Matthew Lutton – The Vision Behind Pancake Man

Tomes of Terror is in just under two weeks, and today I’m introducing you to Matt Lutton. I first “met” Matt when I read his first book, 10 Drink Minimum. If you ask him, he’ll tell you that it was my not-so-great review that started our friendship (to which I’ll cringe at and vehemently deny the existence of), but my version is that I found out he was a wrestling fan like me, and we ended up as friends from there.

Since then, we’ve met in person twice at events, and now Matt will be attending Tomes of Terror in just under two weeks, where you’ll get a chance to meet the man behind Pancake Man. Let’s get to know him!

Q: Who has been your biggest supporter(s) throughout your career?

A: I’m very lucky. Lisa has been supportive from day one and really encouraged me to try and write longer books. My Patreon members also help by keeping me writing and supporting the cost that goes along with it (Kristine Prais, Angie Valentine, Brittney Wylde, Kendra Raptor, Rosie Will, Rebecca Rogers, Kimberley Kraft, Shannon O’Neil, Alexandra Russell, Xhelha Lopez). And many others, including yourself. I’m very lucky in that regard.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A: I like telling stories. I’m not a writer, I’m a storyteller. I love hearing people’s thoughts and reactions to something I wrote.

Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned, whether about yourself or the industry as a whole, since you started your writing journey?

A: How much drama is in this writing thing. Just like anything else, it’s cutthroat and that comes with negativity but, as a whole, the horror community is one of the best and most selfless groups around.

Q: If you could meet with your past self at the beginning of your career, what one thing would you tell yourself?

A: Spend the money that you don’t have on an actual professional editor. The short cuts you make when you’re poor will cost you when you’re trying to clean up later.

Q: What has been the hardest part of your career so far?

A: Finding time to write. Life gets in the way and when you’re reading, you feel like you should be writing.

Q: If you could go back and change anything about your career, would you? If so, what would it be?

A: I would believe in my writing a little bit more. I thought I would write one book, and nobody would read it except me and my friends. Little did I know, I would have people that actually like my stuff and want more.

My kryptonite is grammar. I have always just written and worried about fixing the mistakes later. It’s the Cormack method and it’s great if you have a decent editor, but by the time I exhume a story out of my body, I don’t want to look at it, let alone red pen it.

Q: Who is on your radar as someone that you’d love to work with?

A: There are so many. Matt Wildasin, Jason Paddock, Jay Bower, Megan Stockton. Everyone I have met has talent, and I’d love to work with them.

Q: Dealing with negativity can be challenging, whether that’s from bad reviews, critics, social media, or other sources. What is your strategy for dealing with that side of the industry?

A: It can definitely suck, but what really helps is if one person was entertained by my words then it cancels out all the other ones. I was able to let someone escape for a little bit and that is magic. That’s worth any negative review.

Q: What has been the most impactful piece of advice that you’ve been given, and how have you used that advice in your writing journey?

A: I’ve learned that cons are not all about books. Merch is key and draws people in. Andrew Van Wey could teach an entire class on writing and marketing, and he has been amazingly gracious and helpful to me since the beginning of my career. Matt Shaw has given me amazing advice on what merch works best and how to write for yourself as well as market to a wider audience.

Going to Tomes? Make a stop at Matt’s table to see his “ugly mug” and grab copies of 10 Drink Minimum, Candy Dish, and his upcoming release, The Morningstar Confession. He also has lots of different stickers and merch, so you’ll have lots of options! And if you can’t make it to Tomes, Matt will be at Authorcon and hopefully a few other events. Now read on for some fun facts and a look inside Matt’s head!

Q: If you were to write a spin-off about a side character in any of your stories (published or not), who would you pick and why?

A: The Pancake Man is the most popular and definitely has a backstory (stay tuned). I think Dr. Mansfield would be fun. I kind of already started it with Bride of Pancake Man on my Patreon. I have a lot of people tell me that Can’t Complain should be expanded on. All of them would be fun to explore in some way. I try and connect all my stories with Easter eggs, so they share a universe.

A: Oh, books are supposed to be read. Read everywhere and that includes dirt and bent pages lol.

Q: Who is the most stressful character you’ve ever written and why?

A: Dan from my new book, The Morningstar Confession. There is a lot of me in that character and he can be very frustrating.

Q: If you were to be remembered only by the words you’ve published, what would future historians think of you?

A: How did this guy ever have fans?

Q: If you had to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

A: I will bear fire.

Q: You have to wear a white T-shirt with only one word on it for the rest of your life. What word is on your shirt?

A: Help

Q: If your names was suddenly used as a verb, what would your name be doing?

A: Procrastinating.

Q: In the story of your life, who (or what) would be your nemesis?

A: Myself.

Q: If someone were to open your fridge, what is the weirdest thing they’d find?

A: Open Vitamin Waters with like one sip out of them.

“You are young, and the world has been kind to you. You will learn.” ~ Sweeney Todd