herbert) are some comfort at this time. It’s bloody hard coping, I know. EREBUS 2 got shelved for SLUGS 3…lol…I will no doubt get around to finishing EREBUS 2 eventually but the slugs book just took over. As far as I know, EREBUS is due out on ebook later this year. I’m sure there’ll be news on the site when we know anything. So, once again, my condolences and, as I said, if my books go any small way to helping then I’m happy about that. Take care.

Hello Shaun
So my husband (40) the most magnificent man in my life, has recently uncovered his love of reading and it’s all thanks to you!
He had quite a turbulent childhood and without going into details spent most of his time watching tv, he absolutely hated reading. He had read a handful of books at most, having been forced by his teachers.
So how did he fall in love with your books……here is the strange part, his sister found one of your books in her house (Death Day) 2 years ago, she had no idea where it came from or who had given it to her. She had decided to read it and loved it and so leant to my husband and from that moment he was hooked. He had made a New Year’s resolution a couple of years before to take up reading and getting through just a couple of books a year once he discovered your books the real reading accelerated.
Your books were the only thing on his Christmas list, he gets so much excitement to give me the low down every time he finishes one - especially when there is a mention of Iron Maiden at the start, his absolute favourite band!
Having made his year last year getting him Iron Maiden tickets for their 50th year anniversary, I am wondering if this year I can do the same with your autograph?
Anything at all will be much appreciated, he has had a tough year with his dad currently very unwell and I would love to put a smile on his face. Anything at all will be much appreciated.
he is already 4 books in this year...

You’ve just made my day!! I love hearing about people who normally wouldn’t read much finally discovering the joy of reading. Especially when its reading my books…lol…A critic once called me “the man who people don’t read, read…” I loved that and it seems your husband is another one of those. I think one of the reasons people who don’t normally read books actually do read mine is because I don’t overwrite and I get to the point. It helps when the readers are Iron Maiden fans like your husband…lol….I love the story of how he got into the books in the first place. I would love to do an autograph for your husband. Probably the best way to do that would be to contact my publisher (I’ve done this for readers before)and they can forward anything you want signed to me. I’m so glad that my books have helped him a bit and I’m even happier that he likes them. It’s great that he’s discovered how good it is to escape into a book. I’ve always said that writing them has saved me a fortune in psychiatric fees over the years and I know lots of other people still find a great escape in books. I love that.

Hey Shaun,
I don't know if you remember me, I was your neighbour at the horror con in Paris, Alan Shivers :
I wanted to reach out for a couple of things. Firstly, are you going to any of the Faute de Frappe cons, like the one in Lille? Also, I'll be signing at Indie Horror Chapters - another horror con - in Liverpool (I remember you're a Liverpool fan) 11 April, free entrance, in case you'd like to come by for a chat? And lastly: I've been working hard on horror screenplays, including one that'd ideally be a UK body horror feature. I already have a great director I'm working with, but I was wondering if you know any producers that are decent human beings aka non-sharks, that you would feel comfortable introducing me to, purrdy please?
Hope to see you soon my man, it was a pleasure sitting next to you!
Greetings from Brussels,
Alan

Hi Alan, of course I remember you. Really good to hear from you. I hope everything is going well for you. It was a delight to have you as my neighbour in Paris that day. I hope I didn’t bore you too much….lol. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be at the con in Lille. I’d been looking forward to that but Marc told me I might have to wait until the Autumn when SPAWN and BREEDING GROUND have been published by Fautes de Frappe. I was talking to Caroline Carton the other day and said to her (she was expecting me to be there too)that I’d speak to Marc and see if he might change his mind. I hope the con in Liverpool goes well (yes, I am a Liverpool fan, Alan so my weeks are up and down…lol) Horror producers? Oh God, Alan, if I knew any I’d let you know but I really haven’t been involved with any producers for ages! Sorry, my friend but I’m sure you’ll find someone to help. I also hope that you and I are sitting next to each other at another con very soon. All the best.

