Podcasts about gothic fiction

Discover Pagebound, the social reading app by Lucy Zhao & Jennifer Dobak. Learn how to gamify your reading life from quests to forums in today's beginner chat.Ever wish Goodreads had a heart or deeply desired a buddy read for every book in your book stack? It exists. This week, we're stepping inside Pagebound, the new social reading app built by readers for readers, with co-founders Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak.This week's "building block" podcast episode is designed to deepen your reading life and provide a behind-the-scenes look at tools you can use to enhance it. Discover how these two women built a no-AI, reader-first platform that's reimagining how we connect through stories online.In this enlightening conversation, we discuss:

Take a crash course in Gothic fiction with Junie author Erin Crosby Eckstine as we trace the genre's origins, evolution, and enduring allure.Erin returns to Book Gang to share what surprised her most about debut life and what she's learned about balancing writing, book promotion, and an ever-growing TikTok community. Then, we dive deep into the eerie, elegant world of Gothic literature — where decaying mansions, stormy moors, and family secrets reflect the darkness within.If you've ever wondered what makes a book Gothic, how the genre evolved from the 18th century to the present day, or how writers can utilize Gothic techniques to explore contemporary fears, this episode is your guided tour through the creeping shadows, courtesy of a former English teacher.In this illuminating conversation, we discuss:

Gothic fiction is where beauty meets terror. In this episode, we explore how to write Gothic stories that grip readers with atmosphere, ambiguity, and desire:

Welcome, my ghouls! In this episode, I explore the Gothic body, where beauty, death and desire intertwine. From vampire myths to historical obsessions with youth and purity, I uncover how the pursuit of eternal beauty has always revealed something darker about power, fear, and control. ***Listener Discretion is Strongly Advised*******************Sources & References:Kubiesa, Jane M. (2021). Cultural Representations of the Transformative Body in Young Adult Multi-Volume Vampire Fiction, 2000–2010. University of Sheffield.Kavka, Misha. (2002). The Gothic on Screen. In The Cambridge Companion to Gothic Fiction, edited by Jerrold E. Hogle. Cambridge University Press.Sontag, Susan. (1978). Illness as Metaphor. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.Illness & Illustration: The Beauty Myths of Tuberculosis & Vampires. Infectious Science. Retrieved from [Infectious Science website].Vampire Panic. (n.d.). Science History Institute. Retrieved from [sciencehistory.org].Flückinger, Johannes. (1732). Visum et Repertum: Report on the Case of Arnold Paole. Austrian Army Medical Corps.Elizabeth Báthory in Popular Culture. Wikipedia. Retrieved from [wikipedia.org].Smith, Robyn. (2020). Looking Like the Other: The Evolution of Vampire Fashion. Online article.****************Leave Us a 5* Rating, it really helps the show!Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282Spotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA****************Follow Us on Social Media & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!YouTube:@beautyunlockedspodcasthourTikTok:tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod****************MUSIC & SOUND FX:"Haunted Mind" Etienne Roussel"The Haunted" Luella GrenRain Light 6- SFX ProducerEpidemic SoundFind the perfect track on Epidemic Sound for your content and take it to the next level! See what the hype is all about!

It's September (aka back-to-school season), so we're launching a month of dark-academia conversations. In this opener, we map the genre's core—elite or boarding-school settings, gothic vibes, and a lean toward mystery, fantasy, and even horror—and dig into why secret societies and clandestine clubs keep showing up in these stories.We compare “real” vs. fictional societies, talk initiations and rituals, and why the forbidden—anything faculty might frown upon—creates irresistible narrative tension.On our nightstands: The Perfect Marriage by Geneva Rose (and the follow-up Perfect Divorce), With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (a '50s train mystery with Murder-on-the-Orient-Express energy), and an ARC of The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg (out Sept 2), a romance-fantasy about a healer named Nim, a mysteriously sick prince, and a banned-magic world—book two expected 03/03/2026.We also name-drop fan favorites—Ninth House, Bunny, A Deadly Education, The Atlas Six, The Maidens, and more—and unpack why the “secret club” trope endures. Subscribe on your favorite platform!SpotifyApple PodcastAmazon MusiciHeart RadioPodchaserYoutubeDon't forget to follow us on socials too!InstagramThreadsTikTokBlueSkyFacebook

What happens when the dead won't stay silent—and the past refuses to rest? In today's hauntingly atmospheric episode of Haunted History Chronicles, I'm delighted to be joined by Dr Kate Cherrell: paranormal historian, researcher of Victorian spiritualism, and now, debut novelist.Kate has long been a familiar voice in the world of the weird and wonderful, known for her meticulous historical research and insightful writing on the occult, death culture, and the Victorian fascination with the afterlife. Today, she joins me to discuss her journey into the paranormal, and to lift the veil on her brand new gothic horror novel, Begotten.Set in the crumbling, fog-soaked county of Duncain, Begotten immerses readers in a world of seances, secrets, and ghostly visitations. It's a chilling tale where grief warps into obsession, and the line between the living and the dead becomes perilously thin. We'll explore the inspirations behind this richly layered story—from the spiritualist craze of the 19th century to the silencing of women's voices, and how ghosts might just be the shadows of our own deepest fears.We talk gothic tropes, unreliable narrators, haunted houses, and what it really means to live alongside your ghosts—whether you're a Victorian widow or a modern-day paranormal investigator. Plus, Kate shares some of her own unexplained experiences, the reality behind filming paranormal TV, and why the stories we tell about the dead say so much about the living.If you've ever lit a candle on a stormy night and dared to peer beyond the veil, this is an episode for you.My Special Guest Is Dr Kate Cherrell Kate Cherrell holds a PhD specialising in 19th Century Gothic. She lectures widely on Victorian mourning cultures and the Spiritualist movement and has work featured in several international publications, including Haunted Magazine for which she is a staff writer. She is a freelance writer, author, consultant, and editor and holds a keen interest in cemeteries, spooky history and memorials which she documents on her website.In this episode, you will be able to: Take a deep dive into Begotten: gothic horror, psychological tension, and ghostly inheritanceDiscover the eerie reality of Victorian seances and how spiritualism shaped an eraUnderstand why ghosts remain a mirror to the fears we can't explainIf you value this podcast and want to enjoy more episodes please come and find us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/Haunted_History_Chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠to ⁠support the podcast, gain a wealth of additional exclusive podcasts, writing and other content.Links to all Haunted History Chronicles Social Media Pages, Published Materials and more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/hauntedhistorychronicles?fbclid=IwAR15rJF2m9nJ0HTXm27HZ3QQ2Llz46E0UpdWv-zePVn9Oj9Q8rdYaZsR74I⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEW Podcast Shop:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/user/haunted-history-chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/hauntedhistorychronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Links⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: http://www.burialsandbeyond.com/ Podcast Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loopholespodcast/episodes/The-Loopholes-Podcast-Episode-12-e201d7k Link to book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Begotten-Gothic-Novel-Kate-Cherrell/dp/1803418044 Twitter: http://twitter.com/BurialsBeyond Facebook: http://facebook.com/BurialsAndBeyondPatreon: www.patreon.com/burialsandbeyond Instagram: http://instagram.com/BurialsAndBeyond 

Paulette Kennedy explores the world of gothic suspense, peeling back the curtain on her writing journey and process. She is the bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, and Parting the Veil, which received the prestigious HNS Review Editor's Choice Award. She has had a lifelong obsession with the gothic. As a young girl, she spent her summers among the gravestones in her neighborhood cemetery, imagining all sorts of romantic stories for the people buried there. After her mother introduced her to the Brontës as a teenager, her affinity for fog-covered landscapes and haunted heroines only grew, inspiring her to become a writer. Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, she now lives with her family and a menagerie of rescue pets in sunny Southern California, where sometimes, on the very best days, the mountains are wreathed in fog. Paulette's latest novel is The Artist of Blackberry Grange.Learn more at paulettekennedy.comSpecial thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of Paulette's novel. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table:On Twitter/X: @writingtablepcEverywhere else: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

Send us a textThe Bone Diver is the latest novel from Chicago born novelist Angie Spoto who now lives in Edinburgh.  Telling the story of Keir, an expert diver who is unable to kill, The Bone Diver is a gothic tale of family, the legend of the selkies and a young woman who is offered an impossible choice.Find out more about Angie Spoto and buy a copy of The Bone Diver by visiting her website here https://www.angiespoto.com/Follow Angie Spoto on social media here https://x.com/angiespotowritehttps://www.threads.net/@angiespotowritehttps://www.instagram.com/angiespotowrite/Visit the Black and White website here https://blackandwhitepublishing.com/Find out about the Cymera Festival which is a speculative fiction literary festival held annually in Edinburgh https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/To find out more about Alternative Stories and our work you can follow us on social mediahttps://x.com/StoriesAlthttps://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/or visit our website https://alternativestories.com/Contact us by email at office@alternativestories.comSupport the show

Von behördlich zugelassenen Gespenstern und anderen Heimsuchungen. Mit: Marcus Stiglegger

Grab your pumpkin spice latte and favorite sweater, because it's almost Halloween and there's no better time than now to read gothic fiction! We're here to share some new texts with you - roundup style.  You'll hear from us and three of our ELA friends so you can walk away with fresh stories to add to your gothic fiction archive. You can pair these newer options with the classics (Poe, we're looking at you!). If you enjoy these suggestions, come join us over in Happy Hour! It's our monthly membership where we zoom in and talk more about the technical side of implementation.You can shop all of our favorite books on Bookshop.org (Amanda's list andMarie's list) orAmazon.For all resources & texts mentioned, head to the show notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode229 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"Check out Curriculum Rehab here! Support the show

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this week's solo episode, I share a personal update on what actions I'm taking to align myself with being a healthy author, and I reflect on how I came to write my gothic novella, Between. I also read an excerpt from Between and challenge you to trust that your words have purpose and your stories have a place in the world. Resources mentioned in this episode: ·       Between: A Gothic Novella by Jo Buer. Purchase the eBook direct from me and use the coupon code ALCHEMY to receive 50% off until October 31st 2024. https://payhip.com/b/mckaF ·       Find most retailers for Between: A Gothic Novella at https://books2read.com/BetweenAGothicNovella ·       Your Future Self Meditation Membership by Author Revolution. Receive a 1 week FREE trial when you use this link: https://author-revolution-academy.mykajabi.com/YFS-Broken ·       Join me in Renee Rose's Write to Riches 8 Week Course here. (Please note that since recording I have become an affiliate and do receive a small commission if you enrol through my link.) ·       Purchase Renee's book Write to Riches here.  ·       Join The Money Magic Membership and get 1 month FREE when you use this link and the coupon code JO. (Please note: A do receive a small commission if you decide to continue with the membership)            Listen to Alchemy for Authors Episode 55: Write to Riches with Renee Rose here.     If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going and is greatly appreciated. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, or a topic suggestion for a future episode, leave a voice message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AlchemyForAuthors Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Follow me on Facebook: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you enjoy Gothic Suspense, you can join my reader's newsletter and download a FREE copy of my short story collection, Between the Shadows, here. You can find all my books at https://jobuer.com or visit https://Books2Read.com/JoBuer for links to your favourite store. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Frankenstein (Condensed Version) by LitBits™ for Tale Teller Club™. Introduction: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing with nature. The story revolves around Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, and his creation, a monstrous creature.Plot Summary:Victor Frankenstein, born into a wealthy family in Geneva, Switzerland, is deeply passionate about science, especially the secrets of life. He attends the University of Ingolstadt, where he becomes obsessed with discovering how to animate lifeless matter. After years of study and experimentation, Victor succeeds in creating life from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the hideous result—a gigantic, grotesque creature—Victor is horrified and flees, abandoning his creation.The creature, left alone, struggles to understand the world. It learns to speak and read by observing a family in the woods but faces constant rejection due to its appearance. Filled with loneliness and rage, the creature vows revenge on Victor for bringing it into a world that despises it.The creature confronts Victor, asking for a companion. Initially, Victor agrees but later destroys the new creation, fearing the consequences of unleashing another monster. Enraged, the creature kills those closest to Victor, including his brother William, best friend Henry, and eventually, Victor's bride, Elizabeth, on their wedding night.Victor, consumed with guilt and anger, chases the creature across Europe to the Arctic. However, his health deteriorates from the relentless pursuit, and he is found by Captain Walton, who is leading an expedition to the North Pole. Victor recounts his tragic tale to Walton before succumbing to exhaustion and dying.The creature, mourning Victor's death, appears aboard Walton's ship. It expresses regret for the destruction it caused and resolves to end its own life, disappearing into the icy wilderness, never to be seen again.Themes:Ambition and Hubris: Victor's overreaching ambition leads to his downfall, as he attempts to defy natural laws by creating life.Isolation: Both Victor and the creature suffer from extreme loneliness, leading them to tragic paths.Consequences of Unchecked Science: Shelley explores the dangers of playing with life and the moral responsibilities that come with scientific discovery.Conclusion: Frankenstein is a cautionary tale about the perils of pursuing knowledge and power without considering the moral and ethical consequences.Mary Shelley creates mood and emotion throughout Frankenstein using several literary techniques, including vivid descriptions of the natural environment, the use of gothic and dark imagery, the emotional depth of her characters, and contrasting settings. Here's how she crafts mood and emotion in key ways: Nature and Setting:Shelley frequently uses nature and the setting to reflect the emotional states of the characters. The natural world in Frankenstein is often used symbolically, mirroring Victor's feelings or foreshadowing impending doom. For example:Sublime Landscapes: The novel contains several descriptions of awe-inspiring natural landscapes, such as the Swiss Alps or the Arctic. These grand and untamed environments highlight the smallness of humanity compared to nature and evoke feelings of isolation, wonder, and terror. When Victor is feeling despair, the vastness of the Alps amplifies his feelings of insignificance.Weather as Mood Indicator: Shelley often uses weather to reflect the emotional tone of a scene. Storms and rain frequently accompany moments of tension and fear, such as when Victor first brings the creature to life. The storm outside mirrors his internal turmoil and the birth of something monstrous.Gothic Imagery and Darkness:The novel is steeped in gothic elements that create an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere. This includes the use of darkness, desolate locations, and death:Dark Settings: Shelley sets many of the key moments in dark, isolated, or dangerous environments, such as graveyards, Victor's lab, or the remote Arctic. These settings evoke a sense of dread and mystery. The creature is often encountered at night or in shadowy places, enhancing the mood of fear.Graveyards and Corpses: The imagery of death—such as Victor robbing graves for body parts and the creature lurking in the shadows—creates a constant mood of decay and terror. These morbid images add to the gothic tone of horror and foreboding.Victor's Inner Turmoil:Victor Frankenstein's emotional journey is central to the novel's emotional depth. Shelley uses his internal monologues and letters to convey his growing despair, guilt, and madness:Victor's Guilt: As the consequences of his actions unfold, Victor is consumed by guilt and paranoia. His self-recriminations and the torment he feels over the deaths caused by his creature heighten the mood of despair and self-destruction.Isolation and Despair: Victor's sense of isolation and helplessness grows as the novel progresses. His withdrawal from society, his emotional breakdowns, and his obsessive need for revenge all contribute to a mood of overwhelming sorrow and hopelessness.The Creature's Emotional Journey:The creature, though monstrous in appearance, is portrayed with deep emotional complexity. Shelley humanizes the creature's suffering and rage, making the reader feel empathy for him despite his terrifying acts:Loneliness and Rejection: The creature's profound sense of loneliness and desire for companionship is one of the novel's most tragic elements. His repeated rejection by society, and even by his creator, creates an emotional atmosphere of sadness and frustration.Rage and Vengeance: As the creature becomes consumed by anger and bitterness, the mood shifts toward one of violence and terror. His transformation from an innocent being to a vengeful one mirrors Victor's own descent into despair.Contrasting Tones:Shelley also plays with contrasting tones to heighten emotions. Moments of beauty, happiness, or calm are quickly interrupted by tragedy or horror, intensifying the emotional impact. For example:Joy Before Disaster: When Victor marries Elizabeth, there is a brief moment of happiness and hope, but it is quickly shattered by the creature's murder of Elizabeth on their wedding night. The stark contrast between the joy of the wedding and the horror of her death amplifies the emotional devastation.Themes of Responsibility and Consequences:Throughout the novel, the emotional weight of responsibility looms large. Both Victor and the creature suffer deeply because of Victor's refusal to take responsibility for his actions. The moral consequences of creating life—and abandoning it—drive much of the novel's emotional intensity.Conclusion:Mary Shelley creates mood and emotion in Frankenstein through her use of nature, gothic imagery, emotional character depth, and a constant interplay between beauty and horror. The novel's tone shifts from wonder and ambition to despair, guilt, and rage, making the reader feel the profound consequences of Victor's choices and the tragic fate of both creator and creation.This was a LitBits™ audiobook. Check out our other condensed books at taletellerclub.com.

