The Writers Chair

In this episode, Daniel Willcocks sits down with the legendary Paul Tremblay — Bram Stoker Award–winning and internationally acclaimed author of A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World, Survivor Song, The Pallbearers Club, and his latest novel, Horror Movie (Titan Books, 2024).

Paul opens up about the origins of his horror obsession, the long road to “overnight” success, and what it means to balance integrity, art, and audience in a genre that’s constantly evolving. From Texas Chainsaw Massacre and literary horror to Hollywood’s obsession with “happy endings,” this conversation is equal parts reflective, funny, and fiercely insightful.

💀 In this episode you’ll discover:

• How A Head Full of Ghosts became a breakout hit — and what it was like when Stephen King tweeted about it

• Why Texas Chainsaw Massacre helped inspire Horror Movie

• How Paul approaches structure and storytelling in mixed-media fiction

• What today’s horror landscape gets right — and where it’s in danger of going wrong

• The authors redefining modern horror (Mariana Enriquez, John Langan, Stephen Graham Jones, and more)

• Why persistence, not perfection, is the real secret to a lasting writing career

🔗 Links & Resources

Paul’s website: https://www.paultremblay.net

Horror Movie (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horror-Movie-Paul-Tremblay/dp/1803367776

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez (recommended): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Share-Night-Mariana-Enriquez/dp/1787303466

🎧 Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow horror lovers and creative misfits.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📚 About the Guest

Paul Tremblay is an award-winning American author whose work bridges horror, suspense, and literary fiction. His novels — including A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World (adapted for film by M. Night Shyamalan), Survivor Song, and Horror Movie — have been translated worldwide and praised for their psychological depth and genre-defying storytelling.

He has won the Bram Stoker, British Fantasy, and Massachusetts Book Awards, and his short fiction has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly Online, and numerous Year’s Best anthologies. Paul lives just outside Boston, where he teaches mathematics, writes fiction, and continues to push the boundaries of modern horror.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with Tim Lebbon — award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels across horror, fantasy, thriller, and tie-in fiction, including The Secret Lives of the Dead, The Silence, and novels set in the Alien, Predator, Firefly, Conan, and Halo universes.

Tim returns to the chair for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about building a long-term writing career, finding community in horror, and staying creatively sane in an increasingly noisy, online world. They discuss book tours, conventions, imposter syndrome, drafting chaos, novellas versus novels, and why horror writers might just be the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

This episode is a grounded, generous look at the realities of writing over decades — the wins, the doubts, the friendships, and the work that keeps you going.

• How The Secret Lives of the Dead evolved from a crime novel into folk-tinged horror
• Why horror conventions and community friendships can make or break a writing career
• How Tim navigates imposter syndrome — even after thirty years in publishing
• The difference between writing novels and novellas (and why novellas may be his best work)
• What drafting actually looks like for a “panster” — and why the first draft is really the plan
• The realities of writing tie-in fiction for Halo, Alien, and Conan
• Why social media is becoming less useful — and how to protect your creative focus
• Tim’s advice for new writers trying to find their place in the horror community

Tim Lebbon’s website: https://www.timlebbon.net

The Secret Lives of the Dead (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Lives-Dead-Tim-Lebbon/dp/1789099732

British Fantasy Convention: https://britishfantasysociety.org

StokerCon (Horror Writers Association): https://www.horror.org/stokercon

Frank Turner (mentioned): https://frank-turner.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow horror fan or writer.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

Tim Lebbon is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author with a career spanning over three decades. He has written more than fifty novels, dozens of novellas, and hundreds of short stories across horror, fantasy, and science fiction. His work includes original novels such as The Silence (adapted into a Netflix film) and The Secret Lives of the Dead, as well as tie-in fiction for Alien, Predator, Hellboy, Star Wars, Firefly, Conan, and Halo.

Tim lives in South Wales, writes daily, walks his dog every morning, and firmly believes horror is where we work our darkest thoughts out — so we can be kinder everywhere else.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this behind-the-scenes Twisted Tales Diaries episode, Daniel Willcocks and his co-author R.P. Howley sit down to reflect on five months of their “Goosebumps for grown-ups” horror series — from the chaos of launch day to the lessons learned from writing, publishing, and growing the Twisted Tales brand.

They share an honest look at the realities of indie horror publishing, co-authoring across busy lives, and finding joy (and sustainability) in the process — plus a few exclusive teases about what’s coming next.

🩸 IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER

•How Twisted Tales has evolved since Jack, Heir, and Slay hit shelves

•Why collaboration is both a creative blessing and a logistical nightmare (in the best way)

•Real-world sales and KU data from the first five months

•How to build a horror series that’s sustainable, joyful, and audience-focused

•A sneak peek at Book Four: Deal — and what 2026 might bring

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES

📚 Read the series: https://twistedtalesbooks.com

💬 Join the Devil’s Rock community: https://devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

🎧 Listen to all episodes: https://pod.link/1829723468

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🧠 ABOUT THE HOSTS

Daniel Willcocks and R.P. Howley are UK-based horror authors and co-creators of the Twisted Tales series — fast-paced, standalone horror novellas for readers who grew up on Goosebumps and still crave a good scare. Together, they explore the darker corners of storytelling while building the Devil’s Rock horror universe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with James Kennedy — author of the genre-bending horror novel Bride of the Tornado, which was selected by The Guardian as one of the best SFF/horror books of September 2023.

James shares how he created one of the most original and unsettling horror tales of recent years, blending Ray Bradbury nostalgia, Lynchian dread, and the visceral terror of the American Midwest. Together, they discuss genre expectations, experimental writing, and the dangers of commercial conformity. This is an episode for the bold, the curious, and the beautifully terrible people among us.

In this episode you’ll discover:

Why Bride of the Tornado defies genre — and how it nearly cost James his agent.

What David Lynch and Ray Bradbury taught him about mystery, horror, and dream logic.

The deep cultural horror of small towns, cult rituals, and being “nobody-ized.”

Why he never names his protagonists (and why it makes you complicit).

How embracing the strange can create unforgettable art — even if some people hate it.

Links & Resources:

James Kennedy’s website: https://www.jameskennedy.com

Bride of the Tornado on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Tornado-James-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B0BWF5M7TD

90-Second Newbery Film Festival: https://www.90secondnewbery.com

The Secrets of Story Podcast: https://www.secretsofstory.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjameskennedy

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/iamjameskennedy

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your weirdest friends.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📚 About the Guest

James Kennedy is the author of Bride of the Tornado, Dare to Know, and The Order of Odd-Fish. His work has been praised for its unflinching weirdness, literary elegance, and unapologetic originality. He’s also the founder of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival and co-host of the Secrets of Story podcast. He lives in Chicago and welcomes terrible readers everywhere.

Find him at https://www.jameskennedy.com or @iamjameskennedy on socials.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Daniel revisits a decade of storytelling with longtime friend and creative collaborator Luke Kondor — filmmaker, podcaster, comic creator, and co-founder of Hawk & Cleaver and The Other Stories podcast.

Together, Luke and Daniel reflect on 10 years in writing and publishing — the highs, the failures, the pivots — and share the biggest lessons they’ve learned about writing, collaboration, and building sustainable creative careers.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER

How The Other Stories podcast became a 14M+ download success — and the cost of keeping it going

The truth behind burnout, creative boredom, and finding joy in weirdness.

What Luke and Daniel would do differently if they had to start their author journeys again.

The danger of “commercial success” killing your passion — and how to protect your art.

How play, fun, and low-pressure projects can reignite your creative spark.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Luke’s website: https://www.lukekondor.com

My Dog Shits Cash (Books): https://www.lukekondor.com/books

The Other Stories Podcast: https://www.theotherstories.net

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lukekondor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukekondor

SUBSCRIBE TO THE WRITERS CHAIR

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow creatives.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

ABOUT THE GUEST

Luke Kondor is a UK-based writer, podcaster, and filmmaker who’s spent the past decade telling weird stories across books, comics, and audio fiction. He’s best known for co-founding The Other Stories podcast and for creating award-winning low-budget horror films, bizarre books like My Dog Shits Cash, and irreverent comics like El Marvo.

Find him at lukekondor.com or on social media @lukekondor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with the iconic Eric LaRocca — Bram Stoker Award-nominated and Splatterpunk Award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, We Can Never Leave This Place, Everything the Darkness Eats, and The Trees Grew Because I Bled There (Titan Books, 2024).

Eric opens up about the viral rise of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, the challenges of overnight success, and the deeply personal themes that drive their work. From queer identity and lyrical horror to the raw humanity at the heart of their stories, this is a conversation about art, fear, and the courage to write from the soul.

💀 In this episode you’ll discover:

• How Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke became a viral sensation — and why that’s impossible to replicate.

• Why Eric believes the scariest monsters are human ones.

• The creative pressure that comes after success (and how to protect your art).

• How Clive Barker and queer horror shaped Eric’s storytelling voice.

• The philosophy behind their unforgettable titles — and what makes a story truly theirs.

Links & Resources:

Eric’s website: https://www.ericlarocca.com 

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Things-Gotten-Worse-Since-Misfortunes/dp/1803363762 

Everything the Darkness Eats (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Darkness-Eats-Eric-LaRocca-ebook/dp/B0BSSMC26H/

Deliciously TWISTED Halloween Book Sale: https://twistedtalesbooks.com/halloween/ 

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow horror fans.

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks 

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468 

💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast 

📚 About the Guest

Eric LaRocca is a Bram Stoker Award–nominated and Splatterpunk Award–winning author based in Boston, Massachusetts. Their work explores the darkness of humanity through poetic prose and unflinching honesty. Known for redefining modern horror with deeply personal, transgressive themes, Eric continues to be one of the most vital voices in contemporary dark fiction.

Find Eric online at ericlarocca.com or on social media @hystericteeth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with the authorial powerhouse Michael David Wilson — founder of This Is Horror, host of the award-winning This Is Horror Podcast, and author of The Girl in the Video, They’re Watching (with Bob Pastorella), House of Bad Memories, and his latest wild release, Daddy’s Boy.

