And on this week’s very special episode, I welcome Stephanie from Books in the Freezer to discuss our favorite reads of 2025 thus far! This is a really fun hour in which we talk about the books we love, what we’re looking forward to, and just some general fun around horror fiction. I cannot thank Stephanie enough for coming on the podcast to chat about this very topic, and if you want to keep up with Books in the Freezer, check out the links below! I also have provided a list of the books mentioned on the episode.

Books we love:

* Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker (order here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/bat-eater-and-other-names-for-cora-zeng-kylie-lee-baker?variant=42432011436066)

* The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein (order here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-poorly-made-and-other-things-sam-rebelein?variant=42517937029154)

* Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (preorder here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742649/play-nice-by-rachel-harrison/)

* Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (order here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/782443/victorian-psycho-by-virginia-feito/9781631498633)

* Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven (order here: https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510783447/come-knocking/)

* Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (order here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Buffalo-Hunter-Hunter/Stephen-Graham-Jones/9781668075081)

* When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy (order here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250354341/whenthewolfcomeshome/)

* Good Boy by Neil McRobert (preorder here: https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/goodboy/9781068563102)

To keep up with Books in the Freezer:

* Website: https://booksinthefreezer.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksinthefreezer/?hl=en

* Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/booksinthefreezer

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@booksinthefreezer

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/booksinthefreezer.bsky.social

Happy to be sharing “Another” (hehe, get it?) amazing conversation with you all this week, this time with the king of ambiguity himself, Paul Tremblay! We discuss his middle-grade novel that hits shelves today, Another, a look back at his previous works, and the importance of individuality in today’s day and age. It’s truly a privilege to get to chat with Paul, and I am so, so thankful for his time. If you’re looking to keep up with Paul on socials or order a copy of Another, you can do so at the links below:

* Paul’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulgtremblay/

* Paul’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/paultremblay.bsky.social

* To Order Another: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/another-paul-tremblay?variant=43671991746594

Happy Tuesday, folks! This week I’m chatting with Ronald Malfi about his latest release that is on shelves TODAY, Senseless. I’ve been a fan of Malfi’s for quite a while now so getting to ask about the ins and outs of this gritty, intense, and disturbing novel was a dream come true. I am sad to report that my good luck streak of avoiding technical issues was broken on this episode so this one is a bit shorter than normal. However, I do have a solid thirty minutes of convo that I am incredibly grateful for. I absolutely LOVED Senseless, and I think that it’s a novel that pays off for the strange, unhinged places it goes. So this is my highest recommendation to pick this one up. A huge thank you to Ronald Malfi for his time!

And if you do decide to order a copy of Senseless or you want to follow Ronald Malfi on socials, check out the links here:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronaldmalfi/

* Twitter (X): https://x.com/RonaldMalfi

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:mropdeehc6ifqyt3ivykjtt6

* To order Senseless: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775642/senseless-by-ronald-malfi/

Another week, another episode! Today I chat with Alex Gonzalez about his debut novel, rekt. This is a gritty, mean, and quite jarring story following one young man’s tumble down the rabbit hole that is the internet. From creepypastas to the dark web, Alex and I chat about how lawless the internet is, what it was like to grow up with such a thing, and much more. rekt is a book that is most definitely sticking with me, and getting to chat with Alex about it was such a delight. If you’d like to keep up with Alex on social media or order a copy of rekt, you can do so at the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nahitsjustalex/

* Website:

https://www.alex-gonzalez.me/

* To order rekt: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/770872/rekt-by-alex-gonzalez/

Happy Tuesday, friends! This week, I’m sharing my conversation with Tyler Jones, author of Midas, Burn the Plans, Heavy Oceans, Night of the Long Knives, Carved in Salt, and I Know What You Need (just to name a *few* of his works). We talk mostly about his most recent works, the complexities of genre classifications, writing authentically, and the emotional connections we look for in honest characters. As always, all of the thanks to Tyler for his time and honesty in this conversation.

If you’re looking to keep up with Tyler on socials or order his books, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjoneswriter/

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tjoneswriter?xmt=AQGz0P33pJIUWsQ4hXfV1rhF45lij1FOltYkdD6bTXdn-q8

* Twitter (X): https://x.com/tjoneswriter

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tjoneswriter.bsky.social

* Website: https://www.tylerjones.net/shop

Hello, listeners! Today, Philip Fracassi joins a very special club as a return guest on the podcast, this time to discuss his time-travel novel, The Third Rule of Time Travel. A genre-mashup of a novel, we unpack the real science behind the kind of time travel Fracassi implements, the heartfelt emotion behind these characters, and the art of good storytelling. As always, a huge thank you to Philip for returning to the show and answering all of my questions!

