Guest: Keith Rosson
Host: Vincent Midgard
Episode Recorded: August 22, 2025

About This Episode

In this episode, Vincent welcomes renowned author and artist Keith Rosson to talk about his new dark literary novel Coffin Moon. The conversation covers the gritty heart of noir fiction, the reimagining of the vampire archetype, the lasting impact of war and trauma on storytelling, the struggle and beauty of DIY punk and zine culture, and the organic chaos of the writing process. Keith opens up about how blindness shapes his art, why family trauma is an unavoidable theme, and why ambiguous endings matter.

Key Topics Discussed

• The challenge and richness of setting a vampire story in 1970s Portland
• Breaking the mold: Writing messy, morally gray characters
• Punk, zines, and the creative energy of relentless DIY art
• How blindness shapes Keith’s visual and narrative sensibility
• The importance of landscape in fiction (Oregon, North Dakota, LA)
• Writing trauma, revenge, and the uncertain hope of healing
• Literary fiction vs. genre and why Keith refuses to choose just one
• Taking and leaving vampire tropes: Curses, curses, and fatherhood
• Inspirations: From Richard Lange’s Rovers to Andy Davidson’s In the Valley of the Sun

Connect with Keith Rosson

• Website: keithrosson.com
• Instagram: @rossonkeith
• Goodreads: Keith Rosson on Goodreads

Buy Keith Rosson’s Books

• Bookshop.org (support indie): Bookshop - Keith Rosson
• Amazon: Keith Rosson on Amazon
• Publisher: Meerkat Press - Keith Rosson

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this episode, rate and review the show and consider supporting Keith Rosson by picking up his latest book, Coffin Moon, and leaving a (non-spoiler) review. Share with a friend!

Support this podcast:
patreon.com/thedarkmindpodcast