The Muck follows a ghostwriter hired to write the origin story of a crypto magnate that turns out to be a horror story about pollution and power. The Maw feels almost like a character in its own right. How did you build its atmosphere?

I researched what a chemical plant of that era would have looked like and the sorts of buildings and processes involved, as well as what goes into a data center or bitcoin mining operation of today. But really I was aiming for a ruined Gothic castle/cathedral vibe. The Gothic is one of my favorite genres, and so that was a natural fit.

The novel balances dark humor, dread, and social commentary. How did you maintain that balance?

Seems to me that any social commentary these days is bound to be laced with dark humor and dread. I think a lot of what we consider “dark humor” comes from realizing that this fantastical or horrible thing we’re reading or watching is actually on some levels intimately familiar.

If readers look beyond the horror elements, what human truth do you hope they find?

Glenn, the ghostwriter who is lured into the Gothic castle, is an ordinary man with failings and debts, financial and familial. The divorce that he didn’t want is just about final, and his relationship with his daughter is fraught. Brad, the CEO, tempts him with money and status, and he latches onto this as the solution to his problems, but at the risk of his life and his soul. In the end, it’s the women in his life–his daughter, his ex-wife, the Airbnb host he meets when he arrives–who keep him at least somewhat anchored to reality and morality.

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