Ink Heist - A Podcast for Readers of Dark Fiction

This week, we're excited to welcome Neil McRobert, host of the Talking Scared Podcast to the show to talk all things Horror! Talking Scared Podcast is described as "Conversations with the biggest names in horror fiction. A podcast for horror readers who want to know where their favorite stories came from . . . and what frightens the people who wrote them" and I can't think of a better introduction to Neil's show than that. He launched Talking Scared in the fall of 2020 and has been consistently releasing engaging, highly informative interviews that should appeal to every fan of the genre. Each episode of the show is the perfect balance of laid-back conversation and in-depth dives on both the genre and the author's works. We've been following Neil pretty much from the start and his show is definitely a favorite here at Ink Heist. If you aren't already tuning in to Talking Scared Podcast, look them up on your favorite podcast service and check it out! It's an essential listen for any horror fan. Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about the Talking Scared Podcast, studying Gothic Fiction, character-driven stories, the works of Stephen King, recommendations, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Neil. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we're excited to welcome Lex H. Jones to the show to celebrate his most recent release, the short story collection Whistling Past the Graveyard, which hit shelves earlier this year through Burdizzo Books. We're excited to have Lex on the show since he has written in a variety of different styles including horror, crime and even a children's book. That book, 2019's The Old One and The Sea, finds Lex taking Lovecraft's well-known mythology and crafting it into something totally unique. It's a captivating story about friendship and acceptance that's perfect for horror fans looking to share their love of the genre with their kids. I recently finished reading it to my daughter and every night she was excited to visit the world of Howard and Oolu. This was a great conversation where we covered everything from writing to cryptids and if you haven't checked out any of Lex's work, you're definitely missing out. Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about writing in different genres, the supernatural, Whistling Past the Graveyard, The Old One and the Sea, atmosphere in horror, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Lex. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we have a very special show for you as we’re joined by special guest host and friend of Ink Heist, Brennan LaFaro. This week, we welcome Josh Malerman back to the show to celebrate the upcoming release of the highly anticipated novel Pearl, which hits shelves October 12th through Del Rey and the limited edition Ghoul N' The Cape, which is due out in December through Earthling Publications. It was a joy to sit down again with Josh, an imaginative storyteller whose enthusiasm for writing and the Horror genre is infectious. Pearl is Malerman channeling the spirit of vintage horror paperbacks and creating his most straight-up, in your face horror novel yet. We had the privilege of reading this one early and trust us when we say this one is packed with enough nightmare fuel to make it an essential read for the Halloween season. In addition to his upcoming releases this year, Josh was kind enough to share some details about a few of his unpublished works like that you don't want to miss! Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about Pearl, Ghoul N' The Cape, currently unpublished works, artistic momentum, Spin a Black Yarn, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Josh. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week on the podcast we had a great conversation with Brennan LaFaro, Kenneth Cain, and Ken McKinley of Silver Shamrock Publishing  to celebrate the release of Brennan's debut novella Slattery Falls, which is out now through Silver Shamrock Publishing! Slattery Falls follows college friends and amateur ghost hunters Travis, Elsie, and Josh as they stumble across the history of the Weeks House, the most haunted location of their career. The house has sat vacant for hundreds of years, but the history of the events loom over the small town of Slattery Falls. Following a frightening encounter miles away, the group finds themselves thrust into the heart of the Weeks House for one last case and coming face to face with a sinister presence. This was a truly special episode as it's the first time we've had a debut author and their publisher on the show at the same time, following the writing process from conception to publication. If you're looking for a fast-paced, engaging story that takes traditional haunted house tropes and flips them on their head, you definitely need to add Slattery Falls to your TBR list! Throughout the course of the episode, we discuss Slattery Falls, the editing process, rejections, storytelling styles, recommendations and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Brennan, Kenneth, and Ken. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did! CONTENT WARNING: Shane drops a C-word in this episode, proves himself too lazy to edit it out so it is still there.

This week on the podcast we had a great conversation with...ourselves! It's been a few episodes since our last solo show and we had a short break in our schedule, so we decided to enjoy a nice summer weekend with some drinks, jokes, and recommendations! We've been reading a ton of great books lately along with our stead diet of genre film and TV and decided this week would be the perfect time to share some of that with our listeners in a different format we've done in the past. We also address some behind-the-scenes stuff with the podcast, Shotgun Logic, self-editing work and our usual ramblings. Below, you'll find a list of some of the things we talked about in this episode. BOOKS Beverley Lee The House of Little Bones Catherine McCarthy Immortelle Eric LaRocca Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke  Christina Henry Near The Bone The work of Ross Jeffery

This week, we're excited to welcome Mary SanGiovanni and Matt Wildasin to the show to talk horror, writing and everything in between! Mary SanGiovanni and Matt Wildasin are two amazing authors that horror fans are undoubtedly familiar with through their unique and terrifying books and also as podcasters. They are currently hosts of The Ghost Writers Podcast , along with Dave Thomas and Somer Canon, and were also members of The Horror Show with Brian Keene. The Ghost Writers Podcast is a must-listen show for anyone who is interested in horror fiction, whether as a fan or as a writer. It's loaded with great practical advice on writing and the publishing industry that has definitely helped us more than once. Not only is it informative, but you can tell everyone is genuinely friends with one another and the show is also loaded with humor and recommendations of things to check out (both good AND bad, as you'll find out later in this episode!). As a fan of  both Mary and Matt's writing and The Ghost Writers Podcast, it was a pleasure and an honor to be able to sit down with them and talk about their work and the horror genre in general. Rather than link to all of their individual books, I'll list links to both of their author pages on Amazon. If you're unsure of what your next read will be, check out their page and pick up some of their books. You won't be disappointed! Mary SanGiovanni Matt Wildasin Throughout the course of the episode, we discuss cosmic horror, podcasting, post apocalyptic fiction, THE EVERYWHERE HOUSE, DARK WORDS, bad horror movies, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Mary and Matt. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

