Christopher Pike wrote dozens of YA thrillers and horror stories during the ’80s and ’90s. His work serves as the basis for Mike Flanagan’s The Midnight Club 10-episode series, which incorporates Pike’s 1994 book of the same name along with several of his other novels. Pike, whose real name is Kevin Christopher McFadden, rarely grants interviews, but in honor of the show’s Oct. 7 release he discusses how The Midnight Club came about, how young people grapple with death, and what he’s working on next.
What was the original inspiration for The Midnight Club?
I was contacted by the parents of a young woman who was sick. She told me she was in a hospital with a kids’ cancer ward and that they would meet at midnight to discuss my books. They called themselves the Midnight Club. She said, “Could you write a book about us?” I said, “Yeah, I couldn't have you talking about my books but I could make up new stories.”
I was just finishing a book, and I finished it real quick so I could start on this book for her. Toward the end, I started to get worried that her voice was getting weaker. I said, “Do you want to read what I have?” And she said, “No, I want to read the whole thing.” But it was just one of those tragic events that, just when I finished it, she had died the day before. The parents were grateful but I thought, “Why didn’t I just send the damn book? She would've read 90% of it.” I just felt like I should have known how sick she was.
After you published The Midnight Club, did you hear from other sick teens about how it resonated with them?
Yes, there were other parents and kids who contacted me that were ill. The story actually made me aware of how prevalent cancer is at young ages. It was very humbling. The really interesting thing I noticed was that the parents naturally would be freaking out, but the teenagers faced with dying —the biggest mystery of all — were very centered in the idea that they had a soul and that they were not going to disappear. I found their faith and courage staggering and very inspirational. I think they put all us adults to shame.
How did the adaptation of The Midnight Club come about?
I don’t think I’d done an interview in over a decade — I guess I like being reclusive — but I finally decided to do an interview with a woman who had grown up reading my books, so she really knew them quite well. It was a good interview and it was posted on Facebook, and a lot of people read the interview and wrote to me.
One of the letters said, “I'm a big fan of yours, Mr. Pike. I grew up reading your books. You inspired my work. I’m a director at Netflix.” I wrote them back and just said, “Glad you liked the books. That’s great that you’re a director. Good luck in the future.” Then my girlfriend slugs me and says, “You idiot. Don’t you recognize his name?” We were watching The Haunting of Hill House, which was MikeFlanagan’s big breakthrough show on Netflix. I thought, “This guy's a great director.” So when I wrote him back, he wrote back right away. One thing led to another, we started talking and he said, “I always had this idea of adapting The Midnight Club.”
What do you think of the changes the show makes to the plot of The Midnight Club and your other books integrated into the show?
You can’t love every change. That’s impossible. But on the whole, I would say that Mike Flanagan and his producer, Trevor Macy, got the soul of the books. I think they did a hell of a job. But I knew Mike was going to do a good job when I saw his movies and his shows.
How do you feel about the fact that you’ve been an influence on Mike Flanagan and other horror writers?
It’s very hard to comprehend. I love that, because when I was in seventh grade I read a book by Arthur C. Clarke called Childhood’s End. It basically changed my whole life. It made me see the universe differently. So I don't take it for granted when people write to me and say, “Your books made me want to be a writer.” I know what I went through, what Clarke did for me. Those letters are very precious to me.
Want to discover more spooky stories? Here are the Christopher Pike stories that appear in The Midnight Club.
The Wicked Heart (1993)
Episode 3, “The Wicked Heart”
When her best friend is killed by a serial killer, a young woman investigates the crime and discovers the origins of the murderer's terrible compulsions.
Gimme a Kiss (1988)
Episode 4, “Gimme a Kiss”
A teenager's quest for revenge goes too far in this murder mystery.
See You Later (1990)
Episode 5, “See You Later”
A boy falls for an unavailable girl but gets some relationship help from a couple with an agenda that goes far beyond saving Mark's love life.
Witch (1990)
Episode 6, “Witch”
A young witch fails to heed her mother's warning and tries to change the future.
Road to Nowhere (1993)
Episode 8, “Road to Nowhere”
A girl running away from home encounters two hitchhikers who are not who they seem to be.
The Eternal Enemy (1993)
Episode 9, “The Eternal Enemy”
A new VCR has the ability to record the next evening's news in this twisty science fiction tale.
