Podcasts about horror literature

In which Devin Diazoni and Ewa Mykytyn discuss the final third of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones.Please support the podcast on Patreon!Follow Film Literate on Instagram!Find your hosts on social media:Devin Diazoni (Letterboxd|StoryGraph)Ewa Mykytyn (Goodreads|Armchair Chat on IG)

All aboard the Hype Train… AGAIN! This week on Night School Horror, SABRINA IS BACK!!! but....Where's Mista Malave??? We drive into psychological grief-fueled nightmares, horror movies from a dog's perspective (yes, really), and the eerie trailer for The Woman in the Yard. We also sink our teeth into IDW Dark, Tommy doesn't want to read, and an upcoming video game that'll make you rethink oral hygiene (Mouthwashing—because why not?). Plus, we go nuts for Universal's Epic Universe the Dark Universe—because nothing says horror like a well-planned theme park trip. Tune in for laughs, scares, and way too much enthusiasm over Bluetooth toothbrushes.

Tonight we're chatting about Antonio Margheriti's 1964 gothic horror film Castle of Blood with pop culture scholar Nicholas Diak who focuses on topics such as sword and sandal films, horror studies, industrial music, and exploitation movies. He edited the book The New Peplum and co-edited Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Moderne. As an essayist his works have appeared in venues such as the Journal of Graphic Arts and Comics, Exotica Moderne, and books on Stranger Things, James Bond, the Twilight Zone, and others. Along with his partner Michele Brittany, he is a co-host of the HP Lovecast Podcast. He lives in Arizona with Michele and his 8 cats. He enjoys retro, tiki, pinup, mixology, and midcentury things and does play a lot of video games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Special Announcement! Devin Diazoni and Ewa Mykytyn have reunited to kick off Film Literate's Book Club shenanigans in 2025 with a modern horror classic, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones! So, pick up a copy and read along!Important Dates:02.03.25 - The House That Ran Red02.17.25 - Sweat Lodge Massacre03.03.25 - It Came From the RezSupport Film Literate on Patreon!Co-host: Ewa Mykytyn (Goodreads|Instagram)

Send us a textHow else to end 2024 than with an entirely subjective list of the best things I've read over the year? How many of you will guess the number one spot? I bet none of you will guess the number two?  Let me know your thoughts – what you loved, and what you think I missed Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com  Support the show

Send us a textIt's that time of year again. When I celebrate the winter solstice by getting some horror authors to come and talk in deep, emotional detail about a scary book that we like. This time the Christmas Special Deep Dive kicks the tires and looks under the hood of Stephen King's most underrated novel: From a Buick 8. My friends on this weird-ass-road trip are Ally Malinenko and Nat Cassidy. I asked them to do it for a coupla reasons. 1) They are lovely 2) hey really get King, and 3) they can speak to this book's focus on grief and loss. And oh boy do we talk grief, loss, afterlives and everything else. Turns out it's not just a book about a car after all. Don't worry though, Ally is charming, Nat is snarky and together we'll make you laugh.  And Christmas is supposed to be tinged with melancholy isn't it… Enjoy! Other Books Mentioned Matterhorn (2009), by Karl MarlantesHearts in Atlantis (1999), by Stephen KingThe Colorado Kid (2005), by Stephen King“The Night Flyer” and “Popsy,” in Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), by Stephen KingNestlings (2023), by Nat CassidyThis Appearing House (2022), by Ally Malinenko Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com  Support the show

Send us a text… and we're back! Just in time for this seasonal tradition. The State of the Horror Nation 2024 – our expert-led review of the best that the year had to offer in terms of horror writing and pen-and-ink nightmares. I'm joined, as ever by my stalwart co-host for this gig, Emily Hughes, author of Horror For Weenies (go check her mammoth 2025 anticipated horror book list at ReadJumpScares.com) Our special correspondents are Anna Dupre, reviewer and interviewer at Anna Rose Reads, and Stephani Gagnon of the landmark, can't-be-beaten horror podcast, Books In the Freezer They pick their books of 2024, and we talk about the things that have defined the year, whilst also looking forward to what's next. Enjoy! Anna's Essay on IT  https://filmfreakcentral.net/2024/10/terrifier-3-2024/ Books Picked The Eyes Are the Best Part (2024), by Monika KimCuckoo (2024), by Gretchen Felker-MartinAmerican Rapture (2024), by C.J. LeedeWoodworm (2024), by Layla MartinezNight's Edge (2024), by Liz KerinSo Thirsty (2024),  by Rachel HarrisonModel Home (2024), by Rivers SolomonI Was a Teenage Slasher (2024), by Stephen Graham Jones  Books Anticipated Victorian Psycho (2025), by Virginia FeitoThe Poorly Made (2025), by Sam RebeleinThe Unworthy (2025), by Augustina BazterricaThe Buffalo Hunter Hunter (2025), by Stephen Graham JonesBat Eater (2025), by Kylie Lee BakerSick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread (2025), by Leila TaylorThe Haunting of Room 904 (2025), by Erika T. Wurth8114 (2025),by Joshua HullWhen the Wolf Comes Home (2025), by Nat CassidySenseless (2025), by Ronald MalfiKing Sorrow (2025), by Joe HillAnd He Shall Appear (2025), by Kate van der BorghNowhere Burning (2025), by Catriona WardGirl in the Creek (2025), by Wendy WagnerThe Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre (2025), by Philip FracassiThe End of the World As We Know It: Tales of Stephen King's The Stand  (2025), edited by Brian Keene and Christopher GoldenOld Soul (2025), by Susan Barkerrekt (2025), by Alex GonzalezWake Up and Open Your Eyes (2025), 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

