Meet Andrew Autrey
Although Andrew Autrey was not born in Dilley, Texas, he spent most of his life there after moving at the age of two. Growing up in this small town felt like being part of one big family. A few years ago, Andrew relocated to Devine, Texas, to be closer to San Antonio and friends, but the warmth of his small-town roots still inspires his writing.
The Birth of Craven’s Hallow
Andrew is the author of Craven’s Hallow, a children’s horror book series reminiscent of Goosebumps. Over the past three years, he has completed four books in the series, captivating kids with thrilling stories full of twists, cliffhangers, and cinematic storytelling. Although writing is not his full-time career yet, he actively promotes his books through events, book signings, and a Kickstarter campaign that is currently running.
Early Inspirations
Andrew’s love for storytelling began at just five years old. Encouraged by his creative parents, his mother a writing teacher and his father a fantasy-loving coach, he began sharing his own stories in school. Though he initially paused his creative pursuits to follow a “safe” career path, meeting his wife reignited his passion for writing. Inspired by the Goosebumps series, he decided to create his own stories for young readers.
Awards and Recognition
His debut book earned second place in the Young Readers category at the national Reviewers’ Choice Awards and won Best Book in the North American South Region. These accolades have fueled his mission to help young writers and illustrators achieve their publishing dreams.
Balancing Life and Creativity
Andrew’s journey has not been without challenges. Early on, he faced skepticism from family members and societal pressures to abandon writing and filmmaking. Today, his main struggle is balancing family time, a full-time job, and his writing. Despite these obstacles, the joy of seeing children enjoy his books keeps him motivated.
Giving Back Through Writing
One of Andrew’s proudest achievements is his Kickstarter initiative, which funds school and library visits, book donations, and writing workshops for aspiring young authors. Through Craven’s Hallow, he hopes to provide opportunities that he never had and inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Life Beyond Writing
Andrew is an avid horror fan and Dungeons & Dragons player, even creating his own role-playing game system called Survival Horror RPG. When he’s not writing, he enjoys attending comic conventions with his wife. A fun fact: he was once cast as a voice actor in a video game, showcasing his talent for crazy character voices, including his popular Shaggy impression from Scooby-Doo.
How to Support Andrew
The best way to support Andrew is by backing his Kickstarter campaign before it closes on December 5th. Backers can receive signed books, exclusive experiences, and even become characters in the next Craven’s Hallow book.
Kickstarter: Craven’s Hallow Kickstarter
Website: cravenshallow.com
Facebook: Andrew Autrey on Facebook
Instagram: @cravenshallowbooks
“You must always be your biggest fan, because no one will ever love your project like you do. So, don’t give up when people don’t like your project.” – Andrew Autrey
