Author Interview – Robert P. Ottone – Amityville Awakens

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Bram Stoker Award-winning author Robert P. Ottone discusses tearing down the legendary Amityville house to craft his chilling new supernatural horror novel, Amityville Awakens.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

When two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author Robert P. Ottone set out to write Amityville Awakens, he didn’t just revisit one of horror’s most legendary landmarks—he completely tore it down to build something far more insidious. I interviewed Ottone about bringing the terror of Amityville back to life with chilling precision, channeling personal history and local anxieties into a sprawling supernatural nightmare, and why aspiring writers need to log off social media and just do the work.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

My name is Robert Ottone and I’m a two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning horror author from New York.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

Probably when I was a child. I used to write and draw (badly) my own comic books. Lots of original stuff. Some Batman, Spider-Man (his suit was a nightmare to draw), some horror. But I’ve always wanted to write as long as I can remember.

When did you take a step to start writing?

After my dad passed away in 2019, I knew I needed to return to writing. My day job is a teacher, so my creativity is often channelled into that, so I had a lot of stuff to work through. A lot of that “therapy” came out in the form of horror writing, oddly enough. Maybe not “oddly enough” but you get what I mean.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

Amityville Awakens was over the course of six months or so, I think. It was written for my masters in children’s literature. It was basically the culminating project, having a completed novel. It was my first. And it ended up winning me my first Stoker Award. Who knew?

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

Probably around 7 months, off and on? Then a fair amount of edits and revisions, all of which were great.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Amityville Awakens?

I have a lot of issues with the area I grew up in (Long Island). While I wouldn’t trade my upbringing for anything in the world, the reality is that the region is a bit of quagmire, politically, socially and economically, so a lot of that bubbled to the surface while writing this novel.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Amityville Awakens?

I didn’t have a difficult time, to be honest. I guess I was a little concerned with how people might perceive Long Island in general, but I don’t live there anymore, so that’s the people who live there’s problem now.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?

William Peter Blatty was probably the biggest influence. I find the vagaries of faith and religion to be interesting to explore, narratively. I’m not one of these edgelords who is anti-religion or whatever, though I’m not religious myself. I think the mysteries of faith are worth exploring, from all perspectives, and there are a couple characters in Amityville Awakens who do that.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?

I’ve had some really gnarly interactions with people over the years. I’ve had students who were legitimate sociopaths. I probably will again. So, there were a few of those all rolled into one character. Maybe two.

What is the main conflict of Amityville Awakens?

The belief in something ancient and greater than ourselves against a society that no longer believes in that thing.

Did you plot Amityville Awakens in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?

I always plot. Every scene, every story arc, every character’s narrative was plotted from the jump. The only thing that changed was the ending. I had something else planned entirely that I didn’t want to see happen, but maybe one day I’ll use it.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Amityville Awakens need?

Absolutely. The team at CLASH were amazing when it came to the editing process, I couldn’t be happier. They supported and guided me implicitly and were extremely transparent throughout the entire process of publication.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?

Get off social media and just do the work. Imaginary internet points aren’t as important as the work itself. Grow up, get off the internet, and put your nose to the grindstone. Then go out and get some real world under your skin to fill the bucket and do it all again.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

I’m exploring an epistolary novel that I’m having entirely too much fun writing.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

I’m proud of everything I do. Every sentence. Whether people like it or not, I feel blessed to be able to do this stuff. It’s a legitimate gift to be able to scribble nonsense and have people react to it, good or bad.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert_p_ottone/

Kindle: https://link.amazon/B0f2Ay9YY

Paperback: https://link.amazon/B0ghPRFfH

Apple Audiobook: https://apple.co/4ANruhX

Amazon Author Page: https://link.amazon/B02BGUAdO

Clashbooks: https://www.clashbooks.com/new-products-2/amityville-awakens-robert-p-ottone-signed

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amityville-awakens-robert-p-ottone/1149564891

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/amityville-awakens-robert-p-ottone/a8893f7718adfefc