Welcome to the shadowy corners of storytelling, where the faint of heart dare not tread alone. I’m Joa, your guide through the fog-shrouded path of self-publishing in the horror genre. “The Devil That Haunts Me” is not just a book; it’s a descent into the psyche of horror itself, rooted in the rich soil of Dominican culture, generational trauma, and the quest to uplift marginalized voices in literature. This essay peels back the curtain on the eerie journey of self-publishing a horror story that’s as chilling as it is culturally significant, examining the trials and triumphs that shape an author’s quest to thrill and terrify.

The Genesis

The birth of a nightmare begins with a dream, err more like a traumatizing night terror, that demanded I face the devil that haunts ME. Moreover, it demanded that I share this with the world. It was freaky how even my husband was left speechless when he had to wonder whether waking up this chaotic version of me would kill me or save me.

My jaw was clenched. My body was half frozen to the bed, half moving. In my dream, I was fighting him. I was fighting the devil. I wanted to show him I was not scared anymore. To my husband, he saw me swinging with one hand and rocking back and forth. He started to shoosh me. His voice broke through my nightmare and my eyes slowly fluttered open. I think I saw him and not the devil. I remember a sense of calmness taking over me as I drifted back to sleep once again.

When I woke up the next day, I remembered. My husband told me what he witnessed, and as a writer does, I wrote it all down. You will see a version of this in the first chapter. Remember, I draw from my scars and emotions when crafting scenes and building characters. This helps me to infuse a fictional story with realism that is easy to believe for the reader. I do this because I have found that the more real I make the characters and storyline, the more immersed the reader will be.

So, the genesis of my story was a terrifying night terror, and the fruit of that is a terrifying psychological horror story. It was a fleeting night-time dream—vivid, and visceral that begged to be birthed onto the page. Thus, the writing process became a conduit for exploring the fears and anxieties that lingered in the shadows of my mind, creating a dialogue with the ghosts of my past and then, as I progress through the writing phases, the ghost of doubt that haunts every writer began to haunt me.

Self-Publishing Terrors

As the manuscript took shape, the next phase loomed ahead: the haunting world of self-publishing. I’ve been publishing to my heart’s content, never sticking to one specific genre but keeping to my niche of authentic and resilient Dominican characters. So, without much support and contacts in the horror genre, self-publishing became a specter that scared me at first.

But the devil, as they say, is in the details—from crafting a cover that whispers of the horrors within to ensuring each word honors my cultural heritage. Soon, the specter didn’t scare me anymore. I came across supportive peeps who love the genre and found the premise of The Devil That Haunts Me an interesting one. So, I moved beyond the solitary confines of writing and publishing towards the embracing arms of the spooky community.

The Horror Community

Embracing the community brings warmth to the chilling path of a horror author. From sharing early drafts to engaging with fellow enthusiasts, community is the heartbeat that keeps the horror genre alive and kicking. This connection with readers and creators alike reminds me that horror is not just about fear; it’s about human connection. Yet, despite the communal love for horror, there are those who might question the genre’s value and impact.

Is Horror Mindless Entertainment?

There is a prevalent belief that the horror genre is merely a form of entertainment, superficial in its intent, and limited in its literary value. This perspective, however, fails to acknowledge the profound capabilities of horror as a genre. It’s not just about creating fear or providing cheap thrills. Horror has a unique and powerful capacity to delve into profound psychological themes and to reflect societal fears and anxieties. It serves as a cathartic exploration of the human experience, allowing readers or viewers to confront their deepest fears and anxieties in a controlled and safe manner. By doing so, it provides an opportunity for introspection and personal growth that is often overlooked. In this sense, horror is not just a genre but an exploration of the human condition in its most visceral form.

The Depth of the Horror Genre

“The Devil That Haunts Me” stands as a profound testament to the power and depth of the horror genre. This genre does far more than merely provide entertainment; it serves as a vehicle to enlighten and provoke thought. The story, which was conceived from the depths of a terrifying nightmare, delves into the unseen aspects of Dominican family life that tend to occur behind closed doors. It explores the unsaid and the hidden, the secrets and the fears that bind one generation to the next in a web of communal pain and silence. It uncovers the threads of shared experiences that weave together the tapestry of a family’s history, revealing the enduring impact of these shared traumas.

In a certain sense, the act of self-publishing can often evoke feelings of fear and trepidation, similar to the chilling suspense of the horror genre, or the unease that comes with keeping family secrets hidden deep within us. It’s an endeavor filled with uncertainty and vulnerability, as you expose your innermost thoughts and creative work to the world. However, I am determined not to let this fear silence me. I refuse to keep my stories, my imagination, and my words locked away in the shadows. This is why I am pouring my heart, soul, and countless hours into The Devil That Haunts Me Blog. Each word that I write, each sentence that I construct, is a deliberate act of defiance against the fear of putting myself out there. And it’s not just about me. I am sharing my journey, my process, and the progress of this book with each and every one of you. Because in the end, it’s our shared experiences, our collective voices, that truly make a story come alive.

Join Me

So, I invite you to share your own forays into the dark, whether through writing or reading, and to discuss how horror has touched your life. Share your favorite horror works that champion marginalized voices and join me in celebrating the genre’s unique ability to unite and engage us. And don’t forget to brave the dark and delve into “The Devil That Haunts Me,” a journey you won’t soon forget.