This Is Horror Podcast

In this podcast, Jason Pargin talks about two decades of John Dies at the End, video content creation, the impact of AI on writing fiction, and much more.

[4:00] Conversation start/recording 81 podcasts to promote I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom.
[6:55] Beginning interviews with an interesting fact or anecdote.
[14:00] How much time can we spend reading these days?
[20:35] Has the rise of AI affected how Jason writes stories?
[41:15] How does Jason keep John Dies at the End fresh for himself and readers two decades later?
[48:40] What is Jason do...

In this podcast, Santiago Eximeno and Alicia L. Alonso talk about Alicia is in the Basement, translating Spanish fiction into English, horror board games, and much more.

[3:40] Conversation start/early life lessons and influences.
[8:35] The first story Santiago wrote.
[11:45] The moment Santiago knew he wanted to do this professionally.
[13:10] Board games.
[14:45] Writing routine.
[16:40] Alicia and Santiago meeting and collaborating together.
[19:00] Alicia is in the Basement premise.
[27:15] Alicia’s experience translating Alicia is in the Basement.
[30:50] Working with Tenebrous Press.
[35:05] He Who Does Not Speak with Children and Spanish fo...

In this podcast, Marcus Kliewer talks about Please Remain Seated, his writing setup, audiobook horror, and much more.

[3:05] Conversation start/how Please Remain Seated became an audiobook collection.
[10:30] Connection between Kliewer’s stories and recurring tropes.
[20:45] Writing Please Remain Seated and managing projects.
[30:50] Please Remain Seated title story and liminal spaces.
[48:30] Backroads.
[56:55] Anomaly.
[1:06:25] Forthcoming books.
[1:10:20] Writing setup and productivity.
[1:31:20] Advice to eighteen year old self.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-682-marcus-kliewer-on-please-remain-seated-writing-setup-and-audiobook-horror

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In this podcast, Marcus Kliewer talks about The Caretaker, We Used to Live Here, The Old House Archive, and much more.

[2:55] We Used To Live Here publishing and film rights journey.
[7:30] Literary agent.
[13:50] Expanding the We Used To Live Here short story into a novel.
[18:10] The found documents within the story and liminal spaces.
[27:00] Uncanny horror.
[38:35] Lydia Peever, via Patreon, asks about Marcus’s decision to set stories in the USA.
[45:30] The puzzles in books like The Caretaker.
[49:25] The Old House Archives.
[51:20] Writing routine and a typical day.
[57:00] Wr...

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<...

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...

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...

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

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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.

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 f...

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/t...

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 endi...

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 wi...

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...

In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.

[3:00] Kemberton elevator pitch and real-life inspiration.
[11:20] Bullying, domestic violence, and the emotional impact of Kemberton.
[23:25] A huge turning point in the book.
[31:55] Beta-reader feedback.
[38:20] Writing about the human condition.
[42:10] Weoley Castle.
[51:55] Nailing the ending.
[1:03:05] Writing for enjoyment.
[1:08:40] Final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-670-david-moody-on-kemberton-weoley-castle-and-writing-about-the-human-condition

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In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.

[3:00] Conversation start.
[4:50] Biggest changes in last year.
[7:20] Hater film adaptation.
[20:05] Dirty Day.
[24:00] Money, happiness, writing, and having enough.
[39:35] Embracing boredom and going offline.
[47:00] Cinema etiquette.
[1:00:05] Serialising Kemberton.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-669-david-moody-on-serialising-fiction-embracing-boredom-and-the-long-road-to-the-hater-movie

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Eliza Jabore talks about true crime research, Bigfoot, subverting slasher tropes, and much more.

[2:50] Elevator pitch for Backstabbers.
[4:25] True crime research and Bigfoot.
[13:20] Subverting slasher tropes.
[18:15] Misdirection and The Descent vibes.
[21:10] Jeremiah’s name origin.
[24:00] Real-world cabin and trails influence.
[27:30] Travel, horror, and risk taking.
[31:30] Lessons learnt writing Backstabbers.
[36:20] Writing insecurity and self-doubt.
[42:30] Single location horror and suspense.
[46:00] Eliza’s first signing.
[50:15] Writing to music vs. to silence.
[54:10] Best and worst writing advice.

Full podcast show notes are available here: http...

In this podcast, Eliza Jabore talks about Backstabbers, writing through motherhood, getting stranded in the jungle, and much more.