If you want to follow Philip on social media or order a copy of The Third Rule of Time Travel, see the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pfracassi/

* Twitter (X): https://x.com/PhilipFracassi

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@pfracassi

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pfracassi.bsky.social

* To Order The Third Rule of Time Travel: https://pfracassi.com/third-rule

* To preorder D7: https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/collections/books/products/d7-a-novelette

Hello, friends! On shelves today is Erika T. Wurth’s The Haunting of Room 904, a unique blend of paranormal mystery that covers so many topics from academia to ghosts to psychics to hauntings and everything in between. I was fortunate enough to get to sit down and chat with Erika about Room 904, her previous novel White Horse, and many of these topics. The Haunting of Room 904 feels like a timely read as evidenced by our discussion of real-world horrors, the trends of capitalism, and authenticity. As always I am immensely grateful for the writerly wisdom shared, but also Erika’s kindness!

If you want to keep up with Erika on socials or order a copy of 904, see the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikatwurth/

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@erikatwurth?xmt=AQGzLlynfJ87HHM9Gn_fO04FO-qHh_7J6LA-cWVGXPjW1Mk

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/erikatwurth.bsky.social

* To order The Haunting of Room 904: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250908599/thehauntingofroom904/

Fair disclaimer, even though this is an audio only podcast, my dog Charley still manages to make a cameo around the 36 minute mark. Apologies in advance!

Welcome back, friends! This is a very special episode of the pod, one in which I have not one, not two, but THREE guests! Rachel Harrison, Liz Kerin, and William Sterling join me this week to discuss the killer collection from Truborn Press (out today), Punk Goes Horror: A Mixtape Anthology!

This is one kickass convo if I do say so myself as we talk about the inspirations for the antho, story ideas from the songs that scream at us, and what it means to be punk. Curating an anthology such as this is no small feat, and William shares some of the things that stood out to him most when bringin’ the band together. Liz and Rachel each impart where their stories started and how the songs behind the prose spoke to them. Music and fiction work *very* well together, and Punk Goes Horror is proof of that symbiosis.

*** Note: Liz mentions at the end of the ep that she has some exciting news to share that she hopes will be out before this goes live. I can confirm that the rerelease of her debut YA fantasy novel, The Phantom Forest, has been announced! See the links below for details.

If you want to follow any of these lovely folks on social media or order your own copy of Punk Goes Horror, check out the links below:

Rachel Harrison

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelharrisonsghost/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@rachelharrisonsghost?xmt=AQGzKtKkzGRj6qKGZyxU9aC7iK4LOc6zRFJ1xvO_4AN4t5c

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rachelharrison.bsky.social

Website: https://www.rachel-harrison.com/

PreOrder Play Nice: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742649/play-nice-by-rachel-harrison/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZe1A_mXAjUI2OMG2Y4iuDHBPY4USG1s_-c-XBBBb-1vhY7SeFfg_KOjC8_aem_d8GXVNMU-GmRzJNfmzkdgA

Liz Kerin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizkerin/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lizkerin?xmt=AQGzKtKkzGRj6qKGZyxU9aC7iK4LOc6zRFJ1xvO_4AN4t5c

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lizkerin.bsky.social

Website: https://www.lizkerin.com/

PreOrder The Phantom Forest: https://www.lizkerin.com/phantom-forest-2025-edition

William Sterling

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spooky_sterling/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spooky_sterling?xmt=AQGzKtKkzGRj6qKGZyxU9aC7iK4LOc6zRFJ1xvO_4AN4t5c

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vthqtukongafqbfdzwas7ydg

Website: https://thewilliamsterling.wixsite.com/main

Truborn Press

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trubornpress/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@trubornpress?xmt=AQGzKtKkzGRj6qKGZyxU9aC7iK4LOc6zRFJ1xvO_4AN4t5c

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ndurvfzlku53bs4regt77iyp

Website: https://trubornpress.com/product/punk-goes-horror-anthology-backstage/

Hello, hello! And welcome to another installment of Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast. I’m showing up in style this week; that’s right, we are officially in *somewhat* professional podcast territory complete with recorded intros and outros. Yes, you can now hear me yap even longer than before as I now introduce our guest of the week and leave you all with some closing sentiments.

Podcast housekeeping items aside, I am absolutely over the moon to be sharing this week’s conversation with the one and only, Chris Panatier. If you don’t know Chris (well, you should), he is the author The Redemption of Morgan Bright, Stringers, The Phlebotomist, and most recently, Death on the Swayback from Rapture Publishing. In addition to being a very talented author, Chris is also an amazing artist specializing in vibrant pieces of digital and physical art. Seriously, go check out his Instagram page, his work is stunning.

Chris and I talk about his fiction, his approaches to long and short fiction, the balance of genre, and the merits of writing without a plan. We also spend a great deal of time discussing the editing process and how oddly comforting it is to know that changes can be made when it comes to fiction. We eventually venture into discussing Chris’ art style, how he finds inspiration for his illustrations, and other aspects of the creative process.

