Nat Cassidy on I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

Abby Vail on Writhe

Trigger warnings for this episode: Abby and I discuss some very important, but also dark topics surrounding the following - gun violence, school shootings, child abuse, and child neglect. We discuss her novel, Writhe, in detail which includes spoilers around the 38 minute mark so beware if you’d like to read before listening as well! Unpacking her debut novel, Abby Vail joins me to discuss Writhe which is available now from Sobelo Books! This discussion is near and dear to me as we cover topics that aren’t easy to cover. The lens that Abby approaches these things is so insightful and nuanced, and I am incredibly grateful for her honesty around this subject! We also discuss her story that is included in Truborn Press’ Punk Goes Horror II anthology, “Circle With Me.” To order a copy of Abby’s works or keep up with her on social media, check out the links below: * Abby’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyvailwrites/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/abbyvailwrites/?hl=en] * Abby’s BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/abbyvail.bsky.social * Abby’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@abbyvailwrites?xmt=AQG07cgQanTA8PNn_82Bsa7TpJbfCvwPdkxs2nqjMU7-RcU [https://www.threads.com/@abbyvailwrites?xmt=AQG07cgQanTA8PNn_82Bsa7TpJbfCvwPdkxs2nqjMU7-RcU] * Abby’s Website: https://abbyvailauthor.com/ * To Order Writhe: https://sobelobooks.com/shop/p/writhe?utm_source=threads&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio [https://sobelobooks.com/shop/p/writhe?utm_source=threads&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio] * To Order Punk Goes Horror II: https://www.trubornpress.com/shop/p/pgh2?utm_source=threads&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio [https://www.trubornpress.com/shop/p/pgh2?utm_source=threads&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Nick Cutter on The Dorians

Bonus episodes are back for the summer! Thrilled to be sharing my conversation with Nick Cutter (Craig Davidson) on his latest, The Dorians. We chat about the not-so-great fountain of youth, bad science, and compelling villains. Getting to chat with Nick about not just this book, but some of his others as well, was such an honor. You can pick up a copy of The Dorians today at the links below and follow Nick on social media to keep up with upcoming events: * To Order The Dorians: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Dorians/Nick-Cutter/9781668079560 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Dorians/Nick-Cutter/9781668079560] * Nick’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickcutter2026/ [https://www.instagram.com/nickcutter2026/] * Nick’s Website: https://www.craigdavidson.net/nickcutter/index.html [https://www.craigdavidson.net/nickcutter/index.html] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Annie Neugebauer on The Other and You Have to Let Them Bleed

2026 is the year of short fiction for me, thanks to this week’s guest, Annie Neugebauer! Her collection You Have to Let Them Bleed and her novella The Other have absolutely blown me away, and we chat about the specifics of writing short fiction, the logistics of The Outsiders Sequence, and even color theory! Annie is such a brilliant creative, and hearing about her process, the things that inspire her, and how she thinks of her work was such an honor. If you want to order copies of Annie’s works or keep up with her on social media, check out the links below: * Annie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annieneugebauer/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/annieneugebauer/?hl=en] * Annie’s Website: https://annieneugebauer.com/ * To Order You Have to Let Them Bleed: https://annieneugebauer.com/books/you-have-to-let-them-bleed/ [https://annieneugebauer.com/books/you-have-to-let-them-bleed/] * To Order The Other: https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/products/the-other-paperback [https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/products/the-other-paperback] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

CJ Leede on Headlights

A novel that is near and dear to my heart (for some reasons discussed in this episode), Headlights by CJ Leede is the kind of book that feels like it can change a life. I sat down and unpacked it all with CJ, how it felt to write about something so large, the approach to capturing place, leaning into The Shining of it all, and so much more. Speaking with CJ is always an occasion that makes a day immensely better, and this conversation is no exception. Immensely grateful for her and her earnestness in this interview. Links to order Headlights and to keep up with CJ on socials: * CJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceejthemoment/?hl=en * CJ’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ceejthemoment * CJ’s BlueSy: https://bsky.app/profile/ceejthemoment.bsky.social * To Order Headlights: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250857958/headlights/ * To register for our event in Springfield, MO: https://programs.thelibrary.org/event/15998261 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Claire Fuller on Hunger & Thirst

Chatting about one of my favorite reads this year, Hunger & Thirst, author Claire Fuller joins me to unpack the unreliable narrator, the modern Gothic, tapping into formative experiences, and so much more. Huger & Thirst is a brilliant novel that sings with dread, another facet that Claire and I dig into, and I hope everyone gives this book a read. Seriously, this is the kind of novel I live for, and Claire was such a lovely conversation partner. All of the thanks to her for her time, and if you want to order a copy of Hunger & Thirst or keep up with Claire, check out the links below: * Claire’s Website: https://clairefuller.co.uk/ * Claire’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerclairefuller/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/writerclairefuller/?hl=en] * US Virtual Event: https://writer.org/event/fuller-faliveno/ [https://writer.org/event/fuller-faliveno/] * To Order Hunger & Thirst: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816559/hunger-and-thirst-by-claire-fuller/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816559/hunger-and-thirst-by-claire-fuller/] And, regarding my very special, big announcement at the end of the episode, check out Darker Times here (link goes live on 9:00 AM, 6/1): darkertimes.com [https://darkertimes.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit annarosereadsreviews.substack.com [https://annarosereadsreviews.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]