Books

HORROR IN WISCONSIN: UWEC Graduate Releases New Horror Novel

UWEC graduate writes about a small Wisconsin town plagued by natural and unnatural threats

Amanda Lamm |

HORRORS AT HOME. Ken Brosky's new horror novel,
HORRORS AT HOME. Ken Brosky's new horror novel, What Doesn't Kill You, takes place in a small Wisconsin town. (Photo via Unsplash)

Writer and professor Ken Brosky, who graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2004 with a degree in Creative Writing and Journalism, has written a new gripping tale of survival set in a small, struggling-to-survive Wisconsin town, titled What Doesn’t Kill You

During his time at UWEC, Brosky wrote for the school newspaper, The Spectator, and co-wrote a column called “Ask Anything.” Also a former contributor to Volume One, Brosky recalls doing a story on Wisconsinite and indie filmmaker, Mark Borchhardt (best known as the subject of the 1999 documentary American Movie). Apart from his journalistic and academic career in the Chippewa Valley, Brosky found time to dabble in literature.

“I was always writing stuff,” Brosky said. “Mostly horror, but a little literary fiction here and there.”

After graduation, Brosky went on to have a bachelor degree-holder’s journey of self-discovery, “I graduated, worked at Starbucks for a while, got robbed at gunpoint, decided to do something more with my life, got a master’s of fine arts in writing, and then became a college professor. I love teaching.”

“THIS IS A STORY OF HUBRIS, FIRST AND FOREMOST. ... AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, IT‘S ABOUT THE MISCONCEPTIONS EVERYONE FACES.”

KEN BROSKY

AUTHOR

When he’s not teaching at UW-Whitewater, Brosky is writing. From the Grimm Chronicles fantasy series by Brosky and Isabella Fontaine to many short stories you can find in horror magazines such as Mystery Magazine or Cemetery Dance Magazine, he has been busy.

His newest novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, published by Timber Ghost Press, follows the residents of a dead-end Wisconsin town during a massive snowstorm, made a whole heck-of-a-lot worse by the introduction of a lethal supernatural creature.

Ken Brosky
Ken Brosky

“This is a story of hubris, first and foremost. This is about a wealthy woman who believes she knows what’s best for other people and resents those who hold back their loved ones,” Brosky explained. “It’s about the people of a small town who haven’t yet given up on their dreams. And just as importantly, it’s about the misconceptions everyone faces.” 

Brosky’s book is not simply a horror tale, but more so a tale about how real people react when put in a horrible situation.

 “I love this book,” Brosky said. “I love when readers notice how many layers you can peel back in this story.”

After you’ve finished this impactful novel, get ready for next year’s Brosky release, a farm-horror novella, Bad River, from Unnerving Press. Keep an eye out for future Brosky spooks, too. “I like to write Midwestern Gothic because I know it pretty well. I live on a farm now, and it’s given me a whole new slew of ideas to draw from.”


Order your copy of  What Doesn’t Kill You today on Amazon. To see more from the author, follow him on Goodreads.