Dr Elmi Zulkarnain Osman, Author of Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories

Today we are interviewing Dr Elmi Zulkarnain Osman, author of “Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories.”

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing career.
I’ve been making a living as an educator for many years before I decided to complete my PhD in Education and started my own education and training consultancy. I’ve been writing (like serious writing) since I was 16. I have already established myself as a Malay language writer. I had my poems and short stories published and also won a few local and regional literature awards. I had always wanted to be a bilingual writer (English and Malay), and had actually started writing stories in English during my spare time when I was still an undergraduate at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore. 

For readers unfamiliar with your work, describe your new book for us in a few sentences.
‘Stillborn’ is a one of a kind combination of ghost stories, mixed with a variety of supernatural stories. It contains stories about the Pontianak (a female vampiric ghost in Malay mythology), the Penanggalan or 'Hantu Penanggal' (a ghost of Southeast Asian folk mythology), the Pocong, (a Malaysian and Indonesian ghost that is said to be the soul of a dead person trapped in its shroud) and many other creepy horror stories with a supernatural twist.

Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Readers from any part of the world who enjoy Spine-Chilling and Flesh-Crawling stories would most appreciate this book.

What inspired you to start writing horror?
Growing up in Singapore and spending a lot of time in Malaysia and Indonesia during my school holidays, when I was much younger, my aunties and uncles and grandparents would tell me ghost stories and I loved that. I never actually think about the market when I’m writing. I just go with stories that I feel interested in.

Your book includes eleven stories, each offers something different. Although the plots are different, are there any commonalities or themes throughout each story?
All the eleven stories have different plots and unique. However, all eleven stories are genre-transcending (supernatural – paranormal – murder – ritual – folklore).

Dr Elmi Zulkarnain Osman, author of 'Stillborn."

Your story, 'A Family of Three - The Fiendish Union with an Incubus,' is one of the more unique stories in your collection. Can you tell us a bit about this story?
‘The Fiendish Union with an Incubus’ tells the story of a faithful wife named Alina who was attacked by an Incubus Demon. Eventually, she became addicted to this demon who pleasures her. Did she lose her soul and faith due to her sexual addiction? You really have to get a copy of this anthology. 

How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I have not evolved much but I do realise that I have transitioned to a much heavier stories that contain strong language, high graphics of sexuality and mature themes. I don’t just write in a strong language just for the sake of it but because I want readers to appreciate the authenticity of the work and realise the “Emotional Truth” of the story.

What do you have in mind for your next project?
I have been busy for the last few months amassing materials regarding the spooky abandoned town of Kayaköy in Turkey, Shamshan Ghat or Crematory in Hyderabad, Pakistan and the nine ghost villages of Northern France. You can start guessing how my next anthology would be like. 

Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
This book will surely give you a fright! Not only is the book about supernatural horror, but it also takes a huge emotional toll. It really makes you question the lengths you would go to for the ones you love. I intentionally crafted Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories so that readers could read over and over again and still be completely horrified by it.

Book blurb for “Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories”:

‘Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories’ is the ultimate collection of Dr Elmi Zulkarnain Osman’s best paranormal – supernatural ghost stories. Great ghost stories, excellent mystery, and yes, your favourite ghost stories from Asia are all in this tome. It's a must-have for anyone who enjoys some seriously good, spooky horror tales. 

Finding a good ghost story book isn't always easy, but when you read Dr Elmi’s anthology of creepy tales, oh, it's incredible. That's why this book is so amazingly addictive. If you love a bone-chilling story that will have you wondering if you are haunted, Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak and Other Supernatural Ghost Stories is a must have. 

Though this is a book that features ghosts, the truth is that it's also really intense psychological horror. It'll rattle you, even though you are reading it during day time.

More Information

Buy the book on Amazon. 

Check out the author’s Youtube channel.

Find the author on Twitter. 

Like the author on Facebook. 

Follow the author on Instagram.