“Who doesn’t like a good story? Whether it be a movie, show, game, book, or a chat with friends, storytelling is an essential part of entertainment. I always wanted to be a storyteller, to entertain, and writing just always felt right to me. It also happens to be cheap.” – August Hill

After receiving an education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, August Hill started writing Division X, a supernatural horror filled with dark humor, adventure, and sinister creatures that leap off the pages.

His love for all things spooky and scary was unleashed when he discovered Jurassic Park at four years old and the R. L. Stine Goosebumps collection in elementary school. He holds a huge appreciation for 80’s horror and is partial to fun, dark, and witty ensemble casting with younger heroes. Some of his favorite influences include The Lost Boys, Aliens, Gremlins, and An American Werewolf in London to name a few.

Hill’s knack for writing fiction emerged at an early age when he wrote stories for his own enjoyment. He is a collector of horror films and is a board game enthusiast. When not writing, he can be found walking trails with his dog, enjoying movie nights with friends, spending time playing video games, and camping in Maine.

Connect with August Hill:
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Interview with August Hill

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

When I was in sixth grade. I wrote a short story for a school assignment. I made it way too long, but I had a blast writing it, and I knew then that was what I wanted to do when I grew up.

What inspires you to write?

My need to tell stories. I have so many swimming around in my head. I just need to write them out. I’ve given them each so much thought, too. I’m sure people will like them.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

I’ve always loved monster shows like X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episodic feel and monster of the week format was to die for. I was watching She-Wolf of London in college, a so-bad-it’s-good show, and the idea just hit me. I wanted to incorporate the themes from She-Wolf into a more serious show like X-Files but have the humor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I went about drafting and created a pilot episode script. I was very proud of it. However, I started googling what it takes to get a pilot off the ground and quickly gave up on turning my idea into a show. I re-wrote the script into the first section of my book and continued from there.

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?

Yes. I have many little shorts I’ve written through the years. One I gave away to a friend. Most I threw away. I’ve only kept pieces of some.

Tell us about your writing process.

I draft and plan everything ahead before I start writing. I want to make sure any endings or character arcs are set in stone before I start writing them. It helps me cut down on the fluff. I listen to music the whole time, too.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene in the book is when my main character turns into a werewolf beneath a one-road western town and tears through the population while they’re all gathered under there watching a fight to the death between two prisoners they have in captivity. This is my favorite scene because it’s so bloody, violent, and high-energy. I love chaos, organized chaos, and drafting this scene was like a dream. Writing it was making that dream come true.

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?

All of them have a piece of me in them. Literally every single one. If you mashed together all the characters into one, you’d get me.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t really think I have one, unless you count me writing with my face practically pressed against the screen. I have cataracts, so seeing the screen can be difficult sometimes. My solution is to write with my eyeballs pressed against the computer.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

I do read, but not as often as I used to. My favorite authors are R.L. Stine and Michael Crichton. Neither influenced my style, but I value their creativity above all others. The adventures they write are next to none.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?

I’ve been asked this before, and I’ll say the same thing I said then. I’ve never received any “best advice.” Not that I can remember anyway. I do remember the worst advice I’ve ever received. It was from a professor of mine in college. He said something along the lines of, “Why write something you already know the ending to?” His point was that writing should be an adventure for the author as much as the reader. Writing should be a discovery, or something like that. I think that’s terrible advice. He isn’t wrong about what he’s saying but knowing how a story will end can be a huge advantage for mapping out the storyline.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Write what you want to read. It doesn’t matter how niche it is. If you’re writing from a place of passion, that’ll show through, and you’ll leave your mark.

What would be the Dream Cast for you book if it was to be turned into a movie?

I honestly would love if my book was portrayed by a bunch of new faces. I’m tired of seeing the same actors in everything. There are so many talented people in this world who are being tossed aside because of “star power,” and all that crap.

If you were to be stranded on the famous deserted island, what three things would you carry?

Water, food, and a fueled Jetpack. But if escape and survival is out of the question, I’d have Ken Follet’s World Without End because I’ve been meaning to read that, a magical jukebox that works without being plugged in, and a pair of sunglasses.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

I play video games, hang out with friends, and watch movies in my spare time. My favorite place to go and unwind is my friend’s cabin in the woods. Though, we don’t always have that available to us, so I’d have to say my basement. It’s where the T.V. is.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I really want to publish at least ten books. One a year for the next decade. If I can do that, I’ll have accomplished a major goal. They’re all drafted, so I just need to put the time into writing them.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I hate snakes, I love dogs, and horror is my favorite genre of entertainment.

What do you have in store next for your readers?

If I stick to my bucket list goal, lots and lots of books. More horror, adventure, and even fantasy.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

Sure. My website is augusthillauthor.com. You can check out what I look like there, and you can read about some of my favorite movies, books, and video games. You can also learn more about my book, Division X. Thanks so much for your time.

The monster killing business isn’t all it's cracked up to be.

We all have a monster within… understatement of the year. For 24-year-old Randi Matheson, she quite literally does. On every full moon, it rears its hairy head. She wasn’t always like this. Ever since her attack, the animal comes out to play. And on one full moon, the beast inside tries to eat her younger brother.
Division X, a paramilitary group hellbent on the eradication of monsters, intervenes and saves Randi’s brother from being devoured. They take Randi far away and imprison her in a place no monster can escape. Held captive, Randi is given an ultimatum. Work for Division X as a new weapon in the fight against evil or be dissected. Without a real choice, she chooses the former and experiences the dark underbelly of reality as she faces off against vampires, demons, and redneck serial killers. Promised a cure to her condition along the way, Randi does her best to stay alive.

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com