Chatting about one of my favorite reads this year, Hunger & Thirst, author Claire Fuller joins me to unpack the unreliable narrator, the modern Gothic, tapping into formative experiences, and so much more. Huger & Thirst is a brilliant novel that sings with dread, another facet that Claire and I dig into, and I hope everyone gives this book a read. Seriously, this is the kind of novel I live for, and Claire was such a lovely conversation partner. All of the thanks to her for her time, and if you want to order a copy of Hunger & Thirst or keep up with Claire, check out the links below:

* Claire’s Website: https://clairefuller.co.uk/

* Claire’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerclairefuller/?hl=en

* US Virtual Event: https://writer.org/event/fuller-faliveno/

* To Order Hunger & Thirst: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816559/hunger-and-thirst-by-claire-fuller/

And, regarding my very special, big announcement at the end of the episode, check out Darker Times here (link goes live on 9:00 AM, 6/1): darkertimes.com

Bonus episode! T.J. Payne joins me to talk about his novel, Intercepts, which was originally self-published and has been republished for a wider release! We talk about the original inspiration for the novel, do a deep-dive on a few of the characters, and also chat about T.J’s screenwriting career and how that relates to his fiction writing. This was such a lovely conversation, and if you’re looking to order a copy of Intercepts or keep up with T.J. on social media, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.payne.author/

* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tj.payne.author

* To Order Intercepts: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/833286/intercepts-by-t-j-payne/

A guest that I have been dying to talk to, Sarah Gailey makes their Anna Rose Reads debut to chat about their most recent release, Make Me Better! We foster an in-depth conversation surrounding topics of high-control groups, manipulative behaviors, what it means to skip over grieving, and so much more. My time chatting with Sarah is so, so treasured, and I am the most thankful for their time! To keep up with Gailey or to order Make Me Better (or any of their books), check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaileyfrey/?hl=en

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@gaileyfrey

* Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahgailey.bsky.social

* Website: https://sarahgailey.com/

* Bookshop.com: https://bookshop.org/shop/sarahgailey

* Linktree: https://linktr.ee/gaileyfrey?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnVmJjNh4zSkCWJOHDVtYEBYK_iK7ALxEUQG1_kcGFxvQ6C4ZDhymadOPmclE_aem_SEMo8El_KwmF0yv2aYPD_Q

Aimee Pokwatka joins me to chat about her novel, Accumulation, which really examines what it means to be haunted. We chat about cycles, how to break them, gender roles, hauntings, inevitability, and many more nuanced topics. Getting to have such a thoughtful conversation with Aimee about this book was so fulfilling, and Accumulation feels like one of those books that does so much heavy lifting to encapsulate what interpersonal struggles look like in 2026. I am the most thankful for Aimee and her time, and if you’d like to order a copy of Accumulation and keep up with Aimee on social media, check out the links below:

* Aimee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeepokwatka/?hl=en

* Aimee’s Website: http://www.aimeepokwatka.com/

* To Order Accumulation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788374/accumulation-by-aimee-pokwatka/

“Ah, shit, here we go again,” to quote William Sterling on Punk Goes Horror 2. What better way to kick off an anthology and a conversation about punk music and horror fiction? We’re back, baby! As done last year, editor William Sterling and two anthology contributors, Grace Reynolds and Keith Rosson, join me to chat about their stories in Truborn Press’ wicked anthology. We chat about what it means to be punk, impactful live music performances, and so much more. These episodes are a WILDLY good time, and if you want to keep up with everyone on socials or order a copy of Punk Goes Horror 2, check out the links below:

* To order Punk Goes Horror 2: https://www.trubornpress.com/shop/p/pgh2

* Grace’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravereynolds/?hl=en

* Grace’s Website: https://spillinggrace.com/books/

* Keith’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossonkeith/?hl=en

* Keith’s Website: https://www.keithrosson.com/

* William’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spooky_sterling/?hl=en

* William’s Website: https://thewilliamsterling.wixsite.com/main

* Truborn Press’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trubornpress/?hl=en

Bonus episode week! Absolutely delighted to have Alan Lastufka, author and brilliant mind behind Shortwave Publishing, on the podcast to talk about so many topics: we do a bit of a deep dive into his novel Face the Night, we revisit how Shortwave came to be, we discuss how some of the themes of Face the Night intersect with the formation of Shortwave, and so much more. Getting to properly sit down and chat with Alan about his work was such an opportunity, I am the most grateful for his time AND his willingness to talk shop for nearly an hour and a half! If you’d like to keep up with Alan and Shortwave on socials, or order copies of any of Shortwave’s titles, check out the links below:

* Alan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alandistro/

* Shortwave’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shortwavebooks/

* Alan’s Website: https://alanlastufka.com/

* Shortwave’s Website: https://shortwavepublishing.com/

* Shortwave’s Shop: https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/

* To Order Face the Night: https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/products/face-the-night-a-novel-paperbackpos=41&fid=19f9ec9ac&_ss=c

One of the biggest episodes of the year, Nat Cassidy returns to chat about his collection, I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours. We chat for nearly two hours about how this collection came to be, deep dives on four of the stories included, and so much more. Chatting with Nat is a guaranteed fantastic time, but this conversation in particular was such an honor to have. I am utterly thrilled for both Nat and Shortwave Publishing as this collection hits shelves this week, May 5th! If you’d like to order a copy of I Know A Place or keep up with Nat on social media, check out the links below:

* To Order I Know A Place: https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/products/i-know-a-place-rest-stop-and-other-dark-detours-paperback

* Nat’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catnassidy/

* Nat’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@catnassidy

* Nat’s Website: http://www.natcassidy.com/

One of my personal favorite interviews that I have recorded, Caroline Bicks joins me to talk about her book, Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King. Now, we don’t just talk about the book itself; we cover lots of ground about Caroline’s experience with performing this kind of research, her own relationship with fear, and the reasons that projects like this feel so damn important. I am SO utterly thankful for Caroline’s time, knowledge, and mutual excitement regarding these topics. If you’d like to keep up with Caroline on social media, listen to her Shakespeare podcast, or order a copy of Monsters in the Archives, check out the links below:

* Caroline’s Website: https://carolinebicks.com/

* Caroline’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebicks/

* To listen to Everyday Shakespeare: https://carolinebicks.com/podcast/

* To order Monsters in the Archives: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771482/monsters-in-the-archives-by-caroline-bicks/

Absolutely delighted to welcome Monika Kim to the show! Following the release of her debut novel The Eyes are the Best Part, Molka is another stunning, impactful read for numerous reasons which we discuss here. We chat about writing about anger, injustice, and the realities of a story such as this plus what Monika is working on next. I am the most grateful for Monika’s time, and if you’d like to keep up with Monika on socials or order a copy of Molka, you can do so at the links below:

* Monika’s Website: https://www.monika-kim.com/

* Monika’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monikakimauthor

* To Order Molka: https://bookshop.org/p/books/molka-monika-kim/3e2889d78b7345c1?ean=9781645661269&next=t

Debut novelist Gabrielle Sher joins me to talk about her stunning book, Odessa. We talk about Gabrielle’s academic research that went into the book, narrative psychology, revisiting the horrors of resurrection, and power of a character like Yetta. It was such a lovely timing chatting with Gabrielle, and I am the most grateful for her time! We even fangirl a little over Shirley Jackson at the end of our conversation which always brings a smile to my face. If you’d like to order a copy of Odessa or if you’d like to keep up with Gabrielle on socials, check out the links below:

* Gabrielle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gabrielle_sher/

* Gabrielle’s Website: https://www.gabriellesher.com/

* To Order Odessa: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gabrielle-sher/odessa/9780316595858/?lens=mulholland-books&utm_source=Meta&utm_medium=Digital&utm_campaign=GabrielleSher_Odessa__MulhollandBooks_9780316595858&utm_content=FICTION&utm_term=NA_NA&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGndJS1P7MxypjJHd7syMG4y7WUnfCMlYbDwPNk3cZRs-35IR-L9f3inSaQftM_aem_n7v0hC-s86v5UhoG_4X4pA