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Allison Gunn

Goodreads Author

Website

https://www.allisongunn.com/

Twitter

GunnAndPen

Genre

Horror, Thriller, Science Fiction

Member Since

March 2022

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Allison Gunn is a researcher, writer, and tarot reader with a penchant for all things whimsical and strange. An alum of University of Maryland, Allison has extensively studied marginalized communities as well as folklore.

She currently resides in the wonderfully weird land of West Virginia with her twin daughters, precocious pup, and one seriously troubled tabby.

Allison is represented by Logan Harper with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Her debut horror novel, NOWHERE (Atria | 2025) is currently available for pre-order.

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As someone who was lucky enough to get an eARC for Nowhere and absolutely loved it, could I get some recommendations for stories that inspired you that I could read next?

Allison Gunn I'm absolutely thrilled that you loved Nowhere!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and review it.

As far as books/media that helped inspire the bo…moreI'm absolutely thrilled that you loved Nowhere!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and review it.

As far as books/media that helped inspire the book, it is a wide range with quite a few classics that you may have already enjoyed long ago. Some of these include: Pet Sematary and Storm of the Century by Stephen King; Bird Box by Josh Malerman; and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. Each of these have also been translated to the screen, and I highly recommend watching the adaptations alongside the books.

HBO's Mare of Easttown; The Outsider (also a book by King); and True Detective S1 are similar television shows that share similarities with Nowhere, though they were not necessarily foundational as I was initially writing the book.

However, some of the pivotal books utilized in Nowhere's development are a little more off the beaten path:
- Books and articles focused on faerie lore served as the foundation for the story. This is something I've been interested in since I was a small child, so there's no singular source I can point to and say "That's the collection that did it!" I'd recommend digging into some of the original fae tales from Celtic lore to start.
- A great examination of modern fae lore as well as other "paranormal" phenomena that often ties back to Appalachia is a two-volume book called "Where the Footprints End" by Joshua Cutchin and Timothy Renner.
- "Backwoods Witchcraft" by Jake Richards also helped clarify certain practices referenced in the book and is just an all-around fascinating dive into Appalachian magick and folklore.
- I'd be remiss if I didn't mention "Appalachian Reckoning," an anthology by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll as this very much helped round out my representation of local characters, such as Jeremy, the Morelands, and the Wises in a manner that (hopefully) challenges tired stereotypes. This non-fiction book was compiled in response to J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy which many of us in Appalachia felt was a cruel misrepresentation of the region despite its initial popularity.

I should also note that art and music deeply influence all of my work, so several nods should go to:
- The artist Brian Serway (https://bserway.com/). His work encapsulates the vibe of Nowhere in a manner that I didn't think was possible! I have many of his prints around my home, and each one takes me right back into Nowhere.
- Visuals from video games such as Silent Hill were also deeply influential in creating a specific atmosphere for the story.
- Many, MANY musicians also helped shape the tone of Nowhere (as you may have guessed while reading since lyrics are interjected throughout). Rather than listing them all, I'll share the Spotify link to the playlist I created for Nowhere: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Qg...

Hope this gives you plenty to explore in the vein of Nowhere! Thank you again :) (less)

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Average rating: 3.99 · 71 ratings · 56 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

Nowhere

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Allison Gunn's Blog: Writing and Whimsy

Giveaways, Giveaways, Giveaways!

Just popping in to flag some exciting movement on Nowhere!

We’re just FIVE months away from Nowhere’s release, and steam is picking up. Last week, the What’s Up Weirdo Podcast hosted a fundraiser which featured an advance reader copy of Nowhere as one of the many exciting prizes. Congrats to Barbara Sanders who donated to help several friends in need. Kindness goes a long way in this chaotic world

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Allison Gunn is now friends with Diana Tomes
Sep 12, 2024 11:38AM · like
Allison Gunn is now following Andrew Joseph White Author of Hell Followed With Us
Sep 08, 2024 10:31AM · like
Allison Gunn wants to read Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 08, 2024 10:31AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Allison Gunn wants to read The Aurora's Pale Light (Epic WalrusTech Universe #2) by E.W. Doc Parris (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 18, 2024 01:07PM · like
Allison Gunn and 2 other people liked Duncanbrox's review of Nowhere: "What better rave review can I give than, “Wow! That was really fucked up!”? This great American horror novel has it all: cops and religious people being dicks, families trying to join together to fight their inner and outer demons, gratuitous gore, l" Read more of this review »
Aug 18, 2024 01:07PM · see review
Allison Gunn liked YA Literary Lover's review of Nowhere: "Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and e-arc! 😁 Release: March 25th 2025 Genre: Horror Mystery Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Plot: Rachel the police officer chief and Finn Kennan the old writer now alcoholic battle themselves after the death o" Read more of this review »
Aug 12, 2024 05:05AM · see review
Allison Gunn liked Sraah's review of Nowhere: "5 stars? 10 stars? 20… stars….? YEP. holy scary real the dialogue was so good these people felt so realistic despite all the un?realistic things happening! oh my oh my reminded me of old school stephen king for real honestly normal town, little things happ" Read more of this review »
Aug 09, 2024 05:44AM · see review
Allison Gunn wants to read Celluloid Ceiling: Women Film Directors Breaking Through by Gabrielle Kelly	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 06, 2024 10:28AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Celluloid Ceiling by Gabrielle Kelly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Celluloid Ceiling by Gabrielle Kelly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Allison Gunn answered Allison's question: As someone who was lucky enough to get an eARC for Nowhere and absolutely loved it, could I get some recommendations for stories that inspired you that I could read next? I'm absolutely thrilled that you loved Nowhere!!! Thank you for taking the time to read and review it. As far as books/media that helped inspire the book, it is a wide range with quite a few classics that you may have already enjoyed long ago. Some of See Full Answer
Aug 06, 2024 10:21AM · 2 likes · like View 2 comments
Allison Gunn is now following Heidi Honeycutt Author of Creepy Bitches: Essays On Horror From Women In ...
Aug 06, 2024 09:36AM · like