Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
What inspired you to write your book? / Where did the idea for your book come from?
Joel A. Sutherland: My love of reading started with comic books, mostly Batman and Archie, but also horror comics like Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow. I’ve wanted to write my own comic book for ages but I didn’t know what the story should be, and then it hit me — the story was right in front of me! Haunted Canada has lent itself so perfectly to a graphic novel adaptation, and the fact that this adaptation is inspired by the real tales was very liberating — I could make the stories even creepier than the originals!
What inspired you to illustrate the book? / Where did you draw inspiration from?
Matt Salisbury: I was inspired to illustrate this book because deep down I’ve always been a horror lover even as a little kid and I spent time remembering what used to scare me and my friends when we were younger.
Hannah Barrett: I’ve always had a deep love for folk horror and when I was sent the transcript for Rotting In A Cage, my mind raced with all the literature, movies and artwork I have consumed over the years of the witch trials.
What did you enjoy most about writing? What were some challenges that you faced while writing?
Joel A. Sutherland: Working on this book was the most fun I’ve ever had writing, and that’s not hyperbole. Every time I sat down to write the words simply poured out and I was disappointed when I had to stop. The only challenge was selecting which four stories to include in this volume — a good problem to have.
What did you enjoy most about illustrating it? What were some challenges that you faced while illustrating?
Matt Salisbury: I really enjoyed getting to draw the creepy backyard all filled with dead overgrown plants, there’s nothing as creepy as seeing a garden of dead flowers and weeds. I did have a challenge with finding good references to clothes, with a story set in the 70s it’s important to make sure that people look like they lived during that time.
Hannah Barrett: I loved drawing the witch, Marie-Josephte. During all three stages of her life, I loved to explore her designs and her development as a character. She was the visual foundation of where the “horror” aspect comes in. So making her look as scary as possible was number one for me and I had so much fun doing so.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?
Joel A. Sutherland: The same thing I hope for with every horror book I write; that they will feel more confident facing real world problems after they see how the characters in the book face supernatural problems. Scary stories give us the tools we need to be better people and face our fears, and if that’s not a powerful takeaway, I don’t know what is.
How do you come up with the names for your characters?
Joel A. Sutherland: Most of the characters in this book are based on real people, but there are some minor characters I had to create to move the story along. I ensured the names were historically accurate, and also tried to find names that fit the characters’ personalities.
What books have had the biggest impact on your life? / What books were your favourite to read growing up? / What books inspired you and your illustrations while growing up?
Joel A. Sutherland: One of my favourite books when I was very young was The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman. She visited my class in Grade 3 and that day is one of my most vivid early childhood memories. And of course I loved Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. After reading those, it wasn’t long before I discovered Stephen King.
Matt Salisbury: I read a lot of different books growing up but I think a couple of the most impactful were Jeff Smith’s Bone comics because they were so fantastical and light but could get dark and intense with the turn of a page and I saw what comics could be outside of superheroes, another were the Scary Stories to tell in the Dark books, the art used to terrify and mesmerize me and the stories while scary were also like little life lessons.
Hannah Barrett: The original Haunted Canada series! It was one of many, including classics like Goosebumps by R.L Stein, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell and Creepshow by Stephen King.
How do you come up with the characters’ illustrations?
Matt Salisbury: I always start with sketches of what they would be doing, I can find a character by drawing something they would be doing or what they would wear.
Hannah Barrett: Like how books, TV shows and movies inspire me, so do many artists and friends of mine! I’m constantly talking with fellow horror lovers and creators worldwide who have become my good friends over the years. The difference in style, creative process and the things that inspire them to create, helps me make my illustrations of characters for projects like this.
What’s your writing process look like?
Joel A. Sutherland: I work full time in a public library, so I have to write during every scrap of free time I can find. I write during my meal breaks, when my son is swimming, and when my daughters are dancing. And if I’m not working, writing, or spending time with my family, I’m likely dreaming up new story ideas.
What’s your illustration process look like?
Matt Salisbury: It’s a little all over the place. I like to start out with rough sketches of the pages and on my ipad I see what colours I think look best. For this book I hand painted it all with water colours and used ink afterwards so I needed to give myself enough time to let it dry.
Hannah Barrett: It’s very spontaneous. As much as I love researching and surrounding myself with things that inspire me when it comes to drawing, I just go in head first! My mind tends to race with ideas so I try to get them down as fast as I can. Then I clean things up a bit and start refining designs and illustrations.
What’s next for you?
Joel A. Sutherland: Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel Volume 2 is currently being illustrated, and I’m writing volumes three and four. I’m also writing Haunted Canada 13 (what a fitting number for the series!) and my very first picture book, about a little ghost out trick-or-treating on Halloween. I guess you could say I know what I like!
Matt Salisbury: I’m working away on a story for Haunted Canada the Graphic Novel Volume 2! It’s going to be very creepy! I’m also working on a couple of projects which I hope to share in the future!
Hannah Barrett: The second volume of Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel! I’m currently working on one of four stories that will include three other illustrators just like the first. Working with Joel and the other artists has been such an amazing experience. Being able to work with like-minded people when it comes to helping inspire the next generation of horror lovers is a dream come true.
Get your copy of Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel Vol.1 at Scholastic Book Clubs today!
Joel A. Sutherland Headshot Image Credit: Colleen Morris
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