Quills and Chills

In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with director Mahesh Pailoor to discuss his powerful new film, Paper Flowers. Inspired by the true story of Shalin Shah, the film explores universal themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Mahesh shares insights into the casting process, the emotional depth brought by Kapil Talwalkar and Olivia Liang, and how they honored Shalin’s legacy while crafting a narrative that resonates across cultures. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about filmmaking, storytelling, and the enduring impact of Paper Flowers.

Follow Paper Flowers on social:

IG: @PaperFlowersMovie

Follow Mahesh on social:

IG: @MaheshPailoor

FB: @MaheshPailoor

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I welcome back Bijhan Agha, the talented trans Muslim American creator behind The Legendary X-Knights. We dive into her inspirations—ranging from Wonder Woman and Japanese tokusatsu to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—and explore how these influences have shaped her storytelling. Bijhan shares the emotional depth and creative vision behind The Legendary X-Knights, a compelling comic series set in her expansive Time Wars universe.

Discover the diverse cast of characters, their unique powers, and the intriguing battle against a vampiric conspiracy. Plus, get the inside scoop on Bijhan's Kickstarter campaign for the series!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jamsheedstudios/the-legendary-x-knights-issue-1-the-legend-begins/

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I welcome K. R. Blair, renowned screenwriter and novelist known for her dark, female-driven stories. Katie shares her journey from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to becoming a celebrated author of 'The Beckoning Shadow' and 'Unchosen'. We dive into her creative process, inspirations, and challenges behind her latest novel, 'The Hushed'. Katie also discusses her dynamic writing process for both novels and TV, along with some personal anecdotes and future projects. Join us for an in-depth exploration of her unique storytelling.

Follow Katie on social:

katharynblair.com

TikTok: @katharyn_blair

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, join me as I  talk with acclaimed author Nick Cutter, aka Craig Davidson, the mind behind chilling horror novels such as 'The Troop', 'The Deep', and 'Little Heaven'. We’re all abuzz (sorry, I couldn’t resist) about his latest work, 'The Queen', exploring the challenges of balancing different pseudonyms, the personal influences behind his love for horror, and the psychological complexities in his writing. Cutter also shares his writing process, the importance of library sanctuaries, and his favorite moments from 'The Queen'.

Follow Nick Cutter/Craig Davidson:

craigdavidson.net

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with actor Russell Todd for an in-depth conversation about his storied career. Famous for his roles in the Friday the 13th franchise and Chopping Mall, Russell delves into his early love for the arts, inspired by his mother's musical career. He recounts his filmmaking beginnings with a movie camera won from a jelly bean guessing contest and shares about his evolution from aspiring director to notable actor as well as special moments from his soap opera days. The discussion also explores the transformation of the horror genre and the rising influence of indie filmmaking. Russell also teases his latest project, Stiletto, and reflects on both past and upcoming roles.

Follow Russell Todd on social:

Instagram: @russelltoddla

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills and Chills, I sit down with acclaimed author CJ Cook to explore her latest work on witch trials. Discover CJ Cook's dual timeline narrative in 'The Book of Witching' and the intricate process of blending historical and modern narratives. Carolyn delves into the power dynamics and oppression in witch trials, discussing her research into Scottish witch trials and themes of cult motivations. She also shares her meticulous research journeys, from grueling archives in Orkney to pivotal trips to historical settings. 

Stay tuned to explore profound themes of witchcraft, family dynamics, and resilience in this thrilling novel.

Follow C.J Cooke on social:

carolynjesscooke.com

Twitter | x:  @CJessCooke

Instagram: @cjcooke author

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I am talking with Del Sandeen about her debut novel, 'This Cursed House'. The discussion covers Del’s background, her writing process, and the inspirations behind her work. The novel, set in 1960s New Orleans, intertwines themes of southern gothic, colorism, and supernatural elements. Del shares insights into the curse central to the story and how it shapes her characters. Tune in to uncover the layers of complexity within this captivating novel.

Follow Del Sandeen on social:

delsandeen.com

Twitter | x:  @DelSandeen

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, join me as I talk with Stoker award-nominated horror author Johnny Compton. We discuss Compton's latest novel, 'Devils Kill Devils', marking it as the most anticipated horror book of 2024. The conversation explores Compton's inspirations from childhood ghost stories to his extensive research on vampires, angels, and the supernatural, emphasizing themes of faith, survivor's guilt, and the intertwining of horror and religion. Highlighting key scenes, Compton reveals his intentions behind crafting gripping narratives and hints at his future projects involving witchcraft and serial killers. 

Follow Johnny Compton on social:

johnnycompton.com

IG: @comptonwrites

Twitter | x:  @ComptonWrites

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills and Chills, I am sitting down with Michelle McGill Vargas, a talented author known for her speculative historical fiction. We delve into her latest novel, 'American Ghoul,' discussing its unique blend of horror and history. Michelle shares insights into her journey from a special education teacher to a published author, her creative process, and the intricacies of crafting complex characters and relationships in a post-Civil War setting. Get ready for an intriguing conversation about writing, horror, and the rich historical backdrop of Northwest Indiana.

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

As part of a special series in which I’m talking to filmmakers and creators, join me as I sit down with prolific filmmaker Michael Varrati. Known for his unique contributions to both horror and LGBTQ film, Michael delves into his creative process, the intersection of queer identity and horror, and his latest work, 'There's a Zombie Outside,’ which recently screened at the FILMOUT San Diego and Popcorn Frights film festivals. The conversation explores Michael's journey from his early inspirations to the challenges and triumphs of indie filmmaking. Michael also shares insights on the evolving landscape of queer horror and offers advice for aspiring indie filmmakers.

Follow Michael Varrati on social:

Twitter | x:  @MichaelVarrati

IG: @michaelvarrati

Follow Quills & Chills on social:

IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

TWITTER: @QuillsAndChills

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast