Send us a text

This week’s guest on Talking Scared: Off Book scares children.

I mean… that’s not his main job or intent (I don’t think) but he does it anyway. Trevor Henderson is the internet’s favourite horror artist. He creates digital nightmares that have become the fuel for a new generation of nightmares. Trust me, in the few moments that Gen Z aren’t being terrified by climate change or the slide into global racism… it’s Trevor’s “Cartoon Dog” or “Long Horse” – or his iconic Sirenhead – who are capering through their minds.

But his pictures are just the start of it. He works in movies, in video games, in podcasting and he’s even written a book. He’s horror’s renaissance man, and he joins me to talk about it – from how he started, to the secrets of great monster design.

And then we spend the end of the show just talking about some awesome movies you may not have seen or heard of.

This is a fun episode. Trevor is at the beating heart of horror.

Enjoy!

Movies mentioned:

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

Finally, Gabino Iglesias is on the show. 

I tried, and failed, to get him for his break-out Stoker-winning smash, The Devil Takes You Home. Now he’s here to talk about his brand new barrio-noir, House of Bone and Rain. It’s an amalgamation of brutal street violence and Lovecraftian otherness – all taking place in the sweltering eye of a Puerto Rican hurricane.

Gabino and I talk about the parts of the book that reflect his own life and youth. We talk about his rapid rise, and follow-up nerves. We talk about reclaiming Lovecraft. But mostly, we talk about violence – the horror of it, the reality, the sheer awful immediacy, and how the real thing is nothing like the stuff on a movie screen.

It’s a good chat, about the right kind of manhood.

Enjoy.

The Devil Takes You Home (2022) by Gabino Iglesias

Hungry Darkness (2015) by Gabino Iglesias

Zero Saints (2015), by Gabino Iglesias

The Ballad of Black Tom (2016), by Victor LaValle

Woodworm (2021), by Layla Martinez

Lost Man’s Lane (2024), by Scott Carson

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

Remember those books you read in the summer when you were young? Kids fighting evil in their small town? Bikes, and blood brothers and promises to keep? 

If you love those kinda stories then you’re in good company. This week Jonathan Janz joins me to talk about the coming-of-age horror in his ongoing epic, Children of the Dark. Book One was rereleased earlier this year, just in time for the sequel The Nightflyer’s to continue the story of Will Burgess and the monstrous secrets in his backyard. 

As well as a whole lot of chat about favourite movies, a million book recommendations and Jonathan’s beautifully wholesome horror movie bond with his daughter – we also discuss the canon of coming of age horror, how to write honestly about childhood, the role of theme in a story, and where Jonathan’s monsters originated.

Climb up to our treehouse. Bring snacks.

Enjoy.

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

Why is Adam Nevill so scary? 

I don’t know. Do you? He’s a nice guy – as you’ll hear in this episode. Yet he tells stories that crawl under your skin and stay there. Stories that squat in your subconscious.

His latest novel, All the Fiends of Hell is no exception. Same elusive nightmare mystery, but expanded to a whole epic end-of-the-world canvas. And when Adam says end of the world, he means it.

In this conversation we talk about apocalyptic fantasy, about angels and demons, about the sea and its endless hope, and about his own unique style when it comes to fear and monsters. 

Oh… and about a certain prog-rock masterpiece that plays a big part in this story and in each of our childhoods.

Enjoy.

Here is the link for Adam’s story - “Where Angels Come In” at Nightmare Magazine

And the link to the Shadows at the Door Kickstarter for EARWORM

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

Part One was epic. Part Two is just as good. In that way, it’s much better than the adaptation of IT!

In the second part of this celebration of King short stories, a whole other roster of Constant Readers come along to talk about their favourites. We have writers for all ages, a fellow podcaster and a filmmaker with important updates. 

All of them united by one thing – their love of these little twisted word-worlds that Stephen King has given us over the years. 

This was a blast, but god I’m glad it’s finally done.

Enjoy!

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

What’s your favourite Stephen King story? Everyone has one.

