Quills and Chills

In this episode of Quills and Chills, join me as I sit down with acclaimed writer and editor Dan Kois to discuss his latest book, 'Hampton Heights.' With nominations for two National Magazine Awards and two Writers Guild Awards under his belt, Kois delves into his unique journey from journalism to fiction and his inspiration behind 'Hampton Heights.' We explore the rich, folklore-based supernatura...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with Brian Asman, a writer, actor, and director based in San Diego, California. We delve into Asman's career journey and his unique storytelling approach, highlighting his latest novel 'Good Dogs.' Our discussion covers themes of found family and survival, the creation of memorable characters, and the innovative portrayal of werewolves. During our...

In this episode of Conversations , I sit down with director Mahesh Pailoor to discuss his powerful new film, Paper Flowers . Inspired by the true story of Shalin Shah, the film explores universal themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Mahesh shares insights into the casting process, the emotional depth brought by Kapil Talwalkar and Olivia...

In this episode of  Quills & Chills , I welcome back Bijhan Agha, the talented trans Muslim American creator behind  The Legendary X-Knights . We dive into her inspirations—ranging from  Wonder Woman  and Japanese  tokusatsu  to the  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles —and explore how these influences have shaped her storytelling. Bijhan shares the emotional depth and creative vision behind  The Leg...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I welcome K. R. Blair, renowned screenwriter and novelist known for her dark, female-driven stories. Katie shares her journey from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to becoming a celebrated author of 'The Beckoning Shadow' and 'Unchosen'. We dive into her creative process, inspirations, and challenges behind her latest novel, 'The Hushed'. Katie also dis...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, join me as I  talk with acclaimed author Nick Cutter, aka Craig Davidson, the mind behind chilling horror novels such as 'The Troop', 'The Deep', and 'Little Heaven'. We’re all abuzz (sorry, I couldn’t resist) about his latest work, 'The Queen', exploring the challenges of balancing different pseudonyms, the personal influences behind his love for horror, an...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with actor Russell Todd for an in-depth conversation about his storied career. Famous for his roles in the Friday the 13th franchise and Chopping Mall, Russell delves into his early love for the arts, inspired by his mother's musical career. He recounts his filmmaking beginnings with a movie camera won from a jelly bean guessing contest and shares...

In this episode of Quills and Chills, I sit down with acclaimed author CJ Cook to explore her latest work on witch trials. Discover CJ Cook's dual timeline narrative in 'The Book of Witching' and the intricate process of blending historical and modern narratives. Carolyn delves into the power dynamics and oppression in witch trials, discussing her research into Scottish witch trials and themes of...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I am talking with Del Sandeen about her debut novel, 'This Cursed House'. The discussion covers Del’s background, her writing process, and the inspirations behind her work. The novel, set in 1960s New Orleans, intertwines themes of southern gothic, colorism, and supernatural elements. Del shares insights into the curse central to the story and how it shapes...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, join me as I talk with Stoker award-nominated horror author Johnny Compton. We discuss Compton's latest novel, 'Devils Kill Devils', marking it as the most anticipated horror book of 2024. The conversation explores Compton's inspirations from childhood ghost stories to his extensive research on vampires, angels, and the supernatural, emphasizing themes of fa...

In this episode of Quills and Chills, I am sitting down with Michelle McGill Vargas, a talented author known for her speculative historical fiction. We delve into her latest novel, 'American Ghoul,' discussing its unique blend of horror and history. Michelle shares insights into her journey from a special education teacher to a published author, her creative process, and the intricacies of...

As part of a special series in which I’m talking to filmmakers and creators, join me as I sit down with prolific filmmaker Michael Varrati. Known for his unique contributions to both horror and LGBTQ film, Michael delves into his creative process, the intersection of queer identity and horror, and his latest work, 'There's a Zombie Outside,’ which recently screened at the FILMOUT San Diego...

In this episode of Quills and Chills, I am chatting with award-winning author Sarah Pinsker about her latest novel 'Haunt Sweet Home,' which offers a fresh twist on the haunted house genre. We discuss Sarah's background as a singer-songwriter, her transition to writing, and her unique writing process. Sarah delves into the plot and characters of her new book, exploring the interplay be...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I am joined by Jill Baguchinsky, the author of the queer YA horror novel 'So Witches We Became.' Our conversation covers Jill's unique experiences growing up on a barrier island in Florida, her early love for horror, especially Stephen King, and the inspiration behind her latest book. Delve into Jill's writing process, the themes of female fr...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with author Sam Ripley to discuss his latest book, 'The Rule of Three.' We explore Ripley's journey into writing, his process, and the inspirations behind his suspenseful novel that delves into urban legends and paranoia. Ripley shares insights on character development, narrative structure, and the challenges of intertwining multiple p...

As part of a special series in which I’m talking to filmmakers and creators, join me as I dive into Fresh Kills , the compelling new film from Jennifer Esposito, who wrote, directed, and produced the movie and stars in it. Fresh Kills is an intense and compelling story about power, family, and survival, told through Jennifer’s unique vision. Tune in as we explore her creative journey, the challeng...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, join me as I sit down with acclaimed author Jonathan Mayberry to discuss his latest book, Necrotech. With a career spanning roles as a New York Times bestseller, multiple award-winner, and editor of Weird Tales magazine, Mayberry brings a wealth of experience to the table. The conversation delves into his unique journey into writing, the thematic elements of...

In this episode of 'Quills and Chills', I'm talking with Gabino Iglesias, the award-winning author of 'The Devil Takes You Home', about his new book, 'The House of Bone and Rain'. Gabino shares his background, inspirations, and experiences growing up in Puerto Rico, as well as the cultural and mystical elements that influence his writing. The conversation delves into th...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m talking with Karen A. Phillips, the Northern California author known for her humorous and action-packed stories. Karen dives into her latest short story, "Killing Karen," from the Hidden Villains Betrayed anthology series. Discover the inspirations behind her writing journey, the intriguing twists in her story, and even some fun personal anecdo...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I am stepping into the dark and twisted world of Craig DiLouie's latest novel, How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive . This thrilling tale follows a famous horror movie director as he is determined to create the most terrifying film ever made. Using an occult camera that might just be demonic, the line between fiction and reality blurs, proving that hor...

In this episode of Quills & Chills, we dive into the spine-tingling world of Josh Malerman's latest novel, Incidents Around the House . The story follows a young girl who becomes the target of a malevolent spirit intent on possessing her. Malerman masterfully weaves suspense and horror, creating an atmosphere that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.  Join us as we explore the eerie...

Check out my latest episode featuring Marcus Kliewer. We delve into his gripping new novel, WE USED TO LIVE HERE – a suspenseful tale of two homeowners' lives thrown into chaos by the unexpected return of the house’s former residents. Join us as we discuss the inspiration behind this thrilling story, the psychological twists that will keep you on edge, and why this book is a must-read for horr...

This week I'm talking with acclaimed author Paul Tremblay about his latest release, "Horror Movie." This novel chronicles the creepy tale of a group of guerrilla filmmakers whose quest to create the ultimate horror film takes a terrifying turn. Follow Paul Tremblay on social: IG: @paulgtremblay Twitter | X: @paulGtremblay Bluesky: paultremblay.bsky.social Follow Quills & Chills o...

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Bijhan Agha to discuss her latest project, TIME WARS: The Adventures of Kobra Olympus Issue #2 . This gripping comic continues the thrilling saga of Kobra Olympus, a time-traveling hero navigating a universe rife with vampires, danger, and intrigue. Bijhan shared insights into her creative process, the inspirations behind her dynamic characters, and wha...

Join me as I sit down with the brilliant mind behind the spine-chilling novel "Diavola," author Jennifer Thorne. In this haunting tale set amidst the picturesque landscapes of Italy, we explore the sinister secrets lurking within the walls of a haunted house in the outskirts of Tuscany, and one woman's courageous journey to confront the devils of the past. Follow Jennifer Thorne on s...