Diablo Canyon follows a burnt-out writer searching for inspiration in Diablo Canyon, who instead uncovers a dark history and an evil, ancient entity that is out for blood. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The spark actually came from a dream—kind of a wild one. I go into the full story in the afterword of the book, but that dream stuck with me. I used to live in Elizabeth Lake, and it’s just one of those places that feels… different. Beautiful, but mysterious. Over time, I started hearing these strange, fascinating stories from locals. Then I found out the lake’s original name was La Laguna del Diablo, which translates to The Devil’s Lake. That was it—I started researching, and everything started clicking into place. With that foundation, the story practically wrote itself. Honestly, about 60% of it is rooted in real events and local legends.

All your characters felt real, giving the story an emotional pull that connects readers to them. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

It was honestly a blast to write them all, but it was also a balancing act. I really wanted a diverse set of characters, each with their own voice and purpose. Writing for the Tataviam Tribe members meant doing a lot of thoughtful rewrites—I wanted to treat their story and culture with the respect it deserves, so that took time and care. As for the hardest character? Probably Jack. Capturing his inner conflict—the grief, the guilt, the tension with his daughter—that was tough, but also really fulfilling. He’s the emotional anchor of the book in a lot of ways.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

A few things really drove this story. First, I wanted to shine a light on the beauty and history of the Elizabeth Lake area—especially the stories that often go untold. Through Tibu’s storyline, I was able to explore Indigenous history and voices that history tends to erase. I wanted to honor that.

There’s also a strong theme of grief and how it shapes us. Jack’s journey is wrapped in loss, and that grief fuels a lot of his choices—some good, some not so good. Trauma, if we don’t face it, can lead us down dangerous paths.

And of course, the danger of unchecked curiosity plays a big role. Whether it’s digging into the past or awakening something ancient, Diablo Canyon reminds us that some doors are closed for a reason. Once you open them, there’s no going back.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

Right now, I’ve got a few irons in the fire. I’m working on a four-book series called The Elementals, which dives into a supernatural mythology that I’m really excited about. I’m also building a paranormal detective series centered on a character named Smoke Ravenstein—the first book’s called The Demon on the Hill, and it’s halfway done.

And then there’s The Body Farm, which is a dark horror comedy we’re actually filming this summer. That one’s a wild ride with a twisted sense of humor. I’m not sure exactly when the next book will hit the shelves, but hopefully soon. Stay tuned! Stay Spooky!

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