Welcome, Robert!

Robert P. Ottone is the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE TRIANGLE and is also the best-selling author of CURSE OF THE COB MAN, THE SLEEPY HOLLOW GANG, THE VILE THING WE CREATED and NOCTURNAL CREATURES.

His short fiction has been collected in WRAPPED IN PLASTIC AND OTHER SWEET NOTHINGS as well as HER INFERNAL NAME & OTHER NIGHTMARES. 

He holds two master’s degrees in Education, as well as an MFA in Children’s Literature.

A bagel-loving fabulist of spooky absurdity, Ottone enjoys cigars, cocktails and time with his wife.

About The Transgression (Chapbook)

Itzel has served Master for a few years now. She’s observed the strange goings-on at the ranch. She learned how to survive in the harsh, burgeoning West.

But when forced to care for the Master’s newborn after the death of his wife, Itzel finds herself in a struggle against forces from the darkest heart of man’s desire.

Can Itzel survive The Transgression?

Interview with Robert P. Ottone

Tell us about yourself – what is something readers would be surprised to find out? 

My wife takes almost all of my pictures on social media. She’s sorta’ my unofficial-official photographer. 

What is it about the Weird West genre that draws you to it? What are your favorite aspects or examples of this often-underappreciated genre?

I think there’s room to tell any kind of story in that setting. It’s no different than a lot of other settings, really, but in the end, it’s fun to explore a vastly wide open expanse free of development and human growth.

What inspired you to write this story?

I was trying to think of what I would do with a western if I had the time, and when I finally had the time (which was right after finishing my novel The Vile Thing We Created), I ended up writing a little novelette/chapbook that gave me the freedom to explore the themes I was looking to explore.

If you were living in the Weird West, what kind of character would you be?

A dead one most likely.

Are there any other writing projects you’re working on?

I’m working on a novel currently that’s a lot of fun. I’m about a third of the way through it as of this writing, and the vibe is exactly what I was looking for. It’s fun to go back and revise pages written days or weeks earlier, which I know is a mark that I’m enjoying what I’m doing.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a lot of biographical material, most of it centered around a very public New York figure, in preparation for working on some non-fiction.

Favorite weird west movie/book/comic/etc. and why?

I’m a huge fan of the Jonah Hex stuff from DC. I’m just a monster DC fan to begin with, honestly, but when Hex gets super-creepy, I love it.

Anything else you’d like to add about writing or the Weird West (tips, etc.)?

Ignore social media as much as humanly possible, keep the brim of your Stetson low and soldier on.

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