Woodbury resident and author E.C. Hanson is releasing his debut horror collection, All Things Deadly (Salem Stories), this month. Before getting his start, Hanson was a student teacher and intern at Reed Intermediate School then worked at Newtown Middle School in a support staff role.

He went on to further his education by attending New York University in 2011, earning an MFA in dramatic writing.

“Most of my success has occurred in the playwriting world,” Hanson said.

Recently, he had a few short plays slated for production, but they were all canceled due to the pandemic. The hits kept coming as he received the fateful news that the publisher he worked with was also let go.

“It forced my brain to take on a new challenge,” Hanson said.

The adversities led him to shift his sights toward writing fiction — a genre he loved but had not been actively pursuing.

“Despite my focus on dramatic works, most of my influences have been from the world of fiction. Plath, King, Hemingway, Poe, Salinger, and Bellow inspired my overall taste and sensibility,” Hanson said.

He got the idea for All Things Deadly (Salem Stories) from visiting Salem, Mass., multiple times with his wife. The two had such an affinity for the town that they got married on the rooftop of Hotel Salem.

According to Hanson, the book thematically links Salem to all of the stories.

The author says that while there is a seven-part storyline focused on the Frosts, a former paranormal investigator and his troubled daughter, "the other stories use the coastal location in some way to ratchet up the chills,” Hanson said. “It’s a good one to have on your nightstand during the Halloween season.”

All Things Deadly (Salem Stories) will be officially released August 6, which also happens to be Hanson’s birthday. It has been available as an e-book since July 23.

According to the author, the book will be $1.99 on godless.com until it goes live on Amazon, and then it will be $2.99 for the e-book, $10.99 for paperback, and $19.99 for hardcover.

Upcoming Plans

A current adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University, Hanson says he is planning an author event there sometime in the fall. He is also making plans for some appearances in Salem in early 2022.

Residents can keep an eye out for two of Hanson’s next books: a dark novella called Wicked Blood, coming out in 2022, and a young adult novel called Esther Fitzgerald & The Underground Witches.

Of the latter, he said, “The look and vibe of Newtown is all over that piece.”

Hanson is also available to discuss his work with individuals and to give writing advice.

“Many talented people in the horror community were helpful to me in making the transition from playwright to author of fiction," he said. "Since this was the case, I would love to help others. If anyone contacts me in a respectful manner, I would be happy to share my thoughts and overall tips on writing. Or if they want to ask questions about particular stories, I will answer those, too.”

To stay up to date on E.C. Hanson’s appearances and releases, follow him on Instagram at @haddonfieldhanson or e-mail him at ech326@nyu.edu. Check out his author page at amazon.com/~/e/b08tvw89z8.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.