Interview with Vincent Tirado
Vincent Tirado is a horror author with two YA novels and a recent adult debut under their belt. Their most recent book, We Came to Welcome You was released in September. I met Vincent when Kirsten and I hosted a Halloween Event at Main Point Books. Their book gave me M. Night Shyamalan vibes in a way that had me begging to know their writing process.
Below, you’ll find Vincent’s take on the joys of being a writer, their favorite Philly hidden gem, and how they came to love the area.
Vincent Tirado on Philadelphia
What is your connection to the Philly area and if you went to school here, where?
I went to school at Eastern University, which is along the Mainline in Radnor.
What is your favorite restaurant in the Philly area?
My favorite restaurant is KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot! I love Korean food and will indulge my cravings at any given time.
What is your favorite hidden gem in the area?
Would it be cliche to say The Mutter Museum? If you’re unaware, it’s a museum that houses tens of thousands of peculiar human specimens, which I believe shows us a greater extent of diversity of the human body. With every newfound disease, disorder, injury we uncover, we begin to understand ourselves a little more and the way our bodies work.
As someone with a Masters in Bioethics, it’s not exactly a far jump for me to be interested in the history of medicine–especially with how it pertains to the ethical, legal and social ramifications of advances in biology and medicine. I find that knowledge fascinating.
What is your favorite memory of this area?
When I was going to school at Eastern University, a friend of mine from the Bronx was attending Valley Forge. One particular month, I found out that a band that we both liked at the time (Black Veiled Brides) would be performing in Philly, so we made plans to go. Because I had only ever lived in the Bronx, going to Eastern University was a big culture shock–but going to that concert with my friend was like coming home and I felt more confident afterwards.
What do you love most about the Philly area?
The food, of course! Philly has such a wide range of restaurants with unique and mouth watering menu, every meal becomes my favorite food.
Vincent Tirado on Reading
What sparked your love of reading?
I didn’t have a lot growing up, but I always did love libraries. With just my own card, I could always check out a stack of books and keep myself busy while my brothers hogged the TV. My best friend and I always made a weekly trip because we read so much. We would show up every Saturday morning with last week’s books to return, and then check out a brand new stack. It’s a wonder how we never ended up reading every single book in that library!
What are some of your favorite reads?
Oh this is a hard one! But in no particular order, I would say the John Dies At the End series by Jason Pargin, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore, Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min, and the Legacy of Orisha trilogy by Tomi Adeyemi.
What is the last book you read and love?
Coup De Grȃce by Sofia Ajram! I read the book in one sitting and it absolutely wrecked me! I read the ebook but it deserves a permanent spot on my shelf so I’ll be heading to my local bookstore to order a physical copy.
Where is your favorite place to read?
I love being snuggled up in bed with my cat (Bugsy) by my side. Even better if I have a hot beverage on standby.
What’s on your nightstand?
My TBR stack, which is getting precariously close to crashing over me while I sleep!
Vincent Tirado on Their Job
What inspired you to become an author?
Nothing, to be honest. I wrote a book not because I thought it would get published, but because I wanted to write a book. I got very lucky when I found my agent (the first person I queried for that project!) and was able to secure several book deals. If anything is inspiring me NOW to keep on this path, it’s other authors who are working hard to connect with their readers! I find their community inspiring and it makes me want to create my own.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I can sleep in, haha! Because I’m a full-time author, I don’t have to keep a rigid schedule where I wake up at the crack of dawn to get to work. This freedom is something I would fight to the death for.
Can you tell me about your new book?
Sure! We Came To Welcome You: A Novel of Suburban Horror follows Sol Reyes, a Dominican scientist who finally buys a home with her wife, Alice Song. Though Alice promptly falls in love with the community, strange events keep finding Sol. From seeing an eye blink in her vents, to the cookie-cutter yet winding streets that loop endlessly when she’s alone, Sol isn’t sure if the problem is the house…or the neighborhood.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an author?
That would be marketing. I only JUST started a newsletter (which you can subscribe to at https://buttondown.email/vetirado/) and am catching up on socials. I wish I could be better at it for not only my current readers but also potential readers.
What is the most surprising thing about being a writer?
There is not only a formula to writing, but there are several templates for how to write an effective story. And it makes it so much easier for me to start writing a new project because the easy part about writing is having ideas. The hard part is trying to execute them. Studying the craft of writing means that I can only get better and that excites me!
Vincent Tirado on the Great Coffee/Tea Debate
And most importantly, coffee or tea? Tell me your go-to order!
Ooh, this is hard! I’m going to have to go with coffee because I love chai lattes.
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Epilogue
I’ve only read Tirado’s adult debut thus far, but I can tell you that I have every intention of diving into their backlist. I was thoroughly scared while reading their clever tale of suburbia gone awry.
Have you read any of Vincent Tirado’s books? Which one should I read next?
