I think I was a very… particular kind of undergraduate workshop student. -Dan Kois



In this episode, I welcome my old classmate from UNC,  Dan Kois, Slate editor and author of Hampton Heights. We dive into our journey from college classmates to published authors. Both pro writers, we each took a very different path.

Dan shares the inspiration behind Hampton Heights, a thrilling adventure featuring four kids selling newspapers and encountering monsters unexpected relatives, and more.

Of course we discuss the struggles of self-doubt, the impact of mentorship, and the significance of continuing to write despite the obstacles.

(This post went live for supporters on August 27, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!)

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Links



* Dan Kois

* Hampton Heights

* Slate

* Vintage Contemporaries

* Lynda Barry



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“Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

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CREDITS

Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

August 29, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 14 | <a href="https://murverse.