Hot off the back of the recent interview with the man himself, it seemed a neat idea to get a few friends on the show to talk about their own preferences from King’s huge back-catalogue of short fiction.

I am the architect of my own doom!

What was supposed to be a small side project grew, like Grey Matter, or unnatural mist, into FOUR HOURS of top-notch King chat, with some of the best and brightest constant readers. I’m not telling you who they are… why spoil the surprise.

But in this first of a double-bill you can hear old and new friends of Talking Scared talk about the King short that lights their fire, freezes their marrow, or breaks their heart. It’s a whole lot…and it’s only half.

Enjoy!

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

Stephen King is back!

What other intro do you need?

Okay, fine. He talks to me about the stories behind the stories in his new collection, You Like it Darker. I had the audacity to ask him “where he got some of his ideas.” 

He also updates us on the potential of a third Jack Sawyer book, to follow The Talisman and Black House. He hints at what’s next from him, and Holly Gibney. He gives a perspective on his view from the top of the horror pyramid, and I finally get to ask him about a beloved-yet-underappreciated novel.

Is that enough for you, or do I need go on?

Thought not…

Thanks for listening – and enjoy.

Other books mentioned:

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

200 episodes! Madness. Who knew there could be so much to say about horror? 

I knew. You knew. And here we are.

It turns out that the real cursed treasure was the friends we made along the way – and how better to celebrate the bicentennial, than by inviting some of the Talking Scared nearest and dearest, to tell us their scariest story?

I called, they answered – with tales of voyeuristic ghosts, horrifying roadside encounters, disappearing witches, whispering demons, damaged eyeballs, lost children and ….Richard Simmons!!

Enjoy this. You deserve it. Thank you so very much for your ear, your attention and your support over these last four years.

Onward. 

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

My unpaid cohost returns. Josh Malerman ladies and gentlemen.

Josh has been on the show many times before, but never have I been so excited to speak to him. His latest novel, Incidents Around the House is about as good a horror book as I’ve ever covered on this show… or possibly read in my life. It’s the story of a young girl, her family, and the entity pursuing them, but – as you’ll hear – it goes a whole lot deeper (and unforgivingly darker) than that.

Josh tells us about the unique process of writing this book. We discuss the challenges of child narrators. I beg insight into the demons and half-glimpsed horrors of his story… and I assault him with odd comparisons.

It’s all very freewheeling and fun. As the 199th episode should be, before we tip over the edge into a whole new century.

Enjoy – and read this damn book!

Other books mentioned:

The House of Last Resort (2024), Christopher Golden

Coraline (2002), by Neil Gaiman

The Exorcist (1971), by William Peter Blatty

Good Night Sleep Tight (2024), by Brian Evenson

Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), by Stephen King

From a Buick 8 (2002), by Stephen King

11/22/63 (2011), by Stephen King

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text

In the second Off Book episode we get out of our armchairs and go on a real adventure. Well, not really – but we talk to two people who do.

Danielle and Cassie are the hosts of National Park After Dark – a podcast catering to the “morbid outdoor enthusiast.” They have skyrocketed to success, with well-researches stories of murder, maulings and mad incidents out in the world’s national parks. 

I’ve listened for years now and I’m delighted to finally get the chance to ask them all the questions… what is their favourite flavour of outdoor macabre? Is there a particular unsolved mystery that burns a hole in their brain? What’s the scariest thing they’ve encountered out there… and should we reintroduce wolves to the UK? (Yes!)

You don’t need to like the outdoors to enjoy this episode. Danielle and Cassie do the hard work for us. 

Just enjoy!

Books mentioned:

Wolfish: Wolf, Self and the Stories we Tell About Fear, Ferocity and Freedom (2023), by Erica Berry

A Bolt From the Blue: The Epic True Story of Danger, Daring ad Heroism at 15,000 Feet (2012), by Jennifer Woodlief

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), by Stephen King

Where the Dead Wait (2023), by Ally Wilkes

Fire in the Sky: The Walton Experience (1997), by Travis Walton

Support Talking Scared on Patreon

Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] 

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices