“Fiend”: Alma Katsu on demons and dynasties of corrupted wealth

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Supernatural and Horror author Alma Katsu talks about her latest novel, FIEND, where one family’s wealth, power and influences comes from an ancient evil, and all the consequences that grow from centuries of dark choices.

Alma talks about the real life situations of corruption, greed and buried family secrets that inspired FIEND, and how their competitive tendencies in family and business drive their needs to maintain their position and wealth. And having a demon in the back pocket can also help.

She also talks about how television and social media have influenced the audience hunger for more voyeuristic entertainment focused on or around the lives and lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the greater the wealth, the greater the obsession with wanting to know everything about their lives and wealth.

And there’s a bonus tangent discussion about the pitfalls of AI, generative AI, and the pitfalls and blind spots where a lack of regulatory oversight might be taking society. Her outlook as a futurist on the influence of social media on news and propaganda is also a cautionary tale on where consumers now turn to for their daily news.

Alma will also be giving her Generative AI primer for writers at the San Diego Writers Festival on September 20.

You can even read the first chapter of FIEND on her website: https://almakatsubooks.com/fiend/

Website: almakatsubooks.com
San Diego Writers Festival Day of Learning 2025: https://sandiegowritersfestival.com/event/festival-u-3/

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