This human being is phenomenal. Let's just get that out of the way, right from the start. She's a riot to talk with, a brilliant writer, and wonderfully supportive of others in our glorious little horror community. I've been honored to have her as a guest on The Ghoulish Gallery, and had to review This is Where We Talk Things Out after reading it (since it was so good, we pushed back our recording time for the podcast by thirty minutes to give me time to finish reading).
She's had an amazing year, rolling out a ton of quality work, and I can't wait to see what she'll be releasing next year!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Highly recommend both getting to know her AND reading her work
1. How did we get separated at birth?
I’m not entirely sure, but I’m assuming it involves a toboggan, a vat of maple syrup, and a bear with a thirst for infant blood. You know, as all good stories do.
2. Growing up in the north, and with it playing such a large role in This is Where We Talk Things Out, does the cold/winter play a role in your own fears?
It does and it doesn’t. On the one hand, because I’ve spent my whole life in Canada and love winter sports and activities, I feel really comfortable in the snow so it’s not a fear that regularly weighs on me. On the other hand, because I’ve spent my whole life in Canada, I know just how bad it can be if you’re caught in a storm. So when it’s late at night and the snow is especially volatile, I definitely find myself worrying about it.
3. If you and your 4 closest horror friends were trapped on a deserted island, how do you imagine it would probably go? (You don’t have to actually list your 4 closest lmao, just mentally play it through)
It would be absolute chaos. Like, I think it would very quickly devolve into a Lord of the Flies scenario. Most of the island would be on fire, most of us would be on fire… no good would come of this situation.
4. What scared you the most as a kid, and does it still scare you?
When I was a kid, everything scared me, but my biggest day-to-day fears were heights and spiders. Thankfully, I’ve overcome my aversion to spiders (I’ll happily hold tarantulas and crush smaller spiders with impunity), but I’m still terrified of heights. Like, it’s to the point where I can’t even stand on a chair without getting dizzy and feeling like I’m going to faint. (Although, with that being said, I’m fine on rollercoasters.)
5. If you come back as a ghost, what awesomely hilarious things are going to be on your To Do list? What historical figure’s ghost would you hope you run into?
For some dumb reason, I’d want to haunt a haunted house. And I don’t mean a real haunted house; I’d want to haunt one of those haunted houses people put together for Halloween. The absurdity of an actual ghost in a man-made haunted house is weirdly hilarious to me.
As for which historical figure’s ghost I’d like to run into, I’m going to say none of them. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think a lot of historical figures were probably *ssholes in real life so I’d be happy to steer clear of them in death.
6. Is there any mascot or character representing a certain product that creeps you out? I don’t trust the Snuggles bear. I’m just sayin’.
Nothing on God’s green earth is as terrifying as the orange monstrosity that is Youppi!, the mascot for the Habs. He used to be the mascot for the Montreal Expos, our former baseball team, but they shut down almost 20 years ago. We all thought the nightmare of Youppi! was over once they disbanded, but he was tragically bequeathed to the Habs instead.
7. What would be a dream collaboration for you, in terms of type of project (like one of your amazing stories being recruited for a movie), and who you’d love to work with?
I have always, always, always wanted to have a story of mine get turned into a TV series. Like, my dream right now is for someone to grab Laughlin Hills and make it into an animated show because I think it would translate incredibly well. I don’t have a specific person I want to work with because I want to work with everyone. My dream list of collaborators is insanely long so I’ll avoid sharing it (especially since I’d feel like a jerk for forgetting anyone)!
8. What part of being published and becoming so involved with the horror community, has been the most unexpected for you?
All of it. Everything. Literally, the entire process.
In all seriousness though, this whole ride has been a wild one and I’ve been wonderfully overwhelmed by the support I’ve gotten from the community and the friendships I’ve made. It’s great to see my work in print, but it’s wonderful getting to befriend both people I’ve looked up to for years and budding authors alike.
9. What Final Girl is your favorite, and why? It doesn’t have to be one from a major franchise.
I have no idea if this counts or if I’m cheating with this answer, but it’s Marty (Fran Kranz) from The Cabin In The Woods. He and Dana (Kristen Connolly) make it to the end of the movie together, but Marty is my favourite character in horror ever. He’s smart, funny, and has a hilarious coffee mug bong. What’s not to love about him?
10. What kind of situation would be your version of hell?
Jean Paul Sartre said that “hell is other people,” and I ascribe to that belief wholeheartedly. The entire premise of Huis Clos is an absolute nightmare and probably the worst fate I could imagine for myself.
Where to find Caitlin:
Instagram: CaitlinMarceau
Twitter: @CaitlinMarceau
Facebook: Caitlin Marceau
Website: CaitlinMarceau.ca