This Is Horror is a podcast that interviews creatives and writers weekly including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, Josh Malerman, Jennifer Lynch, Tananarive Due, Charlaine Harris, and Joe R. Lansdale. Michael David Wilson is the author of books such as The Girl in the Video and House of Bad Memories and the host of This Is Horror Podcast. Every week we bring you horror fiction news and writing tips.
One Sentence Story Planning | Jon Bassoff Talks about The Memory Ward | Josh Curran on Narrating Daddy's Boy
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Hello, friends. It has been a while since the last This Is Horror newsletter and there have been a number of podcasts, Patreon posts, and YouTube videos since then. Highlights include but are not limited to: Jon Bassoff Talking About The Memory WardTIH 620: Jon Bassoff on The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and Becoming a Writer (Audio) Jon Bassoff on The Memory Ward and The Drive-Thru Crematorium (Video) Josh Curran Talking About Narrating Daddy's BoyJosh Curran on Narrating Daddy’s Boy and Lessons Recording an Audiobook (Video) One not-yet-released podcast conversation that was especially inspiring was the discussion Bob Pastorella and I had with Ross Jeffery. I came away with the same enthusiasm and energy to create as I have done when speaking to other prolific and inspiring authors such as Josh Malerman and Clay McLeod Chapman. With all these writers, it’s not just the message that inspires such creative action but the delivery, enthusiasm, and self-belief. When Ross Jeffery spoke about his writing process and the nuts-and-bolts mechanics of his writing routine, he also showed us his handwritten plan for one of his novels. The first thing that struck me was just how clean and neat it was—each chapter was laid out with few corrections or alterations. The second striking element was how brief each chapter’s explanation was. I’m a meticulous planner but often my plans, or at least ‘first pass’ at a plan, is long and unwieldy with plenty of corrections and edits along the way. Right now, I am on deadline to finish the first draft of my collaboration with John Crinan by the end of August. I have promised myself that this is the sole creative project I will be writing until that first draft is completed. But there are other ideas noodling away, and I’m always looking at ways to bend the rules, which is how I came to be inspired by Ross’s writing process and landed upon something … I have allowed myself to plan a new novel but the caveat is I must not do it at the expense of my current novel (this means it cannot eat into that writing time), and crucially each part of the plan must be 1–2 sentences. That means when planning a story beat or chapter, it must be 1–2 sentences. When describing a character, it must be 1–2 sentences. When explaining a theme or motif, it must be 1–2 sentences. However I structure my plan, each section within a section must be 1–2 sentences. The main benefit behind this is:
I have a tendency to get a little bit carried away with my ideas and write overly long plans in a fanatical fit of creative inspiration. I also find myself so eager to start novels that I might well write the first idea that comes to mind rather than allowing things to percolate. This never works because if the idea is flawed, I’ll realise it later. There may be efficiency in slowing down and forcing the idea to marinate for longer. I spoke a little further about one-sentence story planning over on the MDW Patreon if it's of interest. Well that about does it for another newsletter. There are lots of other good articles below, so please check them out before you go. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening to This Is Horror Podcast, and as always … Have a great, great day. Michael David Wilson P.S. If you like this newsletter and want to support my work and This Is Horror, please become a This Is Horror Podcast patron. It would make me happy but only do it if it will make you happy, too. P.P.S. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level with some professional editing or a writing consultation, you can find out about my rates here and reply to this email. P.P.P.S. There are a limited amount of This Is Horror Podcast advertising slots available for August and September. Please reply to query. Look Out For … We Like it Cherry by Jacy Morris“With this upcoming novella, Jacy Morris unleashes frozen hell with one of the most anticipated titles of the year.” After getting an invitation to cover the ceremonial rites of an unknown tribe, the Winoquin, Ezra Montbanc believes he’s hit the jackpot. The Winoquin reside in the unforgiving, inhospitable Arctic region, but this is a shot …
5 Must Read Horror Articles 14 July 2025Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet for the best horror articles of the week so you don’t have to. Without further ado: Bloody Disgusting look back at the 2009 series Harper’s Island and find a slasher ahead of its time The Ginger Nuts of Horror ask what constitutes responsible depiction of mental health …
News Round-up Week Ending 11 July 2025Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week … Up on Indiegogo now from editors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell, Of Dread, Decay and Doom Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell, multiple award-nominated and award-winning authors and editors of science fiction, fantasy, and horror books …
Look Out For … Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond“With his explosive debut novel, Redmond rewrites history with a blood-thirsty and relevant vampire battle for freedom and revenge.” 1710, in the Province of Carolina, Willie seeks the unattainable: Freedom. With his beloved Gertie and their unborn child, Willie and family suffer under their brutal master, ‘Big Jim’ Barrow. Barrow’s plantation was built by the …
TIH 623: Jasper Bark on Writing a Comic in Novel’s Clothing, Bark Bites Horror, and Writing a Three-Book NovelIn this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about writing a comic in novel’s clothing Bark Bites Horror, writing a three-book novel, and much more. About Jasper Bark Jasper Bark is an award-winning novelist, children’s author and comic book writer. Famed for his imaginative storytelling he’s published four novels, twelve children’s books and countless comics and graphic …
5 Must Read Horror Articles 7 July 2025Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet for the best horror articles of the week so you don’t have to. Without further ado: Bloody Disgusting look to Megan 2.0 and other examples of horror villains’ journeys to horror hero The Ginger Nuts of Horror discover why Frankenstein still haunts us today The Lineup pick out eight …
