Is O. Penn-Coughin your real name?

No, O. Penn-Coughin is not my “real” name. My real name is Joseph Kehoe. It’s a fine name and I’m proud of it. But it doesn’t really mean anything. I wanted a name that was scary and fun. It’s cool to see kids thinking about it. And then they get it. O. Penn-Coughin… open coffin. The light bulb goes on and they start laughing. O. Penn-Coughin. It’s just an open invitation to all the creepy and fun things that go in and sometimes come out of a coffin. (Starts coughing.)

Why are scary stories good for children?

Scary stories are fun. And fun is good. Fun good. (Speaks like Frankenstein.) Reading is good for kids. Reading good. Kids get excited about scary stories. So scary stories have this magical power to get kids excited about reading. Plus scary stories help children deal with fear. Figuring out fear is a very important part of growing up and living in this scary, wonderful world. Sometimes fear is good. Fear good. It can help keep us safe. Other times fear is bad. Fear bad. We worry about silly things that keep us from enjoying life. We need to learn to separate the good fear from the bad fear, and scary stories can help us do that.

What scares you the most?

First graders scare me.

What does the title mean?

You mean They’re Coming For You: Scary Stories that Scream to be Read? You mean who are “they” and why are they coming for you? I don’t know, you probably have it coming to you. You’ve probably been bad. Am I right? No. Are you sure? Well, anyway, scary stories are coming for you. And they scream to be read because they are so scary and so good. So you better read them.

Do you ever get nightmares?

They say that everyone has dreams, but I can’t remember most of mine. Dreams and nightmares are weird. Sometimes you’ll wake up from an amazing dream and be kind of sad it’s not real. But then you’ll wake up from a bad nightmare and be happy that it too is not real. I guess it evens out. Personally, I just want to sleep.

Where do you get your story ideas?

Scary stories are everywhere, if you know how to look. They are in the woods where I hike and snowshoe and they are in my house. Sometimes they are in the past, and sometimes they are happening right now. They are even in my breakfast.

How long does it take to write a book?

To sit down and write a book can take just a few months. But on another level, it really takes a lifetime because you use ideas and skills that you have been collecting your whole life.

I like to write scary stories too. How do I become a writer?

Sounds like you are already a writer.

How did you do those cool pictures in the book?

Most of them started out as pretty regular photos. And then I played around with them on a computer program called Photoshop. I tried to make them look like someone had painted them. And I tried to make them look scary. I know I have trouble concentrating when I’m reading from the book and this creepy picture is staring back at me.

Do you like going to schools to visit with your fans?

I love to go to schools and read my stories. I love traveling and meeting children. In fact, I’m just dying to meet you.

What did you do before you were a writer?

I had some pretty scary jobs. I’ve been a file clerk, dishwasher, assembler (two hours), casino coin-wrapper (three weeks), delivery guy, interpreter (one day – I had to quit because they wanted me to wear a tie), and newspaper reporter/editor. Mostly, though, I was an elementary school teacher (almost 20 years). Some of my former students say I was so good it was scary. Others say I was just plain scary.

Why did you stop being a teacher?

Well, I don’t feel like I really stopped. I still do the things I loved most about teaching: hanging out with kids, reading, writing, and telling stories. But I do miss extra recess sometimes.

Are you really scary in person?

Some of my stories and some of my characters are scary. But I’m not scary. I’m very handsome. (Laughs.)

What's your perfect Halloween Night?

Well, I like to have some of my favorite scary movies playing in the background. And I like to eat a lot of chocolate. I also like to hand out candy and scare little kids when they come to the door. But that’s hard work and after a while I get tired. So I turn off all the lights in the house and just sit in the dark and pretend no one’s home. It’s my trick part of trick-or-treat.

What’s your favorite sport?

My favorite sport is soccer. I was born in Argentina, and even though I left there when I was only 4 years old, it’s in my blood. But like the character in The Ghost of Jimmie, I’m a terrible soccer player. I’m a much better runner. I’m not really fast but I could probably beat you. (Laughs.) Want to race?

What’s your favorite food?

There are so many. It’s hard to choose one. But if I had to pick one it would be Mrs. Penn-Coughin’s gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. You probably don’t know what I’m talking about. But I do.

What’s your favorite color?

There are so many. It’s hard to choose one. But if I had to pick one it would be the color of Mrs. Penn-Coughin’s gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. These questions are really making me hungry. (Gets up and walks toward the kitchen…)