Blood on the Typewriter: A Podcast About Writing Dark Fiction

Today, I am joined by the Stoker Award winning RJ Joseph to talk about her upcoming collection, My Monsters Ain’t Like Yours! We talk about dialing up violence in a story, finding a character’s voice, using family as theme, discovering wonder, reading to be a better writer, writing like everyone you know is dead, and navigating the mystery of social media. RJ is an incredible writer and was a wond...

Today, I am joined by Marissa Yarrow to talk about her upcoming novel, Island X! We talk about social media, unveiling mystery, on both a macro and micro scale, the mindset behind a big tonal shift, writing the book you want, actually sitting down at the keyboard, writing with a typewriter, working through trauma in a story, and using House of Leaves as a comfort book. Island X was a blast and cau...

Today, I am joined by Timothy King to talk about his new novel, We Were Never Really Friends. We talk about writing unlikeable characters, choreographing action scenes, heavily plotting a novel, writing on your phone, messed up search histories, the AI bubble, and imposter syndrome. Tim and I had recorded once before and gremlins ate the recording, so I’m very glad we got this one in the can. We W...

Today, I am joined by Joshua Millican to discuss his new novel, Dopefoot. We talk about Bigfoot, myth, the great American novel, ego death, perspective, Land of the Lost, writing from the wound, and the desperate struggle to promote your book. Dopefoot knocked me off my feet, and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t read it. This was a great conversation. Dopefoot Humboldt Cut by Alliso...

Today, I am joined by A.C. Hessenauer to talk about her new novel, Going to the Six! We talk about found footage, death of the author, the cold reality of cosmic horror, writing character at a stark remove, finding a readership, avoiding thinking while you’re writing, and defeating self sabotage. Going to the Six is my new favorite found footage novel, and I had a blast talking to A.C.! Going to t...

Today, I am joined by Jessika Grewe Glover to talk about her new book BROMELIAD HOUSE! We talk about gothic tropes, Florida humidity, rebuilding a haunted house, layering mysteries, man as predator, ignoring your reviews, choosing YOUR favorite vampire novel, and how the hell to market your books. Jessika was a wonderful guest and YOU should read Bromeliad House. Bromeliad House Songs of the Wicke...

Today, I am joined by  Jackie Sonnenberg to talk about her new novel, The Fathoms Below! We talk about launching Crystal Lake’s YA imprint, the width and depth of worldbuilding, blending genres, making cosplay of your characters, losing pens, and the algorithm. I had a blast talking with Jackie and I can’t wait for you to hear it! The Fathoms Below The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Today, I am joined by Nat Cassidy to talk about his new collection, I Know A Place! We talk about writing for different mediums, using formatting to help tell a story, the film Dead Alive, finding value in work you may not like, the different stages of revisions, and the ever-present challenge of finding focus. Nat was a joy to talk to, and I Know A Place is a dynamite collection! I Know A Place T...

Today, I am joined by Laurel Hightower to talk about the back-in-print Crossroads! We talk about revisiting past works, how much mystery to leave off the page, how to reframe marketing yourself, using theme as character, writing the same story over and over again, and maintaining excitement in a story. I’m so glad I got to talk to Laurel, and Crossroads will rip your heart out. Crossroads Reap, So...

Today, I am joined by Grace R Reynolds to talk about her new honky-tonk slasher, Neon Moon! We talk about possum content warnings, Texas horror as a sub-genre, subverting slasher tropes, bachelorette parties in Fredericksburg, Texas, breaking your writing in half, the importance of a writing space, and writing with a chronic illness. Grace is a delight and Neon Moon should be on top of your TBR! N...

Today, I am joined by AD Aro to talk about his newest book, Baby’s Breath. We talk about the absurdity of giving baby dolls to high schoolers, threads of anti-authoritarianism in Christopher Pike, how to measure pace in your story, the impact of deadlines on efficiency, the changing course of YA horror over the years, and much, much more. I had a blast talking to A.D. and you need to make room for...

Today, I am joined by Ellery Adams to talk about her first horror novel, Invasive Species. We talk about the definition of cozy horror, genre and sub-genre, generational differences, writing an antagonist, when not to quit, redefining and reinventing yourself as an author, and the fine line between exploration and exploitation. Invasive Species has plenty of teeth, and Ellery was an incredible gue...

