In this episode of Quills & Chills, I'm joined by bestselling author Cherie Priest to discuss her novel, It Was Her House First, completely spoiler-free.

Cherie shares how a notoriously haunted house in West Seattle inspired the story and why she wanted to put a fresh spin on the classic haunted house novel, where ghosts can be terrifying without necessarily being evil. We talk about Ronnie, a DIY enthusiast navigating anxiety, depression, and grief after inheriting a dilapidated house following her brother's death. We also explore the novel's multiple points of view, from the living to the dead, including silent film star Venita Rost and the deeply regretful Bartholomew Sloan.

Along the way, Cherie opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, the role grief and guilt play throughout the novel, her love of restoring old homes, and how the book evolved from its original title, The Hollow Face, into It Was Her House First.

Find Cherie Priest online:

cheriepriest.com
Bluesky: @cheriepriest.com

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As part of the Quills & Chills Pride Series, I'm thrilled to welcome back returning guest Jill Baguchinsky to discuss her haunting new novel, May the Dead Keep You.

We dive into the story of Catie East, who has spent years living in a secluded historic home deep within Northern California's redwood forests. When a botanist and his son, Hunter, move into the property's guest cottage, Katie discovers a mysterious connection that allows the two teens to bring dead things back to life. What follows is a chilling exploration of grief, guilt, family secrets, forgiveness, and the lingering shadows of the past.

Jill shares the inspiration behind the novel, the house's dark history revealed through the book's ephemera, her favorite scenes, the influence of Wuthering Heights, and the creative process behind crafting its slow-burning gothic atmosphere.

Find Jill Baguchinksy online:

jillbaguchinsky.com
Instagram: @jillwritesbooks

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Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

What if your sister disappeared... and came back claiming to be someone else?

For this Pride Series episode of Quills & Chills, I'm joined by Dana Mele to discuss The Beast You Let In, a chilling story of twins, secrets, obsession, and the dark side of belonging.

A great conversation about character, community, and the monsters we create.

🎧 Listen now!

https://youtu.be/LUWb8iVqwgE

#BookSky #HorrorCommunity #LGBTQBooks #PrideMonth #AuthorInterview

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by author Gabrielle Sher to talk about her novel Odessa, a Jewish folklore Gothic set during the pogroms of 1905 in the Russian Empire. Gabrielle discusses the novel’s shifting family perspectives, how grief and trauma shape the story long before the supernatural arrives, and the terrifying consequences of trying to hold onto the people we love. We also talk about golem mythology, Jewish mysticism, family secrets, and the shifting line between monster and protector throughout the novel.

FIND GABRIELLE SHER ONLINE:

gabriellesher.com

IG:_gabrielle_sher

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Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

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In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined once again by Nick Cutter to discuss his new novel, The Dorians, a disturbing story about aging, mortality, and the lengths people will go to outrun death.

We talk about the fears and moral questions at the heart of the book, the influence of classic horror and science fiction, and why body horror and isolation remain such powerful storytelling tools. Nick also shares some of the real-world ideas that inspired the novel and the scenes he’s most excited for readers to experience.

FIND NICK CUTTER (Craig Davidson) ONLINE:

nickcutter.com

craigdavidson.net

IG: nickcutter2026

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IG: @quillsandchills

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Marcus Kliewer on The Caretaker | Horror Author Interview | Quills & Chills

What happens when grief, money, and bad decisions collide?

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with Marcus Kliewer to break down The Caretaker, a psychological horror story that starts grounded and keeps tightening the screws.

Macy is a broke college grad, grieving her father and trying to care for her younger sister. When she takes a questionable Craigslist job, survival overrides instinct, and the story doesn’t let up.

We get into:

• Writing flawed characters whose choices still feel inevitable
• The story’s “rights” system and its connection to OCD
• Structuring a narrative as a one-way descent
• Influence from Dark Souls II
• Balancing reality vs perception
• Why Oregon, specifically Salem, shapes the tone

Marcus also previews what’s next, including another release this year and a darker, more expansive story in the same universe.

FIND MARCUS KLIEWER ONLINE:

IG: marcus_kliewer

TikTok: marcus_kliewer

Reddit: r/oldhousearchive

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IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Luke Dumas to talk about Nothing Tastes as Good, a body-horror thriller about a man over 300 pounds who joins a clinical trial for a miracle weight-loss drug and starts changing faster than he can understand. The results are extreme. So are the side effects, including missing time and urges he can’t explain.

We get into the psychology behind it, the slippery pull of becoming someone new, and how the book builds tension through fragmented storytelling and strained relationships.

If you like your horror a little uncomfortable, this one sticks with you.

FIND LUKE DUMAS ONLINE:

lukedumas.com

IG: thenewdumas

Threads: thenewdumas

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IG: @quillsandchills

Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social

YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast