On Oct. 23, the Pump House Regional Arts Center in downtown La Crosse welcomed acclaimed author Benjamin Percy for an evening filled with conversation about storytelling, suspense and the craft of writing.
The event was part of the Flow State Literary Series, a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin La Crosse’s English department that highlights contemporary authors and their connections to genre.
As a novelist, comic book writer and screenwriter recognized for his vivid, cinematic storytelling, Percy spoke about how fear and fascination shape his fiction. He explained that when used thoughtfully, horror can do more than scare; it can expose hidden truths and reveal what makes us human when confronted with the unknown.
Percy encouraged emerging writers to embrace curiosity and fear as essential parts of the creative process. His talk reminded the audience that horror is not just about monsters or darkness, it’s about transformation, reflection and the courage to confront what unsettles us most.
For Percy, autumn’s eerie atmosphere and sense of transformation reflect the same energy that fuels his work. He embraces the spirit of Halloween year-round, turning unease into imagination.
His stories blur the boundary between reality and the surreal, blending grit, emotion and wonder to challenge readers to face what unsettles them most.
“The truth for an honest-to-goodness horror lover like myself, is Thanksgiving is a day, and Christmas is a season, but Halloween is a way of life,” said Benjamin Percy.
The evening at the Pump House drew writers, students and community members eager to hear from Benjamin Percy. Being the author of seven novels, he discussed his creative process and how he balances literary ambition with page-turning suspense.
He co-wrote the feature film “Summering” with director James Ponsoldt, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. He is also working with Ponsoldt and Paramount Plus on a television adaptation of “Urban Cowboy”.
Percy’s range continues in the world of comics, where he has written celebrated runs of “Green Arrow,” “Nightwing,” “Teen Titans,” “Wolverine,” “Ghost Rider,” etc. His ability to move seamlessly between genres and mediums reflects the same creative energy that defines his novels.
Benjamin Percy is teaming up with horror author Stephen King as a contributing writer for a new serialized novel titled “The End Times”, published by horror publisher Bad Hand Books. The project marks a return to the classic tradition of serialized storytelling, but with a modern, apocalyptic twist.
Set in a world still reeling from catastrophe, “The End Times” unfolds as a post-apocalyptic narrative told through the format of a fictional newspaper. The story centers on a woman who, 12 years after a devastating pandemic nearly wiped-out human civilization, discovers an abandoned printing press and decides to document the remnants of the world around her.
With Percy and King’s combined storytelling talents, “The End Times” is poised to deliver an eerie and immersive experience. Bad Hand Books will release new installments weekly for a full year beginning in November, both in print and digital form.
The serialized format allows the story to evolve in real time, drawing readers into an unfolding world where every edition offers fresh horrors and discoveries within the plot.
Percy’s visit to La Crosse not only celebrated the art of writing but also inspired those in attendance to keep exploring the dark shadows in their own lives, where the best stories often begin.