Today, I am joined by Phillip Fracassi to talk about his new novel, Sarafina. We talk about writing morally grey characters, writing with care, choosing when and how to write a sequel, tackling big themes, and persevering as an author. Sarafina is both brutal and beautiful, and this was a great conversation. Sarafina The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All by Laird Barron Daytide by Chris Panatier...

Today, I am joined by Tamika Thompson to talk about her debut novel, The Curse of Hester Gardens. We talk about the mother as perspective character, America as curse, cyclical violence, building dread, layering themes, starting a writing practice, watching out for bad contracts, and much more! The Curse of Hester Gardens is a must-read book, and I could have talked to Tamika for hours and hours. T...

Today, I am joined by Donna Taylor to talk about her new book Monsters in the Mountains! We talk about writing series, the amount of trauma teenagers can endure, not knowing what you don’t know, reviewing other writer’s books, and when to just keep writing. Donna’s books are a blast, and it was great talking to her. Monsters in the Mountains Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach Camp Lanier by...

Today, I am joined by Angela Sylvaine to talk about her new novel, Cold Snap! We talk about the challenges of writing a sequel, how many references are too many, why deer are so scary, the trick to writing good dialogue, and how comparison is the thief of joy. Angela is such a delightful person and such a good writer, and I had so much fun talking to her. Cold Snap With Friends Like These by VS La...

Today, I am joined by Paulette Kennedy to talk about her new novel, The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael. We talk about masks and disguises, mystery and reveals, when you need a prologue, the power of a routine, and prioritizing writing over social media. Paulette’s writing is intensely polished, which belies how much weight and strength it carries, both in story and theme. This was a great conver...

Today, I am joined by Chris Panatier to discuss his new novel, Daytide. We talk about the tether of worldbuilding and mystery, using cultural references, finding the story, when to walk away to maintain momentum, finding the balance of writing hard scenes, and when experience tells you to rewrite a story. Daytide blew me away, and this episode is filled with invaluable insights. Headcheese by Jess...

Today, I am joined by Dawn Kurtagich to discuss her upcoming novel, The Seventh Sister. We talk about texture and tenses, power and control, daring to be yourself, eating fried chicken in the mountains, and how to rehab burnout. Dawn was a wonderful guest, and we had a great conversation. The Seventh Sister You Let Me In - Camilla Bruce The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis A Veritable Household Pet by...

Today, I am joined by William Sterling to discuss his new book, Our Beanie Beastie Nightmare! We talk about 90s nostalgia, sibling relationships, human monsters vs supernatural ones, collector’s items, balancing multiple projects, how to just keep writing, and working in a dangerous political climate. Will is a great writer and a great guest. Don’t miss this one. Our Beanie Beastie Nightmare Writh...

Today, I am joined by Stephanie E Jensen to talk about her new novel Acetamine! We talk about Florida changing before our eyes, naming drugs, dorky guitar music, the mental health challenges of writing extreme horror, and claiming ownership over em dashes! Stephanie is the first splatterpunk author on the show, and this chat with her was lovely! Acetamine The Bloody Bucket by Douglas Ford Saint Sa...

Today, I am joined by Douglas Ford to talk about his upcoming novel, The Bloody Bucket. We talk about Florida, the nature of storytelling AND truth, writing longhand, the marketplace, and Lucio Fulci. The Bloody Bucket is an incredible novel, and I’m not gonna shut up about it. This was a great conversation with Doug, and you don’t want to miss it. The Bloody Bucket Perchance to Dream by Charles B...

Today, I am joined by RETURNING CHAMPION Viggy Parr Hampton to talk about her new novel, A Veritable Household Pet! We talk about research, writing from the perspective of a person with a lobotomy, viewing and defending horror as a broad genre, how frustrating social media is as an author, and non-fiction as horrifying as any horror novel. Viggy has made something truly special with this book, and...

Today, I am joined by Caitlin Starling to talk about her newest novel, The Graceview Patient. We talk about liminal spaces in hospitals, the connections between gothic, body, and cosmic horror, tricks to keep yourself writing, doing the weird thing, and deciding what kind of writer you are both now and into the future. Caitlin is so, so smart, and this episode is a must-listen. The Graceview Patie...

Today, I am joined by Emma E Murray to talk about Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day. We talk about describing grotesque things in beautiful ways, writing cycles of abuse, how difficult but fun but difficult writing is, living on the precarious edge of challenge, and how to know when something is done. Emma is such a good writer and this is an excellent episode. Shoot Me in the Face on a Beau...