Best Neil McRobert Podcasts (2025)

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Locked Room Horror with Jenny Kiefer 39:16

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3h ago39:16

39:16

I was joined by author Jenny Kiefer to talk about her latest novel Crafting for Sinners and locked room horror stories Books Mentioned: Crafting for Sinner by Jenny Kiefer The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix The Troop by Nick Cutter The Handyman Method by Andrew F. Sullivan and Nick Cutter Exiles by Mason Coile Rest Stop…

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E190: Little Women Readalikes with Liz Parker 48:15

3d ago48:15

48:15

Today I welcome Liz Parker back on the show to discuss Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN, as well as books that retell that story and nonfiction books that connect to this timeless classic. We also chat about THE OTHER MARCH SISTERS, a book that re-examines LITTLE WOMEN through the eyes of Jo March’s sisters. Liz wrote Meg’s chapters in the book, wh…

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Episode 58: Stand by Me and Aliens with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman 56:46

1d ago56:46

56:46

It's our first two-story episode! Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, writers and directors behind the new horror film Man Finds Tape, join the show this week. We talk about making a fake documentary horror film, Texas inspirations, playing with found footage, and much more. Plus, we dig into Rob Reiner's Stand By Me and James Cameron's Aliens! - Sign …

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[From the Vault] Carmen Maria Machado & Passing Literary Kidney Stones 1:10:36

6d ago1:10:36

1:10:36

It’s all about memory this week. Remember that time literary superstar Carmen Maria Machado came on the show? No? Well here’s your chance to catch up on what you missed. Carmen spoke to me about Her Body and Other Parties and In the Dream House – the former a collection of folktale and fable, spun to hideous effect; the latter a piercing fictionali…

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The Ink Heist Podcast - with John F.D. Taff and Doug Murano. 1:52:56

3d ago1:52:56

1:52:56

This conversation we had with Doug Murano of Bad Hand Books and John F. D. Taff, author of the forthcoming novella collection All the Stars Die is the stuff of dreams for readers, writers, and podcasters. These guys are a blast to talk to and learn from, and get inside the industry a bit, and two of the kindest people we've met.…

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The Ink Heist Podcast - with the inimitable Nick Mamatas 1:27:20

4d ago1:27:20

1:27:20

When one describes Nick Mamatas as "inimitable," it's because there's no other polite way to describe him. He's brilliant, irreverent, has no fucks to give about what you think of him, but all you'll think about him if you read him and listen to him, is "fucking wow." Truly, this guy is brilliant, entertaining AF, and one of the best authors workin…

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The Ink Heist Podcast -- Welcome to the McHughniverse 1:34:13

4d ago1:34:13

1:34:13

Rich and Shane in conversation with the brilliant, wonderful, zany, mega-creative poet/artist/author Jessica McHugh.

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The Ink Heist Podcast - Featuring Michael Wehunt 1:08:07

4d ago1:08:07

1:08:07

In this episode, I'm talking one on one with a favorite author of mine, Michael Wehunt, who also happens to have penned one of my favorite books of 2025, The October Film Haunt. Tune in to hear us talk about that and a whole lot more.

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E189: THE LAST WITCH with CJ Cooke 37:24

8d ago37:24

37:24

Today I welcome CJ Cooke back on the show to discuss her new book, THE LAST WITCH. I’ve read through all her books this year because she tells compelling gothic stories and sheds light on little known aspects of witches in history and folklore. We chat about the women that inspired this novel, new things she learned in her research, and the lovely …

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Episode 57: Gremlins with Chris Panatier 1:02:48

9d ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Chris Panatier, author of The Redemption of Morgan Bright, joins the show this week to talk about his new book, Shitshow, and we dig into the festive madness that is Gremlins, as well as the stealth masterpiece that is Gremlins 2: The New Batch. We also talk about Dublin Dr. Pepper, because Central Texas boys know. - Sign up for our newsletter for …

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[From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder 1:07:02

