The plan? Convince some gullible classmates that a strange creature lives in the forest. Take a hike into the woods to look for it. Then film the shenanigans, leave the victims alone in the dark, and return home. That’s all Michael and his friends wanted to do. Now they’re running for their lives, pursued by the spawn of the the Old Gods set loose upon the earth.

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Snipe Hunt is the first part of a three book series. It draws inspiration from Stephen King’s The Mist, Douglas Wynn’s Red Equinox, and Nick Cutter’s The Troop. Although the first draft was written a couple years before Stranger Things premiered, it’s got a lot of the same DNA as that wonderful show, too.

One of the main reasons I feel uniquely suited to tell this tale is that I’m a middle school band teacher—wait! Don’t close the browser and let me explain!

My job allows me to see the same students every day for three years. In addition to all the class hours, there are multiple trips and after school functions during that time period, too. This gives me the opportunity to see how my kids genuinely speak, behave, and interact with each other. Many of my book’s diverse cast of characters are based on students I’ve taught, which hopefully lends them a more authentic voice.

There is also a military component to the story along with Lovecraftian elements about where the snipes come from. All of these factors help make Snipe Hunt what I hope is a unique, terrifying, and enjoyable experience for readers.