Today, I am joined by Rachel Harrison to talk about her new novel KISS SLAY REPLAY! We talk about time loops, grounding a narrative in emotional arcs, deciding how much to explain, how writing is like catfish noodling, why the biggest challenge is often the best next project, and the mental challenge of a tough edit. Rachel is a superstar and is a font of wisdom. KISS SLAY REPLAY needs to be on top of your TBR!

Kiss Slay Replay

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

Dark Sisters by Kristi DeMeester

This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno

The Militia House by John Milas

Today, I am joined by Jo Salazar to talk about her new novel, If We Survive the Night! We talk about zombie tropes, writing characters without empathy, describing action, writing every day, and enjoying your success. Jo was a great guest and If We Survive the Night is action packed, tense, and written for zombie lovers!

If We Survive the Night

Broken World by Kate L Mary

Dead Soil by Sylvester Barzey

Unnamed Bones by Lora Senf

Today, I am joined by Jennifer McMahon to talk about her newest folk horror novel, STAY BURIED! We talk about monstrous horses, rules for the ghost, discovering a novel, Shirley Jackson, focus frogs, writing rituals, and writing through different versions of yourself. Stay Buried is precise, intricate, and haunting, and is my new favorite of Jennifer’s.

Stay Buried

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Today, I am joined by Stoker award winning Clay McLeod Chapman to discuss his newest novel, DEVIL INSIDE! We talk about his approach to writing a horrormance, when to let go of a reader’s hand, finding a demon’s voice, where to find a writer’s style, and dealing with reader’s expectations. Clay is as good as it gets, and I was so pleased to talk to him about DEVIL INSIDE!

Devil Inside

Cold Empty Rooms by Andy Marino

On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield

Today, I am joined by Kassidy VanGundy to talk about her upcoming collection, Cursed Images: Channel Surfing! We talk about the Dream Phone board game, voyeurism, writing children, loneliness, overediting, the suffering artist stereotype, and writing through self doubt! Don’t be fooled, Channel Surfing’s sheen of 90’s nostalgia has a depth of sorrow and terror, and you don’t want to miss it!

Cursed Images: Channel Surfing

Bunny by Mona Awad

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Today, I am joined by VS Lawrence to talk about her brand new novel, Just Us, Here! We talk about the details of mundanity, red herrings, grizzled characters, likable characters being overrated, having the tone in an outline, writing in different places, and belonging as an author. Just Us Here is gripping, fast paced novel that surprised me with its darkness, and you should read it. It was great having V on the podcast!

Just Us, Here

Going to the Six by AC Hessenauer

Bishop by Candace Nola

Bury My Body Somewhere Nice by Kalvin Ellis

When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

Today, I am joined by Frank Reddy to talk about his new novel, Ghost in the Grove! We talk about when and how to present flashbacks, layers of character performance, belief, being a minimalist writer, discipline, avoiding tropes, and imposter syndrome. Ghost in the Grove is a lean and mean southern gothic which is right up my alley, and it was great talking to Frank about it!

Ghost in the Grove

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman

Today, I am joined by John Collins to talk about his new collection, Altars in Abandoned Houses! We talk about abandoned places, mystery, grief, creating atmosphere, experiencing memory, shutting off your phone, and consistently writing. Altars in Abandoned Houses is a fantastic collection mired in grief and monsters, and the monsters grief creates. It was great talking to John about it!

Altars in Abandoned Houses

The Rib from Which I Remake the World by Ed Kurtz

Amityville Awakens by Robert Ottone

Necrology by Meg Ripley

Powder and Poison by Julia Jackson

Six O'Clock House & Other Strange Tales by Rebecca Cuthbert

A Bright and Beautiful Eternal World by James Chambers

Lost in the Dark by John Langan

Black Brane by Michael Cisco

Today, I am joined by the Stoker Award winning RJ Joseph to talk about her upcoming collection, My Monsters Ain’t Like Yours! We talk about dialing up violence in a story, finding a character’s voice, using family as theme, discovering wonder, reading to be a better writer, writing like everyone you know is dead, and navigating the mystery of social media. RJ is an incredible writer and was a wonderful guest!

My Monsters Ain't Like Yours

Progeny by Kenya Moss-Dyme

Say Uncle by Ryan C Bradley

Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

Today, I am joined by Marissa Yarrow to talk about her upcoming novel, Island X! We talk about social media, unveiling mystery, on both a macro and micro scale, the mindset behind a big tonal shift, writing the book you want, actually sitting down at the keyboard, writing with a typewriter, working through trauma in a story, and using House of Leaves as a comfort book. Island X was a blast and caught me completely off guard, and Marissa was a great guest!

Island X

Followers by Christina Bergling

Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies by Jennifer Anne Gordon

Lethal Dose