Blood on the Typewriter: A Podcast About Writing Dark Fiction

Today, I am joined by Katherine Silva to talk about Where the Soul Goes, her newest novel. We talk about creativity, humanity, AI, the grind of a writing career, ignoring social media, and the dreaded query trenches. Kat is an incredible author, and this was a great talk. Where the Soul Goes Katherine's YouTube Lady of the House by Grace Reynold This is How a Villain is Made by Amanda Headlee...

Today, I am joined by Royal Poff to talk about Canaries, the 3rd project as part of his Exquisite Corpse series, still available to back on Kickstarter for a few more days. We talk about wrangling authors, semi colons, working in different mediums, Carvel ice cream, and collaboration. Canaries is such an interesting project, and this was a great interview! Back Canaries on Kickstarter House of Har...

Today, I am joined by Daniel Braum to talk about his newest collection, Phantom Constellations. We talk about writing workshops, using symbols to find a character’s humanity, navigating time in prose, writing stories without regard to genre, becoming comfortable in navigating problems, and when and when not to follow advice. Daniel’s writing is top-notch, and this was a wonderful conversation. Pha...

Today, I am joined by Jason A Jones to discuss his first collection, The Pumpkin Pie Man and Other Terrifying Tales ! We talk about vintage horror paperbacks, small town horror, the pulp tradition, Bentley Little, and writing novels for the first time. Jason was one of my first friends on Bookstagram, and seeing his career develop has been a delight! The Pumpkin Pie Man and Other Terrifying Tales...

Today, I am joined by JR Blanes to discuss his debut novel, Portraits of Decay! We talk about art, stories about art, love triangles, choosing perspective characters, naming characters, finding a character’s voice, and looking like Charlie Day in front of a corkboard. This was a wonderful discussion, and you don’t want to miss it, or JR’s book. Portraits of Decay It Will Just Be Us by Jo Kaplan Th...

Today, I am joined by Wendy Dalrymple and Grace Reynolds , co-editors of the new anthology, Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved, and Insane, an Anthology of Nostalgic Terrors, available December 16. We talk about finding comfort in horror, horror origin stories, our favorite soups, the importance of following the rules, when to try writing a different genre, and much, much more! This collectio...

Today, I am joined by Grace Daly to talk about her dynamite debut novel, The Scald Crow! We talk about chronic pain as survival horror, first person present tense, writing comedy in horror, being too much, mean Goodreads reviews, and writing a cast of nuns. I was blown away by The Scald Crow, and Grace was an incredible guest. The Scald-Crow The Barre Incidents by by Lauren Bolger The Nut House by...

Today, I am joined by Amanda Casile to talk about her upcoming novel, Broken Trail. We talk about scary woods, stabby books, feathering the amount of physical trauma suffered by a character, writing a single word a day, and trying to find some goshdarn time to write. Amanda was a delight to talk to, and you don’t want to miss this episode!  Pre-order Broken Trail Wonderland by Zoje Stage Youth Jui...

Today, I am joined by Michael Wehunt to talk about his debut novel, The October Film Haunt! We talk about polyrhythm, form, found footage, using social media in fiction, writing for word count and not time, decompressing, and the challenges of writing for a broader audience. This was an incredible discussion and full of honest insight. The October Film Haunt Flowers of the Sea by Reggie Oliver If...

Today, I am joined by Tanya Pell to talk about her new novel, Her Wicked Roots. We talk about about how more IS more in Gothicism, about what is and is not “proper violence”, about the dreaded imposter syndrome, and about our preferred every day pen. Tanya is as good as anyone working today, and Her Wicked Roots is a beautiful book.  (Don't) Call Mum - Matt Wesolowski Jackal - Erin E Adams Th...

Today, I am joined by Rebecca Baum , author of new insect and body horror novel, The Brood. We talk about body image in horror, how important feedback is in a writing journey, about the constraints of time in a career, and how cicadas are both beautiful and disgusting. The Brood was an incredible read, and I had such a good time talking to Rebecca. The Brood by Rebecca Baum Samuel Orr - Return of...

