Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your short story about?

Cindy LaFors, an admin assistant, accidentally summons a demon in her office while composing an update to her company's SOPs.

2. What genres would you say this story is in?

Humor, Paranormal, Satire

3. How would you describe this story in two words?

Sinister fun.

4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. I used to rewind the part with Large Marge and watch it over and over again.

5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

Kiss by a Rose - Seal.

6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?

Wuthering Heights. I'm a sucker for the prose.

7. What motivated you to write this story?

It was an exercise for one of my writing classes in my MFA program at San Diego State University. I wanted to write a story about a woman who must confront an evil boss and stand up to him. The humor and paranormal aspects came naturally, drawing inspiration from Good Omens.

8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Kurt Cobain.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I really like cats and have four of them.

10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?

This story received a lot of good feedback — and tons of laughter — from family, peers, and others when I read it out loud at the culmination of my MFA program.

11. Any advice or tips you'd like to pass on to other writers?

Write what you like because it's essential to have good writing motivation.