Hi Shaun,
Hope life is treating you well.
I'm 23 and a very new reader of yours. My girlfriend did some digging for me and recommended you when I said I wanted to read more pulpy British horror novels like James Herbert's work, whom I adore. (I hope you don't take any offence to me describing your novels as pulpy or comparing them to those written by Herbert - I intend both as compliments!)
I've started with Unmarked Graves and have just finished it about 15 minutes ago. Loved it. It's taken me 2 days to read on the bus to & from work... haven't been able to stop turning the page. Thankfully, I've picked up several of your books at once, so diving into the next tomorrow (not sure which yet).
I have two questions - firstly, will we ever see a sequel to Unmarked Graves, even if it's an unrelated story featuring Nick Pearson?
Secondly, do you have any explanations in your head for why Nick (SPOILER for anyone who hasn't read it, if this gets posted!) has the ritual scars? Is the reveal intended to mean he was unintentionally helping Mowende all along with Uthalande magic, being manipulated into producing news stories about racial tensions to stir up even more racial tensions, or is it something else? Totally understand if you do know the reason but don't want to share it. "The reader can decide for themselves" and all that ;)
Apologies if you've answered these questions elsewhere, I did have a look online but couldn't find anything.
Best regards,
Ryan

Hi Ryan, thank you for your message. Pulpy British horror!! Bloody cheek….no, its okay I’m just joking…as long as you enjoy my books you can call them what you like. I read something the other day about how pulp fiction is superior to literary fiction and, obviously, I agreed…lol…On the subject of UNMARKED GRAVES, I must admit its such a long time since I wrote that I can’t actually remember details of it, Ryan (which sounds appallingly unprofessional I know but I often get that…I’ve written over 70 novels in my time and remembering details from each individual book gets difficult…) I can remember writing it and that’s about it. I think it’s unlikely there’d be a spin off to be honest. However, I never intended doing sequels to Spawn and Erebus either so, you never know. Really interesting questions though, Ryan, thank you.

Right you lot, that’s it for another month. Good news is that I’ve just finished SLUGS 3 so I will get that sent off to the relevant people and hopefully have some news for you guys soon. I can’t see it being published before next year though mainly because HOLLOW POINT is still to be released around Easter time. We’ll see….

February

Hello!
I hope all is well.
It’s a very “out there” email I’m sending, I appreciate you must get quite a bit of correspondence, and you all must be super busy.
I was just reaching out, as I was hoping for a little request… My partner Billal is a lifelong fan of yours (I know that sounds really cheesy) but he really is!
You’ve been so good with your signing items over the years for him, which he’s enjoyed immensely!!! Means so much to him. He gets quite giddy!
He’s been such a great support to me over 2025 as it’s been a little rubbish for me. So I just want to make this year's birthday a bit special.
Could I possibly ask that you could reply with just a little email saying Happy Birthday, then I could print it off and put it in his card?
Fully understand if not, but you don’t get if you don’t ask!
Have the best Christmas, I hope it’s a good one. Wishing you and your team all the best.

Katie

Ps- Hollow point starting great!
Did enjoy the beautiful box 😍

Hi Katie, great to hear from you. I remember signing books before for Billal (and no, it isn’t cheesy to say he’s a life long fan….I love that)
I am absolutely shit with technology and computers, Katie but if I type something here I hope you can print it and stick it in his birthday card 😊

To Billal, have a great birthday, mate. All the bloody best and many happy returns. Have a good one. Good luck and dripping entrails from Shaun Hutson.

I don’t know if that’s any good, Katie but hopefully you’ll be able to do something with it. I’m really glad you liked the box set for HOLLOW POINT. I think Caffeine Nights did a brilliant job with it. Let me know what you think of the book when you’ve finished it.

Hi Shaun
I was looking forward to the above. What happened? Perhaps you could do an Easter rant instead. I’m sure we all enjoy your thoughts for Christmas and the last year with Labour and Sir Kier and his minions ruining the Country. Just a thought anyway.
As usual waiting with anticipation for your new book also I know you enjoy the cinema.
Is there any films you recommend? I can never understand why only one book of yours Slugs has made it the big screen. I imagine you thought this would be the first of many Have a Happy New Year Kind Regards Mike Blake PS you can use my name for one of your characters in any future books just a thought.

Hi Mike, thank you for the message. Sorry I didn’t get to do a Xmas rant but I’ve sent one to the site recently which Graeme has added. Maybe I was just in a good mood before Xmas (makes a change... lol). Any films I recommend? Well, THE BONE TEMPLE is worth a look. So is CRIME 101. Otherwise, I haven’t seen much that’s worth recommending recently, Mike. I go at least once a week but the standard of films these days is so poor in my humble opinion. If I use your name in a book, Mike, I’ll let you know…all the best, mate.

I have the double cassette pack of Assassin that Leslie Grantham narrated (who I met at a nightclub in Shrewsbury once in the mid/late 1990's!)...
Can't find anything about it online other than referenced on your website.
I have recorded it digitally in wav format and was wondering if you still had a copy of it or would you like for me to send you my recording for your listening pleasure?

Regards,

Leon.

Sent from my engorged scrotum

Hi Leon, many thanks for the message. Believe it or not, I also have one of those double cassette versions of ASSASSIN. I’ve also got one of the audio version of HEATHEN which was read by Kate O’Mara. Unfortunately, I never got to meet either of them when they were recording but I did meet Amanda Redmond when she read WARHOL’S PROPHECY. To tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to one of those recordings all the way through. Maybe I should get around to it. I hope you enjoyed the audio version of ASSASSIN. And, give my regards to your engorged scrotum... lol

Hi Shaun,
I've been a fan of your books ever since I read Breeding Ground, back around 1986. Then I read Slugs and have read everything you've written up until Exit Wounds. I particularly liked Erebus.
You're the inspiration behind my own attempt to write a horror novel...Still a work in progress, after beginning it 30 years ago.
I met you once, about 30+ years ago when you came to give a talk and a reading at Central Library in Blackpool. I remember posing a question about what you thought to the movie adaption of Slugs. But I can't remember your response.
I've always enjoyed the Sean Doyle books, so I'm glad to see you're producing a new one and I find the idea of Slugs 3 intriguing. Can't to see what you come up with.
I moved from the UK to Bergen, Norway in 2005 and it seems your books aren't in any of the book shops in Bergen. Even those that have an English book section. I'll have to keep a look out on Amazon, I suppose.
I do have a question, and I suppose you might get asked this a lot, but what are your views on AI as a writing assistant tool?
Keep up the sterling work.
Kind regards
Andy Wells

Hi Andy, many thanks for the message. Thanks for the kind words too. It’s always great to hear that a reader enjoys what I do. Fucking hell, I remember that talk in Blackpool!! It was freezing outside and really windy that night as I remember... lol... Keep your eyes on Amazon for SLUGS 3, Andy. And for all my other stuff too, obviously. My opinion of AI... Don’t ask!! Anyone who uses it to write should never dare call themselves a writer. And, to be honest, if anyone needs AI to help them write a fucking e-mail then they’re twats. People need to use their heads, not fucking AI. That’s my opinion in a nutshell (or case as it may be...)

Right folks, that’s it for another month. Keep the questions coming. I love hearing from you all. There are a couple of new rants on the way so have a read and see what you think... All the best you wonderful bastards...

January

Hello Mr Hutson
I have been reading your books since I was a teen (so fifteen years now). Your first book I read was Slugs and damn did that start me down the slide of saws and blood which is horror. Your books kicked off my mind of collecting horror books from the 70's onwards in first prints which led me down the rabbit hole of finding Chainsaw Terror (see pic below) don't ask how much was spent to get it haha total worth it.
My question I have for you: Is there any meet and greets coming up this year or next year? Been a big aim to meet you in person due to you being my puppeteer into horror plus it is a dream to be killed in one of your books lol pretty sure it is easy to kill an emo off violently.
I hope you are doing well and I look forward to Slugs 3 due to seeing you saying in other peoples' questions that you are currently working on it.
Kind regards
Roxána Erzsébet

Hi Roxána, many thanks for your message. I don't tend to do meet and greets (I probably should) mainly because I'm always terrified that no one will turn up... lol... My publisher mentioned the possibility of doing one or two next summer so we'll see. So glad you like the books. Slugs 3 is coming along and should be finished soon, hopefully. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for HOLLOW POINT, I'd like to know what you think of it. All the best.

