This Is Horror Podcast

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

This Is Horror Podcast episodes

June 20, 2025 TIH 620: Jon Bassoff on The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and Becoming a Writer
In this podcast, Jon Bassoff talks about The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and becoming a writer.
[3:35] Conversation start and Jon’s first memory.
[4:50] Early life lessons.
[7:10] When did Jon know he wanted to become a writer?
[12:35] Publishing Corrosion.
[14:55] The film version of The Disassembled Man.
[24:40] Drive-Thru Crematorium.
[26:25] The Memory Ward.
[36:45] How much can you trust your own memory?
[40:30] Writing in between genres and marketing/selling logistics.
[1:00:05] How many projects does Jon have on the go at one time?
[1:02:20] Literary agents.
[1:04:40] Final pitch for The Memory Ward.
[1:06:30] Connect with Jon and final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-620-jon-bassoff-on-the-memory-ward-the-drive-thru-crematorium-and-becoming-a-writer
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 14 min
June 12, 2025 TIH 619: Jason Pargin on Writing Pop Culture References in Film and Fiction
In this podcast, Jason Pargin talks about writing pop culture references in film and fiction, and much more.
[3:00] Conversation start and Britney Spears scandal.
[6:25] Biggest changes in the last eight months.
[23:00] Pop culture has stagnated.
[34:30] Impact of TikTok being banned in the USA.
[59:20] Trying different ad platforms.
[1:10:35] Why it’s difficult to write pop culture references in fiction, question from Erich via Patreon.
[1:19:40] Pop culture references today people in the future will completely misunderstand.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-619-jason-pargin-on-writing-pop-culture-references-in-film-and-fiction
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 42 min
June 02, 2025 TIH 618: Brian Asman on Writing Fiction Fearlessly
In this podcast, Brian Asman talks about writing fiction fearlessly, and much more.
[3:20] Conversation start.
[7:30] Defining what Brian Asman writes.
[15:00] Does Brian write fearlessly?
[23:05] Worries about not doing concepts justice.
[1:00:40] Books and movies where the writer was fearless.
[1:06:20] Has recent success meant Brian is writing more or less fearlessly?
[1:21:15] Connect with Brian.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-618-brian-asman-on-writing-fiction-fearlessly
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 28 min
May 23, 2025 TIH 617: Jasper Bark on Dark Comedy, Horror Comedy, and The Origins of Gallows Humour
In this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about dark comedy, horror comedy, the origins of gallows humour, and much more.
[4:00] Conversation start. Distinguishing dark comedy and horror comedy.
[9:30] Mother for Dinner by Shalom Auslander.
[14:00] Taboos in society, historical context and cultural significance of dark comedy.
[22:30] Did Jasper start writing comedy or horror?
[43:00] Was writing Daddy’s Boy therapeutic?
[47:10] Absurdism, masks, and horror.
[1:05:25] Malcolm Gladwell.
[1:24:00] Other dark comedy books or films we haven’t yet mentioned.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-617-jasper-bark-on-dark-comedy-horror-comedy-and-the-origins-of-gallows-humour
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 43 min
May 20, 2025 TIH 616: David Moody on Hard Left Turns in Film and Fiction
In this podcast, David Moody talks about hard left turns in film and fiction, and much more.
[3:35] Conversation start and Kidderminster chat.
[11:30] Balancing realism and creative license when writing about real life locations.
[23:40] Hard left turns in fiction and film.
[45:07] Threads (1984).
[49:05] Writing changes post-heart attack.
[54:48] David Lynch.
[1:02:18] Kemberton: writing a novel ‘live’ for an audience: advantages and constraints.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-616-david-moody-on-hard-left-turns-in-film-and-fiction
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 47 min
May 13, 2025 TIH 615: Danger Slater on Absurd Films and Books, Getting Weird with Your Writing, and Difficulties Marketing Bizarre Books
