Talking Horror

Rachel Redd
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BOOKS

Welcome to Talking Horror Podcast, where we dive into the stories that haunt us. Hosted by Rachel Redd, this show features conversations with horror and thriller authors about their books, their writing process, and what draws them into the shadows. From psychological dread to supernatural terror, we explore the dark stories readers can’t get enough of and why they are so important to fiction. Each week Rachel talks with today’s most exciting horror and thriller authors about the stories that linger long after the lights go out.

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Diana Rodriguez Wallach on the Horror of the Troubled Teen Industry

    Diana Rodriguez Wallach (award-winning author of The Silenced, Small Town Monsters and Hatchet Girls) joins Rachel Redd on Talking Horror to explore how horror serves as a powerful mirror for real-world fears, from the dangers of charismatic leaders to the dark side of the troubled teen industry. In this episode, Diana and Rachel dive into: The "Psychic" Origin Story: How a chance encounter with a Salem psychic and a vivid dream launched Diana’s career as a YA author. Horror as a Social Tool: Why "the zombie is never just a zombie" and how horror allows authors to tackle heavy themes without sounding like an after-school special. The Book Banning Loophole: The surprising reason axe murders are often more "acceptable" in school libraries than stories about identity or romance. Raising Awareness: Using The Silenced to shed light on the terrifying reality of wilderness programs and therapeutic boarding schools. Dual Timelines and Gripping Hooks: Why Diana loves crafting "before and after" narratives to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The Journalist’s Eye: How Diana’s background as a reporter fuels the intense research and factual history woven into her fiction. Beyond YA: A sneak peek into Diana's upcoming adult horror short story and her "secret project" moving into adult fiction. Whether you're a fan of 90s classics like Christopher Pike, a writer looking to sharpen your craft, or a reader who loves stories that "push the boundaries," this conversation is a must-listen. Timestamps: 00:00 — A life-changing career prediction in Salem. 00:26 — Intro: Welcome Diana Rodriguez Wallach to Talking Horror. 02:15 — Double Nominations: Celebrating The Silenced at the Bram Stoker and Thriller Awards. 03:09 — Why Horror? Growing up on Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. 04:24 — "The zombie is never just a zombie": Using horror to talk about the real world. 05:26 — The Book Banning Issue: Why "bloody axes" get a pass in the Bible Belt. 07:51 — Intentional Storytelling: Raising awareness for the troubled teen industry. 09:44 — The dual timeline obsession: Crafting Hatchet Girls and The Silenced. 12:06 — The Full Story: 9/11, hotel reporting, and the dream that changed everything. 15:59 — You can't take the journalist out of the writer: Research and factual history. 17:28 — What’s Next: Adult horror anthologies and secret projects. 19:01 — The "Training" Phase: Why authors find it hard to look back at old work. Follow Diana Rodriguez Wallach: Website: dianarodriguezwallach.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianawallachauthor/ Follow Talking Horror Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreddreads/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd

    1hr 17min

  2. 28 APR

    Kiersten White Wrote a Bestselling Horror Story That Might Heal Your Religious Trauma

    Kiersten White (New York Times bestselling author of Hide and Mister Magic) joins Rachel Redd on Talking Horror to explore why horror is the ultimate tool for navigating religious trauma, from the "invisible" God of a high-control childhood to the cathartic power of a cursed children’s show. In this episode, Kiersten and Rachel dive into: Religious trauma and the "sucky foundation" of being raised in a high-control Mormon environment.Dismantling purity culture and the process of "healing the shit out of" trauma through fiction.Why Mister Magic serves as a "holy grail" for survivors seeking to reclaim their identity from toxic beliefs.The millennial horror of Hide: sacrificing the next generation for a measly $50,000 and the "unlikability" of human desperation.Giving Lucy Westenra her groove back: reclaiming Dracula’s most tragic victim through a queer, feminist lens.The "T-shirt book deal" and the secrets to writing for iconic franchises like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Wars.The real star of the show: Kimberly, the 40-pound, "opportunistic omnivore" tortoise living in Kiersten’s backyard. Whether you're a "self-proclaimed chicken" who loves scary stories, an author navigating the "murky areas" of different genres, or a survivor looking for the hope and catharsis hidden in the dark, this one is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro: Does horror still scare a professional horror writer?01:47 — Why horror? Taking control of childhood fears.03:16 — Forbidden stories: Growing up in a high-control religious environment.08:33 — The "Twilight" effect and accidentally starting a career in YA.10:50 — Writing for teens vs. adults: Hope vs. "we’re on our own".13:39 — Re-imaginings: Having a creative conversation with Dracula and Frankenstein.18:02 — The "Sunnydale" T-shirt deal and pitching a Ben Solo novel.23:49 — Balancing ADHD, humor, and darkness across different "cookie jars".29:09 — Hide: Greek myths, reality TV, and the horror of the American system.36:50 — Religious Trauma: Why Mister Magic is for the people "crying in the DMs".47:25 — Reclaiming Lucy Westenra: Why the men in Dracula are the real villains.54:26 — The Fox and the Devil: Forensic science, world fairs, and joyful queerness.1:08:17 — Meet Kimberly: The dinosaur-sized tortoise in the backyard.1:10:06 — Upcoming projects: Graphic novels and Wild and Wicked. Follow the Guest (Kiersten White): Website: kierstenwhite.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkierstenwhiteFollow 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!