Throughout the course of this episode, we discuss  writing short fiction, the "reactivated badass" character, To Dust You Shall Return, Nightmare Yearnings, dark romance movies and books and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Eric and Fred. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we have a very special show for you as we're joined by special guest host and friend of Ink Heist, Steve Pattee of HORROR DNA. This week, we sit down with Ronald Malfi to celebrate the release of his upcoming novel Come With Me, which hits the shelves July 20th through Titan Books. This was a special episode for us as we're all huge fans of Malfi's work and he really needs no introduction. But for newer readers, Malfi has been consistently putting out chilling, character-driven horror novels for over two decades. His books are heavy on atmosphere that builds a sense of dread that slowly consumes readers and pack a devastating emotional punch, especially in the case of The Night Parade. His forthcoming novel Come with Me, follows Aaron Decker as he deals with the death of his wife Allison. As he goes through her things, he uncovers a receipt for a hotel room across the country. Consumed with grief, Aaron decides to follow his wife's footsteps in the weeks prior to her death. As he uncovers the dark secrets of Allison's past, Aaron becomes consumed by the mystery, even as it places his own life at risk. Malfi's books are compulsively readable and the eerie mystery at the heart of Come with Me makes it an essential addition to your summer TBR. Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about Little Girls, working with Alaskan police on Bone White, the true story behind Shamrock Alley, Leisure Horror, the publication of Snow, Come with Me, adaptations, his band VEER, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Ron. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we're excited to welcome Eve Harms and Red Lagoe to the show to celebrate the release of their upcoming books! Eve's Rewind or Die novella Transmuted hits shelves July 15th through Unnerving Books and Red's collection Dismal Dreams releases through La Red Books on June 25th. We absolutely devoured both of these books which are loaded with unique scares and great storytelling from two amazingly talented writers. Transmuted is a novella that follows Isa, a micro-celebrity who runs a successful fundraiser to make her gender affirming surgery possible. When she has to give up her money, she's crushed and left with few options until she finds a sketchy ad seeking a transgender women for a free, experimental procedure. She answers the ad and meets Dr. Skurm, whose methods are terrifying, but give Isa the results shes been looking for. However, there are unexpected side effects to the treatment and Isa must race against time to figure out Dr. Skurm's secrets before it's too late. Transmuted is a brilliant body horror novella that features some of the most wild, unique scenes in recent memory. Red's Dismal Dreams collects previously published work along with new stories for a frightening read that will keep readers reeling as she unleashes a variety of styles and horrors. "Shutter Stop" is a chilling story of a photographer who enters the infamous Sacred Circle Nature Preserve and unknowingly uncovers the secret of the forbidden knowledge that gave Sacred Circle its reputation. "One Year Anniversary" is a stomach-churning tale of grief and the lengths one man will go to in order to be closer to his wife. "Flicker" is a gut-punch of a story about a father and daughter who share a special bond that is put to the test in the aftermath of tragedy. Those are just a few of the stories that await readers in this stunning collection. Both Transmuted and Dismal Dreams are sure to be welcome additions to any horror fans bookshelves and if you haven't already, be sure to pre-order your copies ahead of the release! Throughout the course of the episode, we discuss shorter indie horror, writing serial works, occult and esoteric knowledge, Rewind or Die, parents reading your work, upcoming works, and so much more!  We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Eve and Red. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week with special guest host Eric Raglin. Eric and the Cursed Morsels Podcast are close friends and allies of Ink Heist. Plan on seeing a lot more of the cat. This week we have a very special episode as Shane is joined by special guest host Eric Raglin, TC Parker and Stephanie Ellis for a roundtable-style discussion. This is one of our favorite episodes as we had a great time hanging out with close friends of the show and creatives that we love and admire.  It's jam-packed with great discussions on a variety of topics important to all of us, both personally and professionally. Whether you are a longtime listener or joining us for the first time, this is definitely one of the essential episodes of Ink Heist. Throughout the course of the episode, they discuss inclusivity, diversity, the problems with exclusivity, writing queer characters, and neurodiversity among creatives. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we're excited to welcome Daniel Barnett to the show to celebrate his latest book, The Flashlighters, which is the fourth installment in his Nightmareland series! Barnett's Nightmareland is a serialized horror novel that follows John Hawthorne, Mariah Nowak, and Marcos Walker as they attempt to travel across the country after the world is plunged into an endless darkness. The sudden absence of light causes society to crumble, but that's only the beginning of the hellish events in store for those who are left behind. Unimaginable horrors are unleashed into the world, heralded by a bizarre event that overwhelms those who experience it and in order to survive John, Mariah and Marcos must band together. In The Flashlighters, they encounter a strange group that offers sanctuary and the hope of salvation. But can they trust The Flashlighters? Barnett's Nightmareland series is made up (thus far) of four blazing fast reads that offer plenty of surprises and are packed with some unique scares. If you're looking for a horror series with an expansive setting and a sense of adventures with your scares, you should definitely pick up the first four installments! Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about the Nightmareland Chronicles, the importance of cadence, writing a serialized novel, the work of Stephen Graham Jones and Caroline Kepnes, and so much more! We had a great time recording this episode and hanging out with Daniel. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we have a special episode for you as we had TWO guests on this week, Todd Keisling and Anthony J. Rapino. Anthony and Todd have often worked with each other on their various projects - Todd helped Anthony put out his stunning short story collection Greetings from Moon Hill and Anthony created miniature sculptures of the idol that features prominently in Todd's Devil's Creek. We covered a lot of topics in this episode, but one of the most interesting talking points was the way they each approach creating an immersive mythology in their works. Todd has recently gone on record about the shared universe that connects all of his books, but in this episode we talked extensively about the Monochrome, the terrifying realm that serves as the main setting throughout his Monochrome trilogy and home to nightmarish inhabitants. The Monochrome books are being re-released by Bloodshot Books starting with A Life Transparent. Anthony's fictional creation is Moon Hill, a town of perpetual autumn that is home to strange events and apparitions that defy logical explanation. Both of these books come highly recommended from us here at Ink Heist and no matter what sort of horror you're into, both of these reads are essential additions to your library.

