
AGF Publishing Interview with Sean Slagle: A New Chapter in Romance Writing
AGF Publishing: Sean, you've made a significant shift from writing horror to romance. What led you to make this change in your writing career?
Sean Slagle: The decision to shift from horror to romance was really driven by a deep need to bring peace to my own psyche. My last work in progress was so all-consuming that it started to invade my dreams, turning them into a series of unsettling nightmares. While the story itself wasn’t exceptionally terrifying—I've written far darker material before—it reached into my subconscious in ways that previous works hadn’t. I felt I needed to distance myself from that darkness to find peace again.
AGF Publishing: Can you tell us more about the dreams that influenced your decision?
Sean Slagle: Night after night, I found myself trapped in an endless loop of nightmares. It was like flipping through TV channels, with each scene becoming more disturbing than the last. One particularly vivid dream placed me inside the very house I was writing about. In each room, I encountered a new nightmare. A child on a red tricycle led me from room to room, and when he disappeared, a Native American on horseback took his place. It was then I realized I was being led by different entities. Those dreams didn’t just haunt me at night—they lingered during the day, affecting my entire outlook. That’s when I knew I had to change my focus.
AGF Publishing: So, how did you decide that romance, and specifically a Christmas romance, was the right direction for you?
Sean Slagle: To reclaim my peace of mind, I started thinking about what truly brings me joy. For me, Christmas has always been that one constant source of happiness. The lights, the music, the gatherings—all of it fills me with a sense of joy and belonging. I thought, what if I could channel that joy into my writing? I decided to create a world filled with warmth, love, and the magic of the holiday season, which led me to the idea of writing a light-hearted Christmas romance.
AGF Publishing: Clearmont seems to be a central piece in this new chapter of your writing. How did you come up with the idea for this town?
Sean Slagle: Clearmont is more than just a setting; it’s a place where I can explore the lighter side of human nature without losing the depth of storytelling. It’s a picturesque small town where time moves slower, people know their neighbors, and the romantic spirit is always alive. The more I developed Clearmont, the more I realized that this was a town I wanted to explore in future novels. I envision it as a shared universe of interconnected lives, where different main characters experience their own stories (and series), but recurring townspeople continue to grow and interact across multiple books.
AGF Publishing: How has this transition from horror to romance been for you as a writer?
Sean Slagle: Writing this Christmas romance was a joyful experience. It’s brought a sense of light into my life during a time when I needed it most. Although the process of crafting these stories is no less demanding than my previous work, the light-hearted nature makes it feel refreshing. Now, instead of nightmares, I dream of snow-covered streets, cozy cafes, and holiday celebrations that bring people together. It’s been a much-needed change in my creative life.
AGF Publishing: What do you hope your readers will take away from this new direction in your writing?
Sean Slagle: I know this shift is a significant change for those who have followed my writing, and I understand it may come as a surprise. I hope my readers will embrace this change with me and find joy in these new stories. The heart of storytelling—emotion, connection, and humanity—remains the same, even though the setting and tone have changed. I still respect the power of horror to explore deep psychological themes, but right now, my focus is on bringing warmth and joy to the page.
AGF Publishing: Do you think you’ll ever return to horror writing in the future?
Sean Slagle: Never say never. The call of the macabre is still there, and I may revisit the darker realms of storytelling at some point. But for now, my heart is firmly set in Clearmont, within the beautiful landscape where characters fall in love, families reconnect, and the simple joys of life are celebrated. It’s a world of love and hope, and I’m grateful for the peace it has brought me.
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