Talking Scared

Send us a textLiterary or genre fiction? Dumb question. This week’s guest showcases just how dumb! With her debut collection of stories, Mystery Lights showing that horror is literary and literary is horror. These tales of the American desert are full of hauntings, monsters, killers, and other oddities, yet they take a non-typical approach to the strangeness. They care more about the human in the mix than the weird thing in the corner. I loved them – and they proved that every time I think I know my own reading tastes, I find an exception to the rule. Lena and I talk about her literary allegiance to the desert, about the literary establishment’s appetite for strange things, about women treating women poorly, and about how she writes stories that don’t need to “click.” Enjoy.  The Shining (1977), by Stephen King “Lamb to the Slaughter,” (1953), by Roald Dahl The Garden (2024), by Claire Beams  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textThis week’s guest on Talking Scared: Off Book scares children. I mean… that’s not his main job or intent (I don’t think) but he does it anyway. Trevor Henderson is the internet’s favourite horror artist. He creates digital nightmares that have become the fuel for a new generation of nightmares. Trust me, in the few moments that Gen Z aren’t being terrified by climate change or the slide into global racism… it’s Trevor’s “Cartoon Dog” or “Long Horse” – or his iconic Sirenhead – who are capering through their minds. But his pictures are just the start of it. He works in movies, in video games, in podcasting and he’s even written a book. He’s horror’s renaissance man, and he joins me to talk about it – from how he started, to the secrets of great monster design. And then we spend the end of the show just talking about some awesome movies you may not have seen or heard of. This is a fun episode. Trevor is at the beating heart of horror. Enjoy! Movies mentioned: The Ritual (2017) Arcadian (2024) Horror in the High Desert (2021) Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva (2023) Late Night With the Devil (2024) History of the Occult (2020) Fake Documentary Q (YouTube Channel) StopMotion (2024) The Cat With Hands (2001) Infested (2024) Loop Track (2023) Savageland (2015) The Tunnel (2011)  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textFinally, Gabino Iglesias is on the show.  I tried, and failed, to get him for his break-out Stoker-winning smash, The Devil Takes You Home. Now he’s here to talk about his brand new barrio-noir, House of Bone and Rain. It’s an amalgamation of brutal street violence and Lovecraftian otherness – all taking place in the sweltering eye of a Puerto Rican hurricane. Gabino and I talk about the parts of the book that reflect his own life and youth. We talk about his rapid rise, and follow-up nerves. We talk about reclaiming Lovecraft. But mostly, we talk about violence – the horror of it, the reality, the sheer awful immediacy, and how the real thing is nothing like the stuff on a movie screen. It’s a good chat, about the right kind of manhood. Enjoy. The Devil Takes You Home (2022) by Gabino IglesiasHungry Darkness (2015) by Gabino IglesiasZero Saints (2015), by Gabino IglesiasThe Ballad of Black Tom (2016), by Victor LaValleWoodworm (2021), by Layla MartinezLost Man’s Lane (2024), by Scott Carson Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textRemember those books you read in the summer when you were young? Kids fighting evil in their small town? Bikes, and blood brothers and promises to keep?  If you love those kinda stories then you’re in good company. This week Jonathan Janz joins me to talk about the coming-of-age horror in his ongoing epic, Children of the Dark. Book One was rereleased earlier this year, just in time for the sequel The Nightflyer’s to continue the story of Will Burgess and the monstrous secrets in his backyard.  As well as a whole lot of chat about favourite movies, a million book recommendations and Jonathan’s beautifully wholesome horror movie bond with his daughter – we also discuss the canon of coming of age horror, how to write honestly about childhood, the role of theme in a story, and where Jonathan’s monsters originated. Climb up to our treehouse. Bring snacks. Enjoy. Savage Species (2013), by Jonathan Janz Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962), by Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine (1957), by Ray Bradbury The Body (1982), by Stephen King The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012), by Stephen King Boy’s Life (1991), by Robert R. McCammon The Dark Valley (1998), by Joe Donnelly The Deer Kings  (2021), by Wendy Wagner The Reformatory (2023), by Tananarive Due Summer of Night (1991), by Dan Simmons Ghoul (2007), by Brian Keene The Beast House (1986), by Richard Laymon The Girl Next Door (1989), by Jack Ketchum Incidents Around the House (2024), by Josh Malerman  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textWhy is Adam Nevill so scary?  I don’t know. Do you? He’s a nice guy – as you’ll hear in this episode. Yet he tells stories that crawl under your skin and stay there. Stories that squat in your subconscious. His latest novel, All the Fiends of Hell is no exception. Same elusive nightmare mystery, but expanded to a whole epic end-of-the-world canvas. And when Adam says end of the world, he means it. In this conversation we talk about apocalyptic fantasy, about angels and demons, about the sea and its endless hope, and about his own unique style when it comes to fear and monsters.  