Heidi Backes joins Alan to discuss the haunted houses, silent spaces and traumatic memories often seen in post-Franco gothic fiction, such as in Carlos Ruiz Zafón's international bestseller The Shadow of the Wind.' Her new book Spectral Spain looks at how Gothic literature has become a leading genre in contemporary Spain - one capable of confronting the traumatic memories of the country's past. If you enjoy what we produce then please give us a review on your preferred podcast platform and consider donating to our buy me a coffee fund to help the podcast be more sustainable. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesobremey Books mentioned in the episode: Adelaida García Morales: "Aunt Águeda" ("La tía Águeda") and "Elisa's Secret" ("El secreto de Elisa") Julio Llamazares: "The Yellow Rain" ("La lluvia amarilla") Ana María Matute: "Uninhabited Paradise" ("Paraíso inhabitado") Carlos Ruiz Zafón: "Prisoner of Heaven" ("El prisionero del cielo") More about her book here Heidi Backes examines haunting as the perfect motif for Spanish authors to portray the tension between modernity and the imposition of a nationalized tradition throughout the twentieth century—noting not just the trauma of the civil war and the resulting dictatorship of Franco, but also the continuing and widespread disenchantment during and after the transition. It is a study of multiple manifestations of individual and collective trauma in texts written after the transition, which will assist readers' understanding of the relationships between Gothic fear, trauma, and spectrality. Link to publisher's site https://www.uwp.co.uk/book/spectral-spain/

Have you ever heard of Gothic Fiction? What about magical realism? Join Meagan as she chats with Joanna about her upcoming release The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple and hear about this genre, the importance of fiction, and the greatest Storyteller of all in this spoiler-free episode! Books Mentioned: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple - preorder here! Connect with Joanna: Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/joannadavidsonpolitano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannadavidsonpolitano/ Newsletter: https://jdpstories.com/get-my-ebook-here/

Back from a too-short break, but ready to delve into the greatest haunted house of them all! Shirley Jackson's Hill House. The place where the scary things walk alone. Thankfully, I am not alone. I'm joined by my own group of creepy ghost-hunters: Paul Tremblay (A Head Full of Ghosts, Cabin at the End of the World), Johnny Compton (The Spite House) and Catriona Ward (Last House on Needless Street, Looking Glass Sound). I can think of no better collective to explore the corridors of this book and house. We get INTO it. The crafted magic of that infamous opening paragraph, the long legacy of creepy houses in American fiction, the choice between the haunted void and hideous, mundane reality. Plus, a raft of film recommendations, and a few brief forays into our favourite real haunted places. This one was necessary. Hope you enjoy it. Other books mentioned: House of Leaves (2000), by Mark Z. DanielewskiCarrie (1974), by Stephen King‘Salem's Lot (1975), by Stephen KingThe Shining (1977),  by Stephen KingThe Spite House (2023), by Johnny ComptonThe Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers (1983), by John GardnerThe Letters of Shirley Jackson (2021), edited by Laurence Jackson HymanWhen Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson (2021), ed. by Ellen Datlow“Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad” (1904), by M.R. James Support Talking Scared on Patreon Visit the Talking Scared site Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

We're going up in the world this week – longitudinally and latitudinally, with the GOAT of endurance, adventure Gothic, Michelle Paver. Michelle joins me for a big conversation about her novels Dark Matter and Thin Air – two of the most effective ghost stories of the 21st century. One takes us to the Arctic, the other to a Himalayan peak, both places littered with the dead… who may still be around. We talk about how ghost stories work, their tradition and what perhaps differentiates them from horror. We consider the challenge of writing heroes with imperial perspectives, and Michelle relates her own, eerie, dangerous experiences out in the frozen wilds. This is perfect winter listening, even if we did record it in July.  Enjoy! Books mentioned: Wolf Brother (2004), by Michelle PaverThe Abominable (2013), by Dan Simmons30 Days of Night (2002), by Steve Niles and Ben TemplesmithThe Others of Edenwell (2023), by Verity Holloway“The Kit Bag” (1908), by Algernon Blackwood Cold Earth (2009), by Sarah MossNumber 90 and Other Ghost Stories (2000 rpt) B.M. CrokerA Beleaguered City (1871), by Margaret Oliphant The Long Tale (Tail) of Dogs in Fiction (Esquire) Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Come home!! We have to come home!! The House is calling us. Yep, this week we are going back to the most haunted house of all. Hill House. Shirley Jackson's classic bad place. And we're going in the company of three-time Shirley Jackson Award Winner, Elizabeth Hand, whose new novel is the first ever sanctioned sequel to Jackson's classic. A Haunting on the Hill submits four new unwitting victims to the horrors of Hill House. But that's where the stories diverge. Liz's take on this soured ground is a whole different thing, full of witchcraft, theatre-drama and weirdness even Jackson didn't dream up. We talk about Jackson's huge legacy, the pressures and pleasures of playing in her sandbox, treating Hill House as a character and murder ballads.  Enjoy! Welcome home.  A Haunting on the Hill was published on October 3rd by Mulholland Books and Sphere Books mentioned: When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson (2021), ed. by Ellen DatlowThe Shining (1977), by Stephen KingElectric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music (2011), by Rob YoungThe Magic Box: Viewing Britain through the Rectangular Window (2021), by Rob YoungSupport Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

For October, we discuss Gothic fiction, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks have all the creepy mansions, women in the attic, and brooding characters you could possibly want. Not to mention fungi! Carrie's PickO Caledonia is a little-known classic that, according to the publisher, “has been compared to the works of the Brontes, Edgar Allan Poe, and Edward Gorey.” This atmospheric and witty novel opens with the death of 16 year-old Janet, who has been murdered in her family's dilapidated castle in the Scottish Highlands. Except for her pet jackdaw, nobody seems to miss her much: her family wants her quickly buried and forgotten. What follows is not a traditional mystery. Instead, the book goes back in time to tell the story of her sad and misunderstood life.Pairing: Cinnamon scones from Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook or, for a vegan option, Buttery Scottish Teatime Scones. Jacqueline's PickHave you ever felt strongly about a house? You do not know why but for some unexplainable reason you feel a connection or a presence?In the young adult novel Frost by Marianna Baer, main character Leena has strong feelings the first time she sees an old two-story Victorian house at the edge of her boarding school. But after Leena moves into the house with her friends, things turn sinister. If you enjoyed Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, you might enjoy Frost.Pairing: Aztec Chile Chocolate cupcakes.Michael's PickMexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is like Lovecraft meets Wuthering Heights. In 1955 Mexico, young socialite Noemi is sent to High Place after her father receives a distressing letter from her cousin, Catalina. In a crumbling manor on top of a mountain, she finds Catalina confined to her room due to “tuberculosis.” While her cousin rests during the day, Noemi roams the house and grounds, where she slowly uncovers some of the family's history and dark secrets–including their strange fascination with fungi.Pairing: Garlic mushrooms.

Sorry not sorry this week. Yes I'm going to destroy your wallet and your bookshelves…but you LOVE IT!!Our guest is Sadie Hartmann, AKA Mother Horror to the likes of us. One of the most influential horror reviewers in the world. The editor in chief of Dark Hart Books and the co-owner of the Night Worms horror subscription service. She knows a thing or two about this haunted library.And she's written a book to guide the unwary, or the just-plain curious. Or anyone who wants a new book to read. 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered is Sadie's guide to the horrid books that she loves – the ones that chill her blood, warm her heart and turn her stomach. We talk about her selection process, her blogging origin story, the gatekeeper problem in horror, our shared fear of certain kinds of book and the joy of scary stories featuring kids on bikes. Renew your library card or get ready to buy some books!101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered was published on August 8th by Page Street PublishingOther books mentioned in this episode include:The Devil All the Time (2012), by Donald Ray PollockKnockemstiff (2008), by Donald Ray PollockCome Closer (2003), by Sara GranLord of the Flies (1954), by William GoldingBoys in the Valley (2023), by Philip FracassiThe Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore (2018), by Kim FuDevil's Creek (2020), by Todd KieslingGather the Daughters (2017), by Jennie MelamedThe Girl Next Door (1989), by Jack KetchumAlong the Path of Torment (2020), by Chandler MorrisonApartment 16 (2010), by Adam NevilleLast Days (2012), by Adam NevilleThe Reddening (2019), by Adam NevilleLonesome Dove (1985), by Larry McMurtryA House with Good Bones (2023), by T. KingfisherNumber One Fan (2020), by Meg EllisonHouse of Leaves (2000), by Mark Z. DanielewskiLet the Right One In (2004), by John Ajvide LindqvistBetty (2020), by Tiffany McDanielOn the Savage Side (2023), by Tiffany McDanielWhalefall (2023), by Daniel Kraus Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Our guest this week is Stephen King.That's it. That's the intro.Stephen King. The architect of modern horror and the creative north star of my life, and many of yours. He's on the show, talking about his new book, Holly and why the central character just won't let him go. We cover his attitude to academia, horror and hope, how his worldview sits with a fractured reality, and we even hear some exciting, exclusive details about some upcoming books.I lack the words to convey my delight.EnjoyOther books mentioned in this episode include:The Boy on the Bridge (2017), by M.R. CareyDMV (2023), by Bentley LittleMary: An Awakening of Terror (2022), by Nat CassidyThe Clackity (2022), by Lora SenfThe Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), by Agatha Christie“Beyond the Wall of Sleep,” (1919), by H.P. LovecraftThe Passenger (2023), by Cormac McCarthyLight Perpetual (2021), by Francis SpuffordThe Deluge (2023), by Stephen Markley Holly is published on September 5th by Hodder and Scribner Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! To celebrate the upcoming release of my first paranormal cozy, I'm taking you behind the scenes of the creation of Hades's Haunt. As an additional treat, I'm also sharing with you the first two chapters. Topics I discuss on this episode include: ·       How genre-hopping saved me from writing burnout. ·       The emotional toll writing gothic suspense had on me. ·       Why it's important to make writing fun! ·       Why I decided against having a pen name. ·       The inspiration behind my new paranormal cozy, Hades's Haunt. The first half of this episode is my personal reflection on why I stepped outside my usual book genre and the impact it's had on my writing life so far. If you're a paranormal cozy fan, make sure you stick around for the second half of this episode where I share the first two chapters of Hades's Haunt. Hades's Haunt will be released on July 11th 2023. You can preorder your copy now from:  https://books2read.com/hadesshaunt If this episode piqued your interest in my gothic suspense novel, Unspoken Truths, click here to purchase as either an eBook or paperback: https://books2read.com/unspokentruths Find all my books at https://jobuer.com or https://books2read.com/jobuer If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. You can also support the show by buying me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jobuer. Your support helps me keep this podcast going. Follow me on Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join my Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here.  If you know of someone who will make a great guest for a future episode of Alchemy for Authors, please email me your interest here: jo@jobuer.com Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Come get a balloon, bring your slingshot, let's float…it's here!!!Yes, finally we're off to Derry, to do battle with that goddamn clown. But as everyone knows, we can't fight Pennywise alone. That's why I'm taking my trusty, loyal, brave band of Losers with me. Nat Cassidy (Mary: An Awakening of Terror) and Ally Malinenko (This Appearing House) are joining me for a tour of the sewers, subtext and sociological horrors at the heart of King's IT. Halfway through we realised this would to be a two-parter, ‘cos there is just too much to say. The horrors will follow in Part Two, this time we focus mainly on the heart. We talk about the characters, the depictions of childhood… and yes we get into that  scene (with possibly surprising opinions). I so hope you like this episode gang. I want to finally take the chance to explain what this book means to my enduring boyish heart. Enjoy!Read Grady Hendrix's essay HERESupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