14d ago1:07:02

1:07:02

Jeff VanderMeer and I did not fall out!! This is a myth that has arisen since Jeff came on the show back in 2021, to discuss his eco-espionage crisis thriller, Hummingbird Salamander. Well, this trip back to the Vault will hopefully dispel that rumour. Instead what you’ll hear is a conversation with the Emperor of Weird fiction, talking about conse…

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Carnival Horror with Chris Panatier 1:27:24

14d ago1:27:24

1:27:24

Come one! Come all to my conversation with author Chris Panatier. We are talking about his book Shitshow from Sobelo Books and carnival horror. Movies Mentioned: Carnival of Souls Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Final Destination 3 House of 1000 Corpses Big Fish Nope Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Books Mentioned: Shitshow by Chris Panatier Geek Love …

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E188: Werewolves with Nat Cassidy 1:15:25

16d ago1:15:25

1:15:25

Today I welcome Nat Cassidy to the show to chat about werewolves in fiction and folklore. We use his latest novel, WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME, as a launching pad for this discussion, and we have fun discussing how werewolves work in different genres. We also have some great book recommendations for you, which you will find listed in show notes at htt…

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Episode 56: The Films of Jan Svankmajer with Jess Hagemann 57:44

16d ago57:44

57:44

Jess Hagemann, who wrote one of the best horror novels of the year with Mother-Eating: A Documentary, joins the show this week to talk about her book and the historical deep dive that inspired it. Then we dig deep into the surreal, often disturbing short films of the great Jan Svankmajer! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. …

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[From the Vault] Will Dean & The Two Faces of Off-Grid Living 55:44

21d ago55:44

55:44

Revisiting a true highlight this week! Will Dean’s The Last Thing to Burn is one of very few 10/10 books i've ever featured on this podcast. It’s a flawless study of isolation, survival, exploitation and the most toxic of masculinities – all about a Vietnamese immigrant, trapped in the home of her ‘husband,’ the monstrousLeonard. Will is an amazing…

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E187: Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Bewitching 51:03

23d ago51:03

51:03

Today I get to share a dream come true with you! Silvia Moreno-Garcia joined me to chat about THE BEWITCHING, her new novel about witches told over three timelines. We also chat about the publishing industry, her own niche literary interests, and of course we talk about the Gothic genre. All links and show notes, including info on her recommended i…

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Episode 55: I Am Legend with Jonathan Maberry 1:03:52

23d ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Bram Stoker-winning writer and editor Jonathan Maberry joins the show this week! We talk about his NecroTek and Joe Ledger series, blending genres, editing Weird Tales, and more as we dive into a discussion of Richard Matheson's post-apocalyptic classic I Am Legend. - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness. - Visit Jonathan's webs…

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[From the Vault] Courtney Summers & The Master of the Bitch 58:38

28d ago58:38

58:38

This flashback episode takes us to early 2021, when I was joined by Courtney Summers – the boundary-pushing author of dark YA fictions for a corrective lesson. Courtney came on the show to discuss The Project, a novel of sinister elite cults, evil charisma and radicalisation. At the time Trump had just been kicked out of office, so those things see…

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FROM THE VAULT: Frankenstein Retellings with Jocelyn Codner 1:09:18

28d ago1:09:18

1:09:18

This is a repost of an episode from 2024 where Jocelyn and I discussed Frankenstein Retellings! Have you watched the new Guillermo Del Toro Frankenstein? What did you think of it? Shownotes hereBy Stephanie Gagnon

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E186: CRAFTING FOR SINNERS with Jenny Kiefer 37:00

1M ago37:00

37:00

Today I have Jenny Kiefer on the show to discuss CRAFTING FOR SINNERS, her new survival horror novel in which a trapped woman must fight her way out of a craft store owned by a religious cult. We chat about Jenny’s personal experience as a crafter, and how this book reflects current religiously rooted bigotry. We also chat about fighting oppressors…

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Episode 54: "Dread" with Nathan Ballingrud 56:46

30d ago56:46

56:46

Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters and The Lunar Gothic Trilogy, joins the show this week! We talk about Nathan's latest book, Cathedral of the Drowned, the importance of taking notes in his writing process, taking inspiration from classic pulp artists, and much more while we dive into one of Clive Barker's best short stories…