Oh… and about a certain prog-rock masterpiece that plays a big part in this story and in each of our childhoods. Enjoy. The War of the Worlds (1898), by H.G. Wells The Road (2006), by Cormac McCarthy Nuclear War: A Scenario (2024), by Annie Jacobsen Apartment 16 (2010), by Adam Nevill Last Days (2012), by Adam Nevill Banquet for the Damned (2004), by Adam Nevill Invasion: The Inside Story of Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival (2022), by Luke Harding The Turn of The Screw (1898), by Henry James The Exorcist (1971), by William Peter Blatty  Here is the link for Adam’s story - “Where Angels Come In” at Nightmare Magazine And the link to the Shadows at the Door Kickstarter for EARWORM Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textPart One was epic. Part Two is just as good. In that way, it’s much better than the adaptation of IT! In the second part of this celebration of King short stories, a whole other roster of Constant Readers come along to talk about their favourites. We have writers for all ages, a fellow podcaster and a filmmaker with important updates.  All of them united by one thing – their love of these little twisted word-worlds that Stephen King has given us over the years.  This was a blast, but god I’m glad it’s finally done. Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textWhat’s your favourite Stephen King story? Everyone has one. Hot off the back of the recent interview with the man himself, it seemed a neat idea to get a few friends on the show to talk about their own preferences from King’s huge back-catalogue of short fiction. I am the architect of my own doom! What was supposed to be a small side project grew, like Grey Matter, or unnatural mist, into FOUR HOURS of top-notch King chat, with some of the best and brightest constant readers. I’m not telling you who they are… why spoil the surprise. But in this first of a double-bill you can hear old and new friends of Talking Scared talk about the King short that lights their fire, freezes their marrow, or breaks their heart. It’s a whole lot…and it’s only half. Enjoy! Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textStephen King is back! What other intro do you need? Okay, fine. He talks to me about the stories behind the stories in his new collection, You Like it Darker. I had the audacity to ask him “where he got some of his ideas.”  He also updates us on the potential of a third Jack Sawyer book, to follow The Talisman and Black House. He hints at what’s next from him, and Holly Gibney. He gives a perspective on his view from the top of the horror pyramid, and I finally get to ask him about a beloved-yet-underappreciated novel. Is that enough for you, or do I need go on? Thought not… Thanks for listening – and enjoy. Other books mentioned: Waiting for Winter (1966), by John O’ Hara Horror Movie (2024), by Paul Tremblay A Head Full of Ghosts (2015), by Paul Tremblay Survivor Song (2020), by Paul Tremblay Fever House (2023), by Keith Rosson Nestlings (2023), by Nat Cassidy Come With Me (2021), by Ronald Malfi American Rapture (2024), by C.J. Leede  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text200 episodes! Madness. Who knew there could be so much to say about horror?  I knew. You knew. And here we are. It turns out that the real cursed treasure was the friends we made along the way – and how better to celebrate the bicentennial, than by inviting some of the Talking Scared nearest and dearest, to tell us their scariest story? I called, they answered – with tales of voyeuristic ghosts, horrifying roadside encounters, disappearing witches, whispering demons, damaged eyeballs, lost children and ….Richard Simmons!! Enjoy this. You deserve it. Thank you so very much for your ear, your attention and your support over these last four years. Onward.  Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textMy unpaid cohost returns. Josh Malerman ladies and gentlemen. Josh has been on the show many times before, but never have I been so excited to speak to him. His latest novel, Incidents Around the House is about as good a horror book as I’ve ever covered on this show… or possibly read in my life. It’s the story of a young girl, her family, and the entity pursuing them, but – as you’ll hear – it goes a whole lot deeper (and unforgivingly darker) than that. Josh tells us about the unique process of writing this book. We discuss the challenges of child narrators. I beg insight into the demons and half-glimpsed horrors of his story… and I assault him with odd comparisons. It’s all very freewheeling and fun. As the 199th episode should be, before we tip over the edge into a whole new century. Enjoy – and read this damn book! Other books mentioned: The House of Last Resort (2024), Christopher GoldenCoraline (2002), by Neil GaimanThe Exorcist (1971), by William Peter BlattyGood Night Sleep Tight (2024), by Brian EvensonNightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), by Stephen KingFrom a Buick 8 (2002), by Stephen King11/22/63 (2011), by Stephen King Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices