Title: The House in the Middle of the Street
Author: Jennifer Sklias-Gahan
When Rebecca and her husband inherit a stately old home, they imagine it as the perfect place to build their family. But as the seasons turn, shadowy visitors begin to arrive—children who are not what they seem, guests with appetites beyond bread. Bound by ancestral debts and ancient instructions, Rebecca and her descendants are drawn into a chilling cycle of desire, duty, and haunting.
With prose that shimmers like a spell and imagery as vivid as a fever dream, Sklias-Gahan offers a dark winter tale that recalls the cautionary power of the Brothers Grimm while speaking directly to the anxieties of our time.
Author Interview
- At what point did you decide to be an author, and what was your path to publication?
There wasn’t a moment when I said, “Ah, I want to be an author,” it unfolded over the years through my love of reading and the enchantment of being in a world where my imagination could create anything. As far back as kindergarten reading was my obsession. I remember in kindergarten my classroom had a Dick and Jane book that was practically my size and I thought every day, how can I jump into this world and play with their dog Spot? Well, one of the ways into a world is to write it.
When I was 8 years old, my mother took me for my first trip to Europe and we visited her homeland Greece. Before we started the trip she gave me a small red velvet diary. Its touch was luxurious and the pages were crisp and lined with what I thought was gold. My little red velvet diary had a golden lock on it with its own tiny key that was mine to keep. My mother instructed me to record each day after it was done in my beautiful book. I did and I’m still doing it.
Day after day of journaling my experiences, my observations, my secrets, my confessions and my dreams…I fell into a short career as a journalist in my early 20’s picking up writing jobs to make ends meet after having my first child. I published a few articles for local papers ranging from reporting on the Russian bathhouse experience in the lower east side of Manhattan to covering the poets and music that historically came out of the once renowned Cornelia Street Cafe.
Print journalism led me to working in documentary filmmaking and film production work. One day, working on set as an assistant to the producer, I was thrown into an acting role replacing an actress who was not showing up on set. My storytelling transformed into acting work after that time for quite some time.
I still wrote but kept it mainly to myself until in 2017 my son, who is a filmmaker, encouraged me to write my own stories for film. I ended up writing a few short films that were released. Out of one of these worlds I created for film came my first Gothic tale The House in the Middle of the Street. It is the first in a series that brings us into the world of family secrets and the history of 19th century New York City.
My acting manager Susan Ferris, from Bohemia Group, connected me to Rare Bird Publishing to discuss making the audio version of the book I had recorded into classic vinyl. After a good amount of back and forth, we pulled forces to have my production company Demivoula Studios collaborate with Rare Bird and publish my first book, distributed through Simon and Schuster.
The special vinyl recording has been beautifully done and exclusively available through Rare Bird. It has been a dream come true and the path there was not expected in the least. It proves to me that one step leads to another as we follow our creative intuition.
- Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot, and plan, or is your writing more organic.
I write everyday whether I am working on a particular storyline or not; it starts my day.
When I am writing a specific piece my routine is specific. I get up at 5am, light a candle at my desk, get my coffee, do a few minutes of personal mindless handwritten journaling to clear my mind, followed by a short breathing exercise and meditation. By then, it’s 5:30am. I gather my New York Times, which I have delivered to my NYC apartment, and look through the headlines and the obituaries; the rest I read later.
I am then ready to sit at my computer and write. After a few hours, if my pace begins to slow, I have fruit and Greek yogurt or a scoop of peanut butter and do a workout for about 30 minutes. I read a bit more of my paper, then go back to writing. By 2:00pm I stop writing and get on with other work. Depending on my day I might have acting work to prepare for, office work in midtown at my production company, or assisting my 90-year-old mother who works every day running our family business. I do this until the work is done.
- What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
Oh, so many to choose from. Everyone has to find the worlds they love to drop into, whether fiction or non-fiction. For me, I love the classic fairy tales of the world and the great myths that have survived over the generations. These ancient tales are the essence of our collective human experiences and tell us how to live.
My favorite reads are Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tales from “The Little Match Girl” to “The Snow Queen”, and the complete collection from The Brothers Grimm. These fairy tales many times end brutally, unlike the sugar coated Disney versions. These original fairy tales show me the cruelty I know humanity can hold and the beauty of love and unmatchable devotion in its extreme in order to reach me.
Of course, being of Greek descent, I am deeply enchanted by the brilliance and power of the Greek myths. There are so many books and translations to choose from. The Complete Greek Myths (edition by Robert Graves) brings us through the labors of Hercules to the journeys of Odysseus and wraps us up with divine goddess’ galore.
I recently read Emily Wilson’s English translations of Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, fantastic. Stephen Fry has a genius contemporary reimagining of the Greek myths titled Mythos. For short stories, O. Henry has a beautiful collection including my most favorite short story of his, “The Last Leaf,” and Edgar Allan Poe’s monumental gothic tales are essential reads, from “The Raven” to “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
I just read The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield which was absolutely delish. It’s endless.
- Tell us what you enjoy most about writing Gothic fairy tales?
It’s a beautiful and terrifying world to tell our stories through.
- Describe the book or series in 10 words or less for people just learning about it.
A Gothic winter tale of inheritance, secrets, and the creatures we invite into our lives.
- Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
Welcome to The House in the Middle of the Street. As you enter, keep eyes wide open and attentive your ears. Kindly know, in life there are specific times and specific places where instructions need to be followed. And though we are all fellow travelers moving side by side in this world, it is best to remember who and what we may be traveling with.
- What is your favorite line from your book?
Beware of the creature of more.
About the Author
She is married to the lead singer of Depeche Mode and is the mother of two.
Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase a product, we will receive a small commission for the sale at no additional cost to you. Chapter Break is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Leave a Reply