Describe your day job.
Until January of this year, I had worked at a veterinary hospital for the past 20 years as the office manager. However, I have now taken on the role of COO of Dragon Crown Books, a small publishing company owned by my husband, Stephen H. Provost. I am in charge of the day-to-day administrative duties for the business, as well as scheduling book signings and lectures, social media, advertising, research for his books and maintaining inventory at the retail locations that carry them. In between, I have become an author of short horror stories that are available in my first two books, Christmas Nightmare’s Eve (co-written with Stephen) and Shadow’s Gate, my first solo project. Later this year, I will be working on a comprehensive volume about Christmas traditions from ancient to modern and from light to dark (my favorite of course.)
Tell me about your latest book.
My latest book, Shadow’s Gate, was released on March 26th. It is a collection of mostly short horror stories. (It does include one story that features a supernatural element without horror.) Many of the stories in this book are set in ghost towns or other time periods in the past. However, I also included some modern tales with themes such as a scary home invasion and even science fiction elements. I like to think there is a little something for everyone. My goal with some of my stories is to get into your head, so you can’t forget the story as you go about your daily life.
Who are your writing role models?
I have a variety of writing role models, but not all of them are horror writers, as one might suspect. My mother taught me to read before I went to kindergarten, and instilled a love for books that has been lifelong. I am a voracious reader and have a collection that fills most of a room. My favorite genre, of course, has always been horror with Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Bentley Little, Anne Rice and Clive Barker at the top. However, I also enjoy the detailed love stories woven by Nicholas Sparks. I have read and enjoyed most of the classics, which has helped inspire me to write some of my stories set in bygone eras. Many of my stories are also inspired by myths and legends from around the world that I have read about over the years. And finally, I am a fan of nonfiction as well, specifically history like World War II, the Civil War, Old West, and highway history.
What are your other passions outside of writing?
Besides reading, my life has always been devoted to my love of animals. I volunteered at a veterinary hospital from age 13 until I went off to college. Later in life, that same hospital became my career for 20 years. I have spent many hours reading about animals as well. However, my favorite activity became dog sports with my poodles. They have competed and/or titled in nosework; North American Sport Dog Association odor trials searching for rats, deer sheds and lost items with human scent; tricks; dock diving and Fast CAT (coursing ability test). My other passion in life is travel, which has come in handy when doing research with my husband for his highway history books. We love to hit the open road and explore out-of-the way places. We never know what we might find.
Describe one of your favorite settings
It is very easy to tell you about one of my favorite settings. It actually appears in my first story in my new book, Shadow’s Gate. My husband and I have been traveling up and down Highway 49 in California doing research for his next book. One of the towns we stopped in was Chinese Camp. The town is nearly deserted, with supposedly only 90 people still living there. Main Street through town still has some deserted, old, original buildings that are in a serious state of disrepair. The first time we went, there was a storm in the area, so it was overcast and dark, adding to the naturally spooky atmosphere. The old Fox Boarding House looks like it belongs in any movie about a haunted house, and I caught a beautiful, haunting picture of it that now graces the cover of my book. Across Main Street is an old, back alley that cuts over to Washington Street behind the large, imposing I.O.O.F. building. It is bordered with Trees of Heaven that were planted by the Chinese settlers who once lived there. You can’t help but feel unsettled as you stand there, looking down this gravel path. That alley, named Solinsky Alley, became the inspiration for my story, and it can be seen on the back cover of my book.
Shadow’s Gate
Darkness is falling, and the sun, sinking low in the sky, creates long shadows across your path. Those shadows lead you to the gate of an abandoned mansion, which houses secrets scarcely fathomable to the human mind. Are you brave enough to learn those secrets? If so, delve into this collection of twisted tales birthed in graveyards and ghost towns, on the high seas with ancient mariners, and up in the attic, where unexplained noises rouse suspicion—and inspire fear. Be assured, that fear is warranted. Sharon Marie Provost presents this selection of shadowy tales that range from the mind-bending to the macabre, from the spooky to the sinister. You stand at Shadow’s Gate. Enter if you dare.
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