Dark Academia and Darker Stories: Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar on Horror Writing and Craft | Ep 36

Andrew Najberg on Writing Horror, Building Wicked House, and the Monsters That Stay With Us | Ep 38

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Andrew Najberg for a deep dive into horror writing, indie publishing, and the passion it takes to keep dark stories alive. Andrew talks about his journey from poetry and fiction to publishing novels like The Mobius Door, Gollitok, Extinction Dream, The Neverborn Thief, and Eat the Light, while also helping shape the horror landscape as co-owner and co-editor-in-chief of Wicked House Publishing. They dig into what makes a manuscript stand out, what small presses actually do behind the scenes, how authors can build discipline, and why horror remains one of the most powerful genres for atmosphere, fear, and emotional truth. The conversation also covers Aliens, xenomorphs, post-apocalyptic horror, publishing advice, short story collections, and the long game of becoming a better writer. This is a must-listen for fans of indie horror, author interviews, small press publishing, science fiction horror, monster stories, and behind-the-scenes conversations about how horror books get made. Website: https://www.andrewnajberg.com [http://www.andrewnajberg.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.najberg/ [https://www.facebook.com/andrew.najberg/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewnajberg/ [https://www.instagram.com/andrewnajberg/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.najberg [https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.najberg]   Keywords / Buzzwords: Andrew Najberg, Andrew Najberg interview, Wicked House Publishing, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, horror author interview, indie horror publishing, small press publishing, horror writing, sci-fi horror, post-apocalyptic horror, The Mobius Door, Gollitok, Extinction Dream, Eat the Light, The Neverborn Thief, horror books, xenomorph, Alien franchise, author podcast Hashtags: #AndrewNajberg #WickedHouse #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #SmallPressPublishing #HorrorWriting #AuthorInterview #SciFiHorror #PostApocalypticHorror #TheMobiusDoor #Galatok #ExtinctionDream #EatTheLight #TheNeverbornThief #Alien #Xenomorph #HorrorBooks #IndieAuthor

The Succubus, Part 3: Demonology, Witch Trials, and the Church’s Darkest Obsession | Ep 37

In part three of this chilling Succubus series on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks explores the darkest turn in the legend’s history: the moment the succubus stopped being folklore and became part of the machinery of fear, theology, and execution. This episode dives into medieval demonology, the church’s obsession with incubi and succubi, the bizarre theology behind demon reproduction, and the horrifying role texts like the Malleus Maleficarum played in shaping the witch trials. Brad unpacks how beliefs about sleep paralysis, shame, sexuality, and demonic visitation were used to justify persecution, especially of women, and how the succubus became more than just a monster story. If you love dark history, occult horror, witch trial history, religious horror, demon lore, medieval folklore, and deep dives into the terrifying places where myth and real-world cruelty collide, this episode is for you. Brad Ricks's Book Crypt: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt]   Keywords / Buzzwords: succubus, succubus lore, succubus mythology, demonology, incubi and succubi, Malleus Maleficarum, witch trials, medieval witch trials, demon lore, occult history, dark history, religious horror, church and witchcraft, sleep paralysis folklore, medieval folklore, supernatural history, horror podcast, mythology podcast, Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks Hashtags: #Succubus #SuccubusLore #Demonology #WitchTrials #MalleusMaleficarum #OccultHistory #DarkHistory #DemonLore #ReligiousHorror #MedievalFolklore #SleepParalysis #Incubus #SupernaturalHistory #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #WitchcraftHistory #OccultHorror #Folklore #Mythology

Dark Academia and Darker Stories: Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar on Horror Writing and Craft | Ep 36

