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

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

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

In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Slasher Summer, slasher movies, the best writing advice she’s ever heard, and much more.

[4:25] Slasher Summer elevator pitch.
[6:25] First experiences with slasher movies.
[11:30] Watching A Nightmare on Elm Street.
[16:35] Lessons taken from other slasher stories within horror fiction.
[18:55] Planning process.
[24:30] The cabin backstory.
[26:20] Editorial input.
[31:40] Slasher references.
[38:00] Favourite slasher.
[40:30] Lessons learnt writing Slasher Summer.
[44:50] One Of Us Is Already Dead.
[54:20] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:00:15] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:10] Something that frightens Elaine.
[1:07:00] Connect with E. L. Chen.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-672-e-l-chen-on-slasher-summer-slasher-movies-and-best-writing-advice

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

In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Sweetside Motel, writing routine, inverting gothic novel expectations, and much more.

[3:15] Conversation start/early life lessons.
[10:00] Identity, stereotypes, and rebellion.
[13:40] First experiences with story/writing in YA, Fantasy, and Horror.
[18:30] Authenticity and writing for yourself first.
[21:05] Writing routine and time management.
[23:30] Drafting, revising, and working in numerous environments.
[28:40] Website origins and web design career.
[31:15] Book releases and publishing timelines.
[34:10] Book promotion and contracts.
[35:30] Literary agent journey and querying strategy.
[44:55] Sweetside Motel and writing during and about the pandemic.
[47:30] COVID consistency in book.
[50:25] Inverting gothic novel expectations and locations.
[53:45] Chinese-Canadian misconceptions and trip to Hong Kong.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-671-e-l-chen-on-sweetside-motel-writing-routine-and-inverting-gothic-novel-expectations

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

In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.

[3:00] Kemberton elevator pitch and real-life inspiration.
[11:20] Bullying, domestic violence, and the emotional impact of Kemberton.
[23:25] A huge turning point in the book.
[31:55] Beta-reader feedback.
[38:20] Writing about the human condition.
[42:10] Weoley Castle.
[51:55] Nailing the ending.
[1:03:05] Writing for enjoyment.
[1:08:40] Final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-670-david-moody-on-kemberton-weoley-castle-and-writing-about-the-human-condition

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

In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.

[3:00] Conversation start.
[4:50] Biggest changes in last year.
[7:20] Hater film adaptation.
[20:05] Dirty Day.
[24:00] Money, happiness, writing, and having enough.
[39:35] Embracing boredom and going offline.
[47:00] Cinema etiquette.
[1:00:05] Serialising Kemberton.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-669-david-moody-on-serialising-fiction-embracing-boredom-and-the-long-road-to-the-hater-movie

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

In this podcast, Eliza Jabore talks about true crime research, Bigfoot, subverting slasher tropes, and much more.

[2:50] Elevator pitch for Backstabbers.
[4:25] True crime research and Bigfoot.
[13:20] Subverting slasher tropes.
[18:15] Misdirection and The Descent vibes.
[21:10] Jeremiah’s name origin.
[24:00] Real-world cabin and trails influence.
[27:30] Travel, horror, and risk taking.
[31:30] Lessons learnt writing Backstabbers.
[36:20] Writing insecurity and self-doubt.
[42:30] Single location horror and suspense.
[46:00] Eliza’s first signing.
[50:15] Writing to music vs. to silence.
[54:10] Best and worst writing advice.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-668-eliza-jabore-on-true-crime-research-bigfoot-and-subverting-slasher-tropes

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