We sit down with Neil McRobert of the "Talking Scared Podcast" to pick his lovely brain on how he began his incredible journey toward becoming horror literature's "must-be-on " podcast four years after starting. Along the way, we learn how horror on the page and screen is certainly having an incredible moment, and 2024 has been off the charts with books and movies that really pack a wallop! As we get into Demian Rugna's "Aterrados" we learn that this might not be the movie Neil was expecting and what really scares him. We hope you enjoy this fantastic conversation with a remarkable voice in horror.SHOW NOTES:https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/goodboy/9781068563102PLEASE FOLLOW US AND REVIEW!!:Please subscribe to us on YouTube: / @BLOODGUTSANDPAPERCUTSPlease find us on INSTAGRAM: @seanoc32Please find us on THREADS: @seanoc32Please find us on BLUESKY: @bgpcpodcast.bsky.socialPlease find us on Spotify: spotify.link/ncvbbRYDmDbPlease find us on Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Co-Host: Shannon Bushmann - Montalbano (Instagram: @shannonvonbushmann)Co-Host: Sean O'Connor (Instagram: @seanoc32)Producer: Sean O'Connor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textThis is the last way-back episode before the show returns with a scream next week. But this is an episode worth remembering – my first ever conversation with Catriona Ward, about her game-changing The Last House on Needless Street too! This was a big ask for a novice interviewer. How the hell do you talk about a book that hinges on such a huge secret. Somehow we managed to walk that tightrope, whilst also talking about cats (feline) serial killers, and the haunted bedroom of Cat's (author) girlhood. It's fun to retread this grim path. Enjoy! Other books mentioned: Rawblood (2015), by Catriona WardLittle Eve (2018), by Catriona WardThe Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper (2019), by Hallie RubenholdSpider (1990), by Patrick McGrath Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textA chance to revisit one of my favourite books and favourite ever conversations this week. Zakiya Dalila Harris's The Other Black Girl came out in early 2021, and for once I was ahead of the curve! Right from the start, I adored this novel of workplace micro-aggression and satirical horror in the publishing industry – and I'm glad to see the world has since agreed. It's a high-concept thriller that blends the paranoia of Rosemary's Baby with the bite of Get Out – and for once it's a story that deserves those comparisons. Zakiya talks about her own background in publishing and how it informed this nightmare. We talk about discussing racism in fiction, and (in a slightly meta way) we discuss how interviews LIKE THIS ONE may actually perpetuate a degree of othering. In short, I tie myself in white millennial knots, but Zakiya is wonderfully generous. God I love this book. Some may say it's not horror. I'd disagree so much that I stuck it on my list of best horror novels ever. Let's see what you think.  Enjoy! Other books mentioned: All Her Little Secrets (2021), by Wanda M. MorrisRosemary's Baby (1967), by Ira Levin Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com  Support the show

In this episode of H. P.  Lovecast, Michele Brittany and Nicholas Diak discuss the first issue of the comic book Flesh Easters by Philippe Gerber, Orville Thurstan, with art by Okiko. Episode edited by: Michele BrittanyThumbnail photo by: Michele BrittanyIntro/Outro Music: "Azathoth" by Philippe Gerber / John 3:16 (Bandcamp page)H. P. Lovecast Logo: Philip YountThe full version of John 3:16's "Azathoth" can be found at this Bandcamp page.Flesh Eaters LinksAmazon Product PagePatreonInstagramBumperThis episode's bumper is courtesy of Bernie Gonzalez who can be found at the Fan2Fan Podcast, and Instagram. We had the honor to interview Bernie back in the spring 2023. Have a listen!Support HP Lovecast PodcastIf you liked this episode and want to support HP Lovecast, consider purchasing one of our books:Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern: Critical EssaysHorror in Space : Critical Essays on a Film SubgenreJames Bond and Popular Culture: Essays on the Influence of the Fictional SuperspyThe New Peplum: Essays on Sword and Sandal Films and Television Programs Since the 1990sHP Lovecast Ko-Fi Account

Send us a textI'm feeling Gothic this week. Must be the weather.  In lieu of a new episode, I searched the vault and found this cracker from January 2021, in which Laura Purcell — doyenne of the contemporary British Gothic —  talked me through her Victorian spookshow of mesmerism and haunted silhouettes, The Shape of Darkness.  We also get into the social nightmare of Victorian England – when life was even more gothic than it is now, believe it or not!  Enjoy!  Other books mentioned:  The Residence (2020), by Andrew Pyper The Haunting of Alma Fielding (2020), by Andrew Pyper Shadowland, or Light From the Other Side (1897), by Elizabeth d'Esperance “The Blue Lenses,” in The Breaking Point (1959), by Daphne du Maurier “The Mezzotint”, “A View From A Hill” and “Oh Whistle and I'll Come To You My Lad”, found in The Collected Ghost Stories of M.R. James Support Talking Scared on PatreonCome talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com    Support the show

Send us a textThis From the Vault episode is not quite so dusty. Gemma and I recorded this in 2022, but it's more pertinent than ever. One because Gemma's great uncanny novella The Folly is being reissued this week, and two, because the world is a mad place right now, and we all need to take care of our minds. This conversation is all about that. An epic conversation about the issue of mental health as creators and consumers of dark stories. We dig DEEP into our own neuroses, and talk about how great horror comes with great responsibility. Yes, there is difficult, challenging stuff to churn through —  but there's also chat about the Uncanny Valley, Men in Black, Creepypasta and Black Mirror. And the ethics of vandalising racist statues. Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com   Support the show

Send us a textStill on a break – still releasing episodes “From the Vault.” But this week's was carefully chosen. In a time of darkness and doom-laden days, laughter is the best thing I can lace your horror with. And thankfully T. Kingfisher exists in the world. The funniest horror writer I know. We spoke WAAAAY back in October 2020, in episode 9, when The Hollow Places had just come out.  Yes Ursula and I talk about that book, and The Twisted Ones (2019) and how they twist Weird classics into fascinating new shapes. But we also cover building your own Golem, the homicidal value of pig farmers, and the anxiety of being a frog biologist.  I dunno guys… just liste! Hope it makes you smile. Enjoy! Other books mentioned: “The White People” in The House of Souls (1906), by Arthur Machen“The Willows”, in The Listener and Other Stories (2007), by Algernon BlackwoodIt Will Just Be Us (2002), by Jo KaplanFrom a Buick Eight (2002), by Stephen KingThe Graveyard Book, by Neil GaimanCoraline, by Neil GaimanFirefly Rain (2008), by Richard Dansky Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textI'm on a break – but couldn't resist releasing something.  Especially on today of all days, when lovers of democracy require audio sustenance whilst they wait in line to preserve America. For the first From the Vault episode, I've gone back to December of 2020, for an interview with Michael Marshall Smith. We talk about his 30 years of writing horror, fantasy, science fiction and assorted dark imaginings – captured in his career-spanning Best Of collection. Michael gives us all the good stuff about where ideas came from, why he writes the way he does, and all those details that literary voyeurs like us, want to know. It's also a trip back into the weirdness of the pandemic, and the dying days of the Trump presidency. Have your trauma shields up just in case. Support the show

Send us a textHalloween has finally arrived. I'm marking it in grim, macabre style. For this Off Book Samhain Special, I'm joined by Kaelyn Moore, host and creator of Heart Starts Pounding – a podcast for the darkly curious, which offers up a new true-story of horror, hauntings and mystery every week. Kaelyn is a treasure trove of haunted anecdote and freaky facts. We only touch the tip of her knowledge in this conversation, but still manage to cover the grimmest deaths at Disneyland, a South American Nazi cult, the most cursed book in history and Kaelyn's own family history with an early American serial killer. All that, plus a lot of recommendations for movies and the gruesome true-crime reading. Stick around for the afterword, and plenty of updates on the future of Talking Scared, Enjoy! Happy Halloween.  Books mentioned: The Man From the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery (2017), by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy JamesThe Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine (2017), by Lindsey FitzharrisI'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer (2018), by Michelle McNamaraThe Devil's Rooming House: the True Story of America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer (2011), by M. William Phelps  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

In this conversation, the participants delve into the works of H.P. Lovecraft, exploring his significant contributions to horror literature, particularly the Cthulhu mythos. They discuss key stories, the evolution of the mythos, personal experiences with Lovecraft's works, and the impact of his writing style. Themes of madness, insignificance, and the role of characters are examined, alongside the portrayal of violence and horror. The discussion also touches on Lovecraft's influence on modern media and the legacy of his mythos in contemporary storytelling. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the works of H.P. Lovecraft, focusing on key stories such as 'The Dunwich Horror' and 'The Whisperer in Darkness.' They explore the themes of cosmic horror, the influence of Lovecraft on modern horror literature, and the adaptability of his mythos across various media. The discussion highlights the unique elements of Lovecraft's storytelling, including folk horror aspects and the significance of characters like scholars and dogs in his narratives. The speakers also reflect on the legacy of Lovecraft's work and its impact on contemporary writers and role-playing games.Find Jose: https://www.youtube.com/@JosesAmazingWorldsFind John: http://www.john-houlihan.net/Send us a textSupport the showPageChewing.comPAGECHEWING: Comics & Manga PodcastFilm Chewing PodcastLens Chewing on YouTubeSpeculative Speculations PodcastBuy me a coffeeLinktreeJoin Riverside.fm

Title:SHOCKtober Finale: Guts by Chuck Palahniuk | Dramatic ReadingDescription:Welcome to the chilling finale of SHOCKtober! Brace yourself as we delve into Guts by Chuck Palahniuk, a visceral short story that pushes the boundaries of horror and tension. This dramatic reading captures the raw emotion and shock of Palahniuk's dark and unforgettable tale, guaranteed to leave you breathless. Known for its intense narrative, Guts has shocked audiences worldwide and remains one of the most unforgettable pieces in horror literature.Join us for a gripping finale that will make your skin crawl. Perfect for fans of horror fiction, dark storytelling, and unforgettable short stories, this reading of Guts will keep you on edge. Make sure to subscribe to STORIES TELLING STORIES for more terrifying content, and don't forget to check out all of our SHOCKtober episodes, featuring dramatic readings of horror's most haunting tales.Keywords:Chuck Palahniuk, Guts short story, dramatic reading, SHOCKtober series, horror literature, visceral horror, thriller stories, dark storytelling, classic horror, horror short stories, STORIES TELLING STORIES, disturbing stories, intense horror, gripping narration, SHOCKtober 2024, horror series finale, horror fiction.

Seasons Of The Witch : Halloween's Of The Past continues with this episode originally from 2021! This was in fact the 2021 Halloween Special! Frightful Fables To Fear At Night is a collection of thrilling short stories read by Death By DVD's very own host, Harry-Scott Sullivan. Happy Halloween! We hope you have been enjoying these blast from the past episodes highlighting the best of Death By DVD's spooky season celebrations of the past. It's almost Halloween! Be sure to stay tuned for new music from the band SATANIC HEARSE that will be played for you on October 31st here on Death By DVD! HEAR A SONG FROM SATANIC HEARSE TODAY. Tap here or copy and paste the link below : https://music.apple.com/us/album/satanic-hearse-is-coming/1734361543WHAT IS SEASONS OF THE WITCH : HALLOWEEN'S OF THE PAST???  To celebrate the Season Of The Witch, we present to you remastered episodes from our Halloween Vault. Death By DVD has been around since 2009, so we have a lot of Halloween shows chock full of terror and special guests! Stay tuned for the next installment of Seasons Of The Witch, coming soon! NEED MORE DEATH? Check out the official YOUTUBE of Death By DVD and see our brand new program, TRAILER PARK! The greatest movie trailer compilation of all time. Tap here to visit our YOUTUBE or copy and paste the link below : https://www.youtube.com/@DeathByDVDHAVE YOU HEARD DEATH BY DVD GOES TO THE MOVIE? Hear the thrilling tale of your faithful host Harry-Scott Sullivan's adventure to Augusta, Georgia to see the cast and crew premiere of an all new independent horror film called LEFT ONE ALIVE.Hear all three parts, or read the story exclusively at deathbydvd.com. Tap here to learn more, or copy and paste the link belowhttps://deathbydvd.com/goes-to-the-moviesDid you know that you can watch episodes of DEATH BY DVD and much much more on the official Patreon of Death By DVD? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ subscribe to our newsletter today for updates on new episodes, merch discounts and more at www.deathbydvd.comHEY, while you're still here.. have you heard...DEATH BY DVD PRESENTS : WHO SHOT HANK?The first of its kind, (On this show, at least) an all original narrative audio drama exploring the murder of this shows very host, HANK THE WORLDS GREATEST! Explore WHO SHOT HANK, starting with the MURDER! A Death By DVD New Year Mystery WHO SHOT HANK : PART ONE WHO SHOT HANK : PART TWO WHO SHOT HANK : PART THREE WHO SHOT HANK : PART FOUR WHO SHOT HANK PART 5 : THE BEGINNING OF THE ENDWHO SHOT HANK PART 6 THE FINALE : EXEUNT OMNES or copy and paste the link below : https://deathbydvd.com/who-shot-hank ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Send us a textThings are heating up as we approach Halloween. I'm joined by a good friend of Talking Scared – Rachel Harrison – to talk about the hot kind of immortality Her new novel, So Thirsty, does much more than that though. It weighs the weaponization of beauty culture, it asks how women can navigate a world in which youth seems to be everything, and it illustrates the sheer social awkwardness of immortality. Plus – it prompts a frank reckoning with just how badly I would cope in an orgy.  This is a fun episode, a deep episode, the perfect kind of bookish sign off for a few weeks whilst I take a break. And maybe a good hour of respite from the manic news cycle. Enjoy. Other books mentioned:The Return (2020), by Rachel HarrisonCackle (2021), by Rachel HarrisonSuch Sharp Teeth (2022), by Rachel HarrisonBlack Sheep (2023), by Rachel HarrisonNestlings (2023), by Nat CassidyReluctant Immortals (2022), by Gwendolyne KisteThe Militia House (2023), by John MilasThe Unsuitable (2020), by Molly Pohlig Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textAs we gear up for Halloween, we get all gussied up in Gothic. Del Sandeen joins me to talk about the curses, colorism, and all the many influences in her Southern Gothic debut This Cursed House. It's a novel that twists the sub-genre's typical reliance on race, for a more subtle, pernicious form of prejudice.  But it's also chock full of all the haunted house–cursed family–secret rooms–and weird incest that you could want from a truly Gothic novel. It's a damn good time, as is this conversation. We talk about New Orleans hauntings, the inspiration of Del's grandmother, forgiveness as a theme, and the relative ickiness of incest. Consider this your starting gun for spooky season. Enjoy. Other books mentioned: Voodoo Dreams (1993), by Jewel Parker RhodesThe Good House (2003), by Tananarive DueBeloved (1987), by Toni MorrisonThe Vanishing Half (2020), by Brit BennettSing, Unburied Sing (2017) , by Jesymn WardWhen the Reckoning Comes (2021), by LaTanya McQueen“A Rose For Emily,” (1930), by William Faulkner“Jordan's End,” in The Shadowy Third (1923), by Ellen GlasgowThe Elementals (1981), by Michael McDowellThe Conjure Woman (1899), by Charles W. ChesnuttThe House Behind the Cedars (1900), by Charles W. Chesnutt Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com   Support the show