I could seriously chat with Chris for hours, and so it is my sincerest hope that you all find this conversation as lovely as I did. Here are some links to Chris’ social media pages and where you can find his books:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispanatier/

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@chrispanatier?xmt=AQGzeZV_lPx1Q5S-mu9UKW97nNtIn32Uj91rQj4tNFWXaH0

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/scribeofhades.bsky.social

* To order The Redemption of Morgan Bright: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739930/the-redemption-of-morgan-bright-by-chris-panatier/

* To order Death on the Swayback: https://www.rapturepublishing.com/product/death-on-the-swayback-numbered-edition/9?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

* Chris’ Art Website: https://panatier.com/home.html

* To listen to Chris’ journey with The Dark Tower on Talking Scared: https://pod.link/1530064310/episode/2bca0e97575fc4e1bf1d4e6149c387b7

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Another week is upon us, and I cannot state how utterly thrilled I am to be sharing this interview with you all today. Kim C. is the one-woman wonder behind one of my favorite podcasts, The Year of Underrated Stephen King. Do you ever hear a person talk about one of your favorite topics and think, “Oh my gosh, I don’t know how it has to happen, but I MUST talk to this person!” That was very much my feelings when I discovered Kim’s podcast following her appearance on an episode of Talking Scared last year (episode 203 if you’re interested). And Kim was gracious enough to humor ALL of my questions about her love of King from favorite books, favorite characters, what it feels like to read King in 2025, what it’s like to be a female Constant Reader, and a fairly hearty conversation on The Stand. To try to share a complete list of every King story we touch on, we would be here for a while. So just know we cover MANY titles. And I will say that we do enter into some spoiler territory for a few of King’s books so proceed with caution! All in all, this was a dream of a conversation filled with so much relatability and joy.

Kim’s love, knowledge, passion, and authenticity are so touching and profound, I dare you to listen to this and not crack a smile. This is a longer episode, but there was much ground to be covered and much to be said. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did, a true highlight to my year already.

If you want to follow Kim on socials and keep up with The Year of Underrated Stephen King podcast, you can do so at the following links:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underrated_sk_podcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@underrated_sk_podcast

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/underratedskpod.bsky.social

Another week, another stunning release in the world of horror fiction. Today, I’m sharing my conversation with the wickedly talented, wonderfully delightful, and massively creative, Sam Rebelein. On shelves today is his collection, The Poorly Made and Other Things, which is easily one of my favorite collections of all time. Sam’s stories are packed with horror, twists that drop on a dime, and so much strangeness. There’s much more to these stories as you’ll realize through this conversation such as where to find weird inspiration, why we’re drawn to horror to begin with, and the places “otherness” can take you.

If you’re interested in reading some of Sam’s books or finding him on social media, please see the below links:

* To order a copy of Edenville: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/edenville-sam-rebelein?variant=41467732295714

* To order a copy of The Poorly Made and Other Things: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-poorly-made-and-other-things-sam-rebelein?variant=42517937029154

* Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsam94/

* Follow Sam on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rebelsam94.bsky.social

* Follow Sam on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@rebelsam94

Once more, The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein is on shelves TODAY (February 11th) from William Morrow!

And as a quick side note, if you’re reading this via email or on Substack itself, I am on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as Anna Rose Reads - The Podcast for your listening pleasure!

Well, hi there. If you’ve made it this far, I think I’ve done something right in integrating my author interviews on YouTube also into podcast format here on Substack. If you’re a fan of seeing my face along with my guest’s face, my interviews will still be posted to YouTube as well as here. But now we have ~options~. Technology is grand, aint it (she says only if this works the way she’s thinking)?

Assuming everything is peachy, hi again! I'm very excited to be getting back into the groove of things and sharing my first author interview of 2025, the one and only Clay McLeod Chapman. That's right, I somehow convinced Clay to come back (hence the Electric Boogaloo) and talk about his latest release, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes from Quirk Books which is on shelves as of TODAY! While we open with a little bit of silliness and lots of persuasion to get Clay to actually talk about his book and not everyone else's, we do get into Clay's process of writing a book like Wake Up and Open Your Eyes and other topics such as: - Clay's novella, Kill Your Darling - What makes a good book these days - Big swings in horror fiction in 2025 - When Clay began to write Wake Up and Open Your Eyes as it relates to the timeliness of this story - The political essence of the novel and its commentary on our state of (un)connectedness - Extreme horror and the scopes in which we view the genre (micro and macro) - While I couldn't remember the name of the experiment during the interview, I researched and found that I was referencing the Rat Park experiment which I have linked a TED talk to here in case you're interested (I'm not saying this theory or experiment is gospel, I just think it's interesting): https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong/transcript?subtitle=en - Elevating normal elements in horror to make a point - The isolating or communal scream felt in writing a book like this - Pacing, structure, and feel of the story

We also throw around a few books and movies which I will list here: - When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy - Senseless by Ronald Malfi - Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig - The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt - Good Night, Sleep Tight by Brian Evenson - Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy (if you can't tell, we genuinely love that guy) - Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix - The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - Play Nice by Rachel Harrison - FOUND anthology edited by Andrew Cull and Gabino Iglesias - The Stand by Stephen King - A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay - The Evil Dead - 28 Days Later - Remake of Dawn of the Dead

As always, Clay is a very busy author who has other projects releasing this year such as a graphic novel edition of Séance in the Asylum, a YA novel, and a short story collection releasing with Titan Books. I am always so incredibly grateful for Clay's time, kindness, and honesty. It's a true celebratory occasion when we get to speak. Links to find him on social media and to order Wake Up and Open Your Eyes can be found below: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymcleod?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== - Threads: https://www.threads.net/@claymcleod - X/Twitter: https://x.com/claymcleod - BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/claymcleod.bsky.social - To order Wake Up and Open Your Eyes: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/756648/wake-up-and-open-your-eyes-by-clay-mcleod-chapman/

