Talking Horror

Rachel Redd

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. 2D AGO

    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!

    1h 7m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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.