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[From the Vault] Tananarive Due & Black Girls Doing Magical Things 1:08:29

1M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Time for a classic haunted house. I’m on a short break from the show, to recoup, read without pressure and generally try not to implode. So we’re heading into the vault for some older conversations that new listeners may have missed and long-termers may enjoy anew. Where better to start that in a haunted house with a Queen of 21st century horror – …

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E185: The Mary Shelley Mysteries with Heather Redmond 36:44

1M ago36:44

36:44

Today I have Heather Redmond on the show to discuss her Mary Shelley Mystery Series. We chat about why she chose to use the real author and her family as her main characters instead of writing in the world of Frankenstein. We also discuss her previous series, which did the same for Charles Dickens, and we chat about the state of historicals in the …

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Episode 53: Monsters (1988) with Trevor Henderson 59:38

1M ago59:38

59:38

Trevor Henderson, legendary internet monster-maker and creator of the Scarewaves series, joins the show for our Halloween episode! We talk about Trevor's many creature designs, writing for a middle grade audience, and much more while digging into the classic syndicated TV series Monsters! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror goodness, …

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260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon 1:20:31

1M ago1:20:31

1:20:31

Here be dragons! I’m celebrating Halloween week on Talking Scared with the very cream of the bucket list. Joe Hill is finally on the show! The author of Heart Shaped Box, NOS4A2, “The Black Phone” and Lock & Key is back with his first novel in nearly a decade, and it’s a beast! King Sorrow is an epic of dragons, diabolical deals, decade-spanning fr…

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Horror Villains with Joe Hill 1:17:16

1M ago1:17:16

1:17:16

Author Joe Hill is on the show this week to talk about his latest book King Sorrow and whether a horror story is only as good as its villains. Books mentioned: King Sorrow by Joe Hill The Fireman by Joe Hill The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien The Secret History by Donna Tart Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez The Passage by Justin Cronin The Reformatory…

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Let Us Palaver #5 – ‘Salem’s Lot Debrief 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

In our fifth Let Us Palaver, Nat and I dally a little longer in ‘Salem’s Lot to hunt down a few more vamps and follow up some threads mentioned in the main episode. This is where we get spoilery, so this is just for those who have been to the Tower already. But we talk about Chris’s predictions for Father Callaghan, discuss the moral arc of King’s …

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E184: Ghost Brides in Books with Lindsay Barrett 55:50

2M ago55:50

55:50

Today I have Lindsay Barrett on the show to discuss “Ghost Brides” in books. We chat about her new book, THE DRAVENHEARST BRIDES, a loose retelling of Daphne Du Maurier’s influential Gothic novel, REBECCA, set on a haunted bourbon distillery estate in Kentucky. We also discuss the universal interest in ghost brides and give some great book recommen…

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Episode 52: "The Tell-Tale Heart" with Ally Malinenko 1:02:50

1M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Ally Malinenko, author of middle-grade horror novels like Ghost Girl and This Appearing House, joins the show this week! We talk about her new novel Broken Dolls, writing for young readers, approaching horror as children, and of course, Edgar Allan Poe's legendary short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart"! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horror…

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The Dark Tower Deep Dive #5 – ‘Salem’s Lot 2:28:14

2M ago2:28:14

2:28:14

‘Salem’s Lot is FIFTY years old this month. Hellfire, how did that happen? We’re gonna celebrate the bloodsucking and small town shenanigans for all they are worth!! But some of you know that the Lot sits just to one side of the Path of the Beam – so this is also a key zig in our endless zagging towards The Dark Tower. You may just not know why yet…

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A**hole Protagonists with Victor LaValle 1:00:32

2M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

I was thrilled that Victor LaValle was able to join me to help recommend books with jerk main characters. Be sure the check out the new paperback editions of four of his books and catch The Devil in Silver on AMC in 2026. Books mentioned: The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle The Changeling by Victor LaValle The Shining by Stephen King American Psy…

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PATREON PEEK: Lights Out (#12) with Liz Sower 53:38

2M ago53:38

53:38

Full episode available on Patreon It's Fear Street Friday and this week we are heading to Camp Nightwing! I was very happy to be joined by Liz Sower from the fantastic Ghosts in the Burbs podcast. Synopsis: Who killed the counselor? “I could kill you!” screamed Geri Marcus. Could she? Would she? something is very wrong at Camp Nightwing, and junior…

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E183: Friendly Ghosts in Books with Olivia Blacke 46:40

2M ago46:40

46:40

Today I have Olivia Blacke on the show to discuss “Friendly Ghosts” in books. Olivia’s “Cordelia and Ruby” mysteries are a great example of helpful, non-frightening ghosts, and we use them as a launching pad to discuss the work these types of characters can do in a story. After all, ghosts were once people, so I think it’s fair to refer to them as …

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Episode 51: Let's Scare Jessica to Death with Bob Pastorella 1:12:29

2M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

This Is Horror co-host Bob Pastorella joins the show this week to talk about his new vampire novel The Small Hours! We talk Texas horror, Dracula, merging the crime and horror genres, and much more as we dive into Bob's work and its connection to a 1970s vampire classic, Let's Scare Jessica to Death! - Sign up for our newsletter for even more horro…

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259 – Joe Lansdale & Our Desperate Need to Be Less Dumb 1:20:57

2M ago1:20:57

1:20:57

Joe Lansdale is here to give us all a smack upside the head. We are talking about The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale – his brand new career-retrospective, collecting the stories that have defined him for decades as one of the most edgy, provocative writers of the grim and grotesque. We cover some of the classics, like “Bubba Ho Tep,” “Mr Weed …

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Small Town Horror with Neil McRobert 1:13:02

2M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

Neil McRobert is back on the pod today. This time as a published author!! We are here to talk about his fantastic novella Good Boy and the horrors of small towns. Books Mentioned: Good Boy by Neil McRobert\ Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert The Low Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machad…

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Off Book #12 – Ben Leonberg and Good Boy 1:00:00

2M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Mine isn’t the only Good Boy released into the world this week. You may have heard of a little film that shares my books name. I joke – Ben Leonberger’s Good Boy is everywhere, and rightly so. It’s a haunted house movie told from the POV of Ben’s dog Indy (playing himself). It’s a magic trick of filmmaking and puppy eyes. Ben came on the show for a…

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258 – Neil McRobert & My Four-Legged Ode to Bravery & Joy 1:30:51

2M ago1:30:51

1:30:51

Ah the arrogance of writers. Now I am one, officially, I thought I’d better do something fitting. So I set up a whole episode of my podcast to talk about my own book – Good Boy! My debut novella about small English towns, the bonds between men and dogs, and a battle between bravery and monsters. Thankfully, I have friends who will facilitate this t…

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E182: Neil McRobert and GOOD BOY 49:02

2M ago49:02

49:02

Today I want to wish Neil McRobert, from the beloved horror podcast Talking Scared, a very happy birthday! He is a good friend, and I’m truly delighted that he is my guest today. He came on the show to discuss his new novella, GOOD BOY, a part of the Northern Weird project from Wild Hunt Books. We chat about the story, tap into Neil’s romantic side…

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Episode 50: The Stand (Chapter 38) with C. Robert Cargill 1:09:17

2M ago1:09:17

1:09:17

C. Robert Cargill, screenwriter behind movies like Sinister and The Black Phone and author of books like Sea of Rust and Day Zero, joins the show this week! We talk about his new movie Black Phone 2, his collaboration with Scott Derrickson, and much more. Then, we dive into a very particular portion of Stephen King's The Stand, and how it shaped Ca…

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257 – Northern Weird (Part Two), with Matt Wesolowski, Jodie Robins & Stephen Howard 1:09:02

2M ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Another day, another episode about the weird-arse end of nowhere! We remain in the North of England for this second part of a weeklong celebration of the Northern Weird Project – six novellas published by Wild Hunt Books (including one by yours truly!). This time it’s conversation with Matt Wesolowski, about his train-bound folkloric horror, Don’t …