Take a seat with Gary Frank, whose published works include the novels Institutional Memory, The Thing in the Woods, and Forever You Will Suffer. In this episode he talks about Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and some of the other things that have ignited his imagination as a storyteller. Other points discussed in our hour-long discussion: his love of Dungeons & Dragons, how he copes when the world around him gets too heavy, and the inspiration he gets from being part of a community of writers at industry conventions.

Ef Deal’s fantastic Twins of Bellesfées series—Esprit de Corpse, Aeros & Heroes, and The Order of Duval—reimagines the landscape of 19th century France with shapeshifters, vampires, and all manner of retrofuturistic technology. She talks about why she chose that time and place to give life to her brand of horror-infused steampunk, what it was like to grow up in a haunted house, and the “wonderful letter” that made her think she would never be a published novelist; lucky for us, she kept going anyway.

As an editor and co-owner of the Philly-based indie press Speculation Publications, River Eno plays a key role in bringing spectacular horror and dark fantasy into the world. Spec Pub’s most recent release is called Vampire Hunters: An Incomplete Record of Personal Accounts, which explores the lore of vampires—and the humans who hunt them—across oceans of time and space, from pre-Christianity Babylon to the New World in the 21st century. The anthology, which features chilling stories from the likes of Gwendolyn Kiste and A.C. Wise, came to life on July 22. In this episode, River speaks about the art of assembling such an ambitious project, her own relationship with vampire stories, and her history with magic and the macabre.

Sound effect by Katja Savia from Pixabay

Marcus Versace’s love of heavy metal and hard rock began at an early age. He had talent of his own and had long thought about joining a band, but the voices of doubters—including his own—convinced him otherwise. All that changed when he turned 50, when he and a few fellow metalheads founded the band that would become Blast Furnace, which he calls “the greatest midlife crisis a guy could have.” He talks about the musicians who inspired him, the songs that got him through life’s most tumultuous times, and the gift of making music with other people.

Darlene Versak has had to endure her share of dark moments in life, but she hasn’t let the tough times dampen her spirit. She wrote about many of her trials and tribulations—and how she found a way through them to become the person she is today—in her 2022 book, WORDS: A JOURNEY TO THE LIGHT WITHIN. She and I discussed the lessons she’s learned along the way, the importance of choosing love over fear in a time when fear runs rampant, and how she creates through the chaos of daily life.

A childhood love of music led Eric Mintel to a decades-long career as a professional jazz musician. As the leader of a quartet that bears his name, Eric has taken the stage at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, and his audiences have included not one but two U.S. presidents. Considering the other, more controversial side of himself—a paranormal investigator who plumbs the depths of hauntings, cryptid sightings, and other unexplained phenomena—he seems like a character plucked from a work of fiction. He goes into each investigation with a healthy dose of skepticism, but he has seen, heard, and experienced some strange things that have left him … well, a little freaked out.

Writer, artist, musician, and co-founder/executive editor of her own independent press—meet LCW Allingham. Her published works include MUSE, a horror novella, and LADY, a work of historical fiction, both published in 2024. Listen in to hear her discuss how the arts influenced her at an early age, the horror films that scarred her as a kid (and likely influenced her own work), and what she learned from the chaos of playing in a punk band.

Meet Daniel Sean Kaye, writer, illustrator, and professional good guy. He has written/co-written and illustrated three books starring a rather resourceful hermit crab, beginning with 2013’s NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A HERMIT CRAB. He talks about his Spider-Man aspirations, why David Bowie’s music has had such a profound effect on his life, and the surprising question he posed to William Shatner. He also speaks frankly about his struggles with anxiety and depression, and how writing, drawing, and helping others help him cope when the dark clouds gather.

Sit down with award-winning thriller writer Chris Bauer, whose many published works include the novel I HEARD YOU PAINT COWBOYS, which came out in April. He talks about the controversial nature of the topics explored in his books, how his blue-collar Philadelphia roots influence his fiction, and how a kind and mild-mannered family man is able to write deeply flawed (and, in some cases, despicable) characters so well.