Judith Galardi's latest work, Did You Check the Deadbolts? is her invitation for you to enter the minds of twisted, cunning, and horrifically dangerous people (just not always alive).
Ms. Galardi was a monster kid: Frankenstein (and his bride, son, ghost...), Dracula (and his brides, daughters, ghost...) and other creatures of the night, day, water, and space; and for good measure, giant lizards, aliens, ghosts and the undead she relished them all.
She was also a scary kid. How many girls did you know who collected shrunken heads and model skulls?
She was also one of the neighborhood's best story tellers.
An avid reader - monster books, comic books, "Classics Illustrated®," -were her favorites.
Edgar Allen Poe stands out as one of her favorite writers. She marvels at how brilliantly he deciphered how seemingly average people can commit horrific crimes. For Ms. Galardi, there is nothing average in the capacity human beings have for both consummate good and unimaginable evil.
Did You Check the Deadbolts? is a departure from her earlier works to a world that might make you want to bar the windows, too. Her earlier works include two children's books - RETURN TO THRAE and Judi Galardi's THRAE BACK ATCHA!; and a book of poetry for teens and adults, PSYCHO POETRY and Shadows in Time; and a chapbook - Corridors.
Ms. Galardi was a participant in several book festivals and conferences, including: Barnes and Noble, "Meet the Author," Pittsburgh, Pa.; Northwest Bookfest, Seattle, Wash.; two Capricon conferences, Chicago, Ill.; Marcon, Columbus, Ohio; M.O.O.N., (Middle Out of Nowhere) con, Guest of Honor, Richland Center, Wis.; Bele Chere, Children's Area, Ashville, N.C.; Dante Alighieri Society, Lecture and Reading, Pittsburgh Chapter, (Pa.); Pittsburgh Peace Poets, "Speak Peace - American Voices Respond to Vietnamese Children's Paintings," read original Haikus, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pa.