Hello, we’re back! After an extended holiday break, Joseph and Jess have returned to discuss the latest Grady Hendrix novel, How to Sell a Haunted House, which throws generational trauma, grief, puppets and Charleston into a blender to see what happens. Joining us for this episode is our colleague Derrick, a superfan of both horror novels and horror movies, to discuss the popularity of comical horror, how horror helps readers explore serious themes in a safe way, and Jess’s deep discomfort with puppets and dolls. We’re also digging a bit into the rules of magic as a logical part of writing speculative fiction, primarily what happens when the rules are broken.

Also, Jess would like to say that aside from her stressful moments near the puppets in their Circus Museum, she had a great time at the Ringling and her encounter with the property’s Banyan trees is also a core memory.