    1hr 13min

  3. 21 APR

    Paulette Kennedy on Dark Fiction, Late Blooming, and Why Villains Matter

    Paulette Kennedy didn't finish a single manuscript until age 44. Her debut novel published at 46. Now Paulette Kennedy is one of gothic suspense's most talked-about voices, and this conversation is exactly why. In this episode, bestselling author Paulette Kennedy pulls back the curtain on her unexpected path to publication, the pandemic grocery run that sparked The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, and why she believes dark fiction isn't just entertainment, but one of the safest ways to explore what makes us human. We go deep on grief, weaponized religion, "punchable" villains, and how her stunning new novel The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael is really a story about transformation and what you do with the time you have left. Whether you're a lifelong gothic fiction fan or just discovering the genre, this one will stay with you. Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro: Meet Paulette Kennedy & the "punchable" villain 00:43 — How the Brontës, VC Andrews & Stephen King shaped her voice 03:06 — The book that made her want to write (Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier) 04:04 — ADHD, unfinished manuscripts, and not publishing until 46 06:21 — The real (unglamorous) truth about early writing life 07:50 — Her morning ritual: 5 AM, candles, film scores & flow state 09:23 — Where story ideas come from — and when they don't 11:31 — Plotter vs. Pantser: why she now does both 13:40 — Working with a developmental editor & finding your craft 14:50 — Her hardest book to write (and why it became her bestseller) 17:03 — The pandemic grocery run that became The Devil and Mrs. Davenport 19:32 — Faith vs. religion — and how religion gets weaponized 21:30 — Writing grief from the inside: "I've lost pretty much everyone" 24:02 — Feeling like a midlister despite massive success 28:33 — Why writing faster made her writing better 30:15 — The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael: toxic families & sibling rivalry 33:29 — Crafting villains readers love to hate 35:33 — Why dark fiction matters more than people think 36:17 — Balancing emotional depth with thriller momentum 37:41 — Why she keeps choosing historical fiction (and how she picks the era) 40:05 — A full year of research: archives, maps, diaries & location visits 42:20 — Writing race, LGBTQ+ oppression & abuse in historical contexts 45:19 — The Death tarot card, transformation, and "what am I doing with my time?" 48:01 — The magic of readers finding themselves in your pages 48:48 — Why readers are drawn to the dark side 50:05 — When to make your antagonist supernatural vs. human 52:16 — What's next: future genres & upcoming projects 📚 Connect with Paulette Kennedy: 🌐 Website: paulettekennedy.com 📸 Instagram: @pkennedywrites Follow Talking Horror Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreddreads/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell to help us grow the horror community!

    59 min

  4. 14 APR

    Saratoga Schaefer on TradWife, Rejection & Why Social Media Is the Real Monster

    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 Schaeffer 01:31 — 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 dates Follow Talking Horror Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreddreads/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell to help us grow the horror community!

    1hr 12min

  5. 7 APR

    Clay McLeod Chapman on Addiction, Fear, and Why Horror Hits So Hard

    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 Mask 00:37 – Introducing Clay McLeod Chapman 01:50 – Why Horror? The Genre as an "Emotional Highlighter" 03:40 – Using the "Horror Sandbox" to Process Fear and Grief 04:55 – Clay’s Origin Story: Poe, Campfire Tales, and "Soft Traumas" 07:13 – Growing up in the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe in Richmond 11:00 – The Visceral Power of a Good Story 14:26 – Writing Across Mediums: From Theater to Comics to Fiction 18:15 – Navigating Self-Doubt and the "Deficit of Confidence" 21:28 – The "Dollop of Water" Philosophy: Finding Your Place in the Industry 26:40 – Handling Reviews: The Grace of the "Two-Star" Feedback 31:50 – Authors on Social Media: Building a Positive Community 34:21 – Paying it Forward: The Importance of Supporting Fellow Writers 37:55 – Exploring the "Darkness": Grief and Trauma in What Kind of Mother 41:30 – The Immersive Magic of Audiobooks 45:00 – Deep Dive into Ghost Eaters: Addiction as a Haunting 52:15 – The Current State of Horror: Indie Presses and New Voices 1:00:10 – Advice for Aspiring Writers: Being a "Student of the World" 1:05:54 – Closing Thoughts & A Final Question for Nat Cassidy Connect with Clay McLeod Chapman: Website: claymcleodchapman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymcleod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@claymcleodchapman Follow Talking Horror Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkhorrorpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell to help us grow the horror community!

    1hr 7min

  6. 3 APR

    Introducing Talking Horror: Weekly Interviews with Horror and Thriller Authors

    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

    1 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to Talking Horror Podcast, where we dive into the stories that haunt us. Hosted by Rachel Redd, this show features conversations with horror and thriller authors about their books, their writing process, and what draws them into the shadows. From psychological dread to supernatural terror, we explore the dark stories readers can’t get enough of and why they are so important to fiction. Each week Rachel talks with today’s most exciting horror and thriller authors about the stories that linger long after the lights go out.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Redd
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rachel Redd
  • Show Website
    Talking Horror

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