Talking Scared Podcast
@talkscaredpod
A podcast of conversations with the biggest names in horror writing. Find out where your favourite scary stories came from. You can reach me at talkingscaredpod@gmail.com
It’s a horrid history lesson on Talking Scared. Danielle Giles leads a tour of 16th century London in GENTLE THINGS - complete with murder, misogyny and medicinal cannibalism. All podcast platforms
I just recorded a conversation with Annie Jacobsen about her pair of nightmare speculative non-fiction 'Scenarios' – Nuclear War and Biological War. This episode is going to make all of you VERY nervous indeed.
I just recorded an episode with Danielle Giles about her historical Gothic romance, GENTLE THINGS. One of the most purely enjoyable books i've read all year. It's next week's episode.
KLAXXON - @chucktingle has returned to the show for a life-affirming conversation. Sure, we talk about the extreme gore and in his FABULOUS BODIES… but we also discuss art, musical misbehaviour, Chuck’s childhood, and why everyone can be the greatest author in the world. All podcast platforms
Not sure if this week’s episode is about a dystopian nightmare or cold, hard reality. Naomi Kritzer’s OBSTETRIX follows a kidnapped fertility doctor, forced to work as a cult’s in-house OBGYN. consider this VERY of-the-moment in America. All podcast places
I’m very pleased to announce that GOOD BOY will be available in audiobook from July 7th - narrated by Philip Bartley in a fine northern accent! I’m so thrilled that this little book just keeps chasing balls and breaking hearts. Preorder now at all the usual audiobook places.
Time to head to Rocky Mountain high country with @ceejthemoment.bsky.social and HEADLIGHTS. We talk apex predators of many kinds, the specific weirdness of Colorado, John Denver, Blucifer, and the yuckiest, most cosmic sex scene of the year. All podcast platforms.
New Off Book episode with Ireland’s award-winning horror drama podcast - PETRIFIED! Peter Dunne writes and directs every single episode. We talk about the history of the show, the Irish horror vibe, breaking the fourth wall and cursing the audience. Enjoy! All podcast places
I’m a third of the way into CJs HEADLIGHTS and it’s so so so so sick! (In the most glorious way!)
New episode about one of my favourite books of the year. TRAD WIFE, by Sarah Langan. All podcast platforms.
Forgot to post the latest Off Book episode. A chunky chat with Kaelyn from the mega podcast Heart Starts Pounding - all about some recent documentaries that have inspired her macabre show. It's a ton of fun. I suggest a TERRIBLE doc by mistake. All podcast platforms
Latest Off Book episode is a conversation with Damian McCarthy about Caveat, Oddity and of course, his brand-new HOKUM! Scary. Funny. Delightful. All podcast platforms.
New episode with Marcus Kliewer I’m so excited for you to hear this one. I loved both of his books and felt like I’d found a kindred spooky soul. All podcast platforms. Tell a friend.
Tomorrow little kiddies. We're back on the beam with the Jack Sawyer and the Fisherman.
On the new episode I chat with @tamikathompson.bsky.social about gun crime in horror and in real life. We talk gangs, ghosts, curses and political theory - in her new novel THE CURSE OF HESTER GARDENS All podcast places
Woop! New Paul Tremblay has landed. A story of AI horror and bodily (un)autonomy. Can’t wait to see what the Duke of Ambiguous does with the topic. And yes… he’ll be back on the show.
A pair of Talking Scared episodes from this week: 1) The book interview with @buehlmeister.bsky.social discussing his epic medieval horror, BETWEEN TWO FIRES 2)The Off Book chat with @rodblackhurst.bsky.social about the making of his gory backwoods horror DOLLY All podcast places. Tell a friend.
SPOILED MILK by Avery Curran - a story of subtle, sapphic haunting (until the subtlety gives way to feral craziness). Answers the question: what if Enid Blyton had taken hard drugs
This week sees the return of Catriona Ward to the show. She’s here to talk about NOWHERE BURNING - her new novel of childhood survival, killer megastars, and a creepy estate high in the mountains. But we get so so much weirder than that. So. Much. Fun. All podcast platforms.
I just watched a preview of DOLLY over breakfast - it's really, really good. Some of the best gore i've seen in ages. A true heir to Texas Chainsaw, but with more nipple-chewing.
In the latest episode I head up on the moors to explore the romance, violence and perversion of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. I'm joined by Agatha from She Wore Black, my sister-in-Goth. We get INTO it! All podcast platforms.
If you hate AI you might like this week's episode. @justinkey.bsky.social joins me to discuss his new medical techno-dystopia THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD. We cover the horrors of med school, what Justin has learned about character from his work in psychiatry, and the evils of screens!
The new episode is all about about defending against the braindead! @courtneysummers.bsky.social joins me to chat about the definitive reissue of her 2012 novel THIS IS NOT A TEST. We cover optimism and despair, suicidal protagonists, teen dialogue and, of course, zombies!! All podcast places
Talking Scared 2026 begins!! Kristi DeMeester talks us through the curses, spells and hypocritical prayers in her new witchy novel: DARK SISTERS. We discuss purity culture, noughties cruelty, and her childhood in the fundamentalist church. Wherever you get podcasts.
Another year over, another epic set of books that got us through the suck. If you have any patience for your be more list, here’s my top-10 horror books of 2025. Enjoy. Tell me your thoughts. All podcast platforms.