The Art of Horror: A Q&A with Writer in Residence Gerardo Sámano Córdova

Gerardo Sámano Córdova, an artist and writer from Mexico City, started this semester as a writer in residence for Fordham’s English department where he teaches two courses: Creative Writing Workshop and Writing Bestsellers. His debut novel, Monstrilio, was named a “Most Anticipated Book of 2023” by The Los Angeles Times, Goodreads, and Barnes and Noble. Cordova sat down with Fordham News to talk writing, teaching, and the art of horror.

Your book Monstrilio is a poignant literary novel and a horror story at the same time. What is it that draws you to horror as a way to explore deeper themes?

I think horror is an immediate way to be excited or creeped out or invested in something. And I think that atmospheres and feelings that horror can evoke are visceral. I like the idea of not everything being intellectual, but rather when a piece of work can also evoke raw emotion…