Tell us a bit more about you and where you’re from.
Michael: I’m Michael Porter from Chesapeake, VA. I’m a husband and father of two. I love reading and writing horror fiction.
What inspired your winning story? Why did that particular theme resonate with you?
Michael: I grew up during what is now known as The Satanic Panic. I still remember playing in the woods with my cousin near the small town we come from and him telling me to be careful, because a Satanic Cult held rituals out behind the high school somewhere.
Of course there was no cult in Brownsville PA, or many of the other small towns in which similar tales and rumors were circulating at the time. You were totally safe playing Dungeons and Dragons. They were right about ouija boards though…
Did you find anything challenging about writing your story?
Michael: Well a story about two kids scaring each other in the woods was a good start, but it needed more juice. The topic gave me The Pit (1981) vibes, especially the element of playing vinyl backwards. And then I wanted to add my usual dose of cosmic horror. Combining those core elements took a few attempts.
Click HERE to read the rest of the interview.