Hi Shaun,
I apologize for reaching out via email, but I'm hoping you can offer me some advice. I'm an aspiring author in the extreme horror genre, and I have six books available on Amazon; however, they don't seem to be gaining traction. My most popular book is "Cannabelle."
My question is: what route would you take to try to get noticed? I am also based in Milton Keynes.
Thank you for your help!
ShaunAICWilson.co.uk

Hi Shaun... thanks for your message. Oh God, you want advice!!! I am shit at giving advice, honestly. Also the business has changed so much since I first started in it what would have worked then probably wouldn't now. It's so hard getting your work noticed as you've found. You could try the usual social media channels I suppose. I really wish I could be of more help but I just leave everything to my publisher who does a great job, mainly because I'm clueless when it comes to stuff like this. My honest advice would be to try and find an agent. They know much more about this kind of thing. You should be able to find a list of the best ones. Keep me posted on what happens.

Hope Slugs 3 is coming along. After that, maybe you could write a novel about the “Free Palestine” mob with a demented Greta Thunberg as their free-loading leader. I reckon you'd have to tone her down a bit though. Would they be our heroes or the enemy?
Mark Anthony Smith
Hull
East Yorkshire

Hi Mark... a demented Greta Thunberg, eh? Lol... what a terrifying thought... I do sometimes find it hard to avoid being a bit political in books but, what the fuck, I'm a writer not an activist. She is a weird little fucker though.

Well that sucks.
The book I sent to be signed by you (Tainted Souls, Hardback, already signed by Matt) has vanished..
Turns out the address of Caffeine Nights on your website is FIVE YEARS OUT OF DATE!!!!
Just got email from Darren telling me that...
Bugger. I was gonna use that book as my retirement fund, sell it for a world cruise! (Not really, was just going in my collection, the fiver I put in the envelope for return postage prob worth more than the book! Hehe! ;-) )
Methinks tis time to update the site!
Keep writing,
Shakey.

Oh fuck, sorry to hear that Shakey!! It's always a bit dodgy with stuff like that I suppose. Sorry, mate. Glad Darren put you in the right direction eventually. Take it easy.

Hi Shaun
Hope to be the first to wish you a merry Xmas this year, and remind you to get stuck into the Roses, already been on sale at least six weeks my area. Any news on Hollow Point as my daughter is already asking what I want for Xmas. No rant this year, they always have me laughing. Anyway mate wishing you and your family a great Xmas, a successful New Year and I am sure Hollow Point will be a huge success when published. I am sure you have also mentioned you may seek to bring out Incisions 3, the others were excellent. Again, all best mate.
John Elliott

Hi John, good to hear from you, mate. I am appallingly late answering these questions but I'll echo your Xmas wishes. I managed to get some Roses this year... lol... HOLLOW POINT is out in the Spring as far as I'm aware so keep your eyes peeled. I've just sent off a rant with these questions but apologise to everyone again that I didn't get it in before Xmas. INCISIONS 3 is still half finished. SLUGS 3 is going well. Getting there, John, getting there. Take it easy, mate.

I was thinking the other day, if a film was made with Sean Doyle playing him, my choice would be Malcolm Storry from the 90s TV series Knock. What are your thoughts? Sorry if I have already asked this question before, take care.
James

Hi James. I honestly don't know who I'd cast in a film version of Doyle's story. I'd just be grateful if one was made! Knowing my luck they'd cast Kevin James or someone like that. It's weird how Hollywood casts films sometimes. I would have said Cillian Murphy at one time but he might be a bit too old now. Ah, well, we live in hope...

Right you guys, that's it. Sorry I didn't get these in before Xmas. You caught me in a lazy phase I suppose. There's also a new rant to go with these which Graeme will post, fine man that he is. SLUGS 3 (probably to be called PARASITES) is coming along nicely. There will be more news on the site when something happens with it to keep you posted. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for HOLLOW POINT, due in the Spring. As ever, I look forward to your opinions on it. Unless you hate it in which case, keep your opinions to yourselves... LOL.
A very Happy New Year to all you wonderful bastards. Let's hope 2026 is fantastic for all of us.