This Is Horror Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this podcast, Clay McLeod Chapman talks about Kill Your Darling, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, writing vs. marketing, and much more. [3:44] Wake Up and Open Your Eyes. [27:48] Anxiety whilst writing. [49:18] Writing vs. Marketing. [55:58] Working with Alan at Shortwave and Doug at Bad Hand Books. [1:02:54] Strategies for first time writers. [1:05:16] When you would and wouldn’t get an agent. Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-610-clay-mcleod-chapman-on-kill-your-darling-wake-up-and-open-your-eyes-and-writing-vs-marketing Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/thisishorror