Happy Tuesday, friends! Over the moon to be sharing my conversation with Stephen Graham Jones, one of the coolest, most intelligent, and genuinely creative folks I’ve talked to. We mostly discuss his latest release (which is on shelves today, July 15th from Saga Press), Killer on the Road and Babysitter Lives. But, of course, I do have a few questions about his other works and other characters. It’s a really lovely chat, one that I look back on fondly, and I hope you all get as much of a kick out of it as I did. If you want to keep up with Stephen on socials or order a copy of Killer on the Road/Babysitter Lives, check out the links below:

* Stephen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephengrahamjones/

* Stephen’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sgj.bsky.social

* Stephen’s Website: https://www.demontheory.net/

* To order Killer on the Road/Babysitter Lives: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Killer-on-the-Road-The-Babysitter-Lives/Stephen-Graham-Jones/Saga-Doubles/9781982167677

Happy Tuesday, all! Stoked to be sharing my conversation with Wendy N. Wagner, author of the upcoming release from Tor Nightfire, Girl in the Creek! We discuss Wendy’s inspiration for the story, her approach to reading and writing quality fiction, the terrors and beauty of nature, small town crime, and much, much more. My hour spent chatting with Wendy was a lovely time, and it’s my hope you all enjoy this convo as much as I did. To keep up with Wendy on social media or to preorder Girl in the Creek which releases on July 15th, check out the links below:

* Follow Wendy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy.n.wagner/?hl=en

* Follow Wendy on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendy.n.wagner

* Follow Wendy on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wnwagner.bsky.social

* Wendy’s Website: https://winniewoohoo.com/

* To preorder Girl in the Creek: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250908643/girlinthecreek/

Happy Tuesday, friends! Thrilled to be sharing my conversation with debut author, Kerry Cullen. We talk about her novel, House of Beth, her inspiration for the story, the role of expectations, and unconventional hauntings. It’s a really lovely time, and I cannot thank Kerry enough for her openness and kindness! I am releasing this episode a bit early as House of Beth doesn’t hit shelves until July 15th, but rest assured this is a spoiler-free episode. To keep up with Kerry on social media or to preorder a copy of House of Beth, check out the links below:

* Kerry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kermichele/

* Kerry’s Website: https://kerrycullenwrites.com/

* To preorder House of Beth: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/House-of-Beth/Kerry-Cullen/9781668074596

Happy Tuesday! I’m back this week with the queen of pink horror herself, Wendy Dalrymple! We discuss three of her works, Credenza, Cadaver Bone, and her short story featured in the Punk Goes Horror anthology from Truborn Press, Heads Will Roll. In addition to chatting about her stories, we also discuss what pink horror and Florida Gothic horror looks like in today’s modern horror landscape. If you want to check out Wendy’s work or keep up with her on social media, check out the links below!

I also spend the last five minutes or so of today’s episode reflecting back on my first year at Stokercon. I turn into a real sap, and if you want to hear me get real emo about my time in Stamford, CT (what a phrase), stay tuned for my closing outro.

Relevant links:

* Wendy’s Website: https://wendydalrymple.com/

* To Order Credenza: https://thecrowshoppe.com/products/credenza

* Wendy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendydalrymplewrites/

* Wendy’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendydalrymplewrites

* Wendy’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wendydalrymple.bsky.social

Happy Tuesday, friends! Hitting shelves today is a book that I hold near and dear to my heart (cannibalism and all), Of Flesh and Blood, a debut novel by resident Cajuns Hunter Burke and NL Lavin. Now there is a very good chance you’ve heard me talk about this book in the last few weeks, but it’s not very often you get a thriller/mystery/horror novel set in your backyard (or close enough). Hunter and NL were kind enough to share in my enthusiasm for this book, and we chat about their writing process, their inspiration, and a whole lotta Cajun related topics. This is a conversation that does my Southern heart a whole lot of good, and I hope that comes through in this episode.

Links to order your own copy of Of Flesh and Blood and to keep up with the book on social media can be found here:

To Order Of Flesh and Blood: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779586/of-flesh-and-blood-by-hunter-burke/

Hunter’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamhunterburke/?hl=en

NL’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nlavinstagram/?hl=en

Crooked Lane Books: https://crookedlanebooks.com/horror/

Hello, and welcome back from my month-long hiatus! If you’re new here, welcome!

This week I have Rae Wilde on to discuss her novella which hits shelves today from CLASH Books, I Can Fix Her! If you’ve ever wondered if you could tweak one thing in a failed relationship, find one thing to change in hopes of making things work, then you are well acquainted with the plot of this novella. Rae explores so much with this story, getting deep into the heart of toxic relationships, manipulation, and nightmarish scenarios. In fact, our conversation is very earnest and vulnerable, a true treasure especially in relation to the nature of this story. I cannot thank her enough for her time and presence.

If you want to keep up with Rae or order a copy of I Can Fix Her, check out the links below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rae_wilde/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/raewilde.bsky.social

Website: https://www.raewilde.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_rae_wilde

To Order I Can Fix Her: https://indiepubs.com/products/i-can-fix-her

Happy Tuesday, friends! I am stoked to be sharing this interview with Anna Meyer, author of graphic novel Saint Catherine. This is such a stellar debut, and I hope you all enjoy our conversation about inspiration for the story, Anna’s art style, and telling personal stories. If you’d like to keep up with Anna or order a copy Saint Catherine, you can do so at the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brusierkee/

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/brusierkee.bsky.social

* Website: https://annacmeyer.com/

* To order Saint Catherine: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364371/saintcatherine/

What is this? A new episode? On a Monday?

You got it folks, I’m releasing this week’s episode early, my conversation with Nat Cassidy about When the Wolf Comes Home. This feels like a monumental occasion for a few reasons, but mostly due to how stunning this novel is. It’s been an absolute delight to see how much love this book has gotten in the last few months knowing how big this book is. So big, that Stephen King took to social media to share his love of it as well. This feels like a big moment in general for horror fiction, a celebration and examination of the genre that frightens us most. When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is on shelves TUESDAY, April 22nd from Tor Nightfire.

To order a copy and keep up with Nat on social media, see the below links:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catnassidy/?hl=en

* Threads: https://www.threads.net/@catnassidy?xmt=AQGzsGHCfHLx851qse8yTmPic6N_2l8uzFKYkIpHk0NEu94

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2mh75xe3nief7w2d7djgas6h

* Website: http://www.natcassidy.com/

* To Order When the Wolf Comes Home: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250386151/whenthewolfcomeshome/

This week, I’m sharing my conversation with Kristi DeMeester, author of Such a Pretty Smile and Dark Sisters which is hitting shelves today. We talk about how the novel came to be, Kristi’s decision to focus on distinct time periods within the novel, the plights her female characters face, and how they feel oh-so cyclical when looking back through history. I absolutely adore this book, and I am so thankful for Kristi’s time. If you’d like to order a copy of Dark Sisters or keep up with Kristi on social media, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristimdemeester/

* Website: https://www.kristidemeester.com/

* To Order Dark Sisters: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/dark-sisters-9781250286819/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnZ4bSRLg4XhdU1Aw2be-rSmprL9tK8kNPzJt_CvOdcPreVNAhUdlxkY5xOu8_aem_rTiFL1UqiC9mGGtmzwCISw

The alpha and omega, Clay McLeod Chapman returns to the podcast to chat about his 2025 releases, Acquired Taste, Shiny Happy People, and more. While we kicked off the year chatting about Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, it’s a real delight to begin to bring this year to a close talking about first loves, tragedy, maintaining self, healing, Dave Matthews, REM, and axolotls. And then some. As always, getting to chat with Clay is a treat, and if you wanna keep up with him on socials/order his books, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymcleod/

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@claymcleod

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/claymcleod.bsky.social

* Website: https://www.claymcleodchapman.com/books/

* To order Acquired Taste: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790250/acquired-taste-by-clay-mcleod-chapman/

* To order Shiny Happy People: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/769642/shiny-happy-people-by-clay-mcleod-chapman/

Happy Tuesday! Thrilled to be sharing my conversation with Neil McRobert, author of his debut novella, Good Boy. Now, you probably know Neil from Talking Scared, but I cannot emphasize how much I adore his fiction, in particular this story. It’s one that pulls on your heart strings in the best way possible, unpacking ideas of social responsibility and standing for what you believe in, even when it’s the hardest option available. I cannot thank Neil enough for coming on the pod to chat about all this and more. This may be a cheesy bit to share, but when I think about learning how to interview people, I recall the countless hours of listening to Talking Scared, listening to Neil unpack the books that are shaping the modern horror landscape. And I could not be more thrilled that his voice is one of them. To keep up with Neil on social media or to pre-order a copy of Good Boy, check out the links below:

* Neil’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkscaredpod/?hl=en

* Neil’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@talkscaredpod

* Neil’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkscaredpod.bsky.social

* Talking Scared Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingScaredPod/home

* To Pre-Order Good Boy: https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/goodboy/9781068563102

Did you hear that? Was that a scream? Probably so, as this week, I chat with Eleanor Johnson, author of one of the best non-fiction reads I’ve picked up in some time, Scream With Me. She takes a look at some of horror’s most iconic films across the late 1960s through the 70s and 80s in tandem with our country’s history with feminism. It’s a brilliant examination of key social moments, a look back on how far (or how little) we’ve come, and why we feel the need to scream, all through the lens of horror. We chat about all of these things of course, plus how these ideas make us feel. It’s not an exaggeration for me to say that this feels like one of the most important conversations I’ve fostered around the genre with clear implications in our own lives and realities as women. To order your own copy of Scream With Me (you should) or to keep up with Eleanor through her Substack, check out the links below:

* To Order Scream With Me: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scream-with-Me/Eleanor-Johnson/9781668087633

* Eleanor’s Substack:

