Quills and Chills

DESPERATE MEASURES with Michael Reed

As part of this year's Pride Series, I'm revisiting my conversation with author Michael Reed about his novel Desperate Measures.Michael joins me to discuss the inspiration behind the book, his move from Alaska to West Virginia, and how the landscapes, folklore, and culture of Appalachia shaped the story. We talk about the creation of Joey and Rhonda, the complicated relationships at the heart of the novel, and the challenge of balancing survival, suspense, and emotional truth on the page.Our conversation also explores identity, belonging, and the ways personal experience can inform fiction without defining it. It's a thoughtful discussion about storytelling, resilience, and the people who stay with us long after we finish a book.Whether you're discovering Michael's work for the first time or revisiting this episode with me, I hope you enjoy this special Pride Series encore presentation of Quills & Chills.Find out more about Michael Reed & DESPERATE MEASURES online:rattlinggoodyarns.comFollow Quills & Chills on social:IG: @quillsandchillsBluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.socialYOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

THE BEAST YOU LET IN with Dana Mele

What if your sister disappeared... and came back claiming to be someone else? For this Pride Series episode of Quills & Chills, I'm joined by Dana Mele to discuss The Beast You Let In, a chilling story of twins, secrets, obsession, and the dark side of belonging. A great conversation about character, community, and the monsters we create. 🎧 Listen now! https://youtu.be/LUWb8iVqwgE #BookSky #HorrorCommunity #LGBTQBooks #PrideMonth #AuthorInterview

ODESSA with Gabrielle Sher

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined by author Gabrielle Sher to talk about her novel Odessa, a Jewish folklore Gothic set during the pogroms of 1905 in the Russian Empire. Gabrielle discusses the novel’s shifting family perspectives, how grief and trauma shape the story long before the supernatural arrives, and the terrifying consequences of trying to hold onto the people we love. We also talk about golem mythology, Jewish mysticism, family secrets, and the shifting line between monster and protector throughout the novel. FIND GABRIELLE SHER ONLINE: gabriellesher.com IG:_gabrielle_sher Follow Quills & Chills on social: IG: @quillsandchills Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

THE DORIANS with Nick Cutter

In this episode of Quills & Chills, I’m joined once again by Nick Cutter to discuss his new novel, The Dorians, a disturbing story about aging, mortality, and the lengths people will go to outrun death. We talk about the fears and moral questions at the heart of the book, the influence of classic horror and science fiction, and why body horror and isolation remain such powerful storytelling tools. Nick also shares some of the real-world ideas that inspired the novel and the scenes he’s most excited for readers to experience. FIND NICK CUTTER (Craig Davidson) ONLINE: nickcutter.com craigdavidson.net IG: nickcutter2026 Follow Quills & Chills on social: IG: @quillsandchills Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast

THE CARETAKER with Marcus Kliewer

Marcus Kliewer on The Caretaker | Horror Author Interview | Quills & Chills What happens when grief, money, and bad decisions collide? In this episode of Quills & Chills, I sit down with Marcus Kliewer to break down The Caretaker, a psychological horror story that starts grounded and keeps tightening the screws. Macy is a broke college grad, grieving her father and trying to care for her younger sister. When she takes a questionable Craigslist job, survival overrides instinct, and the story doesn’t let up. We get into: * Writing flawed characters whose choices still feel inevitable * The story’s “rights” system and its connection to OCD * Structuring a narrative as a one-way descent * Influence from Dark Souls II * Balancing reality vs perception * Why Oregon, specifically Salem, shapes the tone Marcus also previews what’s next, including another release this year and a darker, more expansive story in the same universe. FIND MARCUS KLIEWER ONLINE: IG: marcus_kliewer TikTok: marcus_kliewer Reddit: r/oldhousearchive Follow Quills & Chills on social: IG: @quillsandchills Bluesky: @quillsandchills.bsky.social YOUTUBE: @quillsandchillspodcast