687 episodes
TIH 673: Richard Jerram on The Makoto Murders, Living in Tokyo, Japan, and Winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award
31/07/2026 | 1h 9 mins.In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about The Makoto Murders, living in Tokyo, Japan, winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award, and much more.
[3:15] Early life lessons growing up.
[6:00] The best and worst things about taking a creative writing MA.
[10:15] Retirement from work as an economist and decision to pursue writing fiction.
[11:45] Arriving in Tokyo, Japan in 1987.
[14:55] The Makoto Murders launch event.
[17:25] The Makoto Murders elevator pitch.
[20:20] Writing a novel with a sociopathic protagonist.
[28:15] Japan setting.
[29:35] Planning and writing process for The Makoto Murders.
[34:55] Workshopping two endings.
[37:10] Including specific details to Japan.
[38:50] Next books and projects.
[43:55] Advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan, Singapore, and London.
[45:30] Becoming fluent in Japanese.
[49:10] Life and art imitating one another: winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
[54:00] Landing a literary agent.
[58:10] Film and TV rights.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-673-richard-jerram-on-the-makoto-murders-living-in-tokyo-japan-and-winning-the-crime-writers-associations-debut-dagger-award
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorrorTIH 672: E. L. Chen on Slasher Summer, Slasher Movies, and Best Writing Advice
21/07/2026 | 1h 19 mins.In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Slasher Summer, slasher movies, the best writing advice she’s ever heard, and much more.
[4:25] Slasher Summer elevator pitch.
[6:25] First experiences with slasher movies.
[11:30] Watching A Nightmare on Elm Street.
[16:35] Lessons taken from other slasher stories within horror fiction.
[18:55] Planning process.
[24:30] The cabin backstory.
[26:20] Editorial input.
[31:40] Slasher references.
[38:00] Favourite slasher.
[40:30] Lessons learnt writing Slasher Summer.
[44:50] One Of Us Is Already Dead.
[54:20] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:00:15] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:10] Something that frightens Elaine.
[1:07:00] Connect with E. L. Chen.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-672-e-l-chen-on-slasher-summer-slasher-movies-and-best-writing-advice
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorrorTIH 671: E. L. Chen on Sweetside Motel, Writing Routine, and Inverting Gothic Novel Expectations
13/07/2026 | 1h 5 mins.In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Sweetside Motel, writing routine, inverting gothic novel expectations, and much more.
[3:15] Conversation start/early life lessons.
[10:00] Identity, stereotypes, and rebellion.
[13:40] First experiences with story/writing in YA, Fantasy, and Horror.
[18:30] Authenticity and writing for yourself first.
[21:05] Writing routine and time management.
[23:30] Drafting, revising, and working in numerous environments.
[28:40] Website origins and web design career.
[31:15] Book releases and publishing timelines.
[34:10] Book promotion and contracts.
[35:30] Literary agent journey and querying strategy.
[44:55] Sweetside Motel and writing during and about the pandemic.
[47:30] COVID consistency in book.
[50:25] Inverting gothic novel expectations and locations.
[53:45] Chinese-Canadian misconceptions and trip to Hong Kong.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-671-e-l-chen-on-sweetside-motel-writing-routine-and-inverting-gothic-novel-expectations
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorrorTIH 670: David Moody on Kemberton, Weoley Castle, and Writing About the Human Condition
06/07/2026 | 1h 20 mins.In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.
[3:00] Kemberton elevator pitch and real-life inspiration.
[11:20] Bullying, domestic violence, and the emotional impact of Kemberton.
[23:25] A huge turning point in the book.
[31:55] Beta-reader feedback.
[38:20] Writing about the human condition.
[42:10] Weoley Castle.
[51:55] Nailing the ending.
[1:03:05] Writing for enjoyment.
[1:08:40] Final thoughts.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-670-david-moody-on-kemberton-weoley-castle-and-writing-about-the-human-condition
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorrorTIH 669: David Moody on Serialising Fiction, Embracing Boredom, and the Long Road to the Hater Movie
27/06/2026 | 1h 12 mins.In this podcast, David Moody talks about serialising fiction, embracing boredom, the long road to the Hater movie, and much more.
[3:00] Conversation start.
[4:50] Biggest changes in last year.
[7:20] Hater film adaptation.
[20:05] Dirty Day.
[24:00] Money, happiness, writing, and having enough.
[39:35] Embracing boredom and going offline.
[47:00] Cinema etiquette.
[1:00:05] Serialising Kemberton.
Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-669-david-moody-on-serialising-fiction-embracing-boredom-and-the-long-road-to-the-hater-movie
Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror
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About This Is Horror Podcast
The This Is Horror Podcast is a show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. Over 600 episodes, we have interviewed creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, Joe Hill, David Dastmalchian, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.
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