Stephen Graham Jones, the acclaimed author of “I Was a Teenage Slasher,” is known for his chilling and unsettling horror fiction. But behind the chilling tales, there’s a voracious reader with a wide-ranging literary palate, constantly shaping his own craft through the stories he consumes.

Jones’s reading life is a testament to his eclectic tastes. He doesn’t limit himself to a single genre, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of authors. “I read pretty much anything,” he reveals, “but lately, it’s been a lot of historical fiction and memoirs.” This eclecticism is evident in his work, where elements of dark humor, social commentary, and psychological horror intertwine, creating a unique and unsettling tapestry.

While he enjoys immersing himself in fictional worlds, Jones finds equal value in non-fiction. “Memoirs are fascinating to me,” he says, “because they are a window into someone else’s life, their experiences, and their unique perspective.” These non-fiction works, with their raw and honest portrayal of human experience, undoubtedly feed into the emotional depth and complexity of his own narratives.

But Jones’s love for reading goes beyond mere enjoyment. He sees it as an integral part of his writing process. “Every book I read is a lesson,” he explains, “a new way to structure a sentence, a new voice, a new technique.” This constant process of learning and assimilation fuels his own writing, allowing him to constantly evolve and push the boundaries of his craft.

He has a particular fondness for authors like George Saunders, whose experimental and darkly humorous style resonates with his own. He admires writers who challenge the reader, who push the limits of narrative and explore the darker corners of the human psyche.

However, Jones’s reading life is not just about emulation. He emphasizes the importance of finding his own voice, a voice that is both familiar and unique. “I learn from others, but I don’t want to just imitate,” he says, “I want to use those lessons to build something new, something uniquely mine.”

This approach to reading, a combination of passionate exploration and critical analysis, has led to the creation of a distinct and compelling literary voice. Stephen Graham Jones, through his insatiable appetite for stories and his willingness to learn and evolve, continues to captivate readers with his chilling narratives, born out of a profound understanding of the human condition.