News Round-up Week Ending 4 July 2025Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week … Arriving 11 July from author JP Behrens and Crystal Lake Publishing, Murder in the Monashee Mountains After barely escaping the haunted streets of Arkham and Miskatonic University, Travis Daniels is on the run with his ward, Leslie …
TIH 622: Jasper Bark on Draw You In, R. L. Carver, and Conspiracy Theories and Comic BooksIn this podcast, Jasper Bark talks about Draw You In, R. L. Carver, comic books and conspiracy theories, and much more. About Jasper Bark Jasper Bark is an award-winning novelist, children’s author and comic book writer. Famed for his imaginative storytelling he’s published four novels, twelve children’s books and countless comics and graphic novels. His …
Look Out For … Jack by R.P. Howley and Daniel Willcocks“With this unique collaboration, Howley and Willcocks turn a pleasant visit to a charming city into a nightmarish and bloody harvest ritual.” A town steeped in tradition. A festival built on hope. A legend that refuses to die. Brackenholt is a small, secluded town in the middle of nowhere. Charli never wanted to visit the …
Books Released on 1 July 2025“An electrifying novel of psychological suspense that explores the way our pasts shape our futures in so many unexpected ways.” (Harper Perennial) Psychological Suspense “The enthralling and terrifying exploration of human nature under extreme conditions poses unsettling questions about the grotesque underbelly of immersive experiences and the true nature of reality.” (Skyhorse) Horror “In this …
5 Must Read Horror Articles 30 June 2025Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet for the best horror articles of the week so you don’t have to. Without further ado: Crime Reads feature an article on the re-imagining of the American west for modern horror audiences Bloody Disgusting suggest six comics for fans of the slasher horror film genre …
News Round-up Week Ending 27 June 2025Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week … Out today from authors Sean Eads and Joshua Viola and Crystal Lake Publishing, Servants of Stone Evil has a new home–and it’s a place called New Vineland. The town appeared almost overnight, as if summoned from the …
Look Out For … Black Brane by Michael Cisco“With his latest, Cisco springboards from physical pain into the metaphysical realm, blending string theory with the occult for a deep-dive into existential dread.” Lying in a bed of pain, he flees physical torment by relying on his own memories and speculations about life and reality. The man was once employed by the Temporary Institute …
TIH 621: Josh Curran on Narrating Daddy’s Boy, Lessons Recording an Audiobook, and the Miscreations PodcastIn this podcast, Josh Curran talks about narrating Daddy’s Boy, lessons learnt recording an audiobook, the Miscreations Podcast, and much more. About Josh Curran Josh Curran is a narrator and writer. He has narrated many episodes of The Other Stories over the show’s lifetime. He is also the creator of the horror audio-drama podcast, Miscreation. …
Taking This Is Horror Podcast to the Next LevelI often like to take stock of what I’m doing with my life and career to make sure I’m utilising my time effectively and achieving what I want with my life. As a number of you know, there are four big areas of focus right now: This Is Horror Podcast Writing Fiction Studying Japanese Teaching/My …
Books Released on 24 June 2025“The Most Important Meal of the Day…is Weird.” (Tenebrous Press) Weird Fiction Anthology “In the wake of a devastating global pandemic, sixty million people take refuge in fortified bunkers across the Quarantine Zone.” (Dark Matter Ink) Science Fiction “Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.” (Atria Books) Thriller “A former child …
5 Must Read Horror Articles 23 June 2025Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet for the best horror articles of the week so you don’t have to. Without further ado: Horror DNA take a deep dive into the work of author Adam Nevill ranking his work to date The Horror Tree explain why it’s natural for human beings to …
News Round-up Week Ending 20 June 2025Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week … Out now from author Kealan Patrick Burke and Elderlemon Press, Cottonmouth A thrilling prequel to Kealan Patrick Burke’s southern gothic horror novel Kin, Cottonmouth is set in the aftermath of the Great Depression in Tennessee, a time of …
TIH 620: Jon Bassoff on The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and Becoming a WriterIn this podcast, Jon Bassoff talks about The Memory Ward, The Drive-Thru Crematorium, and becoming a writer. About Jon Bassoff Jon Bassoff is the author of ten novels. His mountain gothic novel, Corrosion, has been translated in French and German and was nominated for the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere, France’s biggest crime fiction award. …
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This Is Horror
This Is Horror is a podcast that interviews creatives and writers weekly including Chuck Palahniuk, Dean Koontz, Josh Malerman, Jennifer Lynch, Tananarive Due, Charlaine Harris, and Joe R. Lansdale. Michael David Wilson is the author of books such as The Girl in the Video and House of Bad Memories and the host of This Is Horror Podcast. Every week we bring you horror fiction news and writing tips.
Hello, friends. It’s been just under a month since we last spoke, and in that time, I have finished the first draft of my collaborative novel, tentatively titled Inemuri with John Crinan. Folks, this one is an absolute whopper, weighing in at over 167,000 words. Given my last two books were under 80,000 words and the two before that considerably less, this is new and uncharted territory for me. I spoke to Josh Malerman last week about his excellent creative nonfiction book, WATCHING EVIL...
Hello, friends. It’s been just over a month since I last sent a This Is Horror newsletter—the main reason being, I dedicated the month of August to finishing the first draft of my novel with John Crinan. Aside from recording podcasts and pre-arranged family commitments, I did very little other than write during August, and I do not regret it at all. Actually, it’s given me a real thirst to write and podcast full-time, something that if you’re a listener of the This Is Horror Podcast, you’ll...
I often like to take stock of what I’m doing with my life and career to make sure I’m utilising my time effectively and achieving what I want with my life. As a number of you know, there are four big areas of focus right now: This Is Horror Podcast Writing Fiction Studying Japanese Teaching/My Day Job At different times in my life, different areas have taken centre stage. There’s a fire in me right now that desperately wants to take This Is Horror Podcast to the next level. The dream would be...