The Dark Mind Podcast

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mina Brower—lawyer, wife, mom, and now debut author of A God of Moonlight and Stardust. Mina shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Mexico to achieving her dream of publishing her first novel, part of the Daughters of Chaos series. We dive deep into Mina’s approach to world-building, her fascination with morally gray characters, and the rich...

What happens when a boy who loved grossing out his classmates with wild, creepy tales grows up? If you’re Brad Ricks, you never really leave those stories behind. In this episode, we dive into Brad’s journey from writing eerie classroom stories inspired by Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe to crafting his darkly comedic short story collection, To Hell with Hallmark. Brad shares how his love for sto...

Alan Shivers, a 90s enthusiast captivated by the campy charm of MTV-era slashers, joins Vince on the show to discuss his latest novel, The Namaste Slasher.  Their conversation explores themes of survivor’s guilt, the influence of virtual spaces on horror, and the complex dynamics of characters within a slasher narrative. Alan delves into the cultural and historical influences shaping his story, cr...

Guy Quintero, a veteran reconnaissance soldier with three deployments to his name, merges his battlefield experience with a deep-seated passion for the occult. He joins Vince on the show to discuss his latest novel, Door to Darkness, a compelling blend of supernatural horror, military thrillers, and occult themes. The dialogue explores the intricate character of Commander Gabriel Agapito, the dyna...

Joe Scipione is a storyteller at heart, having authored Mr. Nightmare, Decay, Zoo: Eight Tales of Animal Horror, and Perhaps She Will Die. A proud member of the Horror Writers Association, he also contributes as a Senior Contributor and horror book reviewer for Horrorbound.net. In this episode, Joe joins Vince to discuss his latest novel, The Gods Among Them, which delves into complex themes such...

N.J. Gallegos wears many hats: Emergency Medicine Physician, horror enthusiast, and storyteller with a penchant for crafting tales about fierce women taking justice into their own hands. Her work fuses her love of medicine with a dark imagination, creating stories where revenge is served with a wicked twist. When she’s not saving lives or writing chilling fiction, you might find her indulging in r...

Penny Moonz, author of the Creeperslandia series, joins Vince to discuss her latest novel, Pumpkin Man 2, a satirical horror-comedy that delves into dark themes through absurdity and humor. They explore the unique setting of Creeperslandia, the evolution of key characters like Betty, and the intricate balance of horror and comedy in her writing process. Penny shares insights into the creative chal...

Shane Joaquin Jimenez is the author of short stories and essays featured in publications such as The Greensboro Review , Shotgun Honey , and the Los Angeles Review of Books , among others. He joins Vince on the show to discuss his debut novel, Bondage , focusing on the complex character of Che Guevara Horowitz, her upbringing shaped by extremist ideologies, and the dark themes woven throughout the...

Andrew Van Wey holds a B.A. in Screenwriting and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Before becoming a full-time writer, he spent over a decade teaching. Andrew joins Vince on the show to discuss the intricate themes of memory, trauma, and identity in his writing. They explore how these elements shape the characters in his novel, with a particular focus on the psychological horror aspects and the impac...

Ligia Cushman is a proud Dominican American author who was born and raised in the vibrant heart of New York City. With dual master’s degrees in counseling and human services, Ligia brings depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to her characters. She joins Vince on the show to discuss her novel Magic Rising, the second installment of the Mosa Chronicles. Together, they explore the rich world...

Vince is joined by authors Joshua Lloyd Fox, Jason Daughrity, and Caleb Jones to discuss their contributions to the horror anthology Hospital of Haunts. The conversation explores the architectural elements that enhance horror, as well as the personal experiences that shape their writing. The authors share insights into their stories, the collaborative nature of the anthology, and their future proj...

Elizabeth Devecchi’s journey began in Rhode Island, where she grew up before venturing out to explore the world.  Her academic path is marked by a BA in French from Wittenberg University, with a transformative year in Montpellier, France; a law degree from the Università di Torino in Italy; an LL.M. in International Law from The University of Iowa; and formal training in mediation. Her passion for...

Christa Carmen, an acclaimed Rhode Island-based horror author, joins Vince to discuss her latest novel, Beneath the Poet’s House.  Known for works like The Daughters of Block Island (Bram Stoker Award winner and Shirley Jackson Award finalist) and Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked (Indie Horror Book Award winner), Carmen delves into the inspirations, themes, and characters in her writing....

J.J. Salas aka (Phrique) is a unique writer of splatter punk. He joins Vince on the show to dicuss his debut novel "Gig of The Damned: Slay the Competiton," a unique horror novel that combines the vibrant world of drag queens with the thrilling elements of giallo. They discuss the creative process behind the book, including the use of humor, character development, and the inclusion of a glossary t...

Andrew Najberg is a versatile author known for his debut novel The Mobius Door (Wicked House Publishing, 2023), Gollitok (Wicked House Publishing, 2023) and The Neverborn Thief (Olive-Ridley Press, 2024). He also penned the poetry collection The Goats Have Taken Over the Barracks (Finishing Line Press, 2021). He joins Vince on the show to discuss his new collection of short stories entitled "In Th...

David Simms resides in the scenic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family and a pack of furry companions, having escaped the hustle and bustle of New Jersey and Massachusetts. By day, he juggles roles as a psychology and special education teacher, a college English instructor, a counselor, and a music therapist. When the sun sets, David transforms into a ghost tour guide and lead guitarist f...

Rebecca Rowland is a Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson award nominated author of cosmic, creature, and quiet horror.  In this engaging conversation, Rebecca Rowland discusses her recent collection of short stories, "White Trash and Recycled Nightmares."  She delves into the themes of her work, including the influence of nightmares on her writing, the complexity of her characters, and the emotional r...

Candace Nola is an acclaimed author, editor, and publisher who has earned multiple awards for her contributions to horror, dark fantasy, and splatterpunk. Candace joins Vince on the show to discuss her new short story collection "Demons in My Bloodstream" and the inspiration behind the stories. The collection covers a range of dark and disturbing themes, from a young man's struggle with color blin...

Rowland Bercy Jr. is an award-winning author, best known for Unbortion , which earned the 2020 American Fiction Award and was a finalist in the 2019 International Fiction Awards. His other works include Payback is a Witch and Pre-Thanksgiving Stress Disorder ( The Distended Table Anthology ), along with notable short stories like Homegrown Comeuppance and The Devil Baby of Bourbon Street . In this...

Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is a Pennsylvania-based writer specializing in horror and suspense. She holds a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Literacy from the University of Delaware, alongside an MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. In addition to her work as an associate professor of English, her creative writing has appeared in over forty literary publications, including journal...

Catlyn Ladd is a tenured professor whose academic background in philosophy and theology informs her complex writing.  She joins Vince on the show to discuss her new novel, "As Those Above Fall."  They discuss the inspiration behind the book, the characters and their names, and the themes of grief and transformation.  They also explore the power of the mind, the nature of knowledge, and the interse...

Samuel Hurley is a poet who transforms the written word into immersive soundscapes through the medium of video. He has become an Instagram sensation, and he joins Vince on the show to discuss his debut poetry collection, "An Anthem for the Dreaming Lost." They explore his belief in romanticism and the inspiration behind his poetry, the importance of maintaining a connection with nature and art, an...

Mike Thorn is a writer of dark fiction that deals with themes of addiction, obsession, dysfunctional families, and the blurred lines between the supernatural and psychological. He joins Vince on the show to discuss his recent novel "Shelter For The Damned." They discuss the themes and inspirations behind the book, including the exploration of the Jungian shadow and the ambiguity of supernatural ve...

Johnny Compton is a writer whose name is synonymous with spine-chilling tales and haunting narratives. He's a Stoker award-nominee and he joins Vince on the show to discuss his recent novel "Devils Kill Devils." Website: https://johnnycompton.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comptonwrites/?hl=en X: https://x.com/comptonwrites?lang=en Substack: https://johnnycompton.substack.com #johnnycomp...

Megan Stockton is an indie author known for her ability to craft dystopian, horror, thriller, and science fiction/fantasy novels that are as raw and brutal as they are thought-provoking and cinematic. She joins Vince on the show to discuss her recent novel, "Lovely, Dark, and Deep." They talk about her experiences making movies with her husband, writing screenplays, small-town life, and some very...