It’s not uncommon for authors to reference their personal history when seeking inspiration for their books. In her debut novel “Backstabbers” (2026), being published on June 2, 2026, by Bantam Books, author Eliza Jabore took that assignment very seriously! When we had the chance to talk with her recently about her forthcoming novel, we very nearly forgot to ask her any questions about her book because her personal story is just so fascinating! 

Jabore made the brave decision at 17 to graduate early from high school, grab her backpack, and travel the world. It’s a choice that she told us changed her and helped her grow in ways that she will always treasure. It also taught her that the world can be frightening and dangerous. We were on the edge of our seats as she retold us a story about hiking to the top of a mountain and not realizing until halfway down that she’d lost her car keys!

But we are nothing if not professional (sometimes) here at Macabre Daily, and we did get around to chatting about “Backstabbers,” which is an equally compelling tale. We talked about how her personal experiences inspired parts of the novel, her exploration of female friendships, and our fascination with true crime. We hope you’ll check out our interview below and be sure to keep “Backstabbers” at the top of your TBR pile as the weather warms up. It is the perfect Summer read for horror fans. 

“Backstabbers” was released by Bantam Books on June 2, 2026. Click here to purchase. 

Follow Eliza Jabore here to check out her current and future work. 

Cynthia Pelayo is something of a magician, or maybe sorceress is a better term. She can take the most beloved story from our childhood, one that is immediately familiar, comforting, and beloved, and turn it into a nightmare factory right before your very eyes. The way in which she brilliantly subverts J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” in the most delightfully dreadful ways is something to behold. What’s in store for the reader when they pick up “It Came From Neverland” is a bold and brave new take on the classic fairy tale that reveals the sinister truth behind Peter, the Lost Boys, and Neverland itself. You’ll never look at that green-clad imp the same again and have a newfound appreciation for the lengths Wendy Darling will go to for those she loves.

Cynthia was kind enough to join the PAPER CUTS Podcast to discuss what inspired her fascinating new interpretation of the Barrie classic, the terror that can lurk behind the curtain of charisma, presenting Wendy as a traumatic heroine who feels real on every page, and her remarkable writing process. During our chat, we talked about some very real and timely issues, such as prioritizing your mental health, finding your people, and the inherent beauty of the horror community’s support. We know you’ll enjoy this chat just as much as we did, and walk away with “It Came From Neverland” at the top of your TBR!

You can purchase “It Came From Neverland” here.

You can follow Cynthia Pelayo on Instagram here.

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Bill Wood came onto our radar back in early 2025 when Scholastic reached out to us to cover “Let’s Split Up,” the first installment in what is now a trilogy of terror! That novel became one of our favorites that year, with its fantastic mash-up of Scooby-Doo hijinks mixed with some truly terrifying “Scream” vibes, and yes, the book was just as much fun to read as that description implies. Now Bill is back with the second installment in the series, “Be Right Back,” and it’s everything you want it to be and then some. The novel follows the tried-and-true formula for sequels: amp up the action, terror, and intrigue while losing none of the heart, humor, and horror of the first novel.

Bill joined us again to talk about all things slashy. We get into the importance of maintaining the dynamic he built with his fantastic crew of misfits in the first novel, while expanding on their individual stories, all while ramping up the terror to a fever pitch that never lets up until the breathtaking climax. As always, Bill is a delight. We would have him back every day if he let us. Have a listen and enjoy this great chat.

You can purchase “Be Right Back” here.

You can follow Bill Wood on Instagram here.

Stay up to date by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky!

If you listen to horror literature podcasts, and damn you to seven Hells if you don’t, then you obviously know who Stephaine Gagnon is, and her amazing “Books in the Freezer” podcast. Week after week, Stephanie holds a master class in getting the best from her guests, who are among the most fascinating, funny, and creative people in the horror lit community. The episodes all have fantastic themes, such as “Louisiana Horror with Anna Dupre” and “Horror Adaptations with Courtney Summers,” and the vibe Stephanie brings to each recording is her true superpower. You’ve never felt more welcome or comfortable listening to these rockstars of horror talk gleefully about the scares we can't get enough of.

Stephanie joined us so we could put the spotlight on her for a change and give her the credit she so richly deserves for giving her guests a platform to tell us about themselves, their craft, and the phenomenal literature they create. What Stephanie does to put books and authors on people’s radar is nothing short of spectacular, and she does it all with such effortless style and ease. We’re floored by how easy she makes all her hard work look. Be sure to have a listen to this great conversation, and do yourself a favor: immediately follow “Books in the Freezer” if you’re not already. You don’t want to miss out on one of the best horror hotspots out there.

You can listen to “Books in the Freezer” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

You can follow Stephanie Gagnon on Instagram here.

When we get word that a new Haunted House novel is on the horizon, we get a little anxious. Haunted Houses are our jam, but we may go a little overboard with anticipation and imagination. Unlike vampire, werewolf, and aquatic horror, when we finish a chapter in a Haunted House novel, turn out the light, and settle into bed, we’re essentially IN the novel. Every creak and groan becomes an ominous portent of doom. Pipes settling are 100% rattled chains in the attic. Don’t even get us started about the furnace kicking in. Let’s just say we’re lucky we had fresh underpants. There’s only so much rationalization you can do until you have to accept the fact that you’re going to be dragged kicking and screaming into the deepest recesses of Hell…and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Evoking that dread is the key to a great ghost story, and “Accumulation” by Aimee Pokwatka does so subtly at first, and then really finds its groove, dragging you straight into nightmare territory by its thrilling conclusion.

Aimee joined us to talk about the essentials of a cracking good Haunted House story, the delight of creating an atmosphere steeped in dread, how domesticity is its own haunting, and so much more. Aimee is a newfound favorite, and “Accumulation” is one of the best Haunted House novels we’ve read since Mark Z. Danielewski’s “House of Leaves.” You’ll be both amused and amazed by this conversation with Aimee. She’s one of the nicest people we’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with, and we’re still tickled that someone so genuinely nice can create such atmospheric terror, but boy howdy does she!

You can purchase “Accumulation” here.

You can follow Aimee Pokwatka on Instagram here.

Stay up to date by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky!

Zombies refuse to die! Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Much like the decaying monstrosities they represent, the zombie subgenre keeps shambling along, reinventing itself every few years to expand on what is easily one of the most beloved of all horrors. Now, we’re treated to an exciting new take on the trope, with Courtney Summers novel, “This is Not a Test.” Granted, this book came out a few years ago, but with the recent film adaptation and the new, expanded edition (which we highly recommend), there’s renewed interest. You can’t keep a good corpse down!

Courtney joined us to talk about her book, which is a remarkably entertaining and thrilling mix of John Hughes crossed with George A. Romero, with a dash of Danny Boyle sprinkled on for good measure. We have the best time talking about her horror origins, when she realized horror was a direction she felt she’d explore, and some of her favorite books and films. Courtney immediately became one of our all-time favorites to chat with. Her enthusiasm for the genre and her love for creating thoroughly engrossing tales of terror are infectious. We could have talked for hours. Have a listen and see for yourself why Courtney Summers is the new face of fear!

You can purchase “This Is Not A Test” here.

You can follow Courtney Summers on Instagram here.

Stay up to date by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky!

Just a heads up, if you go to Dr. Caroline Bicks’ website, which you absolutely should, be warned, you will leave feeling that you haven't accomplished anything with your life! Shakespeare scholar, New York Times contributor, podcaster, playwright, and actor. Oh, Stephen E. King Chair at the University of Maine. Did we forget to mention that one? It was as the Chair that Caroline’s orbit crossed with that of the Master of Fear himself. The result was a year spent at the King household, combing through his private archives to write what is now one of our favorite books of 2026. “Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King” is everything you’re looking for in a deep dive into King’s early works, but it’s so much more than that. If you love King, horror, or just a beautifully written exploration of literature, you must get this book.

Caroline was kind enough to join Paper Cuts to discuss the fateful phone call she received from King, four years after becoming the Stephen E. King Chair at UMaine, that set her on the path to writing the book. The stories she has of her time at the King household are amazing, and you’ll get a deeper appreciation of both King’s work and of the man himself. Caroline is a fantastic storyteller, and we could have talked for hours (if not days). You’ll be amazed at how much fun this conversation turned out to be.

Right around this time of year, when the snow has melted, and the birds begin to sing, we here at PAPER CUTS think of one thing, and one thing only: “SUMMER SCARES” is coming! What is “SUMMER SCARES,” you ask? Well, it’s just the most wildly creative reading program from the Horror Writers Association in partnership with Book Riot, Booklist, iRead, and NoveList that provides a recommended reading list, which has been carefully chosen by a committee of six Librarians, best-selling author Jennifer McMahon, and Co-Chairs Konrad Stump and Becky Spratford. If you had a genie in a lamp, you couldn’t wish for a better crew of people to pick your books out for you!

We were overjoyed to have creators and organizers Becky Spratford, Allison Nellis, and Kate Federiconi join us to discuss the fascinating process of choosing which books will be included for that given year, the astounding amount of work that goes into the program to provide a varied array of literary choices, and the phenomenal teamwork that happens to roll the reading program out everywhere. We’re not kidding when we call these amazing people superstars. Their tireless efforts not only put books in hand but also open new worlds to readers worldwide. After you listen to this interview, we’re sure you’ll have a newfound respect for the work that goes into this fantastic reading program.

You can check out the ‘SUMMER SCARES” programming guide here.

You can listen to Konrad Stump and Jennifer McMahon talk about the “SUMMER SCARES” program on “Books in the Freezer” here.

NYPL’s “Best New Horror for Adults 2025” can be found here.

Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in the “SUMMER SCARES” reading program.

There are books that sit on the shelf for eternity, the moment you’ve finished with them. Then there are books that are so good they're destined to be passed around from friend to friend, family to family, until the original owner gets a dog-eared, spine-cracked, torn-cover casualty back that shows all the signs of being well-read. Carter Keane’s “Morsel” is just that kind of book. A thrilling, quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat the moment it gets going. We’re used to books packing a punch early on and then slowing down to catch their breath. “Morsel” hits the gas and never lets up. This novella will keep your blood pressure in the red until the very last page.

Carter joined us to talk about their real-life work experience that was the catalyst for the book, the toxic destruction of corporate America, and even worse, Hustle Culture, and the Appalachian folklore at the heart of the story. Carter is fascinating, genuine, and fun as hell. We had the best time chatting, and couldn’t get enough of our new “must-read” author. Have a listen to our conversation, and enjoy!

You can purchase “Morsel” here.

You can follow Carter Keane on Instagram here.