Blood on the Typewriter: A Podcast About Writing Dark Fiction

Today, I am joined by Angela Sylvaine to talk about her new novel, Cold Snap! We talk about the challenges of writing a sequel, how many references are too many, why deer are so scary, the trick to writing good dialogue, and how comparison is the thief of joy. Angela is such a delightful person and such a good writer, and I had so much fun talking to her.

Cold Snap

With Friends Like These by VS Lawrence

The Film You Are About to See by Haley Newlin

Unholy by JV...

Today, I am joined by Paulette Kennedy to talk about her new novel, The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael. We talk about masks and disguises, mystery and reveals, when you need a prologue, the power of a routine, and prioritizing writing over social media. Paulette’s writing is intensely polished, which belies how much weight and strength it carries, both in story and theme. This was a great conversation.

The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael

Bromeliad House by Jessika Grewe Glover

When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

Today, I am joined by Chris Panatier to discuss his new novel, Daytide. We talk about the tether of worldbuilding and mystery, using cultural references, finding the story, when to walk away to maintain momentum, finding the balance of writing hard scenes, and when experience tells you to rewrite a story. Daytide blew me away, and this episode is filled with invaluable insights.

Headcheese by Jess Hagemann

The Unkillable Frank Lightning by Josh Rountree

In the Valley of the Headless Men by LP Hernandez

Today, I am joined by Dawn Kurtagich to discuss her upcoming novel, The Seventh Sister. We talk about texture and tenses, power and control, daring to be yourself, eating fried chicken in the mountains, and how to rehab burnout. Dawn was a wonderful guest, and we had a great conversation.

The Seventh Sister

You Let Me In - Camilla Bruce

The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis

A Veritable Household Pet by Viggy Parr Hampton

Scuttler's Cove by David Barnett

In the House in the Dark of the...

Today, I am joined by William Sterling to discuss his new book, Our Beanie Beastie Nightmare! We talk about 90s nostalgia, sibling relationships, human monsters vs supernatural ones, collector’s items, balancing multiple projects, how to just keep writing, and working in a dangerous political climate. Will is a great writer and a great guest. Don’t miss this one.

Our Beanie Beastie Nightmare

Writhe by Abby Vail

Bed Rot Baby by Wendy Dalrymple

Today, I am joined by Stephanie E Jensen to talk about her new novel Acetamine! We talk about Florida changing before our eyes, naming drugs, dorky guitar music, the mental health challenges of writing extreme horror, and claiming ownership over em dashes! Stephanie is the first splatterpunk author on the show, and this chat with her was lovely!

Acetamine

The Bloody Bucket by Douglas Ford

Saint Sadist by Lucas Mangum

Kennel by Garrett Cook

Reception by Kenzie Jennings

The Home by Judith Sonnet

Today, I am joined by Douglas Ford to talk about his upcoming novel, The Bloody Bucket. We talk about Florida, the nature of storytelling AND truth, writing longhand, the marketplace, and Lucio Fulci. The Bloody Bucket is an incredible novel, and I’m not gonna shut up about it. This was a great conversation with Doug, and you don’t want to miss it.

The Bloody Bucket

Perchance to Dream by Charles Beaumont

One of Us by Dan Chaon

Song for the Unraveling of the World by Brian Evenson

The...

Today, I am joined by RETURNING CHAMPION Viggy Parr Hampton to talk about her new novel, A Veritable Household Pet! We talk about research, writing from the perspective of a person with a lobotomy, viewing and defending horror as a broad genre, how frustrating social media is as an author, and non-fiction as horrifying as any horror novel. Viggy has made something truly special with this book, and it was a delight to talk to her again.

A Veritable Household Pet

The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean

The Seventh Sister by Dawn Kurtagich<...

Today, I am joined by Caitlin Starling to talk about her newest novel, The Graceview Patient. We talk about liminal spaces in hospitals, the connections between gothic, body, and cosmic horror, tricks to keep yourself writing, doing the weird thing, and deciding what kind of writer you are both now and into the future. Caitlin is so, so smart, and this episode is a must-listen.

The Graceview Patient

The Works of Vermin by Hiron Ennes

The Employees by Olga Ravn

Today, I am joined by Emma E Murray to talk about Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day. We talk about describing grotesque things in beautiful ways, writing cycles of abuse, how difficult but fun but difficult writing is, living on the precarious edge of challenge, and how to know when something is done. Emma is such a good writer and this is an excellent episode.

Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day

The Organization is Here to Support You by Charlene Elsby

Enamoured by Shelley Lavigne

...

