Meet the team members of The Horror Lounge: Contributor Jonathan Siefer

I’ve always been intrigued by horror movies, even before realizing that interest was in fact a love.

My earliest memory associated with this relationship was when I was four or five, and I watched some of the intro to the 1990 It miniseries while my parents had it on. For a while afterward, I routinely annoyed my parents every time we went out—pointing at every sewer grate and asking if “that Ronald McDonald guy” was in there.

A psychologist might say my inversion to horror was further demonstrated when I drew a door on my bedroom wall to enter the underworld from Beetlejuice. After several knocks, I realized I was both stuck in the real world and stuck in a lengthy grounding.

My mom had always been a fan of zombie movies. I grew up watching George A. Romero’s Living Dead films, and spent much of middle school watching 80s zombie films on YouTube. This was back when users would upload full length films in ten minute parts. After watching  many zombie films, I branched more into general horror of the 70s and 80s—an interest already established by watching the annual AMC Fearfest with my parents every October (known as Monsterfest when I first started watching).

Growing up, I wanted to be a horror screenwriter, and I started college with that intention. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English studies with a concentration in writing, and minored in communication studies. 

After that I spent many exhausting nights editing my resume and drafting cover letters for corporate internships and low-paying copywriter jobs. One night I took a break to read On Writing, Stephen King’s autobiography that was given to me as a graduation gift. I would spend many immersive nights reading King’s memoir before reading his work, including Salem’s Lot, Thinner, and The Shining. 

Throughout this, I always had a casual interest in journalism. I had submitted some pieces to Fangoria that were unfortunately not accepted. But in late July 2025, my partner and I took our husky Kitchka to the pet emergency room (she’s still with us, currently laying behind my back as I type this). While waiting for the vet to return with her, I scrolled through Indeed and found a posting for a contributor at 1428 Elm, a horror media site. I took a chance and applied—earning my first job as a writer and beginning my journey into journalism. 

I worked with some great people and learned some valuable things as a contributor, both ethically and technically. Much like horror movies, my interest in journalism would become a love. 

Sadly, and not without irony, the site shut down on October 31st. This was devastating—not because of any significant financial loss, but the loss of the opportunity to apply my passion as a horror journalist. Thankfully, our former Site Expert Carla, who had the responsibilities of an editor, reached out to me. She told me that she and a long-time contributor Brian were collaborating on a new horror site and invited me on as a contributor. I was beyond grateful and excited to accept the invitation. Months later, I sit here writing this piece for the readers of The Horror Lounge. 

Aside from horror, reading, and writing, I’m a very dedicated runner. I regularly run 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. I hope to complete my first full marathon in 2026. I live on the beautiful Oregon coast with my partner and step kiddo, as well as our dog Kitchka and cat Thor. All four have seen me hunched over a notebook or my computer numerous times. 

I hope everyone reading this will follow our news and updates as we share updates about a subject they, like us, undoubtedly love. Be sure to keep checking in for your daily dose of the macabre!