Peter Caffrey joins the show to discuss his novel, The Ballad of Seven Bastards.

We dive into the splatter western genre and how it explores moral ambiguity and violence.

Peter shares how the Western setting exposes truths about manipulation and greed that modern stories can’t.

He describes his struggle with structure and how a unique approach helped bring the novel together.

We talk about origins, voice, and rewriting until the story feels right.

Peter discusses his decision to shelve the book while the genre surged in popularity, focusing on authenticity over trends.

We discuss his characters—none truly redeemable, but all deeply human.

We explore the necessity of grotesque honesty in fiction and why avoiding standard horror tropes keeps his writing surprising.

Peter unpacks the role of humor, both as a defense and an ingredient for deepening dread.

He shares darkly comic stories and how real-life struggles with illness shaped his outlook and fiction.

Peter talks about compartmentalization, survival, and how his experience with cancer changed his attitude toward suffering, both real and fictional.

He explains how fiction, unlike journalism, creates individual truth for the reader.

The episode ends with thoughts on individuality, creativity, and the joys of making readers uncomfortable in the best way.

Website https://petercaffrey.com

Twitter/X: https://x.com/p_caffrey?lang=en

Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/100077415820994/

Facebook (Author Page - Alternative): https://www.facebook.com/p/Peter-Caffrey-Author-61564582937618/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNYsWRAybvM/ (posts found, profile link not directly provided)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18772593.Peter_Caffrey

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-Caffrey/author/B07MSBW6ZV

Amazon - The Ballad of Seven Bastards: https://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Seven-Bastards-Peter-Caffrey-ebook/dp/B0FF6DDZXC

ThriftBooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/peter-caffrey/5486829/

Godless.com: https://godless.com/products/fucked-up-bedtime-stories-episode-5-legs-eleven-by-peter-caffrey-godless-exclusives

In this immersive episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, Vincent welcomes independent filmmaker Danny Stygion back to the show for a deep dive into his latest projects: the brutal horror thriller "One Last Trip" and the provocative documentary "Dominatrices." Stygion shares the personal experiences and influences behind his films, from tense camping trips in the Sam Houston National Forest to nuanced explorations of BDSM subculture. The conversation traverses the challenges of micro-budget indie filmmaking, the psychological dynamics of survival horror, and the responsibility of portraying marginalized communities with accuracy and empathy.

Listeners will enjoy behind-the-scenes anecdotes about casting, improvisation, and dealing with real life tensions during filming, while also discovering how Stygion balances fear, humor, and authenticity in his storytelling. The episode journeys from the raw wilderness of cinematic horror to the ritualistic environments of professional dungeons, featuring stories both shocking and insightful from Stygion’s featured dominatrices. Finally, the discussion spotlights Stygion’s upcoming works on haunted Galveston locales, synthesizer obsessives, and a modern take on the Faust legend, promising more adventures in the darker edges of art and life.

Official Website:

https://www.stygion.com

Contact Page:

https://www.stygion.com/contact/

IMDb:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13631763/

Instagram (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.instagram.com/sinicalmag

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@dannystygion

Facebook (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.facebook.com/sinicalmag

LinkedIn (Danny Stygion):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-stygion-712126105

Twitter/X (Sinical Magazine):

https://www.x.com/sinicalmag

Amazon Prime Video (streaming films):

https://www.amazon.com/prime-video

Tubi (streaming films):

https://www.tubi.tv/

Vudu (streaming films):

https://www.vudu.com/

MagCloud (print magazines):

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/162779

CanvasRebel interview:

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-danny-stygion/

ShoutoutHTX interview:

https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-danny-stygion-photographer-magazine-publisher-filmmaker/

Episode Summary:
Join us for a deep dive into existential horror, identity, and cosmic weirdness with Erik McHatton—author of "Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void," published by Undertaker Books. We talk about defying traditional storytelling, searching for meaning in the Void, and crafting literary horror that lingers long after the last page.

Guest Information:

• Erik McHatton – Author of Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void

Find Erik McHatton Online:

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/ErikMcHattonx
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikmchattoninstagram
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-mchatton-232937139linkedin
• Author Linktree: https://linktr.ee/erikmchattonx

Official Website/Blog:

• Undertaker Books author page: https://undertakerbooks.com/blogs/news/dark-matters-new-cosmic-horror-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Book page on Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Additional blog feature: https://theblogwithoutaface.com/2025/09/04/straw-world-a-love-letter-to-the-void/theblogwithoutaface

Where to Buy Erik McHatton’s Books:

• Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Godless: https://godless.com/collections/undertaker-booksgodless
• Amazon UK (pre-order/release): https://amazon.co.ukfantasy-hive

Learn more:

• Cosmic Horror Monthly features: https://cosmichorrormonthly.com/tag/erik-mchatton/cosmichorrormonthly
• Author interview: https://ivygrimes.substack.com/p/interview-with-erik-mchattonivygrimes.substack

Show Notes Highlights:

• Existential horror and metafiction themes
• The “Void” as central motif
• Ecological entropy and grief
• Unconventional story structure

In this episode, Daniel Volpe discusses his latest novel “Slaughterhouse Moan,” exploring themes of horror, depravity, and redemption. He shares insights into his creative process, the evolution of his writing, and the personal experiences that shape his work.

Keywords

Daniel Volpe, Slaughterhouse Moan, horror, depravity, redemption, creative process, writing evolution

Takeaways

“Slaughterhouse Moan” is described as Volpe's most depraved work.

