The This Is Horror Podcast is a weekly show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. We have interviewed over 300 creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, David Dastmalchian, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.
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The This Is Horror Podcast is a weekly show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. We have interviewed over 300 creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, David Dastmalchian, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.
In this podcast, Jacy Morris talks about We Like It Cherry, misconceptions about indigenous people, writing violence in fiction, and much more.
[3:30] Working with Tenebrous Press and We Like It Cherry.
[18:10] Wide misconceptions about indigenous people.
[21:30] Challenges writing a gay protagonist.
[26:20] How fully formed was the initial idea and dream that led to We Like It Cherry?
[29:00] Creative license to deviate from the plot.
[35:35] Karaoke songs.
[47:05] The tribes we’re born into and the tribes we choose.
[53:00] How much did Jacy know about each character before writing We Like It Cherry?
[54:45] Tips for writing violence in fiction.
[58:50] The number of drafts We Like It Cherry went through before going to the publisher.
[1:02:20] What’s next for Jacy.
[1:06:40] Deciding which books Jacy’s agent should shop.
[1:11:50] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:13:05] Connect with Jacy.
[1:13:35] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-636-jacy-morris-on-we-like-it-cherry-misconceptions-about-indigenous-people-and-writing-violence-in-fiction
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jacy Morris talks about early life lessons, his current writing routine, horror writing, and much more.
[3:25] Conversation start/early life lessons growing up.
[8:45] Dawn of the Dead and We Like It Cherry.
[11:35] Teaching at a middle school.
[14:30] Impetus for moving from a pseudonym to Jacy’s own name.
[32:50] Marketing.
[36:15] Current writing routine.
[51:30] Post-interview.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-635-jacy-morris-on-early-life-lessons-current-writing-routine-and-horror-writing
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Josh Malerman talks about fully embracing your writing, lessons learnt watching Evil Dead, Jizzly Bear, and much more.
[3:00] Conversation start/deciding what to publish after Watching Evil Dead.
[12:15] We have to fully embrace who we are as writers.
[17:30] Wavy Gravy!
[23:20] Ryan Lewis and other people who have changed our lives.
[33:15] MDW’s memories of writing during a traumatic period of his life.
[47:40] Getting married, Watching Evil Dead release, and the writing documentary premiere.
[51:35] Jizzly Bear.
[1:12:30] What did Josh learn that he wouldn’t have learnt if he hadn’t written Watching Evil Dead?
[1:14:10] Connect with Josh.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-634-josh-malerman-on-fully-embracing-your-writing-lessons-learnt-watching-evil-dead-and-jizzly-bear
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Josh Malerman talks about his brand new book, Watching Evil Dead, unearthing the radiant artist within, sequencing book order like an album, and much more.
[5:30] Conversation start and Watching the Evil Dead.
[14:00] The book cover and subtitle.
[23:00] Writing books over 165,000 words.
[38:05] Sequencing a career of writing and book order like an album.
[44:10] The transcendent moment when reviewers start comparing your books to your other books.
[50:00] The biggest failure is not finishing a story.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-633-josh-malerman-on-watching-evil-dead-unearthing-the-radiant-artist-within-and-sequencing-book-order-like-an-album
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Ryan C. Bradley talks about Ghoulish Books, books bound in human flesh, his story writing process, and much more.
[2:50] Bounding the book in Say Uncle in human flesh.
[13:15] What genre is Say Uncle?
[18:55] Working with Ghoulish Books.
[23:30] Comics.
[27:45] Writing about parenthood.
[38:10] Running and lifting.
[44:30] What is Ryan working on now.
[53:30] Planning or pantsing?
[57:40] Traci, via Patreon, asks about building a brand.
[1:04:00] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:05:00] Connect with Ryan.
[1:05:58] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-632-ryan-c-bradley-on-ghoulish-books-books-bound-in-human-flesh-and-story-writing-process
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Ryan C. Bradley talks about Say Uncle, early life lessons, setting stories in the noughties, and much more.
[3:20] Conversation start and early life lessons.
[13:55] Stories read growing up.
[16:30] Films watched from a young age.
[18:50] First stories written.
[23:40] The moment when Ryan returned to playing the guitar.
[26:00] First short story publication.
[32:05] Pitching Say Uncle and coming up with the comparisons.
[34:55] Say Uncle origin.
[43:50] Setting the story in the early noughties.
[51:05] Creating Uncle Pauly.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-631-ryan-c-bradley-on-say-uncle-early-life-lessons-setting-stories-in-the-noughties
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, C. J. Dotson talks about her writing routine, strange supernatural experiences, writing about trauma in fiction, and much more.
[3:40] Writing routine and typical working week.
[14:55] The what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger fallacy.
[19:30] Self-care for protecting own mental health when writing about difficult and traumatic topics.
[25:50] Traci, via Patreon, asks about marketing debut fiction.
[33:35] Strange supernatural experiences in real life.
[44:10] Forthcoming book, These Familiar Walls.
[1:14:30] Biggest lightbulb moments in writing career thus far.
[1:21:20] Connect with C. J. and final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-630-c-j-dotson-on-writing-routine-strange-supernatural-experiences-and-writing-about-trauma-in-fiction
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, we present chapter one of Daddy’s Boy by Michael David Wilson, narrated by Josh Curran.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-628-daddys-boy-by-michael-david-wilson-chapter-one-narrated-by-josh-curran
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Dean Koontz talks about his new book, Going Home in the Dark, breaking the fourth wall, Theodore Sturgeon, and much more.
[4:00] Conversation start.
[7:20] Going Home in the Dark.
[17:50] Breaking the fourth wall.
[25:35] Working on a memoir of career.
[33:20] Advice for younger writers who love writing and loathe marketing.
[50:30] What does Dean Koontz do when he’s writing and isn’t sure where the story’s going.
[1:04:00] Theodore Sturgeon.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-627-dean-koontz-on-going-home-in-the-dark-breaking-the-fourth-wall-and-theodore-sturgeon
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Ross Jeffery talks about how to write and plan a novel, being made homeless, marketing, and much more.
[3:20] How Ross plans novels using his notebook method.
[16:25] What happens once the initial drafts are complete?
[22:35] Traci, via Patreon, asks about considerations when deciding whether to put a book out traditionally or independently.
[30:10] Marketing books.
[35:15] Being made homeless.
[1:01:10] How Christianity affects Ross’s writing.
[1:15:55] Connect with Ross.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-626-ross-jeffery-on-how-to-write-and-plan-a-novel-being-made-homeless-and-marketing
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Ross Jeffery talks about early life lessons, becoming a writer, writing a new book every three months, and much more.
[3:30] Conversation start and early life lessons.
[9:15] Getting back into reading.
[22:05] The steps to becoming a writer.
[45:10] Summarising Ross’s writing method and approach.
[1:02:55] Not writing until the entire book is planned out.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-625-ross-jeffery-on-early-life-lessons-becoming-a-writer-and-writing-a-new-book-every-three-months
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Paul Goblirsch talks about Thunderstorm Books, limited hardcover books, and much more.
[3:50] Conversation start/life lessons learnt growing up.
[7:55] Getting into collectible books and limited editions.
[18:10] Early rules when starting Thunderstorm Books.
[23:05] How Thunderstorm Books scaled to 40 titles per year.
[42:00] Marketing and social media impact on business.
[51:30] Lessons learnt working on different publishing lines.
[1:04:40] Choosing the print run for each title.
[1:12:50] Putting out the best cover art.
[1:14:50] Connect with Paul.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-624-paul-goblirsch-on-thunderstorm-books-and-limited-hardcover-books
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about writing a comic in novel’s clothing Bark Bites Horror, writing a three-book novel, and much more.
[3:55] When Jasper realised Draw You In was going to be three books.
[9:10] A comic in a novel’s clothing?
[26:05] Problems with contracts.
[46:45] The reason for writing a book.
[50:20] Marketing.
[59:25] Walt and Louise Simonson.
[1:18:50] Bark Bites Horror.
[1:22:40] Typical novel writing time.
