Quills and Chills

By Rick CliftonArts

Quills and Chills episodes

June 12 DESPERATE MEASURES with Michael Reed
As part of this year's Pride Series, I'm revisiting my conversation with author Michael Reed about his novel Desperate Measures.Michael joins me to discuss the inspiration behind the book, his move from Alaska to West Virginia, and how the landscapes, folklore, and culture of Appalachia shaped the story. We talk about the creation of Joey and Rhonda, the complicated relationships at the heart of the novel, and the challenge of balancing survival, suspense, and emotional truth on the page.Our conversation also explores identity, belonging, and the ways personal experience can inform fiction without defining it. It's a thoughtful discussion about storytelling, resilience, and the people who stay with us long after we finish a book.Whether you're discovering Michael's work for the first time or revisiting this episode with me, I hope you enjoy this special Pride Series encore presentation of Quills & Chills.Find out more about Michael Reed & DESPERATE MEASURES online:rattlinggoodyarns.comFollow Quills & Chills on social:IG: @quillsandchillsBluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.socialYOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
28 min
June 04 THE BEAST YOU LET IN with Dana Mele
What if your sister disappeared... and came back claiming to be someone else?

For this Pride Series episode of Quills & Chills, I'm joined by Dana Mele to discuss The Beast You Let In, a chilling story of twins, secrets, obsession, and the dark side of belonging.

A great conversation about character, community, and the monsters we create.
🎧 Listen now!
https://youtu.be/LUWb8iVqwgE

#BookSky #HorrorCommunity #LGBTQBooks #PrideMonth #AuthorInterview
36 min
May 28 ODESSA with Gabrielle Sher
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by author Gabrielle Sher to talk about her novel Odessa, a Jewish folklore Gothic set during the pogroms of 1905 in the Russian Empire. Gabrielle discusses the novel’s shifting family perspectives, how grief and trauma shape the story long before the supernatural arrives, and the terrifying consequences of trying to hold onto the people we love. We also talk about golem mythology, Jewish mysticism, family secrets, and the shifting line between monster and protector throughout the novel.

FIND GABRIELLE SHER ONLINE:
gabriellesher.com
IG:_gabrielle_sher

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
33 min
May 21 THE DORIANS with Nick Cutter
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined once again by Nick Cutter to discuss his new novel, The Dorians, a disturbing story about aging, mortality, and the lengths people will go to outrun death.

We talk about the fears and moral questions at the heart of the book, the influence of classic horror and science fiction, and why body horror and isolation remain such powerful storytelling tools. Nick also shares some of the real-world ideas that inspired the novel and the scenes he’s most excited for readers to experience.

FIND NICK CUTTER (Craig Davidson) ONLINE:
nickcutter.com
craigdavidson.net
IG: nickcutter2026

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
38 min
April 30THE CARETAKER with Marcus Kliewer
Marcus Kliewer on The Caretaker | Horror Author Interview | Quills & Chills

What happens when grief, money, and bad decisions collide?

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with Marcus Kliewer to break down The Caretaker, a psychological horror story that starts grounded and keeps tightening the screws.

Macy is a broke college grad, grieving her father and trying to care for her younger sister. When she takes a questionable Craigslist job, survival overrides instinct, and the story doesn’t let up.

We get into:
Writing flawed characters whose choices still feel inevitable
The story’s “rights” system and its connection to OCD
Structuring a narrative as a one-way descent
Influence from Dark Souls II
Balancing reality vs perception
Why Oregon, specifically Salem, shapes the tone

Marcus also previews what’s next, including another release this year and a darker, more expansive story in the same universe.

FIND MARCUS KLIEWER ONLINE:
IG: marcus_kliewer
TikTok: marcus_kliewer
Reddit: r/oldhousearchive

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
34 min
April 02 NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD With Luke Dumas
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Luke Dumas to talk about Nothing Tastes as Good, a body-horror thriller about a man over 300 pounds who joins a clinical trial for a miracle weight-loss drug and starts changing faster than he can understand. The results are extreme. So are the side effects, including missing time and urges he can’t explain.

We get into the psychology behind it, the slippery pull of becoming someone new, and how the book builds tension through fragmented storytelling and strained relationships.

If you like your horror a little uncomfortable, this one sticks with you.

FIND LUKE DUMAS ONLINE:
lukedumas.com
IG: thenewdumas
Threads: thenewdumas

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
39 min
March 26 A SPELL FOR SAINTS & SINNERS With Emily Carpenter
n this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by bestselling author Emily Carpenter to talk about her new Southern Gothic novel, A Spell for Saints & Sinners.

We touch on the story setup, a young psychic in Savannah navigating inheritance, identity, and complicated loyalties, then dig into Emily’s approach to portraying magic in a grounded, family-rooted way. We also get into themes of isolation, belonging, and how setting shapes the tone.

If Southern Gothic, witches, and grounded magic are your thing, this one’s for you.

FIND EMILY CARPENTER ONLINE:
emilycarpenterauthor.com
IG: emily.d.c
FB: ecarpenterauthor

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

34 min
February 19 DEAD FIRST with Johnny Compton
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by author Johnny Compton to discuss his latest novel, Dead First.

Private investigator Shyla Sinclair is hired by billionaire Saxton Bray, a man who claims, and proves, he cannot die. He offers her millions to uncover the truth behind his immortality and missing memories, while holding leverage over secrets from her own past.

We talk about immortality as a burden, blending noir detective fiction with supernatural horror, and the shifting power dynamics between Shyla, Saxton, his assistant Remy, and Shyla’s partner Jen. Johnny also shares how Shyla and Jen’s complicated history, including Jen’s psychic abilities, reshaped the story from an early comedic draft into something darker and more grounded.
We explore the Texas setting, including Galveston’s haunted history, and how themes of memory, mortality, legacy, curiosity, and self-destruction drive the novel. Johnny also teases what’s next: a sci-fi horror novella, Chimera Skin, arriving in 2026, and a future serial killer project.

Follow Johnny Compton at:
johnnycompton.com
IG: @comptonwrites
TikTok: @comptonwrites
YouTube: JohnnyComptonAuthor

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
56 min
February 12 ITCH! with Gemma Amor
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with acclaimed author Gemma Amor to discuss her latest horror novel, 'Itch.' Gemma sheds light on her fascination with misunderstood monsters, feminist horror, and the blending of folklore, supernatural, and body horror elements in her storytelling. We dive deep into the protagonist Josie's journey and transformation, the unsettling themes of generational misogyny, and the research behind the folkloric traditions depicted in the novel.

Discover Gemma's inspirations, her writing process, and what drives her to explore such dark and compelling themes. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this conversation is a must-watch for any horror enthusiast.

Follow Gemma Amor at:
gemmaamorauthor.com
IG: @manylittlewords
Threads: @manylittlewords
FB: @littlescarystories

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
48 min
February 03 THE BONE QUEEN with Will Shindler
In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with writer Will Shindler to discuss his novel 'The Bone Queen.' Will talks about his transition from writing police procedurals to horror, crafting the story of a mother's desperate search for her missing daughter, and creating the chilling setting of Athelsea Island. We explore the emotional core of the story, the complexities of Jenna's character, and the symbolic nature of the Bone Queen herself. Will also teases his next horror project, dealing with themes of men's mental health.

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights into the horror genre and the craft of writing terrifying tales.

Follow Will Shindler at:
IG: @willshind
Threads: @willshind
Bluesky: @willshindler.bsky.social

Follow Quills & Chills on social:
IG: @quillsandchills
Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social
YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast
28 min