The novel started as a short story called “My Beauties.”

Volpe draws inspiration from real-life farming struggles.

The book explores themes of isolation and economic insecurity.

Volpe emphasizes story over gratuitous content.

He believes in redemption for most characters.

Volpe's writing retreats are crucial for his creative process.

The novel is set in 2003, reflecting Volpe's own high school years.

Volpe aims to entertain and provide an escape for readers.

He sees vengeance as a recurring theme in his work.

Sound bites

"Slaughterhouse Moan is my most depraved work."

"It started as a short story called My Beauties."

"I draw inspiration from real-life farming struggles."

"Isolation and economic insecurity are key themes."

"I emphasize story over gratuitous content."

"I believe in redemption for most characters."

"Writing retreats are crucial for my creative process."

"The novel is set in 2003, reflecting my high school years."

"I aim to entertain and provide an escape for readers."

"Vengeance is a recurring theme in my work."

Daniel Volpe's Social Media and Website:

Website: www.danielvolpeauthor.com

Twitter: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Instagram: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Facebook: Daniel Volpe Author

Upcoming Personal Appearances:

HorrorCon 2023: www.horrorcon2023.com

Book Signing at Dark Delicacies: www.darkdel.com

Guest Speaker at the Horror Writers Association Conference: www.horror.org

Author Jessica McHugh joins Vince on the show to discuss her novel "Pins," inspired by her own experiences in the club scene. This episode explores the emotional, gritty, and glamorous world behind the book, with discussion spanning blackout poetry, the power of sisterhood, storytelling craft, and new horror projects.

Highlights

• "Pins": Real-life inspiration, re-release by Madness Heart Press, and the struggle of protagonist Birdie amidst violence, spectacle, and survival.
• Themes: Dark humor, grit, sexuality, and empowerment.
• Music as Motif: Use of “Rocket Man” and other songs as emotional anchors for the main character.
• Blackout Poetry: Jessica's ongoing commissions and upcoming horror-themed blackout collection based on "Wuthering Heights."
• Recent & Upcoming: Contributions to "Howl" (Black Spot Books), "The Rack 2," and the Gardening Guidebooks trilogy.

Connect with Jessica McHugh

• Website: mchughniverse.commchughniverse
• Instagram: @thejessmchughinstagram+1
• Twitter/X: @mchughjessx

On this episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, host Vincent Midgard welcomes horror author Holly Rae Garcia for a deep dive into her debut novel, Come Join the Murder, and her unique approach to dark fiction.

Key Topics Covered:

• From Psychological Thriller to Soul-Crushing Horror:
  Holly discusses the inspiration and emotional core behind Come Join the Murder, exploring themes of grief, vengeance, and morality in her protagonist’s harrowing journey.
• Constructing Realistic Grief:
  Holly reflects on her own experiences as a mother and how personal fears around child safety and loss influenced her portrayal of Rebecca's trauma and obsession with her family’s fate.
• Moral Ambiguity in Character Building:
  The conversation examines the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, and how good people might do bad things under extraordinary circumstances. Holly shares her fascination with this gray area and how it fuels her writing.
• Grounding Horror in the Everyday:
  Drawing inspiration from Stephen King, Garcia explains how taking everyday objects and situations—like a white van or a family outing—can evoke deep unease and make her stories linger with readers.
• Villains and Violence:
  Holly reveals her intent to subvert expectations with a villain (James Porter) who is menacing through his casual, emotionless approach to murder and the challenge of escalating violence in a way that always serves the story.
• Sensory Writing and Process:
  Learn about Holly’s process of "white-rooming" first drafts and then meticulously layering in sensory details, atmosphere, and action to make her horror scenes come alive.
• Genre Blending and Subjectivity:
  The discussion veers into lively debates about what constitutes horror vs. thriller vs. sci-fi, and why, for Holly, films like Jurassic Park qualify as horror.
• Personal Background:
  Holly shares her roots on the Texas coast, her background as a photographer, her family’s embrace of the macabre, raising reptiles (and parrots), and how a supportive—if darkly humored—family helped shape her creativity.
• Co-Writing with Family:
  Vincent asks about collaborating with her husband, army veteran Ryan Prentiss Garcia, on Easton Falls Massacre, and how they balance their writing strengths.
• Publishing, Rights, and Upcoming Projects:
  Holly talks about the upcoming re-release of Come Join the Murder with a new cover and her ongoing journey balancing writing, work, and life.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Good people do bad things for good reasons, and bad people do good things for bad reasons. No one is all one thing.”
• “When you show a reader the bomb under the table, you create tension—not just surprise.”
• “I don’t write for shock value; the violence has to serve the story or the character’s truth.”
• "Sometimes the darkness wins, and I think that's just more honest to life."

Connect with Holly Rae Garcia:

Website: https://www.hollyraegarcia.com
X (Twitter): https://x.com/hollyraegarcia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyraegarcia/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19577186.Holly_Rae_Garcia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyraegarcia

Most recent work: Flesh Communion (short story collection)
Look out for the re-release of Come Join the Murder in 2026!

Support the show:
If you enjoy what we do, consider supporting The Dark Mind Podcast on Patreon for bonus content and more:
https://patreon.com/thedarkmindpodcast

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to leave a review and follow for more in-depth conversations about the boundless realms of dark literature and film.