Cathy Gottsch of the Ray County Museum talks with host Shawn Roney and part-time co-host Miranda Jamison about some events the museum is staging or serving as host site for in October 2024, including some Halloween-related events. The threesome also discuss some general Halloween-related topics, including costumes, candy and scary movies.Notes:To find our Halloween coverage online, visit www.richmond-dailynews.com and www.excelsiorspringsstandard.com.Listen for references to the movies "The Wizard of Oz," "The Shining" and the original "Psycho" during the conversation.  Music: "Prelude to the Raga of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse"; "Vamp for a Prankster Priest, Loop No. 1"; "Vamp for a Prankster Priest, Loop 2"; "Haunted Graveyard Theme From 'The Nun Disappears,' an Imaginary Film by Alfred J. Hermann"; "Last Rites for Emily D's Mind, Loop No. 1"; "Last Rites for Emily D's Mind, Loop No. 2"; "Main Theme From 'The Nun Disappears,' an Imaginary Film by Alfred J. Hermann." Composed by Shawn Roney, performed by Sacred & Secular.To advertise with "Ray County Voices," the Richmond News, The Excelsior Springs Standard and/or Town & Country Leader, call (816) 776-5454 or email shelby@leaderpress.com.Credits: Hosts: Miranda Jamison, Shawn RoneyProducers: Sharon Donat, Miranda Jamison, Shawn RoneySales director: Shelby CoinMusical director: Shawn RoneyEditing: Shawn RoneyAudio cleaning: Auphonic Mastering: LANDRSupport the show The opinions expressed on "Ray County Voices" are those of the hosts and/or interview subjects, and not those of the podcast, the Richmond News or The Excelsior Springs Standard Follow the Richmond News on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/TheRichmondMODailyNews Sacred & Secular appear courtesy of Mo-Mutt Music. To sample more of Sacred & Secular's music, check out the following playlists: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nc6GhIkLCLAZ46_RNU1IRhGodxp2GC07I&feature=share (album: "In Solitude") https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIgxmzNslUhSLf8FNofg--rwogPA9d_QU&feature=share (album: "Peas in a Pod: Music from Two Podcasts [And Elsewhere]") https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mDkw4LJXcOHKUFfAx-FEQhK8i8kdgRU8s&feature=share (single: "Miles the Monk, Minister of Musical Mantras [Version A]") https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m-FVGa59O4x__s2nL8IkKPax-depJPD_A&feature=share (single: "Midnight Moonlight Meditations [Baring My Soul Version]"

Send us a textThings get disinhibited on Talking Scared this week, when CJ Leede joins us for a conversation about her new novel, American Rapture. The novel plunges middle America into a torrid apocalypse, as a sexual plague spreads across the nation, creating “lust hell on earth.” In this framework, C.J crafts a story of sexual awakening, sacrifice, found family, hypocrisy and cruelty.  It's a book that is both extreme and comforting in equal measure. We talk about that crazy balancing act, about the threat of fundamentalist thought, the terror of demons, the delights of Americana, and the cathartic power of killing your characters.  Oh…and gear up for some very forthright opinions on religion.  Enjoy. Other books mentioned: Maeve Fly (2023), by C.J. LeedeAmerican Gods (2001), by Neil GaimanBury Your Gays (2024), by Chuck TingleCamp Damascus (2023), by Chuck Tingle Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textHold hands, we need to stick together. This week's episode plunges us into the impossible and endless dark, with Sofia Ajram and her experimental, existential headf*ck of a debut novella, Coup de Grâce. It's the tale of a man who gets lost in an endless subway station – and the monsters inside (and inside himself) We talk about everything from the mythical history of mazes, to legends of the early internet,  the mystery of Elisa Lam and what Sonic the Hedgehog has to tell us about the readers role in a story. Plus, a fair bit of chat about mental health, depression and suicidal ideation. That makes it sound a lot less fun than it is, but only fair to warn you. This is an episode for the adventurous and terminally online. Enjoy. Other books mentioned:I Am the River (2018), by T.E. GrauWater Statues (1980), by Fleur JaeggyMisery (1987), by Stephen KingHouse of Leaves (2000), by Mark Z. Danielewski Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com   Support the show