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar to talk about teaching horror writing, building a life as an author and scholar, and why horror gives writers the freedom to explore both the grotesque and the deeply human. They discuss Cassandra’s work as an English professor, her popular horror writing class, her love of Edgar Allan Poe, and the inspiration behind books like Darkness There, But Something More, Close the Door, Lake of Secrets, and Keeper of Corpses and Other Dark Tales. The conversation dives into dark academia, psychological horror, paranormal mysteries, short story writing, body horror scholarship, Frankenstein’s monster, and the importance of writing community, revision, and pushing past fear to actually get the words on the page. This is a must-listen for fans of horror fiction, author interviews, gothic literature, creative writing, indie horror authors, and behind-the-scenes conversations about the craft of writing dark stories. LINKS:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandra.sachar [https://www.facebook.com/cassandra.sachar] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosachar [https://www.instagram.com/cosachar] Brad's Book Crypt: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt]   SEO Keywords / Buzzwords: Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar, Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, horror writing, horror professor, Edgar Allan Poe, dark academia, gothic horror, psychological horror, paranormal mystery, Frankenstein’s monster, indie horror author, horror short stories, creative writing, body horror, Stoker nominated, horror scholarship, author interview, horror podcast Hashtags: #CassandraOSullivanSachar #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #HorrorWriting #EdgarAllanPoe #DarkAcademia #GothicHorror #PsychologicalHorror #ParanormalMystery #IndieHorror #HorrorAuthor #CreativeWriting #Frankenstein #BodyHorror #HorrorScholarship #KeeperOfCorpses #DarknessThereButSomethingMore #WomenInHorror

Succubi Around the World: The Night Demons Every Culture Feared | Ep 35

In part two of this chilling Succubus series on The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks takes listeners on a terrifying global tour of the world’s most haunting night demons and succubus-like creatures. From Lamia and Empusa in ancient Greece to the Manananggal in the Philippines, the Pontianak in Southeast Asia, Yuki-onna in Japan, the Rusalka in Slavic folklore, and the Shtriga in Albanian legend, this episode explores the eerie pattern hiding in folklore across continents: the beautiful female spirit who appears at night, seduces, drains, or destroys. Why do so many cultures tell the same story? Is it fear, folklore, sleep paralysis, guilt, or something even older and darker? If you love monster lore, dark folklore, mythology, occult horror, supernatural legends, cryptids, and creepy deep dives into the monsters humanity can’t stop imagining, this episode is for you. Join the Facebook Group: Brad Ricks's Book Crypt https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt]   SEO Keywords / Buzzwords: succubus folklore, succubi around the world, night demons, Lamia, Empusa, Manananggal, Pontianak, Yuki-onna, Rusalka, Shtriga, global folklore, dark mythology, supernatural legends, demon lore, monster lore, sleep paralysis folklore, occult horror, mythology podcast, horror podcast, The Night Crew Podcast Hashtags: #Succubus #Succubi #NightDemons #Lamia #Empusa #Manananggal #Pontianak #YukiOnna #Rusalka #Shtriga #Folklore #DarkFolklore #Mythology #MonsterLore #OccultHorror #SupernaturalLegends #HorrorPodcast #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #DemonLore

Writing Chaos, Crime, and Carnage: Megan Stockton on Horror, Werewolves, and Breaking the Rules | Ep 34

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks sits down with Megan Stockton to talk about her writing journey, her love of horror fiction, and why she prefers to break the rules rather than follow them. They dive into Megan’s approach to self-publishing, writing in multiple dark genres, and creating stories that range from crime thrillers and atmospheric horror to extreme horror, splatterpunk, and dark romance. Megan talks about books like Lovely Dark and Deep, Bluejay, Pink Neon, and Impulse, shares her thoughts on writing for yourself first, and opens up about storytelling, chaos, confidence, and finding your voice as an indie author. The conversation also covers werewolves, vampires, monster metaphors, gaming, horror influences, and what it means to build a writing career on your own terms. If you love indie horror authors, dark fiction, extreme horror, crime thrillers, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes conversations about the writing life, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Social Links: Website: https://meganstocktonbooks.com/ [https://meganstocktonbooks.com/] Facebook: http://facebook.com/meganstocktonauthor/ [http://facebook.com/meganstocktonauthor/] Instagram: @meganstocktonauthor TikTok: @meganstocktonauthor   Brad's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bradricksbookcrypt]     SEO Keywords / Buzzwords: Megan Stockton, Megan Stockton interview, The Night Crew Podcast, Brad Ricks, horror author interview, indie horror author, self-publishing, extreme horror, splatterpunk, dark fiction, crime thriller, dark romance, Lovely Dark and Deep, Bluejay, Pink Neon, Impulse, werewolf horror, vampire horror, indie author life, horror podcast Hashtags: #MeganStockton #TheNightCrewPodcast #BradRicks #HorrorPodcast #IndieHorror #HorrorAuthor #AuthorInterview #SelfPublishing #ExtremeHorror #Splatterpunk #DarkFiction #CrimeThriller #DarkRomance #LovelyDarkAndDeep #Bluejay #PinkNeon #Impulse #Werewolves #Vampires #IndieAuthor