Horror Humor Hunger

T.J. Payne is the author of the smash hit INTERCEPTS, which has sold over 95,000 copies and has had over 25 million page reads on Kindle Unlimited since its publication in 2019. He’s also the author of THE VENUE and IN MY FATHER’S BASEMENT. Born and raised in Portland, OR, he moved to Hollywood with plans to write romantic comedies, but as he worked on his craft, he found his stories drifting towa...

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author and actor Joey Powell! His recent published work includes Squirming All the Way Up and Night Games , co-authored with his twin Josh Powell. He’s also an incredible illustrator and book designer, and he’s the owner and operator of indie press Mad Axe Media. Join us as we discuss horror as art, what it’s like to operate a small press, what we wish...

Nat Cassidy is an award-winning actor, playwright, director, and the author of the acclaimed novels When the Wolf Comes Home , Mary: An Awakening of Terror , Nestlings , and Rest Stop . Esquire has named him one of the "writers shaping horror’s next golden age.” His newest collection, I Know a Place , drops TODAY, May 5! Join us as we discuss the structure of writing horror, subversion, suspe...

Stephanie Rose is a bookseller, publisher, editor, and author--a true Renaissance woman of horror. Join us as we discuss the best background media for writing (horror movies on mute!), why horror matters, weekly writing goals, handling reviews, and her style: cinematic, comedic, and cozy (we love an alliteration over here!). Connect with Stephanie: https://stephanierosewriter.com Order from Death...

Who better to discuss medical and body horror than an emergency medicine physician with a flair for the macabre? N.J. Gallegos is an absolute powerhouse--her novella Just Desserts won an American Legacy Book Award in the Psychological Horror category in 2024, and in 2022 and 2025, she won first place in Alien Buddha Press' Horror Showdown. In 2025, she was nominated for two Pushcart Prizes. S...

Ever wondered what’s living in your walls? Or what lurks inside of that abandoned mall? Or what might happen to a terrorized neighborhood on Halloween? If so, you’ve got to check out horror author Ben Farthing. Join Ben and me as we discuss the horror of liminal spaces, full-time horror author-ing, what the horror book world needs more of, and more! Connect with Ben: https://thedreadfarthing.com C...

“Horror is the liver of the literary body. You need the liver to process all your toxins.” How gorgeous and insightful, am I right? And that’s only a tiny taste of what award-winning author Dawn Kurtagich has to offer in this fascinating, fun, and frightening interview. Join us as we discuss everything from the purpose of horror to the importance of writing rituals (I, too, wish I could cozy up on...

If you’re anything like me, then you’re not immune to the widespread recent interest in Mormon culture (anybody else love The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?) . Enter Linda Hamilton, an ex-Mormon and the author of The Fourth Wife , a deliciously chilling, historical gothic horror with a feminist slant where a young Mormon woman is haunted by a malevolent presence in the decrepit Salt Lake City mansi...

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with A. Rae Dunlap, author of The Resurrectionist and The Dreadfuls (which is absolutely fantastic!). Join us as we discuss the fascinating nature of cemeteries, how to create the right atmosphere for historical narratives, Jack the Ripper, the history of our obsession with true crime, and more! Connect with A. Rae Dunlap: https://araedunlap.c...

What do you get when you combine an intelligence analyst, a technology futurist, and a horror novelist? You get the one and only Alma Katsu! In this episode, we discuss everything from the looming threat of generative AI to exploring history through a horror lens. Alma is a New York Times bestselling author, and her books have been nominated for and won multiple prestigious awards including the St...

I couldn’t let a Friday the 13th go uncelebrated, so here’s a super special bonus episode featuring my friend and fellow horror author, R. Jacob Honeybrook! In addition to being an author, R. Jacob Honeybrook is one of the hosts of the fabulous, award-winning Midnight Terrors podcast. A former journalist, he also pens the weekly horror column “ The Honeycut ” for TBM Horror. His newest collection,...

In this episode, I’m joined by the queen of Gothic suspense, Paulette Kennedy! She’s the bestselling author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport , as well as many other fabulous novels. Join us as we discuss the power of historical settings, the Gothic genre, and her newest release, The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael ! Connect with Paulette: https://paulettekennedy.com Connect with Viggy: https://vig...

Today, I’m joined by Michael Harbron, bestselling horror author of the Interview with the Devil series. He’s also the author of the official Fright Night prequel novel, called Fright Night: Hellbound. Join us as we discuss reviving cult classics, building a horror universe, and our favorite horror novels! Connect with Michael: https://michaelharbron.com Find Michael on Instagram: https://www.insta...