I've rarely been more excited about an episode – for you to hear it or, indeed, about its very contents.We're joined this week by Mike Flanagan. Yes, that Mike Flanagan. The genius loci of modern visual horror, the writer and director behind Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, The Midnight Club and Oculus. Our most literary horror director and a man who understand that horror is where the heart is. If you think my praise is too gushing then… we'll just have to disagree.He may be a filmmaker, but he sure does love books. In this conversation we talk about Mike's deep love for horror stories, how his childhood reading continues to influence his career, and what he's still loving about the genre. We discuss his upcoming take on Fall of the House of Usher, his next Stephen King adaptation, and a certain tower that looms in the distance.Yes, Mike's career – like all great things – follows the Beam.   The Fall of the House of Usher is out on Netflix later this year. Other books mentioned in this episode include:The House with a Clock in its Walls (1973), by John BellairsIt (1986), by Stephen KingGerald's Game (1992), by Stephen King“The Life of Chuck,” in If it Bleeds (2020), by Stephen KingEcho (2022), by Thomas Olde HeuveltBlackwater (1983), by Michael McDowellIf You See Her (2019), by Ania AhlbornThis Appearing House (2022), by Ally MalinenkoThe Clackity (2022), by Lora Senf Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

 If horror is indeed a broad church, then our guest this week is preaching from the darkest of pulpits. Paula D. Ashe is the author of We Are Here To Hurt Each Other – a collection of short stories that has accrued infamy and acclaim in equal measure over the last 12 months. Her stories are cruel. They present a depraved world of man (and woman's) direst excesses, a world that rubs against the numinous and the cosmically amoral. Can you say ‘trigger warnings needed'!We talk at length about the allure of extreme horror, about whether an author can truly consider their readers' feelings, about horrendous crimes and the difference between the horror of imagery and action. We also give a lot of love to Clive Barker and his influence on Paula's own mythos-building.This may be the most extreme episode of Talking Scared ever recorded.Enjoy (whatever that means!) We Are Here To Hurt Each Other was published on 21st Feb 2022, by Nictitating Books Other books mentioned in this episode include:Where I End (2022), by Sophie WhiteStephen (1991), by Elizabeth MassieThe Hellbound Heart (1986), by Clive BarkerSupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

It's the Christmas Special and with the obligatory requirement to do something different – we're turning the tables.Yes, I'm the one being interviewed this week.To make that a palatable offering for listeners, the guest interviewers are none other than Rachel Harrison and Josh Malerman. Friends of the show and horror superstars who, out of the goodness of their hearts, devoted an evening to asking me questions. Don't listen for me; listen for them. Amongst other parts of my odd life, we cover my early gorilla terrors, my unhealthy relationship with running, and my time as an alpaca farmer. Oh and of course, Stephen King comes up a time or two.What have we learned in this self-important project – 1) the hubris of the male podcaster knows no bounds and 2) I become a lot less articulate when talking aboiut myself.Oh …  and also, I have an idea that you may, or may not like. Enjoy, and merry Christmas. Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Are you ready for some learnin'?This week rather than focusing on any single book, or any single author – I thought we'd have a little look at … y'know … the entire friggin' history of Horror and Gothic across the centuries. After all, what's a Christmas break from podcasting if you aren't doubling the length of your episodes and making the scope infinite? Thankfully, I'm joined by a bona fide expert. Professor Roger Luckhurst, from Birkbeck College, London comes with me to talk about the history of dark culture. We use his great new book, Gothic: An Illustrated History as a guide. We cover everything we can in a couple of hours – from the birth of the genre in the 1700s, through Shelley and Stoker and all the way across the Atlantic to pick up with Poe and Lovecraft and Jackson. And as we get into the modern era we see the genre split and fracture in fascinating ways. I hope you enjoy this immensely. Prof Rog is the best guide an eager Goth or horror nerd could hope for.**Note – this episode was originally released on Talking Scared Patreon as a series of 3 shorter episodes. Gothic: An Illustrated is out now from Palgrave.Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Get ready to be sickened by my praise.My guest this week is Philip Fracassi. Last year his historical horror, The Boys in the Valley got the Stephen King endorsement. He's already following up with A Child Alone With Strangers - his second novel (or is it his first, or his third – as you'll hear it's complicated).This book is an all-timer. It blends the relaxed, character driven storytelling of the best 80s horror, with a contemporary cross-genre style that keeps you shocked …  and shook. I tell you now, this book will take your heart, put it in a velvet box – and then stamp on that box until it's mush.We talk about a lot of things in this 70-minute conversation. Writing believable children, creating great villains, and conceiving original monsters and true otherness. We explore insectile horror, empathy overloads and setcking to your guns on word-length.This is my last author-interview of the year and I couldn't have hoped for a better book to discuss.Enjoy! A Child Alone With Strangers was released on October 25th by Talos Press Other books mentioned in this episode include:The Boys in the Valley (2021), by Philip FracassiGothic (2023), by Philip FracassiThe Stand (1990), by Stephen KingThe Magus (1965/1977), by John FowlesLet it Come Down (1952), by Paul BowlesThe Delicate Prey and Other Stories (1950), by Paul BowlesSupport Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Are you a city mouse or a country mouse? That's the question at the heart of my conversation with Charlotte Northedge. Her new novel, The People Before argues that though the city may be a hassle, it's a lot less scary than what waits out there in the fields and farmhouses of this pleasant land. Charlotte is very much a city mouse. She's also the Head of Books for The Guardian Newspaper, which makes her superbly well-euipped to talk about fiction in general, and this is an episode that really gets into the Gothic tradition of which The People Before is part. We talk about the unique nature of the female gothic, domestic loads and mortgage terror, the economics of haunted houses, and I stand by my argument that rural axe-murders are fairly rare.Enjoy! The People Before was released on November 10th by HarperCollinsOther books mentioned in this episode include:The House Guests (2021), by Charlotte NorthedgeThe Last House on Needless Street (2021), by Catriona Ward Sundial (2022), by Catriona Ward The Fell (2021), by Sarah MossThe Haunting of Hill House (1959), by Shirley JacksonRebecca (1938), by Daphne Du MaurierThe Turn of the Screw (1898), by Henry James Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