[4:10] Conversation start/early life lessons growing up.
[7:15] Stories written when young.
[10:05] First stories read and movies watched.
[13:15] Globetrotting from seventeen years old.
[16:10] Meeting husband.
[20:05] Returning to Iowa.
[28:30] Writing post-travel.
[33:15] Typical writing routine.
[38:35] The genesis of Backstabbers.
[44:30] Writing under a pen name.
[48:25] Connecting with literary agent.
[53:40] Editing Backstabbers.
[59:20] Stranded in a jungle.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-667...

In this podcast, Dan Howarth talks about Drone, Lionhearts, Northern Republic, and much more.

[4:35] Conversation start/biggest changes for Dan in the last year.
[19:00] Screenwriting.
[20:00] Lionhearts.
[26:00] Journey to publication.
[45:30] Writing a comedy.
[50:45] Editorial process.
[1:01:15] David Peace influence on book covers.
[1:05:10] Drone.
[1:09:00] Creating dread from a sound.
[1:15:20] Inspiration for Drone.
[1:18:20] How to decide which idea is for a novel and which a novella.
[1:23:40] Lessons learnt writing Drone.
[1:25:30] Landing the ending.
[1:30:25] Northern Republic and where Dan will and won’t submit stories going forward.
[1:38:50] Connect wi...

Jed Shepherd talks about Dashcam, found footage horror, the impact of Host, and much more.

[3:05] Homages and references in films.
[10:50] Host, its legacy, and the impact on horror and found footage.
[15:40] Blumhouse deal.
[17:40] Dashcam elevator pitch.
[21:50] Dashcam and Host in a similar world.
[23:45] Co-writing process for Dashcam.
[26:25] Working with Annie Hardy.
[32:05] Odeon banning Dashcam.
[40:45] Flashback.
[51:20] Working routine and what Jed is doing now.
[53:15] Ideal writing time.
[59:20] The first horror video game Jed played.
[1:02:10] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:04:30] Connect with Jed.

Full...

Jed Shepherd talks about Host, filmmaking, the supernatural, and much more.

[2:50] Early life lessons growing up in London.
[9:30] Beliefs pertaining to the supernatural or lack thereof.
[12:35] First horror films and stories experienced.
[15:30] Parallels between Host and Dashcam and the Evil Dead films.
[17:55] Wanting to be a writer from a young age.
[26:05] Music in Jed’s life and career.
[31:40] Scroobius Pip.
[38:25] Making Host.
[48:50] The initial Host prank.
[50:50] The logistics of writing Host.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-664-jed-shepherd-on-host-filmmaking-and-the-supernatural

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In this podcast, Addison Heimann talks about Touch Me, sugar-free lemonade powder, telling stories, and much more. About Addison Heimann Addison Heimann is known for Hypochondriac (2022), Touch Me (2025) and Jeff Drives You (2019). Timestamps Thanks for Listening! Help out the show: Support This Is Horror on Patreon Listen to This Is Horror Podcast …

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In this podcast, Addison Heimann talks about Hypochondriac, recreating the famous Ghost scene, OCD exposure therapy, and much more. About Addison Heimann Addison Heimann is known for Hypochondriac (2022), Touch Me (2025) and Jeff Drives You (2019). Timestamps Thanks for Listening! Help out the show: Support This Is Horror on Patreon Listen to This Is …

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In this podcast, Kylie Lee Baker talks about writing Japanese Gothic, chapter outlines, her best writing advice, and much more. About Kylie Lee Baker Kylie Lee Baker is the Sunday Times bestselling author of dark fantasy and horror novels such as The Keeper of Night, The Scarlet Alchemist, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora …

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In this podcast, Kylie Lee Baker talks about Japanese Gothic, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, her writing routine, and much more. About Kylie Lee Baker Kylie Lee Baker is the Sunday Times bestselling author of dark fantasy and horror novels such as The Keeper of Night, The Scarlet Alchemist, Bat Eater and Other …

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In this podcast, Eric LaRocca talks about his writing Rituals for Wretch, writing two books per year, horror theatre, and much more. About Eric LaRocca Eric LaRocca is a 2x Bram Stoker Award finalist and Splatterpunk Award winner. Named by Esquire as one of the “Writers Shaping Horror’s Next Golden Age” and praised by Locus …

