Five questions for Fabi Santiago
What is your writing routine?
I’m not good at routines, but it goes something like this: I grab a cup of coffee, sit at my desk, and stare out the window. Sometimes I play a library-with-fireplace-raining-outside video on Youtube, which is my favourite background noise for writing.
The truth is, I mostly thrive on chaos and panic. The closer the deadline, the more I get done.
What was the inspiration for your manuscript?
I grew up in the 90s and am obsessed with 90s horror movies, especially the ones in which a bunch of teens make poor decisions and get in trouble. I think I wanted to have a bit of that world: the house parties, the obsession with popularity, the fun of meddling with the occult and playing with a spell book. But I set it in contemporary London and added some zombies to the mix. Because zombies are awesome: they shamble; they moan; they eat brains. What’s not to love?
Who is your favourite character in your book?
Inés is my favourite. She’s Gabi’s (my main character) best friend. She’s very much like I was as a teen, so I get her. She’s a bit cynical and weird, which is why Gabi is still stuck in ‘Loserland’ (according to Gabi, of course). Gabi and Inés’ friendship draws a lot from my high school experiences and my relationship with my sister when we were teenagers. (Sorry, sister!)
Describe your book in five words.
A friendship zomcom in London!
‘Get to know me’: Describe your perfect day.
That one’s tricky. I love too many things!
I’ll describe one perfect day I had a while ago instead. I played on the swings with my daughter, and we dug our feet in the sand, and the sun was bright, and we laughed. 🥹 That was it. Nothing much happened, but I think that day was perfect.