It's coming home, it's coming … horror's coming home!Alright, no one panic – this isn't about football. We'll avoid that particular nightmare of human corruption and talk about something much more nourishing – the delights of British Folk Horror.Our guest is Fiona Barnett, and these days it's seems like a mini-celebration everytime I have a fellow Brit on the show. Her debut novel The Dark Between the Trees is also quintessentially British, mired in the myth and lore and landscape of these sceptic isles. Her novel follows two groups into the cursed Moresby Woods. One is a group of soldiers from the 16th Century; the other is a research group in the present day. Neither expedition goes at all well…Amongst many things, Fiona and I talk about writing female groups, about propelling the plot in the face of paralysis weirdness, we discuss the nature of folktale and truth, and we look into the abyss of Deep Time.And in case that all sounds awfully hifalutin – I make sure to talk about monsters as much as I can. Though this week, I promise, there is no Bigfoot. Enjoy! The Dark Between the Trees was released on October 11th by SolarisOther books mentioned in this episode include:Annihilation (2014), by Jeff VanderMeerMythago Wood (1984), by Robert HoldstockPicnic at Hanging Rock (1967), by Joan LindseyDeep Time: A Literary History (2023), by Noah HeringmanBegars Abbey (2022), by V.L. ValentineLolly Willowes, or the Loving Huntsman (1926), by Sylvia Townsend WarnerSupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

I don't always talk about Bigfoot … but when I do it's with the BEST people.Our guest this week is Erika T. Wurth, author, narrative artist and creative writing guru. She is of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent and she pours all of that skill and heritage into her new novel White Horse. It's a tale of haunting, hard-living and violence, with a certain hairy indigenous monster that pops up in your dreams.This is NOT the Bigfoot that you expect, or want to meet. As well as that brief foray into hairy hominid lore (I restrained myself; you're welcome), Erika and I also talk about the dreaded dream sequence, the German phenomenon of Sonder, the real Overlook hotel and Jack Kerouac, of all people.Enjoy!White Horse was released on November 1st by Flatiron BooksOther books mentioned in this episode include:Buckskin Cocaine (2017), by Erika T. WurthBlack Sun (2021), by Rebecca Roanhorse Ghost Eaters (2022), by Clay McLeod ChapmanSupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Halloween may be over but I trust you aren't tired of horror? No? Good. ‘Cos this week's guest packs a double-whammy – horror novels and horror movies all in one. Brian McAuley is a screenwriter and debut novelist. His first book, Curse of the Reaper is a behind-the-scenes look at how the horror movie sausage gets made, featuring the greatest slasher icon never to actually exist, and some of the best ‘bad' scriptwriting you'll ever read.Brian and I talk about Hollywood as a place of both cinematic and spiritual horror. We compare our favourite franchises and our love for Robert Englund. We discuss why the genre needs to remember to be fun, and how you can judge a lot from someone's reaction to the latest Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  All in all, it's the perfect book for the day after Halloween – when we just need to keep the horror train rollin'Enjoy!Curse of the Reaper was released on October 4th by Talos Press.Other books mentioned in this episode include: Rootwork (2022), by Tracy CrossHollywood Monster: A Walk Down Elm Street With the Man of Your Dreams (2009), by Robert Englund and Alan GoldsherThe Dark Half (1989), by Stephen King Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Marissa chats with Betsy Cornwell about her YA historical Jane Eyre sequel - READER, I MURDERED HIM - as well as recognizing that you can't be at your peek creativity and productivity all the time, and how to lower your standards for yourself when you need to; why some books change with age, experience, and perspective; practical steps for developing a sequel or spin-off from an existing story; tips for emulating an authentic historical voice, while also giving yourself permission to write in your own personal style without the pressure to sound like anybody else; how writing through a time of personal trial and vulnerability can lend itself to some of our best work; and lots of inspiring talk about Betsy's passion project - an art residency program for single parent artists - along with some wonderful advice for single parents pursuing a creative dream. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Welcome to the Halloween Special of Alchemy for Authors! As an author who writes Gothic Fiction and Supernatural Suspense, it won't be a surprise to you that I've had a fascination with ghosts and hauntings since childhood. In this episode, I get personal and share some of my thoughts about why I've always been drawn to write ghost stories and where I get my inspiration from. If you have a fascination with ghosts and hauntings or are interested in why people write what they write, then this is the episode for you. As a bonus, I share some of my personal experiences and interactions with those who have passed over. You can expect a few goosebumps from this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review. It helps my little podcast stand out amongst the masses. If you want to connect with me or share your own spooky story, you can find me here: Instagram: @alchemyforauthors and @jobuerauthor. Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Page here.  Or check out my website at https://jobuer.com Find the full transcript of this episode here.  Resources mentioned in this episode: For more Ghost Stories check out: Episode 32: Writing, Vella, Query Letters & Ghosts with Brandon J. Greer Join the Alchemy for Authors newsletter and download your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. Join my author newsletter and download a free copy of my short story collection Between the Shadows here. Purchase my other books: Voices: A Collection of Short Stories Rest Easy Resort Unspoken Truths

The last episode before Halloween and it's suitably about my favourite book of the year: Andy Davidson's The Hollow KindAndy is the Stoker-nominated author of In the Valley of the Sun and The Boatman's Daughter. The Hollow Kind is his third book and it packs a lot into its 400 pages. It's as dense and weighty as an imploding paper star. It's a haunted house story (of sorts), a creature feature (of sorts) and a whole lot of Southern Gothic of many kinds. The prose is lush and wow, does Andy know a lot about the history of Georgia both human and natural.We talk about that, as well as the link between industry and horror, the allure of extreme violence, and the sheer delight of finding a map at the front of a book. Plus, we go a little deeper than usual into the nature and origins of the evil at the heart of the story.Enjoy and have a happy Halloween my horror-loving siblings!The Hollow Kind was released on October 11th by MCD Other books mentioned in this episode include:The Boatman's Daughter (2020), by Andy DavidsonConvulsive (2022), by Joe KochAbsalom, Absalom! (1936), by William FaulknerPoachers (1999), by Tom FranklinKnockemstiff (2008), by Donald Ray PollockJo Koch interview with Andy at Southwest Review Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Do you know anyone with hairy palms? Weird question, but as this week's novel-in-question will convince you, it's best to be careful around the hirsute.Our guest is Rachel Harrison, returning to Talking Scared with her brand new SUCH SHARP TEETH. It's a tale of small-town relationships, female transformation, love and … werewolves.Anyone who has read either of Rachel's previous novels, The Return or Cackle, will know that she has a knack for reinventing horror tropes within snarky satire. Such Sharp Teeth is no different in that regard. Rachel and I talk about messy characters, beastly metaphors, and rage filled rooms. We get into the unexpected earnestness of romance, and we wonder if      horror comedy may well be the best genre to represent contemporary existence.And stick around because Rachel also has the best ever answer to the question, what truly scares you… Enjoy!Such Sharp Teeth is released on October 4th by Berkley.Other books mentioned in this episode include: Build Your House Around My Body (2021), by Violet KupersmithThe Return (2020), by Rachel Harrison – episode 17Cackle (2021), by Rachel Harrison Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

The words of Ann Radcliffe, the Queen of Gothic Fiction and the highest paid writer of the 1790s, are sent into the void on this month's episode of https://open.spotify.com/show/6SGpXMfIWaRcVRIN8OSfwC (Warlock Vorobok Reads). Gather close to CHPL's resident warlock and prepare for the icy chill of the Snow-Fiend and Night! Warlock Vorobok Reads is a monthly storytime for grownups.

The best and spookiest season starts in earnest, this year on Talking Scared. Our guest is Jamie Flanagan, actor, screenwriter, and part of the team who delivered such televisual delights as The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass and now, The Midnight Club.With The Midnight Club due to land on Netflix worldwide this Friday – I rejigged the schedule to sneak in a chat with Jamie about his work on the show, his relationship with horror-maestro director, Mike Flanagan, and some of the magic that bubbled to the surface in Midnight Mass. Jamie pulls back the veil on the mythical ‘writers room'. He talks about the difficulty of getting anything to screen. And we talk, of course, about the influence of Stephen King.It's a pleasant detour this week, away from books, without leaving the literary entirely behind.Enjoy!The Midnight Club is released worldwide on Netflix, October 7th.  Other books mentioned in this episode include:The Midnight Club (1994), by Christopher Pike The Mist (1980), by Stephen KingHouse of Leaves (2000), by Mark Z. DanielewskiSupport Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

It's not only vampires that drink blood. That's what we find out on this week's episode. Our guest is Alexis Henderson – author of The Year of the Witching and now, her sophomore novel, House of Hunger. It's a luscious, lurid tale of dark fantasy, blood and sex. Y'know … all the good stuff.Oh, and it's one of my favourite books of the year.Alexis and I discuss the collision of horror and fantasy, the erotics and politics of blood, and the double standards when it comes to female perversion. We also talk a little about a certain Bloody Countess, who plays a big part in the background of House of Hunger. Enjoy!House of Hunger is released September 27th by Ace Books   Other books mentioned in this episode include:A Dowry of Blood  (2022), by S.T. Gibson The Year of the Witching (2021), by Alexis HendersonSupport Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Wanna get haunted?That's the delightful proposition offered by Clay McLeod Chapman's Ghost Eaters – a novel of ghosts, grief and ghastly narcotics. Just take one pill and you can sell all the phantoms that surround you. What a premise! It's Clay's second time on Talking Scared and he's always welcome. There are few more honest, open, and thoughtful writers out there. This time around we go deep, into the real emotional core of Ghost Eaters, talking about lost friends and long-ago dreams. We discuss 90s indie art, postmodernism's pains-in-the-ass, and our drug experiences (turns out we're lame).Oh, and there are Machine Elves. What are Machine Elves, you ask? Listen to find out. Enjoy!Ghost Eaters is released September 20th by Quirk Books  Other books mentioned in this episode include: Between Two Fires (2012), by Christopher Buehlman Whisper Down the Lane (2021), by Clay McLeod Chapman – (episode 32)The Secret History (1992), by Donna TarttInfinite Jest (19960, by David Foster WallaceSupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

The time has finally come to go to the scariest place imaginable – the inside of the human mind. Thankfully, we have a friend to accompany us on this most hideous of trips. I'm joined this week by Gemma Amor, author of the brand-new techno-horror FULL IMMERSION. It's a book that deals with trauma, psychosis and experimental treatment, and it's the perfect springboard for an epic conversation about mental health in horror.Gemma and I cover the autobiographical elements of her novel and how it helped her recovery. I lay bare my own neurosis and explain why this genre is not necessarily a safe space. And Gemma explains the dangerous reality of being a woman in the horror game. If that all sounds a tad sombre, don't worry – there is also chat about the Uncanny Valley, Men in Black, Creepypasta and Black Mirror. As well as the pros and cons of pushing over racist statues.It's a long episode this one. You won't get this level of self-indulgence every week. But it was just too good a conversation to cut short.Let's head into my head, it's scary there!!Enjoy!Full Immersion is released September 13th by Angry Robot Read Gemma's essay - The Female Experience of FearSupport Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

The words of Ann Radcliffe, the Queen of Gothic Fiction and the highest paid writer of the 1790s, are sent into the void on this month's episode of https://open.spotify.com/show/6SGpXMfIWaRcVRIN8OSfwC (Warlock Vorobok Reads). Gather close to CHPL's resident warlock and prepare for the icy chill of the Snow-Fiend and Night! Warlock Vorobok Reads is a monthly storytime for grownups.

Finally, she's here!After months of waiting for schedules and book releases to align, Hailey Piper is on the show. She's here to talk about both of her 2022 releases – each is a kidnapping experience. The novella Your Mind is a Terrible Thing takes us up into the void and into creepy inner space. Her forthcoming novel No Gods for Drowning transports us somewhere else entirely. Hailey lets me blather on about social commentary and metaphor before reminding me gently that sometimes it's ok to enjoy the story. We talk about concise world-building (how!!), zombie capitalism, police brutality, anxiety and body autonomy, and why Queer characters don't need an agenda to be worthy of inclusion.By the time this goes live Hailey has probably written another two books!! But for now, I'm just delighted to have her on the show to discuss these two.Enjoy!Your Mind is a Terrible Thing was released May 2022 by Off Limits Press; No Gods for Drowning is published September 7th, 2022 by Polis Books.Other books mentioned in the episode include: Crime Scene (forthcoming 2022), by Cynthia PelayoThe Possession of Natalie Glagow (2018), by Hailey PiperBenny Rose the Cannibal King (2020), by Hailey Piper Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Gothic Fiction Author Paulette Kennedy joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss letting go of perfectionism to get a draft done, the impact of her first critical critique, learning about publishing on twitter, how much influence Marketing has on publishing a book, her favorite marketing activities, wanting to "get an A" on her first draft, and having a #pitmad twitter pitch go viral. Originally from the Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy now divides her time between her hometown of Springfield, Missouri and a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. When she isn't writing, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets. Paulette is the author of Parting the Veil and The Witch of Tin Mountain. Paulette: Query | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqpaulette This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you'd like to support the show.

Do think kids' drawings are creepy? They are, right? All big smiles and suns with eyes and weird flowers the size of people… and the dead girls in the background.Right? Our guest this week has built a whole horror story around these little paper nightmares.  Hidden Pictures is a novel that blends text and image in ways that I've never seen done before, or never as well. It's a story of childhood imagination, suburban murder and summer terror. Think Gone Girl with Crayola ghosts.Jason and I talk about lots of things – the rise of 1% horror; the relationship between image and text, and how to adapt an experimental book for audio. We get into the fairy tale details that I missed, and ask kid's imaginary friends are just so damn freaky. Trust me, you'll never look at your little cherub's artistic offerings the same way ever again.EnjoyHidden Pictures is published on May 10th by Flatiron Books and Sphere.Other books mentioned in this episode include:The Impossible Fortress (2017), by Jason Rekulak A Kiss Before Dying (1953), Ira LevinHorrorstör (2014), by Grady HendrixPride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009), by Seth Grahame-SmithMiss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children (2011), by Ransom RiggMy article in Esquire on ‘The 50 Best Horror Novels of All Time'Support Talking Scared on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TalkingScaredPod Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, and TikTok or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Download Novellic on Google Play or Apple Store.Support the show

This week Alma Katsu brings her brand of immaculate historical horror to Talking Scared.After the The Hunger upped the ante on the Donner Party, and The Deep gave us a sinking feeling about the Titanic, Alma is back with The Fervor – a book too dark to write a pun about.It's a tale of haunting and conspiracy during   the years of Japanese internment in the US. Spanning multiple states, and multiple POV's, it weaves a story of anger, prejudice and hate that seems all too familiar today.We talk a lot about the history of internment and anti-asian prejudice in the US, about Alma's heritage and career, and the unique perspective it gives her on the topic. But don't worry, just as it's all about to get worryingly serious –the spider demons pop in to lighten the mood!Enjoy!Other books mentioned in this episode include:The Hunger (2018), by Alma KatsuThe Deep (2020), by Alma KatsuThe Pallbearer's Club (2022), by Paul TremblayThe Devil Takes You Home (2022), by Gabino IglesiasThe Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party (2009), by Daniel James BrownThe Fervor is published on April 26th, by G.P. Putnam. It will be released in the UK in October, by Titan. Support Talking Scared on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TalkingScaredPodCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, and TikTok or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Download Novellic on Google Play or Apple Store.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/talkingscaredpod)

Josh Kemp writes Australian gothic fiction. Banjawarn, joint winner of the 2021 Dorothy Hewett Award for an Unpublished Manuscript, is his stunning debut novel. His short stories have been published by Kill Your Darlings, Overland, Seizure, Tincture and Breach. He's previously been shortlisted for the Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award and longlisted for the Fogarty Literary Award.  About The Garret Read the transcript of this interview at thegarretpodcast.com. You can also follow The Garret on Twitter and Instagram, or follow our host Astrid Edwards on Twitter or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey horrorfam – ready for a good ol' murder mystery? Y'know, with ghosts…Our guest is Simone St. James, the doyenne of ‘Supernatural Suspense' (as the marketeers love to call it). Her 2020 smash hit The Sundown Motel put her name up in lights, and her latest – The Book of Cold Cases keeps it there, shining cold and bright.It's a tale of murder, media and misogyny –  told in the classic dual-timeline manner that seems to feature in all good supernatural suspense novels – and it features a female serial killer (or is she?), a haunted house (or is it?) and a VERY millennial true crime blogger (or is… yes, yes she is!)It was exactly the kind of story that I needed to blow the nuclear cobwebs off in our freshly frightening times. Simone and I talk about the struggle of plotting, and its rewards for enjoyable stories. We wonder why we don't get more female serial killers in fiction and the complexity of flipping gender roles within genre. We also tussle with the troubles of setting horror in Canada.…oh, and I try to convince her to start a podcast.Enjoy!Support Talking Scared on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TalkingScaredPodCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, and TikTok or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com  Download Novellic on Google Play or Apple Store.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/talkingscaredpod)

Are you ready for another apocalypse? Covid and nukes not enough for ya? Well here you go then. Something slightly different.  Mike Meginnis' Drowning Practice is an odder than usual end-of-days. It's a book in which everyone knows that time is up, and yet they just don't seem to care. There are few (I won't say zero) ravening lunatics in this book – but the more chilling realisation is that even at the end of the world, you still have to go to work.Mike and I talk about art and NFT monkeys, about poisoned capitalism and how his book mirrors our own pre-apocalyptic malaise. We also talk about the link between depression and creativity, and we have a friendly disagreement about whether the protagonist of this book is a deeply sinister character.This is a gentler end-of-days than most, but no less horrifying in its implications.Enjoy!Drowning Practice is published March 15th by Ecco Books. Other books mentioned in this conversation include:The Men (2022), by Sandra NewmanNever Let Me Go (2005), by Kazuo IshiguroLunar Park (2005), by Bret Easton EllisSupport Talking Scared on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TalkingScaredPodCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, and TikTok or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com  Download Novellic on Google Play or Apple Store.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/talkingscaredpod)

In episode 24, Jennifer Gordon, a professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, actor, and a writer of Gothic fiction, talks about how two of her novels were inspired by past-life memories:The characters in her novels have a core group of songs in their headHer books “Daylight Into Madness” and “When The Sleeping Dead Still Talk” were influenced by past life memoriesWhile under hypnosis during past life regression sessions, she saw scenes that would eventually take form in her novelsShe had been told by several psychics that the veil between her memories and her past lives were very thinSome of her past life memories were recorded during hypnosis sessions that she otherwise could not have recalledHow she is able to distinguish past life memories from dreams One of her  hypnosis sessions recordings captures her speaking in a voice that did not sound like hers- when she thought she had fallen asleepIt is possible that many writers unknowingly  draw on past life memories for their work, especially when they say ” I didn't write this story, the characters did.”How we are older beings than we think we areFor more info:     www.jenniferannegordon.com

Welcome to the 31st episode of The Bookcast Club, a book podcast for people who love to read and talk books. Today we welcome from the That's What We Read Podcast as co-host. Jenny and Holly discuss they're favourite genre of gothic fiction, sharing what exactly gothic fiction is, what it isn't and a few of their favourites. There's a couple of horror and true crime books thrown in for good measure, perfect reading for Halloween.Support The Bookcast ClubYou can support the podcast on Patreon. Our aim, when we hit $75 a month, is to set up a fund to allow those with less money to buy books. If you are happy to donate for no reward you can do so on our website. A free way to show your support, and a very effective way of spreading the word, is to mention us on social media or review us on iTunes.Visit our Book ShopYou can buy all the books we mention on the podcast in our Book Shop. Bookshop.org is a great platform if you want easy book shopping without supporting the likes of Amazon. They support independent book shops and we earn a small commission on each sale, which helps with the running costs of this podcast. However, we would always encourage you to make the effort and shop with your local independent book shop. Many have gone to great efforts to develop an online presence and we're sure most, if not all, will take orders over the phone. They can order whatever book you want. You can find a list of independent bookshops to support on our website, many of which do home delivery. Books mentioned:Chase Darkness With Me by Billy JensonI'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraThe Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane HealeyIt Will Just Be Us by Jo KaplanThe Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady HendrixThe Bloody Chamber by Angela CarterWe Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley JacksonShirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth FranklinJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteWakenhyrst by Michelle PaverThin Air by Michelle PaverDark Matter by Michelle PaverBeloved by Toni MorrisonRevenge by Yoko OgawaRebecca by Daphne Du MaurierJamaica Inn by Daphne Du MaurierDracula by Bram StokerFall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen PoeWuthering Heights by Emily BronteBone China by Laura PurcellThe Corset by Laura PurcellThe Silent Companions by Laura PurcellOther mentions:I'll Be Gone in the Dark TV series available on Sky and NOW TV in UKThe Gothic Fiction Book ClubShirley (Film)Where to find Holly:Instagram | Podcast | WebsiteWhere to find us:Instagram | Twitter | WebsiteSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bookcastclub)