Talking Horror

Saratoga Schaefer (USA Today bestselling author of Serial Killer Support Group and TradWife) joins Rachel Redd on Talking Horror to explore why horror is the freest genre for the darkest truths, from the body horror of pregnancy to the real monster already on your phone screen.In this episode, Saratoga and Rachel dive into:Seven unpublished books and a decade of rejection before getting the "yes"Why social media — not a demon in the well — is the true villain in TradWifeThe ethics of true crime fandom and why victims shouldn't be footnotes to their own storiesHow sobriety, poetry, and a childhood love of murderous nutcrackers shaped a horror careerWhat queer and non-binary identity brings to horror's most essential questions of power and selfA sneak peek at the upcoming A Thousand Monstrous Forms and The Last Time We DrownedWhether you're a horror skeptic who loved The Hunger Games, an aspiring author surviving the rejection marathon, or a reader hungry for stories that challenge identity and power, this one is for you.Timestamps:00:00 — Why readers shouldn't eat while reading Saratoga's books 00:19 — Introducing Saratoga Schaeffer01:31 — Horror, genre-blending, and the freedom of the "Dark Side" 03:26 — Breaking the stigma: Horror is for everyone 04:35 — Saratoga's origin story: From murderous nutcrackers to middle-grade horror 08:20 — Poetry, recovery, and inheriting an art form 11:23 — Writing as a safe space for identity and self-confidence 14:16 — Reaching back: Writing the books you needed in the past 17:57 — The "Unicorn" myth: Surviving a decade of rejection 19:41 — Behind the scenes of Serial Killer Support Group: Revisions and character deaths 22:55 — Knowing when to bend: Boundaries in the publishing industry 46:30 — TradWife: Social horror, body horror, and the monster on your screen 1:04:15 — Sneak peek at A Thousand Monstrous Forms 1:11:05 — Closing thoughts and cover reveal datesFollow Talking Horror Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreddreads/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelreddIf you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell to help us grow the horror community!

In this episode of Talking Horror, Rachel Redd sits down with the master of the "emotional highlighter," Clay McLeod Chapman. Known for his gut-wrenching novels like Ghost Eaters and What Kind of Mother, Clay dives deep into why the horror genre is the perfect sandbox for exploring our deepest fears, addictions, and "soft traumas."We discuss his "bromance" with Nat Cassidy, his origins in the shadows of Edgar Allan Poe’s Richmond, and why he strives to be "water" in a world of square-peg branding. Whether you're a writer looking for advice on finding your voice or a reader looking for your next terrifying obsession, this conversation is for you.Timestamps:00:00 – The Nat Cassidy "Bromance" & the Infamous Werewolf Mask00:37 – Introducing Clay McLeod Chapman01:50 – Why Horror? The Genre as an "Emotional Highlighter"03:40 – Using the "Horror Sandbox" to Process Fear and Grief04:55 – Clay’s Origin Story: Poe, Campfire Tales, and "Soft Traumas"07:13 – Growing up in the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe in Richmond11:00 – The Visceral Power of a Good Story14:26 – Writing Across Mediums: From Theater to Comics to Fiction18:15 – Navigating Self-Doubt and the "Deficit of Confidence"21:28 – The "Dollop of Water" Philosophy: Finding Your Place in the Industry26:40 – Handling Reviews: The Grace of the "Two-Star" Feedback31:50 – Authors on Social Media: Building a Positive Community34:21 – Paying it Forward: The Importance of Supporting Fellow Writers37:55 – Exploring the "Darkness": Grief and Trauma in What Kind of Mother41:30 – The Immersive Magic of Audiobooks45:00 – Deep Dive into Ghost Eaters: Addiction as a Haunting52:15 – The Current State of Horror: Indie Presses and New Voices1:00:10 – Advice for Aspiring Writers: Being a "Student of the World"1:05:54 – Closing Thoughts & A Final Question for Nat CassidyConnect with Clay McLeod Chapman:Website: claymcleodchapman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymcleod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@claymcleodchapmanFollow Talking Horror Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkhorrorpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelreddIf you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell to help us grow the horror community!

Welcome to Talking Horror, the new home for readers, writers, and anyone fascinated by the stories that make us want to sleep with the lights on.In this series, host Rachel Redd explores the darker parts of being human through the lens of horror and thriller fiction. Why horror? Because it is one of the most honest forms of storytelling. It isn't just about being scared; it's a conversation about the human experience that can change the way we view ourselves and those around us.Subscribe now and join us every Tuesday starting April 7th as we interview the authors who are redefining the genre and creating the greatest stories of our time!What to Expect:Author Interviews: Deep dives into new books and the creative process.Genre Insights: Conversations with the voices changing the landscape of horror and thrillers.A Community for All: Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or just getting started, there’s a seat for you at our table.New episodes drop every Tuesday!#TalkingHorror #HorrorPodcast #ThrillerBooks #RachelRedd #AuthorInterviews #PodcastLaunch #BookTube