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This Is Horror Podcast — Arts
This Is Horror Podcast

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. Over 600 episodes, we have interviewed creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, Joe Hill, David Dastmalchian, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.

Copyright: © 2011–2019 This Is Horror. All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

TIH 682: Marcus Kliewer on Please Remain Seated, Writing Setup, and Audiobook Horror Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

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

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

TIH 681: Marcus Kliewer on The Caretaker, We Used to Live Here, and The Old House Archive Oct 11, 2026

Show notes

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] Writing full-time and guarding against isolation.
[1:00:35] ADHD in personal and creative life.
[1:04:35] Lessons learnt writing out screenplays.
[1:11:15] Connect with Marcus and final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-681-marcus-kliewer-on-the-caretaker-we-used-to-live-here-and-the-old-house-archive

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

TIH 680: Marcus Kliewer on Writing Horror Stories for Reddit, Stop Motion Animation, and the Story Behind We Used to Live Here Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

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

TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

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 to a publisher.
[1:01:50] Writing routine.
[1:08:10] Lessons from screenwriting and video games that can be applied to writing for the page.
[1:14:50] Leaving the video games industry.
[1:17:15] The pandemic and unexpected challenges.
[1:22:45] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:33:50] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-679-max-doty-on-the-house-that-eats-the-dead-reddit-horror-stories-and-writing-lessons-from-video-games

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

TIH 678: Ryan Lowell on Freight, Dialogue-Heavy Fiction, and Writing Routine Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

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-ryan-lowell-on-freight-dialogue-heavy-fiction-and-writing-routine

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

TIH 677: Ryan Lowell on Trucking, Early Writing Experiences, and George V. Higgins Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

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

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

TIH 676: Michael David Wilson on The Girl in the Video, Gaijin J-Horror, and Horror Set in Japan Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

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.
[57:25] What Michael’s high standards mean for the second edition of The Girl in the Video and books in general.
[1:07:30] Being authentic and refusing to be inauthentic.
[1:09:40] The impact of social media, AI, and the digital age and the relevance of The Girl in the Video today.
[1:17:10] How Michael and his writing has changed since he first wrote The Girl in the Video.
[1:25:30] Projecting confidence, turning 40, and mini life crises.
[1:39:35] Don’t chase trends.
[1:49:45] Words of wisdom to leave listeners with about writing and Michael’s writing journey.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-676-michael-david-wilson-on-the-girl-in-the-video-gaijin-j-horror-and-horror-set-in-japan

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

TIH 675: Raphael Montes on The Secret Dinner, The Seagull Soup Riddle, and Writing About Taboo Topics Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

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 for Raphael?
[59:25] Horror chose me.
[1:03:45] Vegan reaction.
[1:08:35] Religion’s effect on Raphael’s life and presence in Brazil and the book.
[1:13:40] Connect with Raphael and final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-675-raphael-montes-on-the-secret-dinner

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

TIH 674: Richard Jerram on Lessons Learnt Writing The Makoto Murders, Writing Routine, and What Defines Success Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

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/tih-674-richard-jerram-on-lessons-learnt-writing-the-makoto-murders-writing-routine-and-what-defines-success

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

TIH 673: Richard Jerram on The Makoto Murders, Living in Tokyo, Japan, and Winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

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 endings.
[37:10] Including specific details to Japan.
[38:50] Next books and projects.
[43:55] Advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan, Singapore, and London.
[45:30] Becoming fluent in Japanese.
[49:10] Life and art imitating one another: winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
[54:00] Landing a literary agent.
[58:10] Film and TV rights.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-673-richard-jerram-on-the-makoto-murders-living-in-tokyo-japan-and-winning-the-crime-writers-associations-debut-dagger-award

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

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