This Is Horror Podcast

By Michael David Wilson and Bob PastorellaTV & Film Arts Books Film Interviews

This Is Horror Podcast episodes

September 30 TIH 680: Marcus Kliewer on Writing Horror Stories for Reddit, Stop Motion Animation, and the Story Behind We Used to Live Here
In this podcast, Marcus Kliewer talks about writing horror Stories for Reddit, stop motion animation, the story behind We Used to Live Here, and much more.
[3:10] Conversation start/life lessons growing up.
[13:30] First horror movie watched.
[18:25] Watching Saw.
[20:05] Horror fiction and Christian horror fiction.
[24:55] First story wrote.
[29:35] Stop motion animation.
[38:40] Writing horror stories for Reddit.
[52:15] We Used To Live Here.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-680-marcus-kliewer-on-writing-horror-stories-for-reddit-stop-motion-animation-and-the-story-behind-we-used-to-live-here
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 11 min
September 22 TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
In this podcast, Max Doty talks about The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit horror stories, writing lessons from video games, and much more.
[3:30] Early life lessons growing up.
[5:00] Early horror movie watching experiences.
[5:55] First stories written.
[13:00] Almost Kings.
[14:00] Creative writing lessons.
[27:10] The House That Eats the Dead genesis.
[29:30] Pacing and growing tension.
[31:00] What would Max do if he owned the house that eats the dead.
[36:45] The writing process.
[47:40] Writing on Reddit and getting a literary agent.
[54:40] How many drafts did the book go through before submitting to a publisher.
[1:01:50] Writing routine.
[1:08:10] Lessons from screenwriting and video games that can be applied to writing for the page.
[1:14:50] Leaving the video games industry.
[1:17:15] The pandemic and unexpected challenges.
[1:22:45] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:33:50] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-679-max-doty-on-the-house-that-eats-the-dead-reddit-horror-stories-and-writing-lessons-from-video-games
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 42 min
September 13 TIH 678: Ryan Lowell on Freight, Dialogue-Heavy Fiction, and Writing Routine
In this podcast, Ryan Lowell talks about Freight, dialogue-heavy fiction, his writing routine, and much more.
[3:20] Conversation start/the elevator pitch for Freight.
[8:40] Planning and writing Freight.
[10:45] Pros and cons of writing dialogue-heavy fiction.
[18:40] Movie references and influences.
[30:00] The influence and inspiration from philosophy and psychology.
[36:50] Literary agent.
[40:00] The word count of Freight and if it being a short novel impacted publication or shopping the novel.
[54:20] Writing routine.
[1:04:45] Connect with Ryan.
[1:05:35] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-678-ryan-lowell-on-freight-dialogue-heavy-fiction-and-writing-routine
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 15 min
September 04 TIH 677: Ryan Lowell on Trucking, Early Writing Experiences, and George V. Higgins
In this podcast, Ryan Lowell talks about trucking, early writing experiences, George V. Higgins, and much more.
[3:05] Conversation start/early life lessons growing up.
[6:40] When Ryan started writing.
[9:50] Early experiences with films and books.
[12:20] Parents’ reaction to sporting and creative aspirations.
[17:15] The impact of 1984 and The Power of Now.
[24:20] George V. Higgins.
[26:25] Bucksport.
[31:05] Parenting.
[34:30] The first story Ryan wrote.
[41:05] Getting into the trucking industry.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-677-ryan-lowell-on-trucking-early-writing-experiences-and-george-v-higgins
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 9 min
August 26 TIH 676: Michael David Wilson on The Girl in the Video, Gaijin J-Horror, and Horror Set in Japan
In this podcast, Michael David Wilson talks about The Girl in the Video, Gaijin J-Horror, horror set in Japan, and much more. With special guests Dan Howarth and David Moody.
[2:35] Conversation start/Michael’s first experience with The Girl in the Video story.
[7:15] Setting stories in Japan.
[10:45] One Story Per Week Writing Challenge and Writing More Seriously.
[18:10] Alternating between writing stories set in the UK and Japan/where is home?
[29:25] Reissuing The Girl in the Video and reflecting on the story six years after initial publication.
[50:05] Adding value and bonuses for readers.
[57:25] What Michael’s high standards mean for the second edition of The Girl in the Video and books in general.
[1:07:30] Being authentic and refusing to be inauthentic.
[1:09:40] The impact of social media, AI, and the digital age and the relevance of The Girl in the Video today.
[1:17:10] How Michael and his writing has changed since he first wrote The Girl in the Video.
[1:25:30] Projecting confidence, turning 40, and mini life crises.
[1:39:35] Don’t chase trends.
[1:49:45] Words of wisdom to leave listeners with about writing and Michael’s writing journey.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-676-michael-david-wilson-on-the-girl-in-the-video-gaijin-j-horror-and-horror-set-in-japan
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
2 hr 1 min
August 17 TIH 675: Raphael Montes on The Secret Dinner, The Seagull Soup Riddle, and Writing About Taboo Topics
In this podcast, Raphael Montes talks about The Secret Dinner, the Seagull Soup Riddle, writing about taboo topics , and much more.
[4:10] Conversation start/early life lessons.
[8:55] The films and books Raphael was consuming from an early age.
[13:30] Writing stories that don’t fit into an easy genre box.
[17:00] Planning The Secret Dinner.　
[21:35] Dark comedy.
[26:30] The seagull soup riddle.
[29:30] The real-life Piglet.
[34:40] The Secret Dinner in conversation with Chuck Palahniuk.
[45:15] Our generation’s search for meaning.
[49:20] Brazil’s reaction to The Secret Dinner.
[53:35] Are any taboo topics off limits for Raphael?
[59:25] Horror chose me.
[1:03:45] Vegan reaction.
[1:08:35] Religion’s effect on Raphael’s life and presence in Brazil and the book.
[1:13:40] Connect with Raphael and final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-675-raphael-montes-on-the-secret-dinner
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 25 min
August 09 TIH 674: Richard Jerram on Lessons Learnt Writing The Makoto Murders, Writing Routine, and What Defines Success
In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about lessons learnt writing The Makoto Murders, his writing routine, what defines success, and much more.
[2:50] The Makoto Murders and its journey with Titan Books.
[11:15] Richard’s writing routine.
[16:20] Writing to music or silence.
[23:20] What defines success?
[33:50] Making protagonist, Ken Kato, half British/half Japanese.
[45:00] Ken’s obsession with Makoto and the realities of stalking in Japan.
[55:00] Lessons learnt writing The Makoto Murders.
[1:01:30] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:50] Connect with Richard.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-674-richard-jerram-on-lessons-learnt-writing-the-makoto-murders-writing-routine-and-what-defines-success
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 12 min
July 31 TIH 673: Richard Jerram on The Makoto Murders, Living in Tokyo, Japan, and Winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award
In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about The Makoto Murders, living in Tokyo, Japan, winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award, and much more.
[3:15] Early life lessons growing up.
[6:00] The best and worst things about taking a creative writing MA.
[10:15] Retirement from work as an economist and decision to pursue writing fiction.
[11:45] Arriving in Tokyo, Japan in 1987.
[14:55] The Makoto Murders launch event.
[17:25] The Makoto Murders elevator pitch.
[20:20] Writing a novel with a sociopathic protagonist.
[28:15] Japan setting.
[29:35] Planning and writing process for The Makoto Murders.
[34:55] Workshopping two endings.
[37:10] Including specific details to Japan.
[38:50] Next books and projects.
[43:55] Advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan, Singapore, and London.
[45:30] Becoming fluent in Japanese.
[49:10] Life and art imitating one another: winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
[54:00] Landing a literary agent.
[58:10] Film and TV rights.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-673-richard-jerram-on-the-makoto-murders-living-in-tokyo-japan-and-winning-the-crime-writers-associations-debut-dagger-award
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 10 min
July 21 TIH 672: E. L. Chen on Slasher Summer, Slasher Movies, and Best Writing Advice
In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Slasher Summer, slasher movies, the best writing advice she’s ever heard, and much more.
[4:25] Slasher Summer elevator pitch.
[6:25] First experiences with slasher movies.
[11:30] Watching A Nightmare on Elm Street.
[16:35] Lessons taken from other slasher stories within horror fiction.
[18:55] Planning process.
[24:30] The cabin backstory.
[26:20] Editorial input.
[31:40] Slasher references.
[38:00] Favourite slasher.
[40:30] Lessons learnt writing Slasher Summer.
[44:50] One Of Us Is Already Dead.
[54:20] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:00:15] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:10] Something that frightens Elaine.
[1:07:00] Connect with E. L. Chen.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-672-e-l-chen-on-slasher-summer-slasher-movies-and-best-writing-advice
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 20 min
July 13 TIH 671: E. L. Chen on Sweetside Motel, Writing Routine, and Inverting Gothic Novel Expectations
In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Sweetside Motel, writing routine, inverting gothic novel expectations, and much more.
[3:15] Conversation start/early life lessons.
[10:00] Identity, stereotypes, and rebellion.
[13:40] First experiences with story/writing in YA, Fantasy, and Horror.
[18:30] Authenticity and writing for yourself first.
[21:05] Writing routine and time management.
[23:30] Drafting, revising, and working in numerous environments.
[28:40] Website origins and web design career.
[31:15] Book releases and publishing timelines.
[34:10] Book promotion and contracts.
[35:30] Literary agent journey and querying strategy.
[44:55] Sweetside Motel and writing during and about the pandemic.
[47:30] COVID consistency in book.
[50:25] Inverting gothic novel expectations and locations.
[53:45] Chinese-Canadian misconceptions and trip to Hong Kong.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-671-e-l-chen-on-sweetside-motel-writing-routine-and-inverting-gothic-novel-expectations
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 6 min

About This Is Horror Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The This Is Horror Podcast is a show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week.…