Today, I am joined by Katherine Silva to talk about Where the Soul Goes, her newest novel. We talk about creativity, humanity, AI, the grind of a writing career, ignoring social media, and the dreaded query trenches. Kat is an incredible author, and this was a great talk.

Where the Soul Goes

Katherine's YouTube

Lady of the House by Grace Reynold

This is How a Villain is Made by Amanda Headlee

Buoygeist by Tom Rimer

Ascension by Nicholas Binge

Today, I am joined by Royal Poff to talk about Canaries, the 3rd project as part of his Exquisite Corpse series, still available to back on Kickstarter for a few more days. We talk about wrangling authors, semi colons, working in different mediums, Carvel ice cream, and collaboration. Canaries is such an interesting project, and this was a great interview!

Back Canaries on Kickstarter

House of Harrow by Cassandra Celia

Pane by Bailey Elizabeth

Along About Midnight by Dorian Sinnott

Steel Machines by Dan Franklin

Everyone is...

Today, I am joined by Daniel Braum to talk about his newest collection, Phantom Constellations. We talk about writing workshops, using symbols to find a character’s humanity, navigating time in prose, writing stories without regard to genre, becoming comfortable in navigating problems, and when and when not to follow advice. Daniel’s writing is top-notch, and this was a wonderful conversation.

Phantom Constellations by Daniel Braum

Dark Entries by Roger Aickman

The Best of Lucius Shepard

Dreams of Dark and Light by Tanith Lee

Get in Trouble by Kell...

Today, I am joined by Jason A Jones to discuss his first collection, The Pumpkin Pie Man and Other Terrifying Tales ! We talk about vintage horror paperbacks, small town horror, the pulp tradition, Bentley Little, and writing novels for the first time. Jason was one of my first friends on Bookstagram, and seeing his career develop has been a delight!

The Pumpkin Pie Man and Other Terrifying Tales

The Revelation by Bentley Little

Today, I am joined by JR Blanes to discuss his debut novel, Portraits of Decay! We talk about art, stories about art, love triangles, choosing perspective characters, naming characters, finding a character’s voice, and looking like Charlie Day in front of a corkboard. This was a wonderful discussion, and you don’t want to miss it, or JR’s book.

Portraits of Decay

It Will Just Be Us by Jo Kaplan

The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions by Emma E Murray

This is How a Villain is Made by Amanda Headle...

Today, I am joined by Wendy Dalrymple and Grace Reynolds, co-editors of the new anthology, Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved, and Insane, an Anthology of Nostalgic Terrors, available December 16. We talk about finding comfort in horror, horror origin stories, our favorite soups, the importance of following the rules, when to try writing a different genre, and much, much more! This collection is truly special, and it was such a good time talking to Wendy and Grace!

Pre-Order Poisoned Soup

Today, I am joined by Grace Daly to talk about her dynamite debut novel, The Scald Crow! We talk about chronic pain as survival horror, first person present tense, writing comedy in horror, being too much, mean Goodreads reviews, and writing a cast of nuns. I was blown away by The Scald Crow, and Grace was an incredible guest.

The Scald-Crow

The Barre Incidents by by Lauren Bolger

The Nut House by Patrick Barb

There's Something Sinister in Centerfield by Robert Ottone

Today, I am joined by Amanda Casile to talk about her upcoming novel, Broken Trail. We talk about scary woods, stabby books, feathering the amount of physical trauma suffered by a character, writing a single word a day, and trying to find some goshdarn time to write. Amanda was a delight to talk to, and you don’t want to miss this episode! 

Pre-order Broken Trail

Wonderland by Zoje Stage

Youth Juice by E.K. Sathue

Moonsick by Tom O'Donnell

Today, I am joined by Michael Wehunt to talk about his debut novel, The October Film Haunt! We talk about polyrhythm, form, found footage, using social media in fiction, writing for word count and not time, decompressing, and the challenges of writing for a broader audience. This was an incredible discussion and full of honest insight.

The October Film Haunt

Flowers of the Sea by Reggie Oliver

If You Knew Me by S.P. Miskowski

Today, I am joined by Tanya Pell to talk about her new novel, Her Wicked Roots. We talk about about how more IS more in Gothicism, about what is and is not “proper violence”, about the dreaded imposter syndrome, and about our preferred every day pen. Tanya is as good as anyone working today, and Her Wicked Roots is a beautiful book. 

(Don't) Call Mum - Matt Wesolowski

Jackal - Erin E Adams

The Scammer - Tiffany D. Jackson

Today, I am joined by Rebecca Baum, author of new insect and body horror novel, The Brood. We talk about body image in horror, how important feedback is in a writing journey, about the constraints of time in a career, and how cicadas are both beautiful and disgusting. The Brood was an incredible read, and I had such a good time talking to Rebecca.

