Taphephobia, Hadephobia and Jenni L. Walsh’s Other Halloween-Related Publishing Fears


This week, in prep for Halloween, the Debs are writing about their biggest fears about publishing. 

It’s no surprise, with all its spookiness, that Halloween comes with its own list of fears.

halloween-2Wiccaphobia (witches), Formidophobia (scarecrows), Coimetrophobia (cemeteries), and well, Samhainophobia (Halloween itself).

It’s also no surprise that publishing a book shares some of these same Halloween-related phobias. I’ve done some soul searching, I’ve established a safe word (bestseller), and I’m about to share my list of publishing fears.

Eisoptrophobia (mirrors, or seeing oneself in a mirror): I mean, let’s get real, after a full day of writing or editing, I ain’t pretty.

Hadephobia (Hell, or going to Hell): As in a reader declaring, “what the hell is this garbage?” or “what the hell? this book isn’t historically accurate!” Shudders.

Taphephobia (being buried alive): In bad reviews.

Dementophobia (insanity): I won’t lie, this publishing journey has led me to drink (on various occasions). Insanity really isn’t that far off.

Demonophobia (demons): Writing has that really “fun” benefit of bringing up demons from my past. It shows it’s teeth, leers, and vocalizes my phobophobia (fear of fears), “what if you fail at this, too?”

Coimetrophobia (cemeteries): Ya know, where my book would go if it bombs. Shudders, again.

*Deep breaths* That was therapeutic. And, don’t worry, there may be fears involved in publishing, but when Thanksgiving rolls around with delicious pumpkin pie, us gals will be talking about the things we’re thankful for, too! Stay tuned!

Author: Jenni L. Walsh

Jenni L. Walsh spent her early years ​chasing around cats, dogs, and chickens in Philadelphia's countryside, before dividing time between a soccer field and a classroom at Villanova University. She put her marketing degree to good use as an advertising copywriter, zip-code hopping with her husband to DC, NYC, NJ, and not surprisingly, back to Philly. There, Jenni's passion for words continued, adding author to her resume. She now balances her laptop with a kid on each hip, and a four-legged child at her feet. BECOMING BONNIE (Tor Forge/Macmillan, 5/9/2017) is her debut novel that tells the untold story of how church-going Bonnelyn Parker becomes half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo during the 1920s. SIDE BY SIDE, telling Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree story, will be released in the summer of 2018. Please learn more about Jenni's books at jennilwalsh.com.

4 Replies to “Taphephobia, Hadephobia and Jenni L. Walsh’s Other Halloween-Related Publishing Fears”

  2. I second demontophobia – I don’t even have a pub date yet and I’m already wondering what I got myself into. More accurately, I just looked it up and I have “Mazeophobia” – the fear of being lost. I still have no idea what’s going on!

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