Interview Questions for Joe Chianakas:
1. During your time after graduating from Eureka College, has your writing style stayed the same or has it changed? How has it changed or how has it stayed the same?
I took an advanced writing style class with Dr. Sheila Bartle at Eureka College, and it changed my life. She shares the same qualities as my favorite professional editors today. She found creative ways to enhance the quality of one’s writing while simultaneously helping the writer find a unique voice. While I hope my writing has improved in the twenty-plus years since I graduated (hello, class of 2001!), I still use the lessons and principles taught to me by Dr. Bartle and the EC English faculty. And proudly so. Each project is unique. Each character has a voice. I want to breathe creative life into dynamic characters, so my writing also changes depending on the story and character.
2. How has your time at Eureka College influenced you and the work you currently have
published?
I attended EC in my early twenties, so my creative and reflective writing often focused on my teenage experiences. I put many young adult experiences into words for the first time. It’s one thing to experience things; it’s another to process them. Writing is a fantastic medium to learn about oneself. My college experiences helped me make sense of some young adult themes that I write about in my books. Also, I was fortunate to contribute to and edit Impressions during my time at EC. That was our creative writing magazine that was printed and published yearly. That experience made me feel pride to see creative works printed, which certainly inspired my early publishing endeavors. Oh, when I write school settings—I can’t help but picture the Cerf Center, Melick Library, or a stroll across campus, as well as legendary teachers like Dr. Logsdon and Dr. Whitson. Their teaching will forever inspire and bring joy. (RIP, Dr. Logsdon.)
3. What were your inspirations to write the novels and series you have?
a. Darkness Calls:
This is my newest release (coming out 3.4.25) and my first hardcover publication. It’s the first book I wrote after my mom passed away. We loved horror. Although I like to be scared, I like horror because it can help us make sense of reality and entertain us. Darkness Calls is my monster in the woods story. My mom passed away from cancer, so picture a horror story that’s deeply symbolic and personal. My monster in the woods is pure evil and absolute terror, but at least in fiction, I can fight it the way I wish I could have fought it in reality. It’s a deep, wild, and magical story, and I hope anyone who enjoys thrills or dark fantasy will check it out.
b. Rabbit in Red:
My first book baby! I put to use my trivial horror knowledge about every scary movie I ever watched and created a dark but fun Willy Wonka story for horror.
c. Singlets and Secrets:
This is my LGBTQ+ karate kid series. I’m a gay man, and I turned to karate when I was a kid. This story came from both a place of love and anger. The way the world treats LGBTQ+ people angers me. I wrote Singlets and Secrets for everyone who ever felt different. I wrote it also for my young teen self who wasn’t ready to process his sexuality and lived in a world that didn’t want to help him understand. But it’s also a love story. A boy falls for his wrestling teammate. It’s as powerfully important as it is cute. It’s a story everyone should read. Especially today.
4. With Darkness Calls and Rabbit in Red are novels that lean more in the horror, thriller, and dark fantasy genre than with Singlets and Secrets it is completely different from that.
a. What is it like going from a genre such as horror to young adult?
I love both. I love many genres. I don’t want to only write in one genre. My next novel is a murder mystery. I also want to write a novel with characters my age—it’s time to reflect on these delightful middle-aged years, too. So, for me, switching between genres keeps my writing and my mind fresh.
b. Is there a different mindset you have going between genres?
Yes. This is best answered by the playlist I listen to when I’m writing. For Darkness Calls, I listened to the Stranger Things score, John Carpenter’s Lost Themes, and the It Follows soundtrack. Those are creepy vibes, so I have to get in the “I’m gonna scare you” mentality. It’s wickedly fun to write like that (go grab Darkness Calls and see what I mean). When I wrote Singlets and Secrets, I alternated between love songs and breakup songs. From pop stars like Beyonce to rock bands like Dead Poet Society, I play music that matches the mood.
c. How do you handle the different genres you write in?
I stick to one at a time. Generally, I do need to finish one project before I work on a different genre. I like to stay in the vibe, the mindset needed to finish the story. I usually finish a manuscript within 4-6 months, and then I switch to a different genre for the next project. I love it. Again, it keeps me fresh!
d. As an author, do you prefer one over the other? Why or why not?
I don’t ever want to feel forced to write one way or the other. I only write what truly feels good at the time, so it’s just a matter of preference.
5. How do you manage the world building from the series Unveiling Aiden compared to the world building from either Darkness Calls and Rabbit in Red?
Let me tell you the inspiration behind both. The world in Darkness Calls comes from both my childhood memories and adult
imaginings while exploring Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. It’s a haunted, magical world. It’s like living in The Bridge of Terabithia (but scarier), and I love it. For Singlets, I simply thought of the worst place to live (for me) in the world. The answer was simple. Florida. Sorry—that story was written when Florida actively pushed “Don’t Say Gay” laws. I wanted to show people what the world looks like when we take away respect, rights, or humanity of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It’s important to see the world you are either fighting for or fighting against, and I hope I motivate queer readers and our allies to advocate for LGBTQ+ causes.
6. What is a message you hope people take from Unveiling Aiden? What about Rabbit in Red? Even Darkness Calls?
Singlets and Secrets- I want to show that queer love deserves to be celebrated. I want to show young readers that authenticity leads to freedom—be yourself to free yourself! I want to empower and inspire, and I want our straight friends to see some of our challenges—not for pity, but to understand us better.
Darkness Calls is about overcoming feelings of worthlessness. It’s about recognizing that our strength comes from our authentic selves, no matter how scared we are to show people who we are. I genuinely hope people will find many surprisingly positive and hopeful messages in Darkness Calls. It’s not just a horror story. It’s horror with heart, and it offers perspectives on grief, death, love, family, hope, and identity.
Rabbit in Red- it’s about managing—not overcoming—fear. I want to face my fears and know that I can survive.
7. As it currently stands, what is the future of these series you have? Is there more to come for these series?
Pride and Persistence, the sequel to Singlets and Secrets, is now available! It continues a story of teens fighting back against “Don’t Say Gay” policies, focuses on current issues facing our transgender community, and is still the absolute best, heartwarming love story ever! There will be two more books. I’m calling this entire series the Unveiling Aiden series. Book one is Singlets and Secrets. The third book should be out by the end of 2025, and a fourth and final book yet to come.
Darkness Calls is the first of a two-part horror story. I expect the second part to release this time next year!
8. Is there any advice that you would give to any aspiring writer who is looking into publishing a novel of their own?
Yes. I wrote a book full of advice titled “On Writing and Publishing: A How-To Guide.” I talk about literary agents, traditional publishers, and self-publishing (because I get asked this question a lot!). I will happily send a free digital copy of this book to anyone. Please follow “Joe Chianakas” on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Blue Sky. Then DM me and ask for a copy. I’ll send a digital copy to you, free of charge. The first piece of advice for future published writers: COLLABORATE AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU!