Women in Horror Month is almost here!! Multiple award-winning author Gwendolyn Kiste joins me to discuss the importance of recognizing women in horror, the month’s theme of resilience, and her work. Come celebrate with us! Connect with Gwendolyn: https://www.gwendolynkiste.com Connect with Viggy: https://viggyhampton.com Purchase A Veritable Household Pet along with Viggy’s other books: https://ww...

Prolific horror author Jack Finn is no stranger to research--his books are layered with historical facts that make the narrative that much more terrifying. Join us as we discuss what horror has to offer readers, why history is an excellent inspiration for horror, and what we wish we saw more of in the horror world. Connect with Jack: https://therealjackfinn.com Connect with Viggy: https://viggyham...

Pod favorite and seasoned clinical psychologist Dr. Camille Holiner joins me again for a fascinating discussion of the history of lobotomy, the evolution of the treatment of mental illness over the past few decades, toxic family dynamics, and more! Connect with Viggy: https://viggyhampton.com Purchase A Veritable Household Pet along with Viggy’s other books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0...

Often, we don’t have to look further than our own history for horrifying inspiration. Maria Tureaud, author of the Great Hunger-inspired This House Will Feed , joins me for an illuminating discussion of how we can use horror fiction to explore and provide catharsis for historic tragedy. Maria Tureaud is the author of one of my new favorite novels, This House Will Feed , which is set at the height...

In the season 8 premiere, my wonderful friend Katherine flips the script and interviews me all about my newest novel, A Veritable Household Pet . Join us as we discuss the history of lobotomy, the writing process, getting into the mind of a character, and the evolution of narrative voice. Connect with Viggy: https://viggyhampton.com Purchase A Veritable Household Pet along with Viggy’s other books...

Season 8 is coming soon! Mark your calendars for the premiere episode on January 27, and add A Veritable Household Pet to your TBR today (or you can always preorder!). Connect with Viggy: https://viggyhampton.com Purchase A Veritable Household Pet along with Viggy’s other books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B082DC79CG/allbooks?ingress=0&lp_context_query=viggy+parr+hampton&visitId=d...

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably just as hungry as I am. Let’s get ready to ROT with this season’s The Rotting Room -inspired recipe… Bring Your Own Bucket Devil’s Food Cake ! Bring Your Own Bucket Devil’s Food Cake Cake 3 cups almond flour 3/4 cup cocoa powder 4 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2/3 cup milk or almond milk 6 eggs 2/3 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar 3 tsp pure vani...

Yes, horror movies and books are immersive, but have you ever wanted to be the main character in your own horror story (without the danger)? If so, you’ve got to check out Eerie Games. These are tabletop role-playing games that put YOU in the driver’s seat of the horrifying action. Join me and Eerie Games designer Scott Falzone as we explore the ins and outs of horror games--from inhabiting the ro...

In this episode, I’m joined by not one, but TWO incredibly interesting, intelligent, and insightful guests--Briana Cox and Kailee Pedersen. Briana is a horror screenwriter and author, and her novel Indigent will be published next spring (it’s already received glowing praise!). Kailee is the author of Sacrificial Animals , which is a Libby Books Award finalist for horror and an Otherwise Award long...

Do you believe in ghosts? What about communicating with the dead through space and time? Whether you think it’s all very real or an elaborate hoax, the idea of contacting the dead has a long and storied history, especially through the Spiritualism movement. Join me and author Kathleen Kaufman as we discuss spirits, mesmerism, Gothic tales, and the history behind her wonderful novel, The Entirely T...

I’ve got an incredible guest for this episode: the very cool, very talented, and very fun CJ Leede! CJ is a horror writer, hiker, Trekkie, and all-around very interesting person. Her debut novel, Maeve Fly, won the Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award, the Splatterpunk Award for best novel, and was a Bram Stoker Award nominee as well as an Indie Next pick. Her second and most recent novel, America...

Who doesn’t love a good monster? Author and podcaster Brad Ricks is a monster connoisseur with a special penchant for vampires. Join Brad and me as we discuss creepy creatures, the craft of writing horror, and the best parts of podcasting! Keep up with Brad: https://www.bradricks.com Order Viggy’s books today: https://viggyhampton.com Order THE ROTTING ROOM: https://www.amazon.com/Rotting-Room-His...