Trigger warning: the books mentioned in this article contain body horror, discussions of sexual assault, and racism. Please exercise care while reading.
Horror writers have often used their work to explore deeper social issues, and Trang Thanh Tran is no exception. Their protagonists spend as much time wrestling with who they are and where they belong as they do with strange monsters. Trang’s debut, She Is a Haunting, tackled queer self-discovery, diasporic identity, and the legacy of colonialism within the walls of its haunted house. In their latest work, They Bloom at Night, the main character, Noon, hunts down strange creatures lurking in the waters of her small town and finds her true self along the way. To quote Trang themself, it’s a certified “coming of rage” tale.
Plenty of new horrors await readers on the horizon — but we won’t spoil the fun. Instead, we invite you to join us as we sit down with Trang to discuss the existential terror of red algae blooms, the necessity of iced coffee for the writing process, and, of course, what other monsters they have in store.
About the Author
Trang Thanh Tran writes speculative stories with big emotions. They grew up in a big family in Philadelphia, then abandoned their degrees in sociology and public health to tell stories in Georgia. When not writing, they can be found over-caffeinating on iced coffee and watching zombie movies. Their debut novel, She Is a Haunting, was an instant New York Times and Indie bestseller, a William C. Morris Debut Award finalist, and a Bram Stoker Award winner. Connect with them on Twitter @nvtran or their website www.trangthanhtran.com.
Thanks for joining us, Trang! Let’s get started.
For readers who discovered you through your debut novel, She Is A Haunting, and those meeting you for the first time, how would you describe your latest novel, They Bloom At Night?
They Bloom at Night is a YA horror novel about a Vietnamese American teen living in a southern coastal town that has been taken over by red algae. When their neighbours start to vanish, Noon must hunt the rumored creatures in the water or else lose their family’s boat and livelihood to the corrupt harbormaster. Think Annihilation meets Speak!
While She Is a Haunting is haunted house horror, They Bloom at Night is ocean and body horror.
Identity is a common theme in both of your novels. Can you describe how Noon’s battle with identity in They Bloom At Night differs from Jade’s battle with identity in She Is a Haunting?
Jade’s battle with identity — sexual, nationality, and cultural — often put her between worlds. She never quite felt fully welcomed in either space. She Is a Haunting is about finding a home to belong to. Noon’s battle with identity is, at first, a struggle with their own body. They don’t feel right in the body they were born into, and the way she is perceived in the world also sets up gendered expectations. Noon is not between spaces; she is completely outside of it. She is nonbinary. They Bloom at Night challenges the idea of the monstrous and who gets to decide. A common theme between the books is their Vietnamese American identity, which differs due to the regions their families resettled in.
In speculative stories, the environment often acts as both a setting and a character. How does the red algae bloom come to life in your novel? What does the presence of the red algae symbolize within the context of the story?
The scary part is red algae blooms are real! They’re toxic and have been known to last for months. These toxic conditions are often a response to what humans are doing to their environment. In my novel, the red algae blooms have a supernatural or mystical edge, because what if — instead of a purely environmental reaction — some other entity has had enough of our abuse? The red algae symbolizes encroachment. We change the environment, and so it will change us in return.
What lessons did you take from writing your first novel that shaped the creation of They Bloom At Night?
It’s easy to get lost in word counts and plotlines, but my compass is always the character journey. I always want my main characters to be authentic; I have to focus on that. And of course, you can’t edit a blank page!
The cover designs of She Is A Haunting and They Bloom At Night are incredible. What elements of the cover design of They Bloom at Night are most important to you in conveying the message of your story?
It was important to me that They Bloom at Night’s cover be unsettling and beautiful, that at first glance, you’re not quite sure what you’re really seeing. Throughout the book, Noon doesn’t really know what or who is in the mirror, but by the end, they know. Transformation is beautiful.
I’m kind of obsessed with this stunning edition
— Trang Thanh Tran (@nvtran.bsky.social) May 1, 2025 at 3:41 AM
How does your love for iced coffee influence your writing routine? Does coffee serve as a creative fuel or a comforting ritual?
Definitely a comforting ritual to combat morning sleepiness! In the afternoons, I’ll often have another or an iced matcha to feel like I’m starting fresh.
Do you have any advice for writers who have an interest in writing speculative fiction?
Find your niche interests and embrace [them]! Passion about subjects, themes, and fears come through in the writing, so indulge in your own weirdness. That’s how you come up with your own voice.
What comes next for you? Are there any new books in the works that you can share with us?
My third YA horror, The Summoning of Tess Phạm, comes out with Bloomsbury in 2027! It explores family secrets, sister dynamics, and ride-or-die friends. For updates, please check out my socials and add the book on Goodreads or StoryGraph. I’m also working hard on an adult horror novel that I hope I will one day get to share.
It’s going to be my bloodiest book. :)
— Trang Thanh Tran (@nvtran.bsky.social) February 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
What is one thing outside of writing you would love for your readers to know about you?
Ooooh, this is hard! I love music. If I had an ounce of musical ability, I would try being that kind of artist, too. Other than that, I still have a baby tooth in my mouth that I’m quite fond of.
To wrap things up, what is the perfect snack to enjoy while watching a zombie movie?
I’m often done with my popcorn by the end of trailers before a zombie movie in a theater, but at home, I like to eat something sweet. Honestly, nothing really fazes me when I’m watching them. My brother thinks I’m ridiculous. (I am.)
Thanks again to Trang for speaking with us! You can keep up with their work through their website or follow them on Instagram and Bluesky — and don’t forget to check out They Bloom at Night!
Click here to read our interview with Gothic romantasy author Kaylie Smith.
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