[1:25:50] Connect with Jasper.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-623-jasper-bark-on-writing-a-comic-in-novels-clothing-bark-bites-horror-and-writing-a-three-book-novel
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about Draw You In, R. L. Carver, comic books and conspiracy theories, and much more.
[3:35] Conversation start.
[6:35] Draw You In three book series.
[12:30] Draw You In story genesis.
[35:35] Reaction to R. L. Carver stunt.
[38:50] Conspiracy theories and comics.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-622-jasper-bark-on-draw-you-in-r-l-carver-and-conspiracy-theories-and-comic-books
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Josh Curran talks about narrating Daddy’s Boy, lessons learnt recording an audiobook, the Miscreations Podcast, and much more.
[3:20] Conversation start and early life lessons growing up.
[5:10] Daniel Willcocks story.
[11:10] The future of Miscreations Podcast.
[18:05] Daniel Johnson.
[28:00] Narrating Daddy’s Boy and rapping.
[45:40] Swear count in Daddy’s Boy.
[52:00] Lessons learnt recording an audiobook.
[56:00] Initial reaction to Daddy’s Boy.
[1:01:25] What frightens Josh.
[1:02:45] Advice for eighteen-year-old self.
[1:05:45] Connect with Josh.
[1:08:00] Wrap-up and upcoming books for the week.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-621-josh-curran-on-narrating-daddys-boy-lessons-recording-an-audiobook-and-the-miscreations-podcast
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jon Bassoff talks about The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and becoming a writer.
[3:35] Conversation start and Jon’s first memory.
[4:50] Early life lessons.
[7:10] When did Jon know he wanted to become a writer?
[12:35] Publishing Corrosion.
[14:55] The film version of The Disassembled Man.
[24:40] Drive-Thru Crematorium.
[26:25] The Memory Ward.
[36:45] How much can you trust your own memory?
[40:30] Writing in between genres and marketing/selling logistics.
[1:00:05] How many projects does Jon have on the go at one time?
[1:02:20] Literary agents.
[1:04:40] Final pitch for The Memory Ward.
[1:06:30] Connect with Jon and final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-620-jon-bassoff-on-the-memory-ward-the-drive-thru-crematorium-and-becoming-a-writer
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jason Pargin talks about writing pop culture references in film and fiction, and much more.
[3:00] Conversation start and Britney Spears scandal.
[6:25] Biggest changes in the last eight months.
[23:00] Pop culture has stagnated.
[34:30] Impact of TikTok being banned in the USA.
[59:20] Trying different ad platforms.
[1:10:35] Why it’s difficult to write pop culture references in fiction, question from Erich via Patreon.
[1:19:40] Pop culture references today people in the future will completely misunderstand.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-619-jason-pargin-on-writing-pop-culture-references-in-film-and-fiction
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Brian Asman talks about writing fiction fearlessly, and much more.
[3:20] Conversation start.
[7:30] Defining what Brian Asman writes.
[15:00] Does Brian write fearlessly?
[23:05] Worries about not doing concepts justice.
[1:00:40] Books and movies where the writer was fearless.
[1:06:20] Has recent success meant Brian is writing more or less fearlessly?
[1:21:15] Connect with Brian.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-618-brian-asman-on-writing-fiction-fearlessly
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
In this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about dark comedy, horror comedy, the origins of gallows humour, and much more.
[4:00] Conversation start. Distinguishing dark comedy and horror comedy.
[9:30] Mother for Dinner by Shalom Auslander.
[14:00] Taboos in society, historical context and cultural significance of dark comedy.
[22:30] Did Jasper start writing comedy or horror?
[43:00] Was writing Daddy’s Boy therapeutic?
[47:10] Absurdism, masks, and horror.
[1:05:25] Malcolm Gladwell.
[1:24:00] Other dark comedy books or films we haven’t yet mentioned.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-617-jasper-bark-on-dark-comedy-horror-comedy-and-the-origins-of-gallows-humour
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
The This Is Horror Podcast is a weekly show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. We have interviewed over 300 creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, David Dastmalchian, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.
