Benjamin Hively grew up in Northern Indiana. In fifth grade, the school librarian (knowing his love for horror films), spoke with him about doing a film for the Chicago Children's film festival. Employing the help of a friend, he began to put together a documentary film about Sleepy Hollow, New York based on one of his favorite horror stories of all time, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Kids being kids, he decided against doing the film festival but maintained his love for all things horror and writing, beginning a love for writing screenplays and short stories. During several years, he began to accumulate numerous screenplays and other forms of writing, most of which collected dust when he was finished with them. After his 18th birthday, he began to move around much like a nomad, ranging from Indiana, Las Vegas, Ohio, South Carolina. Finally finding his creative place in New Orleans, Louisiana, he began to do stand up comedy and released his first novel, The House the Devil Built, a book about prejudice with a horror undertone. "Northern Indiana doesn't offer much inspiration for writing," he says, "New Orleans is so captivating, with artists of all kinds. I've finally found a place where that weird gay kid who likes blood and gore, can fit into society."