From Alaskan Salmon Boats to Netflix Movie Deals: The Evolution of Western Horror with Matt Query

What possesses a fourth generation Boulder native, water litigation attorney, and former Alaskan commercial fisherman to write some of the most bone-chilling supernatural thrillers on the market today? In this gripping episode of Bridging Generations, host Howard Snooks catches up with local author and lawyer Matt Query to dissect his fast-paced journey from anonymous Reddit horror writer to Hollywood success. Matt pulls back the curtain on his collaborative writing process with his brother Harrison, revealing how their breakout novel Old Country landed a massive film deal, and drops a major secret about his latest book, Blood Trail (which is a modern-day Western reimagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula set inside the ultra-exclusive Yellowstone Club). From surviving terrifying moose charges in the backcountry to learning survival skills from a fabled mountain man on Magnolia Road, Matt breaks down how a lifetime embedded in the rugged topography of the American West feeds his literary imagination. Main Topics Covered A K-16 Boulder Education: Growing up in the local ecosystem, attending the now-defunct Boulder Junior Academy, and graduating from CU Boulder. The Global Fly Fishing Expedition: Bouncing around New Zealand, Europe, and Patagonia before running completely out of money in Buenos Aires. Conquering the Bering Sea: Leaving behind the safety of mountain hunting to fish for sockeye salmon in the brutal winter waters of the Aleutian Islands. The High Stakes of Western Water Law: Studying at Lewis and Clark Law School and representing ranchers, timber companies, and tribes in high-conflict natural resource litigation. The Myth of the West's Water Crisis: Why Matt believes the American West does not have a true water supply crisis, but rather a structural agriculture waste issue rooted in Bronze Age flood irrigation. The Legend of Harry Jacobson: Working on a rugged construction crew for a fabled local custom home builder who taught Matt how to track elk, bear, and mountain lions. The Wildlife Hazard Factor: A deep dive into the realities of modern backcountry encounters, including Matt's six terrifying moose charges since moving back to Colorado. The Reddit to Hollywood Pipeline: How posting anonymous short stories on the "No Sleep" subreddit led to a top-tier literary agent, a major deal with Simon and Schuster, and a competitive streaming adaptation war. Deconstructing Literary Horrors: Retelling foundational genre masterpieces, like Dracula and Frankenstein, by grounding them in the gritty realities of the contemporary American West. Key Takeaways The Reality of High-Country Danger: While black bears typically flee human contact, the exploding, unskittish moose populations of the mountain West represent a far more volatile hazard to outdoorsmen and hunting dogs. Resilience in Creative Spaces: Getting "skunked" or receiving harsh critiques is an essential part of the game, whether you are bow hunting in the wilderness or publishing your first book. The Power of Broad Perspectives: True mastery of a landscape requires looking past the surface to analyze historical land grants, water ditch rights, and the generational movements of the people who originally built the territory. Anonymity as a Free Workshop: Utilizing digital forums allows aspiring creators to build their narrative voices, experiment with pacing, and receive unfiltered feedback without the paralyzing fear of public failure. Connect with the Guest Official Publisher Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/auth... Author Profile: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/con... Book Catalogue:   / 20549678.matt_query   Collaborative Feature: https://www.bigredf.com/blog-query-br... Connect with the Host YouTube:    / @howardsnooks-modelactor8449   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dx6GfW... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardsnook... Website: https://www.howardsnooks.com/ Please like and share this episode if you are ready to venture past the paved roads and explore the darker, wilder side of the Rocky Mountain landscape!