In this podcast, Danger Slater talks about absurd films and books, getting weird with your writing, difficulties marketing bizarre books, and much more.
[3:38] Conversation start.
[15:42] What genre is Danger Slater writing in?
[18:46] Writing aims and writing approach.
[25:47] Difficulties or struggles marketing Daddy’s Boy.
[51:50] Favourite absurdist authors.
[1:03:46] Just get weird with your writing.
[1:07:45] Agents and film managers.
[1:21:10] Other books and films that will be of interest to those into bizarre and weird art.
[1:28:12] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-615-danger-slater-on-absurd-films-and-books-getting-weird-with-your-writing-and-difficulties-marketing-bizarre-books
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 34 min
May 07, 2025 TIH 614: Michael David Wilson on Daddy’s Boy (with Jasper Bark, Dan Howarth, and Bob Pastorella)
In this podcast, Michael David Wilson talks about his brand new dark comedy novel, Daddy’s Boy, with hosts Jasper Bark, Dan Howarth, and Bob Pastorella.
[2:48] Conversation start.
[10:11] The genesis of Daddy’s Boy and interest in comedy.
[24:37] Plotting vs. pantsing.
[49:17] The voice of the novel.
[56:24] Stand up comedy and comedy watching.
[1:08:03] Ideal cast for a Daddy’s Boy movie.
[1:16:40] Elevator pitch for Daddy’s Boy.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-614-michael-david-wilson-on-daddys-boy-with-jasper-bark-dan-howarth-and-bob-pastorella
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 30 min
May 06, 2025 TIH 613: Sofia Ajram on Coup de Grâce, Titan Books, and Fear of Man-Made Machinery Under Water
In this podcast, Sofia Ajram talks about Coup de Grâce, Titan Books, their fear of man-made machinery under water, and much more.
[3:12] Coup de Grâce.
[7:19] Working with Titan.
[11:44] Negative reviews.
[32:11] Kurosawa references.
[44:38] How writing Coup de Grâce affected Sofia.
[49:27] Forthcoming audiobook.
[54:50] Dominatrix work.
[1:00:22] Misconceptions about the industry and dominatrix work.
[1:10:40] Fear of man-made machinery under water.
[1:27:48] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-613-sofia-ajram-on-coup-de-grace-titan-books-and-fear-of-man-made-machinery-under-water
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 34 min
May 04, 2025 TIH 612: Sofia Ajram on Editing Bury Your Gays, Balancing Writing and Metalsmithing, and Tragic Queer Horror
In this podcast, Sofia Ajram talks about editing Bury Your Gays, balancing writing and metalsmithing, tragic queer horror, and much more.
[3:25] Early life lessons growing up.
[5:30] Metalsmithing.
[10:17] Balancing writing and metalsmithing.
[22:24] Working with Titan Books.
[27:55] First experiences reading and writing.
[31:46] Working as a band photographer.
[50:27] First story written and moment Sofia realised wanted to be a writer.
[55:00] Bury Your Gays.
[1:04:00] What is Tragic Queer Horror?
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-612-sofia-ajram-on-editing-bury-your-gays-balancing-writing-and-metalsmithing-and-tragic-queer-horror
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 14 min
April 25, 2025 TIH 611: Lena Valencia on Mystery Lights, David Lynch Influence, and Writing Routine
In this podcast, Lena Valencia talks about Mystery Lights, David Lynch influence, writing routine, and much more.
[4:30] Early life lessons growing up in LA.
[7:00] Lena’s initial interest in creativity.
[11:29] Writing routine and writing retreats.
[18:37] Balancing publicity vs. writing.
[21:44] Querying process for Mystery Lights.
[25:39] Mystery Lights thematic concerns.
[30:34] What are the Mystery Lights in reality?
[38:35] Dogs.
[46:37] First horror movies watched.
[49:30] You Can Never Be Too Sure and David Lynch influence.
[55:26] The oldest story in the collection.
[58:26] Bright Lights, Big Deal.
[1:03:18] The White Place.
[1:09:00] Vermillion and Trogloxene.
[1:13:03] The Reclamation.
[1:21:22] Reaper Ranch.
[1:26:15] Connect with Lena and final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-611-lena-valencia-on-mystery-lights-david-lynch-influence-and-writing-routine
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror
1 hr 33 min

About This Is Horror Podcast

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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.…