For our last Bonus Episode Thursday, I’m sharing my conversation with Michael Wehunt, author of The October Film Haunt! We, of course, chat about the book, its genesis, the symbolism behind some of the set pieces, what it means to have faith, and all there is to love about horror in all of its explored (and unexplored) forms. A huge, huge thank you to Michael for his time and answering ALL of my deeper questions about the book. To keep up with him on social media or to preorder a copy of The October Film Haunt, check out the links below:

* Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwehuntauthor/?hl=en

* Michael’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@michaelwehuntauthor

* Michael’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelwehunt.bsky.social

* Michael’s Website: https://michaelwehunt.com/

* To Pre-Order The October Film Haunt: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250333698/theoctoberfilmhaunt/

Happy Tuesday! I am thrilled to have Delilah S. Dawson on the podcast to chat about her most recent release, House of Idyll! We chat about the story’s inspiration, how the pacing of the book impacts its characters, and the choices Delilah’s female characters make that allow them to feel so compelling. To keep up with Delilah on social media or to order a copy of House of Idyll, check out the links below:

* Delilah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delilahsdawson/

* Delilah’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@delilahsdawson

* Delilah’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/delilahsdawson.bsky.social

* Delilah’s Website: https://www.whimsydark.com/

* To Order House of Idyll: https://www.whimsydark.com/#/adult/

Happy bonus episode Thursday! Thrilled to be sharing my chat with Jonathan Janz on his latest release Veil, a novel that is the perfect blend of horror, sci-fi, and heart. We chat about genre distinctions, Janz’s short story featured in The Stand anthology, The End of the World As We Know It, and writing with lots of heart and authenticity. It is such a joy to get to talk to Jonathan, and, of course, this conversation is no exception. If you want to keep up with Jonathan on social media or order a copy of Veil, check out the links below:

* Jonathan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.janz/

* Jonathan’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jonathan.janz

* Jonathan’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjanz.bsky.social

* To Order Veil: https://www.blackstonepublishing.com/products/book-iag9

Thrilled to be sharing my conversation with Alma Katsu on her novel, Fiend which is on shelves TODAY! We explore the themes of the novel, the horrors of corporate workspaces, infuriating gender expectations, and so much more. We also discuss Alma’s story from The End of the World As We Know It anthology, Make Your Own Way. If I’m being candid, this is one of the interviews I am most proud to be sharing with you all as I feel we share an honest conversation regarding the expectation of female characters in fiction, their perception, and the greater attitudes towards their complexity. If you want to keep up with Alma on social media or order a copy of Fiend for yourself, check out the links below:

* Alma’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almakatsu/

* Alma’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@almakatsu

* Alma’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/almakatsu.bsky.social

* To Order Fiend: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734363/fiend-by-alma-katsu/

Happy Bonus Episode Thursday! I am thrilled to be sharing my conversation with Catherine Dang, author of one of my favorite novels of the year, What Hunger. This is a book that is the most sublime blend of coming-of-age themes, rage, and well, cannibalism. Cat and I unpack all of these topics plus much more in this conversation which I am immensely grateful for! To follow Cat on socials and to order a copy of What Hunger, check out the links below:

* Cat’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dangitcat/

* Cat’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dangitcat

* Cat’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dangitcat.bsky.social

* To Order What Hunger: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/What-Hunger/Catherine-Dang/9781668065570

I welcome Keith Rosson to the podcast to discuss his most recent release, Coffin Moon which is on shelves as of TODAY! We chat about grit, anger, and revenge in the context of the novel with a deep dive on many of the characters, Keith’s not so classic vampirism, and much more. A HUGE thanks to Keith for making the time to chat, and if you’re looking to keep up with him on social media or order a copy of Coffin Moon, check out the links below:

* Keith’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossonkeith/

* Keith’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rossonkeith

* Keith’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/keithrosson.bsky.social

* To Order Coffin Moon: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760818/coffin-moon-by-keith-rosson/

And for your listening pleasure, one of my favorite conversations of the year! Returning for her third time to the pod, Rachel Harrison discusses her upcoming release, Play Nice, which is on shelves from Berkley Publishing on 9/9! We discuss the inspiration behind the story, the fallibility of memory, the narratives others dictate, and much, much more. Play Nice is one of my favorite reads of the year, not just for how entertaining, terrifying, witty, and brilliant it is, but for its truthful examination of humanity, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We also chat about Rachel’s story and essay featured in Saga Press’ anthology, Night and Day, and Becky Spratford’s essay collection, Why I Love Horror. Forever thankful for authors like Rachel for their time and creativity. To keep up with Rachel on social media and to order your copy of Play Nice, Night and Day, or Why I Love Horror, check out the links below:

* Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelharrisonsghost/

* Rachel’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rachelharrisonsghost

* Rachel’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rachelharrison.bsky.social

* To Pre-Order Play Nice: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/742649/play-nice-by-rachel-harrison/

* To Pre-Order Why I Love Horror: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Why-I-Love-Horror/Becky-Siegel-Spratford/9781668205099

* To Order Night and Day: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Night-Day/Ellen-Datlow/Saga-Doubles/9781668080009

Back for the second time this year, Chris Panatier returns to discuss his novel, Shitshow which is on shelves as of today, September 2nd! It’s a lovely read, and I believe our conversation is just as entertaining and earnest. We discuss Chris’ inspiration for the novel, the heart of the book, and much, much more. To keep up with Chris and order your own copy of Shitshow, check out the links below:

* Chris’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispanatier/

* Chris’ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@chrispanatier

* Chris’ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/scribeofhades.bsky.social

* To Order Shitshow: https://sobelobooks.com/shop/p/shitshow

Get your movie snacks ready and put the car in park at the drive-in. Haley Newlin joins me to chat about her latest release, The Film You Are About To See, horror in ever era, and where we hope to see the genre grow. Haley has an incredible voice, and I am so stoked I got the chance to talk to her about this story in particular. If you wan to order your own copy of The Film You Are About To See or keep up with Haley on socials, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleynewlin_author/

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@haleynewlin_author

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/haleynewlin.bsky.social

* Haley’s Website: https://www.haleynewlinauthor.com/

* To Order The Film You Are About To See: https://madaxemedia.square.site/product/the-film-you-are-about-to-see-paperback-preorder-exclusive-packaging-/IRY2Y5PFMGBTDSQSM47YJZMZ?cs=true&cst=custom

Wait a second, it’s not Tuesday! That’s right, this is the first of my series of bonus episodes that will be releasing the month of September since horror is absolutely popping off this month. And to kick off this bonus venture, I welcome Brian McAuley to the pod to discuss his upcoming release, Breathe In, Bleed Out, from Poisoned Pen Press on September 2nd. As always, it is such a delight to get to chat with Brian about his work, the broader horror context, and so much more. If you want to keep up with Brian on socials or preorder a copy of Breathe In, Bleed Out, check out the links below:

* Brian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmcwriter/

* Brian’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@brianmcwriter

* Brian’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/brianmcwriter.bsky.social

* To Pre-Order Breathe In, Bleed Out:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/breathe-in-bleed-out-brian-mcauley/22025322?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac5BWteHjdm9nKfVEwRu-WRtFaLpJ1yZlWklb7nejZL0aaqgwq1RBvyNZWDeA_aem_7WpBWN_ijyBsDOgBXBeWSA

You all know the feeling you get when you see those five words across a a horror movie screen right before it starts to play, the bone-chilling, “Based on a true story.” Well, I think we have that very feeling in book form with Joshua Hull’s 8114, a book that is very heavily tied to Joshua’s own experiences as evidenced by this interview. We talk about how it feels to look back on frightening memories, the process of writing such a story, and much, much more about the horror genre. I am immensely grateful for Joshua’s openness in answering all of my questions about this novel, and if you’re looking for a good scare, you should definitely pick 8114 up (on shelves TODAY from CLASH Books!). If you want to keep up with Josh or order a copy of 8114, check out the links below:

* Joshua’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuathehull/

* Joshua’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@joshuathehull

* Joshua’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/joshuathehull.bsky.social

* To Order 8114: https://indiepubs.com/products/8114

New week, new episode! Happy to welcome Michael Koryta (aka Scott Carson) to the podcast to talk about his most recent release, Departure 37. We discuss weird science, weird history, and well, just the plain old weird employed in the novel. It’s a really great conversation that feels timely considering the emergence of AI and other worldly debates. We also touch on a few aspects regarding Lost Man’s Lane, one of my favorites books, full stop. To order a copy of Departure 37 or keep up with Michael on socials, check out the links below:

* Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelkoryta/

* Michael’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@michaelkoryta?xmt=AQF0mpIrGLIfTMxFMn4iHwOidgXqjUsu_FhWgMQmdlQQIQs

* To order Departure 37: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Departure-37/Scott-Carson/9781982191481

Happy Tuesday, friends! We’re back in the swing of things around here as I present my conversation with Kailee Pedersen, author of Sacrificial Animals! One of my favorite reads of the year, this is novel that is full of deeper context, layers of unease, and dark psychology. Kailee and I discuss these very things as we dive deep into the book, unpacking all there is to offer in these pages. I am so, so grateful for Kailee’s honest and thought-provoking answers to all of my questions. If you’d like to keep up with her on social media or order a copy of Sacrificial Animals, you can check out the links below:

* Kailee’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kailee_pedersen/

* Kailee’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kailee_pedersen

* Kailee’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaileepedersen.bsky.social

* To order Sacrificial Animals: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328243/sacrificialanimals/

Happy Friday, friends! Here’s a bonus episode I recorded with a very good friend of mine, Konrad Stump! He co-chairs HWA Libraries, including the Horror Writers Association’s summer reading program Summer Scares, and StokerCon Librarians’ Day, a full day of continuing education that connects authors and librarians and provides both with the necessary tools to engage communities with the horror genre. He also coordinates the Springfield-Greene County (MO) Library’s long-running “Oh, the Horror!” series, an annual celebration of the horror genre. His work has appeared in Library Journal, NoveList, and Booklist, and has been featured in Book Club Reboot: 71 Creative Twists (ALA) and The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror, third edition (ALA). We chat about his work with all of these programs, his own relationship with horror, and so much more. I’ve got links for you to check out below as well regarding a few things we mention during our chat! Huge thanks to Konrad for coming on the show!

* Follow Konrad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konradmstump/

* 2026 Summer Scares Press Release: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2025/10/hwa-announces-summer-scares-reading.html

* Oh, the Horror! Webpage and Newsletter Sign-Up: https://www.thelibrary.org/event/oh-the-horror

* Reach out to HWA Libraries Co-Chairs Konrad Stump and Becky Spratford via email at libraries@horror.org

Guess who’s back?! Philip Fracassi returns to unpack The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre, a slasher set in a retirement community. We chat about portrayals of age in media and literature, the character work that absolutely makes this novel sing, and so much more. It’s a great hour and some change spent chatting with Phil about this really lovely book, and I hope you all enjoy it! If you want to order your own copy of The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre or keep up with Phil on social media, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pfracassi/?hl=en

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pfracassi

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pfracassi.bsky.social

* To Order The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250879066/theautumnspringsretirementhomemassacre/

2025 has been a year of stunning horror, and one of its major contributors with not one, but two releases is Sam Rebelein! He returns to the pod to chat about his novel, Galloway’s Gospel, unpacking the creativity around this very vibrant story. We also chat about how strange nostalgia can feel, Sam’s stunning characters in this book, and so much more. Getting to chat with Sam will make anyone’s day, and if you want to follow him on social media or order a copy of Galloway’s Gospel, you can do so here:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsam94/

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rebelsam94

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rebelsam94.bsky.social

* To Order Galloway’s Gospel:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/galloways-gospel-sam-rebelein?variant=43711485706274

If you think you saw that doll’s head turn a bit when you walked by, you’d probably be correct in the pages of Ally Malinenko’s latest novel, Broken Dolls. And I was fortunate enough to chat with Ally about the inspiration of the book, why dolls are so creepy, grief horror, writing to grab kids’ attention, and so much more. A HUGE thanks to Ally for her time, and if you’d like to pick up a copy of Broken Dolls or keep up with Ally on social media, check out the links below:

* Ally’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allymalinenko/

* Ally’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@allymalinenko

* Ally’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/allymalinenko.bsky.social

* To Order Broken Dolls: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/broken-dolls-ally-malinenko?variant=43406930804770

Happy Thursday, friends! Here’s a bonus episode on one of the most perfect books I have ever had the pleasure of reading, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. While it’s taken me a minute to get around to reading this masterpiece, it is safe to say it’s stolen both my heart and mind. And accompanying me on this journey through the halls of Hill House is my good friend, Charlie Battison, or as you may know him on social media, barebonesbooks. A huge thanks to him for accompanying me on this twisty journey as we chat about both the novel and limited series adaptation by Mike Flanagan. To keep up with Charlie on socials, check out the links below:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barebonesbooks_/

* BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/barebonesbooks.bsky.social

In full bloom, Her Wicked Roots by Tanya Pell is a Gothic novel that revels in secrets and learning hard truths. It’s an absolute joy to get to chat with Tanya about this story, its starting point, its mystery, and its intrigue in every form. The biggest thanks to Tanya for her enthusiasm and time chatting about this wicked novel. Her Wicked Roots is on shelves now, and if you’d like to order a copy or keep up with Tanya on social media, check out the links below:

* Tanya’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanya.pell/

* Tanya’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@tanya.pell

* Tanya’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tanyapell.bsky.social

* Tanya’s Website: https://www.tanyapell.com/

* To Order Her Wicked Roots: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Her-Wicked-Roots/Tanya-Pell/9781668087299

Crawling its way under our skin, Itch! by Gemma Amor is the angry folk horror novel we all need in our TBRs. I chat with her about where this story came from, what it means to write a feminist story, insect horror, and so much more. Itch! is already on shelves in the UK, but US readers will have a chance to get a hard copy in January of 2026. The good news is, I believe you can get the ebook NOW which I have linked below in addition to where to find Gemma on social media! The biggest thanks to Gemma as always for her time!

* Gemma’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manylittlewords?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

* Gemma’s BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/manylittlewords.bsky.social

* Gemma’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@manylittlewords

* To Order Itch!: https://www.waterstones.com/book/itch/gemma-amor/9781399745369

* To Order Itch! e-Book: https://www.amazon.com/ITCH-darkly-feminist-crawling-Halloween-ebook/dp/B0F9WB2SYN/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

Welcome to the Anna Rose Reads mega-episode of the year! A very good friend, Trevor Williamson of the Sley House Presents Podcast, joins me to unpack 2025 in FULL. This is a big episode folks - we go off on some very fun tangents and talk about our biggest bookish influence these past twelve months. From Stars Wars to splatterpunk, we have lots of thoughts, and I do hope you all enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed having this conversation. Trevor is such a wonderful conversation partner, and I am oh-so thankful he joined me for this episode. To keep up with Trevor, check out the links below that were mentioned during our chat:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleyhousepresents?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

* Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sleyhousepresents

* Website: https://www.sleyhouse.com/sleyhousepresentspodcast

* Trevor’s Phenomenal Interview with Chuck Tingle: