Exploring Horror and Joy with Author John Chrostek

In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts are joined by John Chrostek, a writer, editor, and designer, to discuss his recent collection, Boxcutters, and his upcoming novel, Feast of the Pale Leviathan. They delve into John's perspective on the relationship between horror and joy, the cathartic nature of horror, and its role as a tool for social protest. John also shares insights on his writing journey, his editorial work at Cold Signal literary magazine, and his experience co-owning the independent bookstore, Evening House, in Buffalo, New York. The conversation touches on the significance of independent bookstores, recent horror media recommendations, and John's thoughts on creating meaningful literature in today's socio-economic landscape.

JohnChrostek.com

Evening House Bookshop

Cold Signal

Hobbes Leviathan

The Vourdalak

Uncertain Sons by Thomas Ha

Exploring the Horrors of Food in 'The Menu' and 'Where the Soul Goes'

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff dive into the intricate relationship between food and horror. They are joined by author Katherine (Kat) Silva to discuss Mark Mylod's 2022 film 'The Menu' and its commentary on class, privilege, and consumption through the lens of food Horror.

Silva's forthcoming book 'Where the Soul Goes,' a post-apocalyptic travel tale, is also explored, highlighting its themes of food's power to unite people even in dark times. The discussion touches on various aspects of food in Horror, the importance of performance in both cuisine and life, and the personal connections characters have with food.

The episode wraps up with a joyful celebration of these works, emphasizing the inherent trust and risks related to the intimate act of eating.

Kat Silva

Conspicuous Consumption

"Nothing in this kitchen is unplanned": Food as performance in Mark Mylod's The Menu

Chef's Table

Banquet and the Beast: The Civilizing Role of Food in 1930s Horror Films

In this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by Kat Silva, author of the Deadlands Trilogy. They discuss the unique relationship between joy and horror, particularly how the horror genre can bring emotional catharsis and mental stability. Kat shares the personal journey of her writing career, starting from childhood and leading to her current work. She talks about the role of grief in her stories and the importance of music in her creative process. They also chat about Kat's fascination with trains and her upcoming projects, including a new book set to release in September. The conversation wraps up with a discussion on favorite horror media and the joy found in even the cheesiest horror movies.

Kat Silva

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker', Horror Joy welcomes Sadie Hartman, aka Mother Horror. Sadie discusses her influential work in the horror genre, including her books '101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered' and 'Feral and Hysterical.' The conversation delves into the relationship between joy and horror, how horror serves as an escape from real-life anxieties, and its political undertones. Sadie emphasizes the importance of women's voices in horror literature and shares her excitement about recent horror works that blend fiction with real historical events and political themes. The episode also touches on the emotional resilience of women and their growing influence in the horror genre.

 The Reformatory by Tananarive Due             

Black/Southern Gothic – Sinners and the Reformatory

Ringshout by P. Djèlí Clari

Buffalo Hunter Hunter

Buffalo, Confession, Vampire an Interview with Stephen Graham Jones

Feral and Hysterical by Sadie Hartmann

101 Books to Read before You’re Murdered by Sadie Hartmann

Sadie Hartmann/Mother Horror

Night Worms Book Subscription Service

In this episode of Horror Joy, the hosts welcome Victoria Dalpe, author of 'Selene Shade: Resurrectionist for Hire.' Dalpe shares her insights into the intersection of joy and horror, her affinity for horror comedy, and the ethical dilemmas explored in her book. The discussion covers how horror can serve as a cathartic experience, influenced by '80s horror films, and the unique blend of genres in her work, including urban and dark fantasy. Dalpe also touches on her journey into horror, influenced by her Gothic New England upbringing, and her latest projects, including the upcoming sequel 'Loving the Dead.'

Victoria Dalpe

In this episode of 'Meet Your Maker,' Brian takes a solo interview with acclaimed horror author John Langan. They talk about his works, including 'The Fishermen' and the upcoming short story collection 'Lost in the Dark.' They discuss the intricate relationship between joy and horror, the communal aspect of the horror community, and the influence of found footage films on Langan's writing. The conversation also delves into Langan's experiences with Word Horde publishing, his inspirations, and the vibrant contemporary horror landscape.

In this live-recorded episode of 'Horror Joy,' the hosts are joined by New York Times bestselling author Paul Tremblay at Next Chapter Bookshop in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Tremblay discusses various themes in his works and answers audience questions. Topics include the relationship between joy and horror, his journey to becoming a writer, inspirations for his horror novels targeted towards younger audiences, and the significance of artistic creation amidst technological advancements. The conversation also touches on Tremblay's personal experiences and emotions tied to his works, including the film adaptation of his novel 'The Cabin at the End of the World.'

Next Chapter Bookshop

Another

Check out our first episode with Paul - Horror (Un)Masked

In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian introduce a new podcast series titled 'Meet Your Maker,' focusing on conversations with horror creators. Their first guest is Jake Tri, the author of 'Nightmare Soup,' a crowdfunded horror anthology reminiscent of 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.' Jake discusses the inspiration behind 'Nightmare Soup,' the resurgence of horror popularity, and the interplay between horror and joy. The conversation also delves into nostalgia, the creation process with illustrator Andy Sciazko, and plans for future projects, including a potential 'Nightmare Soup' movie. Listeners are also treated to insights about specific stories in 'Nightmare Soup' and recommendations for other horror media.

Nightmare Soup

Kickstarter Page

Andy Sciazko Art

Horror Joy - Nostalgia Horror (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark)

00:00 Meet Jake Tri: Author of Nightmare Soup

06:44 Creating Nightmare Soup

12:44 Intended Audience and Inspirations

19:01 Favorite Stories from Nightmare Soup

22:28 Nightmare Soup's Future and Movie Plans

26:34 Where to Find Nightmare Soup

28:44 Recent Horror Recommendations

In this special anniversary episode of Horror Joy, hosts Brian Onishi and Jeff Stoyanoff reflect on their first year of celebrating the emotional and intellectual joys of horror.

They discuss their favorite moments, memorable interviews with horror figures likePaul Tremblay, S. Trimble and Stephen Graham Jones, and the impact of films like Jaws, The Blair Witch Project, and Silence of the Lambs.

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Professor Kevin Wetmore, who shares his insights on the communal and personal joys of horror, the evolving nature of the genre post-9/11, and the significance of the 'final girl' trope. Wetmore also discusses his work in theater and medieval literature, emphasizing how horror brings people together and helps them confront their deepest fears.

So, grab your favorite haunted blue book and settle in for some schooling. But don’t fall asleep, you never know where you’ll wake up.

02:06 Introducing Kevin Whitmore Jr.

06:41 The Community Aspect of Horror

13:41 Jaws: The Original Summer Blockbuster

18:47 The Perception of Horror as a Lesser Genre

24:56 Exploring Horror Post 9/11

27:45 The Impact of 9/11 on Slasher Films

30:41 Final Destination: Death as the Ultimate Slasher

33:45 Medieval Horror and Theater

38:13 The Essence of Horror in Theater and Film

44:47 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

Men, Women, and Chainsaws by Carol Clover

Post 9/11 Horror In American Cinema by Kevin Wetmore Jr.

Eaters of the Dead – Myths and Realities of Cannibal Monsters by Kevin Wetmore, Jr.

Kevin Wetmore, Jr.

The Worm at the Core – The Role of Death in Life by Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

Qui Nguyen

Join your favorite Horror podcasters as they introduce 'Meet Your Maker,' a new series from Horror Joy. This show is dedicated to interviewing some of the best-known and emerging Horror authors, including Clay McLeod Chapman, Victoria Dalpe, Sadie Hartmann (AKA Mother Horror), John Langan, Thomas Ha, Jake Tri, Kat Silva, and many more. Each 30-minute episode will explore new books, stories, and films, offering fans weekly content filled with more horror and joy.