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In this podcast, Eric LaRocca talks about Wretch, The Unbecoming of Porcelain Khaw, grief horror, and much more. About Eric LaRocca Eric LaRocca is a 2x Bram Stoker Award finalist and Splatterpunk Award winner. Named by Esquire as one of the “Writers Shaping Horror’s Next Golden Age” and praised by Locus as “one of the …

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In this podcast, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, and Addison Heimann talk about Touch Me, and much more. About Touch Me Two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world. About Justin Benson Justin Benson was born on 9 …

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In this podcast, Ronald Malfi talks about Small Town Horror, subverting expectations, creating dread, and much more. About Ronald Malfi Ronald Malfi is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of horror novels and thrillers. He is the recipient of two Independent Publisher Book Awards, the Beverly Hills Book Award, the Vincent Preis …

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In this podcast, CJ Leede talks about American Rapture, Maeve Fly, her writing routine, and much more. About CJ Leede CJ Leede is a horror writer, hiker, and Trekkie. She is the author of Maeve Fly and American Rapture. Her debut novel Maeve Fly won the Golden Poppy Octavia E. Butler Award and Splatterpunk Award, …

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In this podcast, Stephen Graham Jones talks about Night of the Mannequins, writing slashers, his best prank gone wrong, and much more. About Stephen Graham Jones Stephen Graham Jones is a Blackfoot Native American author of experimental fiction, horror fiction, crime fiction, and science fiction. His books include Don’t Fear the Reaper, My Heart is a Chainsaw, The …

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In this podcast, Mick Garris talks about Masters of Horror, Sleepwalkers, directing Stephen King adaptations, and much more. About Mick Garris Mick Garris is an American filmmaker, screenwriter and novelist born in Santa Monica, California. He is best known for his work in the horror film genre, as well as making Stephen King adaptations. …

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In this podcast, Kat Day talks about PseudoPod, short stories, editing a horror fiction podcast, and much more. About Kat Day Kat Day is a PhD chemist who was once a teacher and is now a professional editor and writer. She first entered PseudoPod Towers in 2019, became Assistant Editor in 2021 and Co-Editor in …

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In this podcast, Ross Jeffery talks about Only The Stains Remain, grief horror, exchanging novels with Josh Malerman, and much more. About Ross Jeffery Ross Jeffery is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated and 3x Splatterpunk Award-nominated author of Metamorphosis, The Devil’s Pocketbook, I Died Too, But They Haven’t Buried Me Yet, Tome, Juniper, Scorched, Only The …

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In this podcast, Ross Jeffery talks about the Juniper Trilogy, setting stories in America vs. the UK, breaking writing rules, and much more. About Ross Jeffery Ross Jeffery is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated and 3x Splatterpunk Award-nominated author of Metamorphosis, The Devil’s Pocketbook, I Died Too, But They Haven’t Buried Me Yet, Tome, Juniper, Scorched, …

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In this podcast, Clay McLeod Chapman talks about Acquired Taste, the Beat Generation, The Restoration at Grayson Manor, and much more. About Clay McLeod Chapman Clay McLeod Chapman is the author of the novels What Kind of Mother, Ghost Eaters, Whisper Down the Lane, The Remaking, and Miss Corpus. Timestamps Thanks for Listening! Help out …

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In this podcast, Clay McLeod Chapman talks about getting drunk on ideas, writing and performing with confidence, getting through the first draft, and much more. About Clay McLeod Chapman Clay McLeod Chapman is the author of the novels What Kind of Mother, Ghost Eaters, Whisper Down the Lane, The Remaking, and Miss Corpus. Timestamps Thanks …

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In this podcast, Dean Koontz talks about his forthcoming book, The Friend of the Family, carnival lore, being given five years to become a writer, and much more. About Dean Koontz Acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” (Rolling Stone) and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned …

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In this podcast, Bob Pastorella talks about his latest book, The Small Hours, vampire fiction, writing lessons, and much more. About Bob Pastorella Bob Pastorella is the co-host of the This Is Horror podcast. He is also the author of They’re Watching (with Michael David Wilson), with numerous tales in such publications as Lost Films, …

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In this podcast, Eric LaRocca talks about Burnt Sparrow, We Are Always Tender with Our Dead, writing messed up transgressive fiction, and much more. About Eric LaRocca Eric LaRocca is a 2x Bram Stoker Award finalist and Splatterpunk Award winner. Named by Esquire as one of the “Writers Shaping Horror’s Next Golden Age” and praised …

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