Today, I am joined by foremost writer of the weird and curious, Joshua Ginsberg, as we talk about his new collection, Tales from the Dusty Tiger. We talk about consumerism, authenticity, maintaining wonder, finishing your stories, trusting your own ability, and using the word just. Josh is a great friend and a great writer, and this was a wonderful discussion.  Tales from The Dusty Tiger Daniel Br...

Today, the hits just keep coming, because I’m talking with David Washburn about his new novel, Where Pop Stars Go To Die. We talk about Taylor Swift, if violence is the natural endpoint of power struggles, bad reviews, and writing things before you know the answer. This was a wonderful discussion. Where Pop Stars Go To Die Sleeping Celeste by Alana K Drex A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

Today, I’m talking with the master, the king, John Langan, about his newest collection, Lost in the Dark. We discuss found footage and what makes it authentic, finding the true ending to a story, the sophistication of fans of genre fiction, his approach to cultivating story, and about prioritizing your mental health as a writer. I consider John one of our titans, and it was an honor to speak to hi...

Hello, I’m Robbie Dorman, and it’s time to sit down at the typewriter and bleed. Welcome to Blood on the Typewriter, the podcast about writing dark fiction. Today, I’m talking with the legend Alma Katsu about her blockbuster new novel, Fiend. We discuss writing unlikeable characters, living in an era of male anger, surviving in the chaos of publishing, and the algorithm marketing mortuary gurneys...

Today, I’m talking with Viggy Parr Hampton about her novel The Rotting Room. We discuss using sound in prose, how rot is necessary, patriarchy and nuns, and about load-bearing thats. Viggy is such a talented writer, and I was so happy to have her on the podcast. The Rotting by Viggy Parr Hampton This House Will Feed by Maria Tureaud

Today, I’m talking with Cassandra Celia about her newest novella, House of Harrow. We talk about writing animals as perspective characters, blending metaphor and story, the death of children characters, rejection of one’s nature, and the vicious cycle and escapability of one’s nature. What a great discussion. House of Harrow by Cassandra Celia Royal Poff Dorian Sinnott Kill Your Darling by Clay Mc...

Today I’m talking to the two-time Stoker award nominated Todd Kiesling about his newest novel, The Sundowner’s Dance. We talk about writing mental illness, navigating the length and form of a story, about the power of doubt in a protagonist, and digging for your next horror read. Todd is a terrific writer, and I feel lucky to have gotten him on the podcast. The Sundowner's Dance by Todd Keisl...

Today, I’m talking to author, editor, and artist Joey Powell about his newest book,  Squirming All the Way Up. We talk about propaganda, joining a cult, the word bloated, making time instead of finding it, and writing prose instead of screenplays. Joey is a delight, whip-smart, and multi-talented, and I had a great time talking to him.  Follow Joey on Instagram Squirming All the Way Up by Joey Pow...

Today I’m talking to the master of pink horror, Wendy Dalrymple about her newest novel, Credenza. We talk about writing horror as hopeful, generational curses, pink horror, not being bothered by typos, and the biggest trouble with writing today not being anything to do with actual writing! Wendy is my favorite Floridian writer working, and I’m so glad I had her on to talk! Onto the show!  Mosaic b...

Today I’m talking to the incredible Haley Newlin about her upcoming novel The Film You Are About to See. We talk about Vincent Price, placing details, and what using the word catty says about you. Pre-Order The Film You Are About to See Sister Funtime by Spencer Hamilton Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman

In this, the inaugural episode, I chat with the two-time Stoker award winning Robert Ottone. We talk in depth about his new collection Tear Me Open: Fears Unwrapped, which you should go pick up; the word can’t, and why he hates it; and about the best second acts in all of horror literature. Tear Me Open: Fears Unwrapped by Robert Ottone Leeds Point Horror by John Collins The Scald-Crow by Grace Da...

A short introduction to the podcast.