Michael opens up about the chaos and catharsis behind his newest book, blending dark comedy with horror and crime, and the very real experiences that shaped it. From divorces and new beginnings to cult followings, sausages, and Naked Attraction t-shirts, this is a conversation equal parts raw, funny, and inspiring.

💀 In this episode you’ll discover:

• How personal trauma can fuel fiction (and whether to write in the moment or after).
• Why Michael’s latest book is his most unhinged — and most fun — yet.
• The balance (and tension) between authenticity vs. commercial success.
• What’s next for Michael, including a new novella and long-awaited collaborations.

Links & Resources:

• Michael’s website: https://www.michaeldavidwilson.co.uk/
• Daddy’s Boy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daddys-Boy-Michael-David-Wilson-ebook/dp/B0DX1LJV6P
• This Is Horror: https://thisishorror.co.uk/ 

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with the horror lovers in your life.

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📚 About the Guest

Michael David Wilson lives in Gifu, Japan, and is the founder of This Is Horror. His work has appeared in The NoSleep Podcast, Dim Shores, Dark Moon Digest, and The Other Stories. Find more at michaeldavidwilson.co.uk and support him on Patreon: patreon.com/michaeldavidwilson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back, wordsmiths and story seekers! In this episode of The Writer’s Chair, I sit down with Birmingham-based author J.D. Parker to talk about his debut dark historical novel, Ignis Sacer.

Jonny (JD) shares his journey from writing screenplays to finally tackling long-form fiction, why he considers his first unpublished novel the “first pancake,” and how Ignis Sacer became the book he was ready to share with the world.

We explore everything from medieval medicine and plague research to the pull of “sirens” (new ideas), balancing horror and hope, and why sometimes the most terrifying things are buried in history.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why JD draws a sharp line between his first novel and his debut novel
• How ergotism (Holy Fire) inspired the central horror of Ignis Saecer
• The challenges of weaving research, history, and dark fantasy into one story
• Why “prestige horror” filmmakers like Robert Eggers and Ari Aster shaped his writing style
• The balance between outlining and discovery in building sprawling stories

Links & Resources:

• J.D.’s website: https://wakeandwinslow.carrd.co 
• Ignis Sacer on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ignis-Sacer-Nightmare-J-D-Parker-ebook/dp/B0F5MT5ZLP 
• Connect with JD on Instagram: @j.d.parker_author

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a brand-new feature on The Writer’s Chair — the Twisted Tales Diaries!

In this first diary entry, I’m joined by my co-conspirator R.P. Howley (aka Rob) as we pull back the curtain on our new horror series, Twisted Tales. Think Goosebumps… but bloodier. We talk through the origins of the idea, what it’s like co-writing fast, punchy horror together, and the long-term vision behind the series.

Expect honest, unpolished chat about the wins, the headaches, and everything in between as we build this universe one creepy book at a time.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Twisted Tales went from a forest walk in 2020 to #1 Hot New Release in 2025
• Why Goosebumps nostalgia meets adult horror in a bite-sized format
• What it’s really like to co-write and cut each other’s drafts to the bone
• Our strategy for building not just books, but a brand horror readers will want to collect
• Sneak peeks of what’s coming next (werewolves, Christmas horror, and more…)

Links & Resources:

• Visit the Twisted Tales hub: https://twistedtalesbooks.com/ 
• Free short story Thaw: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/72410/155104481435977576/share 

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with the horror lovers in your life.

📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Podcast apps: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this roundtable episode of The Writer’s Chair, Daniel welcomes three phenomenal authors from Eerie River Publishing’s dark new anthology, The Earth Bleeds at Night.

Joining the discussion:

• Christopher O’Halloran (Water Drops on the Stone Hearts)
• Em Starr (Dolly Rocks)
• Richard Thomas (Supplication)

Whether you’re a reader, writer, or horror fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, this episode delivers on both craft and heart.

• How parenting, personal experience, and grief inspired some of the most emotionally raw stories in the anthology
• What makes horror the perfect genre for exploring nature, decay, and transformation
• The joy (and madness) of being a short story maximalist
• Real talk about rejections, impostor syndrome, and breaking into pro markets
• Where short stories fit into a writer’s creative and commercial journey
• A vital call for more active inclusion of BIPOC voices in horror publishing
• Resources and advice for writers trying to break into magazines like The Dark, Nightmare, and Lightspeed

Published by Erie River Publishing

Explore what terrors make the very earth bleed in this chilling collection of dark, literary, and cosmic horror from award-winning and rising authors.

👉 https://books2read.com/u/bPOjjR

🔗 Christopher O’Halloran https://www.coauthor.ca

📚 Debut novel Pushing Daisy https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Daisy-Christopher-OHalloran-ebook/dp/B0F8SKYD95

🧠 Also recommends reading: https://www.thingsthatkeepmeupatnight.com/new-page

🔗 Em Starr https://emstarr.com.au

📱 BlueSky | Facebook

🔗 Richard Thomas whatdoesnotkillme.com

📲 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform: https://pod.link/1829723468

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🌐 Learn more and join our dark fiction community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📣 Jump into the Devil’s Rock Discord to chat about this episode and meet other dark fiction writers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.