Send us a textRelease your inner child!  …I mean through reading, not by letting it burst out of your stomach like some horrible sugar-coated xenomorph. Lora Senf can help. Her Blight Harbor Trilogy is a piece of magic, an umbilicus of imagination between the tired old grump that you're halfway to becoming, and the wide-eyed wonder you once were.  Lora and I talk about the challenge and reward of writing horror for kids, we talk about the influence of M.C Escher and his mad architecture, we talk about Bradbury and King and other inspirations (including the tiny role that I played in this story). And we also talk about the profound heartsick sorrow of loneliness. Enjoy. Other books mentioned: The Hike (2016), by Drew MagaryThe Library at Mount Char (2015), by Scott Hawkins“Kaleidoscope,” (1949), by Ray Bradbury All Summer in a Day (1954), by Ray Bradbury“There Will Come Soft Rains” (1950), by Ray Bradbury The Foghorn (1950), by Ray Bradbury Pet Semetary (1983), by Stephen KingMisery (1987) by Stephen KingSomething Wicked This Way Comes (1962), by Ray BradburyCoraline (2002), by Neil GaimanThe House With a Clock in its Walls (1973), by John BellairsSupport Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textMore devilish fun on Talking Scared this week when an old friend returns to talk about god, angels, demons and other things out there in the cold reaches of the universe. Johnny Compton is the author of The Spite House, one of my most admired books from 2022. In his newest, Devils Kill Devils, he starts with a compelling question – “what if your Guardian Angel was a murderous threat” – and then heads off in grander directions.  We talk about how Johnny's childhood religious confusion played a role in this book, what we both love about world-building and fan-theories, and our shared enthusiasm for the Alien universe. And Johnny gives my current favourite answer to the questions “what really freaked him out recently?” Enjoy. Other books mentioned: The Spite House (2022), by Johnny ComptonCarrion Comfort (1989), by Dan Simmons Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com   Support the show

Send us a textKeith Rosson is our first guest to be personally recommended by Stephen King!  And the praise doesn't stop there. Keith's Fever House was one of the biggest hits of 2023, and now he's back with the sequel, The Devil By Name, which takes the contained punk-rock fury of the first book in a whole different, nation-spanning direction. This is an epic tale of occult magic, diabolical messages, punk rock, political machinations and, eventually, apocalypse. So there's a lot to talk about. And I hope you enjoy the following. Especially the part where I crowbar Stevie Nicks into the conversation, because I've developed the world's most belated obsession with her.   Enjoy. Other books mentioned: Mercy of the Tide (2017), by Keith RossonSpiral (1995), by Koji SuzukiThe Stand (1990), by Stephen KingKnockemstiff (2008), by Donald Ray PollockThe Low Desert: Gangster Stories (2021), by Scot GoldbergControlled Burn: Stories of Prison, Crime, and Men (2005), by Scott Wolven Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

Send us a textLaird Barron is on the podcast. This feels like cause for celebration.  Not only is Laird Barron a phenomenal writer. Not only is it wonderful that he's back to writing and talking about writing. Not only am I lucky to be able to speak to him… We also talked about DOGS!  Granted, a cybernetic, immortal monster hound called Rex – but a dog nonetheless. That's just one of the crazy concepts that make up the stories in Laird's new collection, Not a Speck of Light… and I mean crazy. These stories involve evil fathers, strange invasions, billionaire bird-women and a disaster-addicted monster – and we talk about how Laird balances the bizarre and brutal, the cosmic and the cynical, the horrific and the hardboiled. Plus a lot of info on a very exciting project he's currently working hard on. Let's all just be happy, Laird Barron is back. He's writing. And he's Talking Scared. Enjoy. Join the Laird Barron Reddit Read-along  Other books mentioned:When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson (2021), edited by Ellen DatlowThe Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All (2013), by Laird BarronBlood Standard (2018), by Laird BarronThe Fisherman (2016), by John Langan“On Skua Island” – in Mr Gaunt and Other Uneasy Encounters (2009), by John LanganThe Children of Old Leech: A Tribute to the Carnivorous Cosmos of Laird Barron (2014), edited by Ross E. Lockhart and Jason SteeleThe Delicate Prey, and Other Stories (1950), by Paul BowlesThe Sheltering Sky (1949), by Paul Bowles Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show

In this episode of H. P.  Lovecast, Michele Brittany and Nicholas Diak discuss Rebekah McKendry's 2022 comic horror dark comedy, Glorious.Episode edited by: Michele BrittanyThumbnail photo by: Michele BrittanyIntro/Outro Music: "Azathoth" by Philippe Gerber / John 3:16 (Bandcamp page)H. P. Lovecast Logo: Philip YountThe full version of John 3:16's "Azathoth" can be found at this Bandcamp page.Rebekah McKendry / Glorious LinksGlorious Product Page at AmazonTwitterBumperThis episode's bumper is courtesy of Joshua Pruett who can be found at his website and at Amazon. Enjoy our interview with Joshua here.Support HP Lovecast PodcastIf you liked this episode and want to support HP Lovecast, consider purchasing one of our books:Horror Literature from Gothic to Post-Modern: Critical EssaysHorror in Space : Critical Essays on a Film SubgenreJames Bond and Popular Culture: Essays on the Influence of the Fictional SuperspyThe New Peplum: Essays on Sword and Sandal Films and Television Programs Since the 1990sHP Lovecast Ko-Fi Account

Send us a textAre you a Weenie? Don't be offended. I am.  Weenies are the curious-but-nervous. Those of us who love horror, but who never feel safe from its power to ruin our sleep (and a week of our life). If that's you, or if you know someone who suffers from Weenie-ism, then Emily Hughes is here! Emily's new book, Horror For Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch is a public service for the scared. It will save relationships, help ease you into horror and hopefully teach you a thing or two about fear along the way. In this conversation, we talk about how Emily came to write this most particular of books, and how she chose which films made the grade. We also hear about her own relationship with horror, from the film that haunted her as a child all the way to her grown-up reintroduction to scary movies.  And I finally try to back up my dislike for Hereditary. Enjoy. Other books mentioned: Birdbox (2014), by Josh MalermanNightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films (2022), by Nina NessethTampa (2013), by Alissa NuttingCome Closer (2003), by Sara GranThe Family Plot (2016) by Cherie PriestCamp Damascus (2023), by Chuck TingleCuckoo (2024), by Gretchen Felker-MartinManhunt (2022), by Gretchen Felker-Martin Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Anna Bogutskaya is one of the UK's most prominent film critics, with a penchant for horror. She knows her scary onions. And in her new book, Feeding the Monster, she asks an important question (well, important to the likes of you and me) – Why does horror have a hold on us? In concise but free-ranging essays, she looks at the prominent themes that sets the horror oft the last decade apart, peeling back the skin of the genre to see how it's muscle flex and grip, and also give you tons of films to watch in the process. We have a similarly freewheeling conversation in this episode, talking about everything from our primal horror movie experiences, to the meme-ification of monsters and why Mike Flanagan is both outlier and heart of the genre. Also… Anna introduces me to the concept of Vecnussy, which may ruin Stranger Things for you, like it has for me. Enjoy Other books mentioned:Death of a Bookseller (2023), by Alice SlaterPenance (2023), by Eliza ClarkDanse Macabre (1981), by Stephen KingRed Dragon (1981), by Thomas HarrisCoup de Grace (2024), by Sofia Ajram Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Send in the clowns. Tell them not to forget their crossbows and chainsaws. This week our guest is Adam Cesare, who's Clown in a Cornfield trilogy reaches a climax (I won't say end) in Book 3: The Church of Frendo. I read all three books in one mad rush and they confounded all of my horror-savvy, slasher-weary expectations. These books are a State of the Nation story for the ages – think George Orwell's Animal Farm, but with fascist clowns rather than Bolshevik swine. Adam and I have one of those very Talking Scared conversations. We get into the political and the personal, touching on his time as a teacher, the challenge of empathy, the role of guns in fiction and the rural/urban divide in America.  But also… clowns! Horrible face-painted bastards that they are. Enjoy. The Indian Lake Trilogy (2021-2024), by Stephen Graham Jones“The Lottery” (1948), by Shirley JacksonInfluencer (2024), by Adam CesareRest Stop (2024), by Nat Cassidy Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Literary or genre fiction? Dumb question. This week's guest showcases just how dumb! With her debut collection of stories, Mystery Lights showing that horror is literary and literary is horror. These tales of the American desert are full of hauntings, monsters, killers, and other oddities, yet they take a non-typical approach to the strangeness. They care more about the human in the mix than the weird thing in the corner. I loved them – and they proved that every time I think I know my own reading tastes, I find an exception to the rule. Lena and I talk about her literary allegiance to the desert, about the literary establishment's appetite for strange things, about women treating women poorly, and about how she writes stories that don't need to “click.” Enjoy. The Shining (1977), by Stephen King“Lamb to the Slaughter,” (1953), by Roald DahlThe Garden (2024), by Claire Beams Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Finally, Gabino Iglesias is on the show.  I tried, and failed, to get him for his break-out Stoker-winning smash, The Devil Takes You Home. Now he's here to talk about his brand new barrio-noir, House of Bone and Rain. It's an amalgamation of brutal street violence and Lovecraftian otherness – all taking place in the sweltering eye of a Puerto Rican hurricane. Gabino and I talk about the parts of the book that reflect his own life and youth. We talk about his rapid rise, and follow-up nerves. We talk about reclaiming Lovecraft. But mostly, we talk about violence – the horror of it, the reality, the sheer awful immediacy, and how the real thing is nothing like the stuff on a movie screen. It's a good chat, about the right kind of manhood. Enjoy. The Devil Takes You Home (2022) by Gabino IglesiasHungry Darkness (2015) by Gabino IglesiasZero Saints (2015), by Gabino IglesiasThe Ballad of Black Tom (2016), by Victor LaValleWoodworm (2021), by Layla MartinezLost Man's Lane (2024), by Scott Carson Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Remember those books you read in the summer when you were young? Kids fighting evil in their small town? Bikes, and blood brothers and promises to keep?  If you love those kinda stories then you're in good company. This week Jonathan Janz joins me to talk about the coming-of-age horror in his ongoing epic, Children of the Dark. Book One was rereleased earlier this year, just in time for the sequel The Nightflyer's to continue the story of Will Burgess and the monstrous secrets in his backyard.  As well as a whole lot of chat about favourite movies, a million book recommendations and Jonathan's beautifully wholesome horror movie bond with his daughter – we also discuss the canon of coming of age horror, how to write honestly about childhood, the role of theme in a story, and where Jonathan's monsters originated. Climb up to our treehouse. Bring snacks. Enjoy.Savage Species (2013), by Jonathan JanzSomething Wicked This Way Comes (1962), by Ray BradburyDandelion Wine (1957), by Ray BradburyThe Body (1982), by Stephen KingThe Wind Through the Keyhole (2012), by Stephen KingBoy's Life (1991), by Robert R. McCammonThe Dark Valley (1998), by Joe DonnellyThe Deer Kings  (2021), by Wendy WagnerThe Reformatory (2023), by Tananarive DueSummer of Night (1991), by Dan SimmonsGhoul (2007), by Brian KeeneThe Beast House (1986), by Richard LaymonThe Girl Next Door (1989), by Jack KetchumIncidents Around the House (2024), by Josh Malerman Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Why is Adam Nevill so scary?  I don't know. Do you? He's a nice guy – as you'll hear in this episode. Yet he tells stories that crawl under your skin and stay there. Stories that squat in your subconscious. His latest novel, All the Fiends of Hell is no exception. Same elusive nightmare mystery, but expanded to a whole epic end-of-the-world canvas. And when Adam says end of the world, he means it. In this conversation we talk about apocalyptic fantasy, about angels and demons, about the sea and its endless hope, and about his own unique style when it comes to fear and monsters.  Oh… and about a certain prog-rock masterpiece that plays a big part in this story and in each of our childhoods. Enjoy.The War of the Worlds (1898), by H.G. WellsThe Road (2006), by Cormac McCarthyNuclear War: A Scenario (2024), by Annie JacobsenApartment 16 (2010), by Adam NevillLast Days (2012), by Adam NevillBanquet for the Damned (2004), by Adam NevillInvasion: The Inside Story of Russia's Bloody War and Ukraine's Fight for Survival (2022), by Luke HardingThe Turn of The Screw (1898), by Henry JamesThe Exorcist (1971), by William Peter Blatty Here is the link for Adam's story - “Where Angels Come In” at Nightmare Magazine And the link to the Shadows at the Door Kickstarter for EARWORM Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Part One was epic. Part Two is just as good. In that way, it's much better than the adaptation of IT! In the second part of this celebration of King short stories, a whole other roster of Constant Readers come along to talk about their favourites. We have writers for all ages, a fellow podcaster and a filmmaker with important updates.  All of them united by one thing – their love of these little twisted word-worlds that Stephen King has given us over the years.  This was a blast, but god I'm glad it's finally done. Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.What's your favourite Stephen King story? Everyone has one. Hot off the back of the recent interview with the man himself, it seemed a neat idea to get a few friends on the show to talk about their own preferences from King's huge back-catalogue of short fiction. I am the architect of my own doom! What was supposed to be a small side project grew, like Grey Matter, or unnatural mist, into FOUR HOURS of top-notch King chat, with some of the best and brightest constant readers. I'm not telling you who they are… why spoil the surprise. But in this first of a double-bill you can hear old and new friends of Talking Scared talk about the King short that lights their fire, freezes their marrow, or breaks their heart. It's a whole lot…and it's only half. Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Stephen King is back! What other intro do you need? Okay, fine. He talks to me about the stories behind the stories in his new collection, You Like it Darker. I had the audacity to ask him “where he got some of his ideas.”  He also updates us on the potential of a third Jack Sawyer book, to follow The Talisman and Black House. He hints at what's next from him, and Holly Gibney. He gives a perspective on his view from the top of the horror pyramid, and I finally get to ask him about a beloved-yet-underappreciated novel. Is that enough for you, or do I need go on? Thought not… Thanks for listening – and enjoy. Other books mentioned:Waiting for Winter (1966), by John O' HaraHorror Movie (2024), by Paul TremblayA Head Full of Ghosts (2015), by Paul TremblaySurvivor Song (2020), by Paul TremblayFever House (2023), by Keith RossonNestlings (2023), by Nat CassidyCome With Me (2021), by Ronald MalfiAmerican Rapture (2024), by C.J. Leede Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.200 episodes! Madness. Who knew there could be so much to say about horror?  I knew. You knew. And here we are. It turns out that the real cursed treasure was the friends we made along the way – and how better to celebrate the bicentennial, than by inviting some of the Talking Scared nearest and dearest, to tell us their scariest story? I called, they answered – with tales of voyeuristic ghosts, horrifying roadside encounters, disappearing witches, whispering demons, damaged eyeballs, lost children and ….Richard Simmons!! Enjoy this. You deserve it. Thank you so very much for your ear, your attention and your support over these last four years. Onward.  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.My unpaid cohost returns. Josh Malerman ladies and gentlemen. Josh has been on the show many times before, but never have I been so excited to speak to him. His latest novel, Incidents Around the House is about as good a horror book as I've ever covered on this show… or possibly read in my life. It's the story of a young girl, her family, and the entity pursuing them, but – as you'll hear – it goes a whole lot deeper (and unforgivingly darker) than that. Josh tells us about the unique process of writing this book. We discuss the challenges of child narrators. I beg insight into the demons and half-glimpsed horrors of his story… and I assault him with odd comparisons. It's all very freewheeling and fun. As the 199th episode should be, before we tip over the edge into a whole new century. Enjoy – and read this damn book! Other books mentioned: The House of Last Resort (2024), Christopher GoldenCoraline (2002), by Neil GaimanThe Exorcist (1971), by William Peter BlattyGood Night Sleep Tight (2024), by Brian EvensonNightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), by Stephen KingFrom a Buick 8 (2002), by Stephen King11/22/63 (2011), by Stephen King Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Paul Tremblay returns to Talking Scared on a long orbit, like that fabled Planet X that's going to kill us all.  He's back after two years for another discussion of horror aesthetics, introspective terrors and mixed-media nightmares – this time in Horror Movie, his meta-take on cursed cinema and lethal creativity.  Horror Movie is about young filmmakers and the shoot that marks them all, even unto death. It's also about the making of art, the machinery of fear and the cynicism of Hollywood. But beneath all that self-reflexive interrogation, it's also just a damn creepy story. And Paul talks to me about all of it. Note – there is jet lag aplenty in this episode. An arms race of confusion and forgetfulness. It makes for a good time. Bear with us. Enjoy Other books mentioned:The Pallbearer's Club (2022), by Paul TremblayA Head Full of Ghosts (2015), by Paul Tremblay“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (1966), by Joyce Carol OatesGreasy Lake and Other Stories (1985), by T. C. BoyleThe Stand (1978/1990), by Stephen KingA Better World (2024), by Sarah LanganCurdle Creek (2024), by Yvonne Battle-Felton Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Elle Nash's Deliver Me ruined my week. In the best possible way. This book, about a woman so desperate for a child that she does truly terrible, no-good things, contains some of the bleakest, most brutal scenes I've read in a while. And it's not even really being treated as a horror novel.  Elle and I talk about that. We also talk about the hot-button topics of the novel, the patriarchy, the toxic Christianity, the… insect erotica! But we also discuss her wandering heart and the empathy and provocation that drives her work. It's a lovely, laid back conversation about a challenging book. Enjoy Other books mentioned: Geek Love (1989), by Katherine DunnViolent Faculties (2024), by Charlene ElsbyFrisk (1991), by Dennis Cooper Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Todd Keisling can write the hell out of a short story. So well, in fact, that they may convince you to resist a bully, stop going to church, or tell your boss to f**k off!  Cold, Black and Infinite is full of liminal tales of the between-places. Cosmic “Otherness” that defies religion or belief. Corporate soul-hells that take everything you have…and more. Weird then, that they are so fun. Todd and I talk about all of that connective tissue between his stories. Plus, we map The Southland, this “pocket cosmos” of weird Appalachia that is destined to be the stage for the next era in his career. It's a blast. And this conversation is the anti-corporate, anti-fundamentalism, anti-bully screed you've been waiting for. Enjoy. Cold, Black and Infinite was released September 2023, By Cemetery Dance  Other books mentioned:Ugly Little Things: Collected Horrors (2017), by Todd KeislingThe Final Reconciliation (2018), by Todd KeislingDevil's Creek (20200, by Todd KeislingIn the Lake of the Woods (1994), by Tim O'BrienThe Raw Shark Texts (2007), by Steven Hall‘Salem's Lot (1975), by Stephen KingThe Bad Book (2021), ed. by John D. Taff (contains “Gethsemane”)The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters (2002), by Chip KiddThe Ceremonies (1984), by T. E. D. Klein Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Something new for me this week. A bold venture into uncharted territory.  The graphic novel!! As is proper, I've started with one of the best. Emil Ferris joins me to talk through the creation of her landmark epic, My Favourite Thing is Monsters. Volume 1 came out in 2017 to rapturous acclaim, and now, Volume 2 picks up exactly where that story of cute werewolves and cherished monsters let off. This is an EVENT!! Emil talks me through this alternative form of storytelling. She tells me about the laborious process behind the books, and how it saved her life (literally). Most of all though, we talk creativity, and how art and monsters are the things that will preserve humanity. Enjoy. My Favourite Thing is Monsters is released May 28thth from Fantagraphics  Other books mentioned: Maus (1986), by Art SpiegelmanThe Talisman (1984), by Stephen King and Peter StraubThe Shape of Water (2018), by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel KrausWhalefall (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.

Send us a Text Message.We return to Australia for the second time in a month, to find that (once again), home invasion isn't the worst thing to happen on a typical day. Alan Baxter's Blood Covenant is a violent, thrilling story of a threeway battle between an innocent family, a nasty criminal gang of bogans (see, I'm learning!) and an otherworldly force that is even worse! Think, what if The Strangers took place in the Overlook Hotel. It's a hugely enjoyable book that prompts a conversation about the influence of 70s and 80s paperback classics, the overlap of horror and crime in Australian fiction, some extreme horror movies and a whole long celebration of unpretentious storytelling. Enjoy! Blood Covenant is released May 24th from Cemetary Dance  Other books mentioned: The Gulp (2021), by Alan BaxterHidden City (2018), by Alan Baxter The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding (1986), by Robert Hughes“Devil” by Glen Hirshberg, in Screams From the Dark: 29 Tales of Monsters and the Monstrous (2022), edited by Ellen DatlowThe Fog (1975), by James HerbertThe Hunted (2021), by Gabriel BergmoserTerra Nullius (2017), by Claire G. ColemanDirty Heads (2021), by Aaron Dries Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.A charming man approaches. With dark secrets to tell you. Yeah, that L.P. Hernandez. Author of the novella In the Valley of the Headless Men and the forthcoming collection, No Gods, Only Chaos. Both are great; both are entirely different. One of them will expand your horizons. One of them will shrink you in horror.  I'll let you find out which.  We talk about both books in this episode, digging into the real historical mystery behind the novella (it's fascinating) and the craft and commitment that went into the collection. How to write emotion and character concisely, using action within metaphor, the presence (or lack of) military vets in horror, and when, exactly, LP knew he was becoming a better writer. If you are starting out as a storyteller, I think you'll find this episode enlightening and inspirational. I did. Kudos to L.P. for that! Enjoy! In the Valley of the Headless Men  was published on January 29th by Cemetery GamesNo Gods, Only Chaos is published on June 4th, by DarkLit Press Other books mentioned: Stargazers (2022), by L.P. HernandezThe Militia House (2023), by John MilasMr Shivers (2010), by Robert Jackson BennettBound Feet (2022), by Kelsea Yu Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Opinions are like assholes, they say. Everybody has one. The subtext of that, is that you shouldn't show them to people. Well my guest and I don't hold back on ours this week. Robert Ottone joins me for a conversation about his debut novel for adults, The Vile Thing We Created, which is almost exactly one year old.  I loved it, which is more than either of us can say for the one-year old little boy that it is about. This novel skewers the impulse to procreation – presenting a horror story of parenthood that will make the child-free sweat and the happily en-familied nod sagely (though hopefully your child isn't a cosmic-horror menace. Robert and I wade into the controversy over not having children? We ask, how people summoj the courage to do it in such a frightening world, and we also hold forth on other topics, such as why most colleagues are boring and some ill-advised movie opinions. I blame Robert, I'm usually so shy and retiring. Seriously though, this is a great conversation. More disorganised and discursive than usual. Though for once, that is no bad thing. Enjoy! The Vile Thing We Created was published on April 18th 2023, by Hydra. Other books mentioned: The Triangle (2022), by Robert OttoneLess Than Zero (1985), by Bret Easton EllisLunar Park (2005), by Bret Easton EllisImperial Bedrooms (2010), by Bret Easton EllisSefira and Other Betrayals (2019), by John LanganWatchmen (1987), by Alan Moore and Dave GibbonsFilthy Creation (2023), by Caroline Hagood Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

Ah the madhouse. The loony bin. The ASYLUM!! A classic horror location. One of my favourites, but problematic as hell in the wrong hands.Thankfully, I have the right author for the topic. Christ Panatier has the talent and the sensitivity to ensure that his novel, The Redemption of Morgan Bright can engage with the tropes without perpetuating them. He brings something as old-as-time but very new to asylum horror, and the results are dizzying, terrifying, awful. We talk about the perils of research for an empathetic horror writer, we discuss some hideous medical practices from the past, and we look hard at the desecration of rights that we all grew up assuming were here to stay. Plus, the way to make friends in the horror community...Enjoy! The Redemption of Morgan Bright was published on April 23rd by Angry Robot Books Other books mentioned: The Phlebotomist (2020), by Chris PanatierStringer (2022), by Chris PanatierAnnihilation (2014), by Jeff VanderMeerThe Haunting of Hill House (1959), by Shirley JacksonNever Let Me Go (2005), by Kazuo IshiguroMad Wives: Schizophrenic Women in the 1950s (1988), by Carol A. B. WarrenFull Immersion (2022), by Gemma AmorThe Grip of It (2017), by Jac JemcThe House at the End of Lacelean Street (2024), by Catherine McCarthyThe Spite House (2023), by Johnny ComptonThe Day of the Door (2024), by Laurel Hightower Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the Show.

We all love a good spooky house. And most of us enjoy a terrifying home-invasion ordeal (or at least, I know I do). What happens when you put them together? Kaaron Warren's The Underhistory is the answer, but it's nothing at all like what you'd expect. This new novel by the award-winning Australian writer is a story of memory, of rooms and architecture, of violence and misogyny, and of a very unusual old lady. We talk about all of that and more. It's a great conversation, one in which we go hunting for the secrets of her book together. Enjoy! The Underhistory was published on April 11th by Viper Other books mentioned: Slights (2009), by Kaaron WarrenThe Grief Hole (2016), by Kaaron WarrenAny Human Heart (2002), by William BoydThe Measure of Sorrow (2023), by J. Ashley-Smith Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show