Wait a second, it’s not Tuesday! That’s right, this is the first of my series of bonus episodes that will be releasing the month of September since horror is absolutely popping off this month. And to kick off this bonus venture, I welcome Brian McAuley to the pod to discuss his upcoming release, Breathe In, Bleed Out, from Poisoned Pen Press on September 2nd. As always, it is such a delight to get to chat with Brian about his work, the broader horror context, and so much more. If you want to keep up with Brian on socials or preorder a copy of Breathe In, Bleed Out, check out the links below:

* Brian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmcwriter/

* Brian’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@brianmcwriter

* Brian’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/brianmcwriter.bsky.social

* To Pre-Order Breathe In, Bleed Out:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/breathe-in-bleed-out-brian-mcauley/22025322?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac5BWteHjdm9nKfVEwRu-WRtFaLpJ1yZlWklb7nejZL0aaqgwq1RBvyNZWDeA_aem_7WpBWN_ijyBsDOgBXBeWSA

You all know the feeling you get when you see those five words across a a horror movie screen right before it starts to play, the bone-chilling, “Based on a true story.” Well, I think we have that very feeling in book form with Joshua Hull’s 8114, a book that is very heavily tied to Joshua’s own experiences as evidenced by this interview. We talk about how it feels to look back on frightening memories, the process of writing such a story, and much, much more about the horror genre. I am immensely grateful for Joshua’s openness in answering all of my questions about this novel, and if you’re looking for a good scare, you should definitely pick 8114 up (on shelves TODAY from CLASH Books!). If you want to keep up with Josh or order a copy of 8114, check out the links below:

* Joshua’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuathehull/

* Joshua’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@joshuathehull

* Joshua’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/joshuathehull.bsky.social

* To Order 8114: https://indiepubs.com/products/8114

New week, new episode! Happy to welcome Michael Koryta (aka Scott Carson) to the podcast to talk about his most recent release, Departure 37. We discuss weird science, weird history, and well, just the plain old weird employed in the novel. It’s a really great conversation that feels timely considering the emergence of AI and other worldly debates. We also touch on a few aspects regarding Lost Man’s Lane, one of my favorites books, full stop. To order a copy of Departure 37 or keep up with Michael on socials, check out the links below:

* Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkoryta/

* Michael’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@michaelkoryta?xmt=AQF0mpIrGLIfTMxFMn4iHwOidgXqjUsu_FhWgMQmdlQQIQs

* To order Departure 37: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Departure-37/Scott-Carson/9781982191481

Happy Tuesday, friends! We’re back in the swing of things around here as I present my conversation with Kailee Pedersen, author of Sacrificial Animals! One of my favorite reads of the year, this is novel that is full of deeper context, layers of unease, and dark psychology. Kailee and I discuss these very things as we dive deep into the book, unpacking all there is to offer in these pages. I am so, so grateful for Kailee’s honest and thought-provoking answers to all of my questions. If you’d like to keep up with her on social media or order a copy of Sacrificial Animals, you can check out the links below:

* Kailee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kailee_pedersen/

* Kailee’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kailee_pedersen

* Kailee’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaileepedersen.bsky.social

* To order Sacrificial Animals: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328243/sacrificialanimals/

And on this week’s very special episode, I welcome Stephanie from Books in the Freezer to discuss our favorite reads of 2025 thus far! This is a really fun hour in which we talk about the books we love, what we’re looking forward to, and just some general fun around horror fiction. I cannot thank Stephanie enough for coming on the podcast to chat about this very topic, and if you want to keep up with Books in the Freezer, check out the links below! I also have provided a list of the books mentioned on the episode.

Books we love:

* Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker (order here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/bat-eater-and-other-names-for-cora-zeng-kylie-lee-baker?variant=42432011436066)

* The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein (order here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-poorly-made-and-other-things-sam-rebelein?variant=42517937029154)

* Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (preorder here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742649/play-nice-by-rachel-harrison/)

* Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/782443/victorian-psycho-by-virginia-feito/9781631498633)

* Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven (order here: https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510783447/come-knocking/)

* Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (order here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Buffalo-Hunter-Hunter/Stephen-Graham-Jones/9781668075081)

* When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy (order here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250354341/whenthewolfcomeshome/)

* Good Boy by Neil McRobert (preorder here: https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/goodboy/9781068563102)

To keep up with Books in the Freezer:

* Website: https://booksinthefreezer.com/

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

* Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/booksinthefreezer

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

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/booksinthefreezer.bsky.social

Happy to be sharing “Another” (hehe, get it?) amazing conversation with you all this week, this time with the king of ambiguity himself, Paul Tremblay! We discuss his middle-grade novel that hits shelves today, Another, a look back at his previous works, and the importance of individuality in today’s day and age. It’s truly a privilege to get to chat with Paul, and I am so, so thankful for his time. If you’re looking to keep up with Paul on socials or order a copy of Another, you can do so at the links below:

* Paul’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulgtremblay/

* Paul’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/paultremblay.bsky.social

* To Order Another: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/another-paul-tremblay?variant=43671991746594

Happy Tuesday, friends! Over the moon to be sharing my conversation with Stephen Graham Jones, one of the coolest, most intelligent, and genuinely creative folks I’ve talked to. We mostly discuss his latest release (which is on shelves today, July 15th from Saga Press), Killer on the Road and Babysitter Lives. But, of course, I do have a few questions about his other works and other characters. It’s a really lovely chat, one that I look back on fondly, and I hope you all get as much of a kick out of it as I did. If you want to keep up with Stephen on socials or order a copy of Killer on the Road/Babysitter Lives, check out the links below:

* Stephen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephengrahamjones/

* Stephen’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sgj.bsky.social

* Stephen’s Website: https://www.demontheory.net/

* To order Killer on the Road/Babysitter Lives: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Killer-on-the-Road-The-Babysitter-Lives/Stephen-Graham-Jones/Saga-Doubles/9781982167677

Happy Tuesday, all! Stoked to be sharing my conversation with Wendy N. Wagner, author of the upcoming release from Tor Nightfire, Girl in the Creek! We discuss Wendy’s inspiration for the story, her approach to reading and writing quality fiction, the terrors and beauty of nature, small town crime, and much, much more. My hour spent chatting with Wendy was a lovely time, and it’s my hope you all enjoy this convo as much as I did. To keep up with Wendy on social media or to preorder Girl in the Creek which releases on July 15th, check out the links below:

* Follow Wendy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy.n.wagner/?hl=en

* Follow Wendy on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendy.n.wagner

* Follow Wendy on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wnwagner.bsky.social

* Wendy’s Website: https://winniewoohoo.com/

* To preorder Girl in the Creek: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250908643/girlinthecreek/

Happy Tuesday, friends! Thrilled to be sharing my conversation with debut author, Kerry Cullen. We talk about her novel, House of Beth, her inspiration for the story, the role of expectations, and unconventional hauntings. It’s a really lovely time, and I cannot thank Kerry enough for her openness and kindness! I am releasing this episode a bit early as House of Beth doesn’t hit shelves until July 15th, but rest assured this is a spoiler-free episode. To keep up with Kerry on social media or to preorder a copy of House of Beth, check out the links below:

* Kerry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kermichele/

* Kerry’s Website: https://kerrycullenwrites.com/

* To preorder House of Beth: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/House-of-Beth/Kerry-Cullen/9781668074596

Happy Tuesday! I’m back this week with the queen of pink horror herself, Wendy Dalrymple! We discuss three of her works, Credenza, Cadaver Bone, and her short story featured in the Punk Goes Horror anthology from Truborn Press, Heads Will Roll. In addition to chatting about her stories, we also discuss what pink horror and Florida Gothic horror looks like in today’s modern horror landscape. If you want to check out Wendy’s work or keep up with her on social media, check out the links below!

I also spend the last five minutes or so of today’s episode reflecting back on my first year at Stokercon. I turn into a real sap, and if you want to hear me get real emo about my time in Stamford, CT (what a phrase), stay tuned for my closing outro.

Relevant links:

* Wendy’s Website: https://wendydalrymple.com/

* To Order Credenza: https://thecrowshoppe.com/products/credenza

* Wendy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendydalrymplewrites/

* Wendy’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendydalrymplewrites

* Wendy’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wendydalrymple.bsky.social