WALT MORTON
Supernatural Horror
Science Fiction
The Macabre
Hi, welcome to my website. I try to keep it updated with current reviews of my work but you can also find me on facebook.
If you are interested in my writing, you can read an interview with me. And if you want to contact me you can send me an email. I am always interested in talking about my books and other projects. I also have gotten some interesting questions from fans lately, so I enjoy that kind of thing if I have time to answer.
And yes -- I will be signing books at the Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank, Fall 2013.
REVIEWS:
"Debut novelist Morton tells a gloriously macabre young-adult tale about the difficulties of being a teenage ghoul in the 1970s... pairs the darker aspects of life in high school with the lighter aspects of cannibalism, including details that range from humorous, poignant reflections on monster movies to quirky details of grave robbing. Howard’s very human struggle to find acceptance explores whether being a monster is in fact a choice. The ending will likely leave readers happy and delightfully disturbed. Once readers dig up this clever supernatural YA story, they likely won’t want to put it down."
-- KIRKUS REVIEWS
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"With AMERICAN GHOUL, Walt Morton has created a universally relatable New Jersey high school setting in which to plunk down outsider Howard Pickman. Howard struggles with his ghoulish burden, but it proves to be his greatest strength. An immensely compelling story that stays in your mind long after you've finished reading."
-- Julia Dray, Film Producer
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"Forget vampires, zombies, and werewolves. Ghouls are the new face of monster horror. And in AMERICAN GHOUL, Walt Morton has written the Urtext of ghoul fiction. Not since Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN has an author penned such an original tale of macabre terror. The creep factor in Morton's debut novel is off the charts, the humor is dark, and the characters are disturbingly real. For every geek, nerd, or outsider who's been bullied in high school, this book is for you. For everyone else, you'll want to be cremated after you die. At least I do now. If I had four million dollars, I'd buy the movie rights immediately." -- Eric Coyote, author of THE LONG DRUNK
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"Funny, scary, and moving. American Ghoul is a fast-paced thriller and coming of age story. Set in the 1970's amidst high school, muscle cars and punk rock is a teenager trying to find his way. The main character Howard is a likable kid trying to do his best as he battles his true nature; but he needs his true nature to survive. His best friend and band mate Sebastian is hilariously quotable as he constantly rages against the machine. Granny is blast as well as an unlikely, quirky voice of occasional reason.
Reminiscent of Heathers, this book explores what it is like to feel like an awkward monster and looks at just who the real monsters are. It is humorous, sometimes dark, and filled with witty social commentary. A fun read for teens and their parents who will appreciate the nostalgia for the '70s." - KMD, San Francisco
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"I read a lot of fiction, mostly sci-fi and horror. American Ghoul is
not quite like any other fiction that I've read before. It's not exactly
horror, it's not exactly a coming of age story, it's not exactly a
comedy, but somehow has elements of all of these. It *is* one of the
most original pieces of fiction that I have read in quite a while, and
is a heck of a fun read. ... I was very surprised at how much I liked American Ghoul, mostly for its
portrayal of of how Howard makes a new life for himself in NJ, finds a
group of likewise socially outcast friends and deals with all of that
and his senior year in High School, plus his and Granny's unique eating
requirements. It is exceedingly well written. Once I was in, I was never
jarred out of the story by poor or clumsy writing, giant plot holes,
lame vocabulary or poorly drawn characters.The writing, editing, dialog and pacing are so well done
that it is hard to imagine that this is Morton's first novel. There is
little or none of the horror or gore that I would have expected from a
"ghoul" novel (of course, come to think of it, I've read tons of novels
about vampires, werewolves, zombies, demons etc, but this was my first
ghoul), but there is horror - of the human kind. That is often the
worst. Morton brings everything to a exciting and satisfying conclusion, with a
couple of large twists en route. All in all, very well done. Highly
Recommended." - J. Tepper, New Jersey
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"Howard and his family are not ordinary people. They are ghouls who
survive by eating the dead. They live among us, pretending to be just
like us, and fearing discovery. Simply put, this is an example of horror at its finest. The story is
unique, the characters are fantastic, and there's just the right amount
of gore. In addition, the author has a wry sense of humor which adds
just the right touch. The book takes place in the seventies and the
references are fabulous.... The editing is impeccable. Every word was
chosen with exacting care and the book reads beautifully. A huge key for me in reviewing books is the question, "Would I read this
author again?". Well, after finishing this book, I immediately got back
onto Amazon and searched for more books by this author. I was ready to
buy. Unfortunately, there weren't any others listed. I was incredibly
disappointed. I simply want more..." - OP, Pasadena
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"This is a first novel for the author, and a first novel in what is bound to be an engaging series. Told from the POV of a young man who is about to enter his senior year of high school, and who also happens to be a ghoul. The time is the 70s on the East Coast. The author makes great use of the time and location, inviting the reader to jump into the era with gusto. At the same time, issues like bullies, standardized testing, class rankings, and other gory aspects of the high school experience at handled with deft attention to detail and insight that speaks to teens of any era.
I really like that the hero has only a partial handle on his ghoul side. The learning process, which is a combination of embracing and rejecting the instructions of his elders, makes for an interesting read.
The characters in the book are all memorable. They don't feel like place keeper foils for the hero's development. Small details about even the most minor characters (the principal's haircut) bring real dimension.
I would highly recommend this book as a solid, fun read." - Woperd.
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"What I most appreciated about "American Ghoul" was not necessarily its
ghoulish context but how effortlessly Walt Morton works the Gothic
elements into the story of what would otherwise be that of a typical
teenage boy. I say Gothic because the novel is not really horror. The
ghoul is the main character and the reader cheers for him--there is no
supernatural force or creature for the reader or main characters to
fear. The most evil things in the book are humans and a society that
doesn't understand ghouls, and especially a group of teenage boys who
like to bully Howard and his nerdy friends who are starting up a punk
band--it's the 1970s when punk was still taking off. The book's
real moments of horror all derive from being in high school and dealing
with the bullies. Anyone wanting a refreshing story with a young voice full of humor and
teenage angst, yet with all the Gothic trappings that have kept the
genre popular for over two centuries would do well to give "American
Ghoul" a try. It's Morton's first in an intended sextet of books in the
supernatural horror genre, so don't miss out and get left behind." - T.Tichelaar, Michigan
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"We've all read novels about what it's like to be a high school
outsider. So it's even more fascinating to read Morton's account of
17-year-old Howard Pickman, and realize you feel a profound empathy for
his protagonist despite the rather gruesome secret he must strive to
protect. What's also fascinating is how Morton recreates the high school
experience of the late 1970s, complete with jocks, freaks, and the dark
artists who came of age in the heyday of punk rock. This is a book rich
in spirit, and transcends the usual exploitation of the horror genre to
offer a redemptive tale of Howard and his friends Sebastian, Gerald, and
Dwayne, who form a bond, and a band, while trying to stay alive in a
world that doesn't take kindly to strangers, individuals, or ghouls. But
maybe it should." - FCP, Connecticut
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"It's hard to say exactly why it's more interesting now to read this
story of a young American Ghoul than all of the Zombie Apocalypse stuff.
Maybe because the main character is the Ghoul. Actually he is a teenager
who happens to be a Ghoul and has to deal with it....The reader is actually involved in
journey of the monster and not just the killing of the monster. That's
what made the original Frankenstein so compelling. You felt for the
tortured soul and the same time you feared it. And "American Ghoul" is simply a great and very original story, very
well told." - M.R., Portland