(Editors note: The following post was written by Andrea Subissati as part of our new Stories about.me project. If you have a personal story to share, please follow this link to submit your writing.)
I never sat down and decided I wanted to be a horror journalist.
My journey in horror started out like everyone else in the biz; as a fan. I loved horror movies and was fascinated by them, and my education in sociology really nurtured that. I wrote my masters thesis In 2007 on the social relevance of the zombie craze, and I received an offer to publish it as a book in 2010.
After my book came out, I was interviewed on the Rue Morgue podcast and my show was so popular, they invited me back to do a few more. I discovered a thriving “horror community” through several networks; both online and through local events. I connected with Kim Paffenroth who wrote Gospel of the Dead, a book I relied upon heavily while writing my thesis.
In 2012, he approached me to contribute a chapter to an academic compilation he was editing, The Undead and Theology, which became my second publication. Online networking also helped me meet and develop relationships with like-minded individuals such as my Faculty of Horror podcast cohost Alexandra West, and Paul Corupe, with whom I founded The Black Museum horror lecture series.
People talk a lot of trash about the Internet and its negative effects on social interaction, but online networking been nothing but a blessing to me.
I went from renting horror movies from the video store by myself to hosting large-scale screenings and events. I went from buying Rue Morgue at the drug store to writing reviews for them. I’ve gotten to meet personal heroes like George A Romero, who wrote and directed Night of the Living Dead, and I interviewed the cast of From Beyond at a horror convention last summer.
You really can’t underestimate the value of online social networking to help your interests and ambitions flourish, and about.me is a valuable addition to the modern social network pantheon with a clear and easily-searchable interface. I look forward to continuing to expand my family of horror-loving folks and sharing opportunities to contribute to it.
Top image courtesy of Ashlea Wessel Photography
Bottom image courtesy of Emily Nieves
Glad you like horror. Good read.
Reblogged this on This blog probably won't change your life… and commented:
Fascinating story. Add your story to the about.me project
Thanks for the feedback! Andrea is fantastic, can’t wait to see what she does next!
She is beautiful and horror makes her smarter. I liked the mix of the face she portrayed. I m very much impressed. Her story is indeed of inspiration to work on the passion and see the world will like it.