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Horror Fiction
Horror Genre
Daddy's Boy
Horror Literature
Stephen King
Writing Process
Writing
Creativity
Horror
Publishing
Dark Comedy
Watching Evil Dead
The Haunting Of Velkwood
Horror Movie
Ross Jeffery
Short Stories
Pseudopod
Grief
Horror Writing
Say Uncle

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, Ge... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes695Founded14 years ago
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BooksArtsFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for This Is Horror Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 He... more

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... more

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... more

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... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Marcus Kliewer
New York Times best-selling author of The Caretaker, We Used to Live Here, and Please Remain Seated
Episode: TIH 680: Marcus Kliewer on Writing Horror Stories for Reddit, Stop Motion Animation, and the Story Behind We Used to Live Here
Max Doty
Author of The House That Eats the Dead
Author, The House That Eats the Dead
Episode: TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
Ryan Lowell
Author of Freight, focuses on dialogue-heavy writing
Author, Freight
Episode: TIH 678: Ryan Lowell on Freight, Dialogue-Heavy Fiction, and Writing Routine
Raphael Montes
Author of The Secret Dinner
Author, The Secret Dinner
Episode: TIH 675: Raphael Montes on The Secret Dinner, The Seagull Soup Riddle, and Writing About Taboo Topics
Richard Jerram
Author of The Makoto Murders
Episode: TIH 673: Richard Jerram on The Makoto Murders, Living in Tokyo, Japan, and Winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award
E. L. Chen
Author of Slasher Summer, horror novelist
Episode: TIH 672: E. L. Chen on Slasher Summer, Slasher Movies, and Best Writing Advice
Elaine Chen
USA Today best-selling author of Sweetside Motel, Slasher Summer, One of Us Is Already Dead
Independent author / Orbit (publisher)
Episode: TIH 671: E. L. Chen on Sweetside Motel, Writing Routine, and Inverting Gothic Novel Expectations
David Moody
Author of Autumn and Hater series, returning guest
Episode: TIH 670: David Moody on Kemberton, Weoley Castle, and Writing About the Human Condition
Eliza Jabore
Author of Backstabbers
Author, Backstabbers
Episode: TIH 667: Eliza Jabore on Backstabbers, Writing Through Motherhood, and Getting Stranded in the Jungle

Hosts

Michael David Wilson
Host of This Is Horror Podcast
Bob Pastorella
Co-host of This Is Horror Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 290 ratings
  • Great Podcast NOT Limited to Horror

    I keep meaning to plug this great podcast on Apple and other platforms. I recently listened to the Jason Pargin episode from 9/25/2024 (because I’m all caught up and listening to past episodes.) This episode in particular has a lot in it and is representative of the show as a whole. Though the show focuses on horror, it also explores other genres and topics valuable to writers. What I find most interesting about this episode is the observations about the internet: how it works and how it affects... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Howard690
    United States6 months ago
  • Best Horror Podcast

    This Is Horror podcast has been my primary resource for the past few years. It has introduced me to so many horror authors and has given me invaluable insight into writing horror. The in-depth conversations are sincere and fuels your passion for the horror genre.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mad Bran
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great listen. Fun and interesting interview / conversation

    Podcast Addict
    5
    joedude
    a year ago
  • Great stuff

    I’ve been listening to This is Horror for a number of months now and still have a lot of catching up to do (600+ episodes!). The interviews are always fun and inspiring, and I come away from each one eager to crack on with one of my many unfinished drafts.

    Keep them coming.

    Cheers, from a fellow Japan resident.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stupot815
    Japana year ago
  • All The Horror Lit!

    This is the perfect show to learn about your favorite horror authors and get fantastic recommendations for your always growing TBR list. I’m also gonna pump Michael David Wilson’s latest novel, Daddy’s Boy, which I picked up a few days ago after hearing some of the guests share their appreciation. Those guests are not wrong. Daddy’s Boy is a wonderful genre mish-mash that is so fun you don’t want to put down. I’ll be tracking down MDW’s other works as well as co-host Bob Pastorella’s. I like how... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clegger14
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A must-listen for horror readers and writers with sincere, nuanced interviews.
Positive, in-depth conversations with thoughtful hosts and guests.
Listeners appreciate the craft focus and guest variety, though a few feel some episodes meander.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#75
Austria/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
Austria/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self regarding writing and career choices?
To write more, faster, and not look back too much; embrace a playful, risk-taking mindset and prioritize producing (even imperfect) work to build momentum and skill over time.
TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
Q: What writing strategy helped you scale from short stories to a full novel?
A disciplined sprint of writing 60 stories in 90 days created a deep reservoir of material and character ideas; after the agent's involvement, the team helped re-outline and integrate these installments into a cohesive novel with stronger character arcs and surprises.
TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
Q: How did the publishing process with two editors across UK and US unfold?
Tour Nightfire UK was the acquiring editor with the bulk of notes, followed by Bantam US editor Wendy providing additional feedback; editors separately aligned on core changes and later coordinated a joint discussion to finalize notes before the draft was polished.
TIH 679: Max Doty on The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit Horror Stories, and Writing Lessons from Video Games
Q: What was the origin of The House That Eats the Dead and how did it become a novel from Reddit stories?
It started as a series of short Reddit No Sleep stories posted every two days; the popularity encouraged expanding the concept, adding more backstory, and then an agent prompted turning it into a full novel with structural guidance and additional characters, ultimately leading to a two-publisher deal.
TIH 676: Michael David Wilson on The Girl in the Video, Gaijin J-Horror, and Horror Set in Japan
Q: How do you balance artistic integrity with commercial pressures in indie publishing?
Maintain high publishing standards, avoid jumping on trends, and only add value when it meaningfully enhances the reader's experience, while staying true to the author's voice and vision.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Is Horror Podcast

What is This Is Horror Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running interview show that centers on horror literature, film, and the craft of storytelling. Across episodes, the hosts pull in horror writers, filmmakers, editors, and publishing professionals to discuss writing habits, publishing journeys, world-building, and industry dynamics. The conversations are often practical and craft-focused, with deep dives into process, research, and the realities of bringing dark, genre-defining work to market. A distinctive trait is the breadth of guests—from debut horror novelists to established genre filmmakers—paired with candid discussions about representation, publishing timelines, and the balance between creative integrity and commercial considerations. This mix makes it valuable for writers see... more

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Which podcasts are similar to This Is Horror Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Horror Podcast:

1. Talking Scared
2. The Kingcast
3. The ARC Party
4. The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast
5. Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast

How many episodes of This Is Horror Podcast are there?

This Is Horror Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 695 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on This Is Horror Podcast?

Recent guests on This Is Horror Podcast include:

1. Marcus Kliewer
2. Max Doty
3. Ryan Lowell
4. Raphael Montes
5. Richard Jerram
6. E. L. Chen
7. Elaine Chen
8. David Moody

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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