The Brood by Rebecca Baum

Samuel Orr - Return of the Cicadas

Karen Russell

Today, I am joined by foremost writer of the weird and curious, Joshua Ginsberg, as we talk about his new collection, Tales from the Dusty Tiger. We talk about consumerism, authenticity, maintaining wonder, finishing your stories, trusting your own ability, and using the word just. Josh is a great friend and a great writer, and this was a wonderful discussion. 

Tales from The Dusty Tiger

Daniel Braum

Elaine Pascale

Kurt Fawver

Grass Dancer by Owl Goingback

Today, the hits just keep coming, because I’m talking with David Washburn about his new novel, Where Pop Stars Go To Die. We talk about Taylor Swift, if violence is the natural endpoint of power struggles, bad reviews, and writing things before you know the answer. This was a wonderful discussion.

Where Pop Stars Go To Die

Sleeping Celeste by Alana K Drex

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

Today, I’m talking with the master, the king, John Langan, about his newest collection, Lost in the Dark. We discuss found footage and what makes it authentic, finding the true ending to a story, the sophistication of fans of genre fiction, his approach to cultivating story, and about prioritizing your mental health as a writer. I consider John one of our titans, and it was an honor to speak to him. 

Lost in the Dark

Black Brane by Michael Cisco

She Said Destroy by Nadia Bulkin

A Game in Yellow by...

Hello, I’m Robbie Dorman, and it’s time to sit down at the typewriter and bleed. Welcome to Blood on the Typewriter, the podcast about writing dark fiction. Today, I’m talking with the legend Alma Katsu about her blockbuster new novel, Fiend. We discuss writing unlikeable characters, living in an era of male anger, surviving in the chaos of publishing, and the algorithm marketing mortuary gurneys to you. Alma is a master, and one of my dream guests, and this may be my best episode yet.

Just Thieves by Gregory Galloway

Today, I’m talking with Viggy Parr Hampton about her novel The Rotting Room. We discuss using sound in prose, how rot is necessary, patriarchy and nuns, and about load-bearing thats. Viggy is such a talented writer, and I was so happy to have her on the podcast.

The Rotting by Viggy Parr Hampton

This House Will Feed by Maria Tureaud

Today, I’m talking with Cassandra Celia about her newest novella, House of Harrow. We talk about writing animals as perspective characters, blending metaphor and story, the death of children characters, rejection of one’s nature, and the vicious cycle and escapability of one’s nature. What a great discussion.

House of Harrow by Cassandra Celia

Royal Poff

Dorian Sinnott

Kill Your Darling by Clay Mcleod Chapman

Coup De Grace by Sofia Ajram

Today I’m talking to the two-time Stoker award nominated Todd Kiesling about his newest novel, The Sundowner’s Dance. We talk about writing mental illness, navigating the length and form of a story, about the power of doubt in a protagonist, and digging for your next horror read. Todd is a terrific writer, and I feel lucky to have gotten him on the podcast.

The Sundowner's Dance by Todd Keisling

RJ Joseph

Linda Addison

Crossroads by Laurel Hightower

Today, I’m talking to author, editor, and artist Joey Powell about his newest book,  Squirming All the Way Up. We talk about propaganda, joining a cult, the word bloated, making time instead of finding it, and writing prose instead of screenplays. Joey is a delight, whip-smart, and multi-talented, and I had a great time talking to him. 

Follow Joey on Instagram

Squirming All the Way Up by Joey Powell

Frost Bite by Angela Sylvaine

You Weren't Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White

Today I’m talking to the master of pink horror, Wendy Dalrymple about her newest novel, Credenza. We talk about writing horror as hopeful, generational curses, pink horror, not being bothered by typos, and the biggest trouble with writing today not being anything to do with actual writing! Wendy is my favorite Floridian writer working, and I’m so glad I had her on to talk! Onto the show! 

Mosaic by Catherine McCarthy

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Swamplandia by Karen Russell

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Today I’m talking to the incredible Haley Newlin about her upcoming novel The Film You Are About to See. We talk about Vincent Price, placing details, and what using the word catty says about you.

Pre-Order The Film You Are About to See

Sister Funtime by Spencer Hamilton

Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman

In this, the inaugural episode, I chat with the two-time Stoker award winning Robert Ottone. We talk in depth about his new collection Tear Me Open: Fears Unwrapped, which you should go pick up; the word can’t, and why he hates it; and about the best second acts in all of horror literature.

Tear Me Open: Fears Unwrapped by Robert Ottone

Leeds Point Horror by John Collins

The Scald-Crow by Grace Daly

Rootfingers by S. Alessandro Martinez

A short introduction to the podcast.