This week, we're excited to welcome Wesley Southard to the show to celebrate his latest novel, Cruel Summer, which is out now through Death's Head Press! Cruel Summer follows Melissa Braun and her son Patrick as they head to Florida with Melissa's boyfriend Hoyt. Things have been progressively getting worse with Hoyt, but Melissa hopes this trip will bring them closer together and he will turn his life around. However, Hoyt's anger only worsens and sets off a chain of events that changes their lives and draws the attention of something ancient and evil. Cruel Summer is loaded with tons of high octane thrills that are sure to delight horror fans, including a killer scene at a manatee sanctuary that we still can't get over! These intense scenes make for an addictive read and the relationship between Melissa and Patrick throughout the novel is equally as engaging. If your looking for some supernatural chills to kick off the summer season, definitely grab a copy of Cruel Summer!

This week, we're excited to welcome John Mantooth to the show to celebrate his latest collection, Shoebox Train Wreck, which is out now through Lethe Press! We're excited to have John back on the show after his last appearance with Ian Pisarcik. I'm pretty sure both of us at Ink Heist were initially introduced to John's work through his Earl Marcus novels, which were released under the name Hank Early. When we heard he was going to release a collection under his own name, which finds John further blurring the lines of genre, we knew we had to get our hands on it! Shoebox Train Wreck is packed with stories that feature memorable characters and settings that will sweep you up into the narrative. And make no mistake, most of these stories are emotionally devastating and will stick with you long after you close the pages. John is an incredible talent and if you're looking for a collection that features one jaw-droppingly good story after another, you need to get your hands on Shoebox Train Wreck.

This week on the podcast we had a great conversation with...ourselves! It's been a little bit since we've had a solo episode, so Shane and I thought Ink Heist's 3rd birthday (April 12th) would be the perfect time to kick back and just have fun hanging out. It seems like just yesterday Shane and I decided to team up and launch Ink Heist and its been a fun and wild ride! We've launched a few features, published some extraordinary original fiction and met some great new friends. But by far the most significant change to Ink Heist was the launch of the Ink Heist Podcast in 2019. As longtime listeners know, it originally started thanks to John F.D. Taff  who approached us about doing a series of interviews to promote his serial novel The Fearing. We originally thought we would stick to our standard method of email interviews until John mentioned that an audio podcast would be great. And the rest, as they say, is history. As we approach the second year of the podcast, Shane and I talk about some of our favorite moments and just how much recording this show has changed our lives. We've gotten to chat with so many talented writers and just generally have a great time hanging out and talking horror and whatever else happens to pop up in conversation. We truly love recording this show and cannot thank you all enough for tuning in each week. We're consistently humbled by the kind words and support you have shown us over the years. Without you, we'd just be shouting into the void. So, thank you! Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about our 3rd birthday, our love of libraries, a deep discussion on horror poetry, some recommendations of books and movies we've been digging, and so much more. We had a great time recording this episode and just hanging out and having a blast. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

This week, we're excited to welcome Mackenzie Kiera to the show to celebrate her latest novella, All You Need is Love and a Strong Electric Current, which is out now through Unnerving as part of their Rewind or Die series! All You Need is Love and a Strong Electric Current is the story of Sadie Snow, a paramedic who has a fetish - she likes it cold. The only person who understood her and loved her was Michael, her ambulance partner and boyfriend. However, their relationship is cut short when Michael is killed. Sadie is devastated until she discovers that she can bring Michael back, again and again. But when it starts getting harder to bring him back, Sadie must make a decision on how far she is willing to go in order to save the person she loves. We remember the first time we became aware of this story, back when Mackenzie read the opening prologue on a live This is Horror event. It's one of the most attention-grabbing lines we've read in a long time and from there, Mackenzie crafts an unforgettable scene with an original voice and a blend of horror and comedy that's threaded throughout the novella. It's the sort of thing you don't easily forget and we instantly knew we had to get our hands on this book! All You Need is Love and a Strong Electric Current features plenty of laugh out loud moments and all the blood a horror fan could ask for, but there are also some heartbreaking moments that really pack a punch. This is a stunning debut that's a blast to read and a must for horror fans. We loved this book and can't wait to read whatever Mackenzie releases next! Also, be sure to check out the Ladies of the Fright podcast that she hosts with Lisa Quigley. They're one of our favorite podcasts and you'll find plenty of writing advice and great interviews throughout the episodes they've posted so far.

Today on Ink Heist we have Rich Duncan in conversation with the ever amazing V. Castro, author of Goddess of Filth and The Queen of the Cicadas. She is always guaranteed to provide an insightful, cerebral, engaging conversation and thus is this. When V. has something to say, smart folks listen. Tune in!

This week, we're excited to have the opportunity to welcome Mike Thorn to the show to celebrate the release of his latest novel, Shelter for the Damned, which is out now through JournalStone Publishing! Looking for a secluded place to hang out and smoke cigarettes, teenagers Mark, Adam, and Scott stumble across a mysterious shack in a suburban field. The friends had been through this area countless times, but this is the first time they remember seeing the shack. Adam and Scott aren't all that impressed, but the first time Mark enters The Shack, it feels like the perfect escape and he already feels the pull of The Shacks energy. Over time, Mark realizes there is an intelligence residing in The Shack, one that expects things from Mark in exchange for the refuge it provides from his life. As Mark grows more dependent on The Shack, his life starts changing in ways he could've never imagined. Shelter for the Damned is loaded with nightmarish scenes and if the idea of a dark coming-of-age story meeting Kathe Koja's The Cipher intrigues you, this is definitely the book for you. Throughout the course of the episode, we talked about Shelter for the Damned, his influences, coming of age narratives, toxic masculinity, suburban horror, Stephen King's Dreamcatcher, possession films and so much more. We had a lot of fun recording this episode and hanging out with Mike. We hope you guys enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

I had an amazing time this episode with the brilliant and engaging Beverley Lee, author of the crowd-pleasing horror/dark fantasy "Gabriel Davenport" series and The Ruin of Delicate Things. We had a great discussion about hauntings, lot's of vague talking around things you don't get to know without reading, vampires, poetry, and whatever the hell else came into our dark minds. Don't want to miss this one, folks, truly.

Before we get into this week's episode, we would like to announce a giveaway for Cina Pelayo's new novel Children of Chicago, which hits shelves on March 9th via Polis Books/ Agora. Want a chance to win? Tune into this week's episode for details, though I forgot to mention that this giveaway is open to US residents only. We're super excited for the release of Cina's novel and wish you luck! This week on the podcast, we're excited to have the opportunity to welcome Gemma Amor to the show to celebrate the release of her latest novel, Girl on Fire, which is out now! Also, there are mild spoilers for Girl on Fire in this episode, so if you haven't read it yet, definitely grab a copy and then come back for the episode! Girl on Fire follows Ruby Miller as she strikes out on her own for the first time, finally escaping her brutal family life and traumatic past. She hits the road in her cherry red 1989 Pontiac Bonneville but is involved in a car crash on a desolate road that alters her life forever. Girl on Fire is a jaw-droppingly awesome novel with action-packed scenes and hints at a much larger world. It's a story of revenge and redemption and if you're looking for a coming-of-age novel that subverts traditional tropes, this is a novel that you absolutely need on your shelves. It's a blazing fast read that is sure to grip you right from the first page and we can promise you that you won't forget Ruby Miller any time soon.