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Artwork for Talking Scared

Talking Scared

Neil McRobert
Horror Literature
The Haunting Of Hill House
Horror Fiction
Where the Dead Wait
Shirley Jackson
That Light Sublime
The Haunting Of Velkwood
C.S. Humble
Cannibalism
Western Genre
Ghost Story
Climate Change
Speculative Fiction
Violence
Arctic Exploration
Survival Horror
Psychological Horror
Gwendolyn Kiste
The Angel Of Indian Lake
Cosmic Horror

Conversations with the biggest names in horror fiction. A podcast for horror readers who want to know where their favourite stories came from . . . and what frightens the people who wrote them.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes304Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CultureBooks

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Artwork for Talking Scared

Latest Episodes

After our loose, freeform chat about the high strangeness of The Talisman, Nat stuck around to Palaver a little more behind Chris’ innocent back.

In this spoiler-filled 35 minutes (do not listen if you haven’t finished The Dark Tower) we get into so... more

We’re on the road again with our Dark Tower journey, running through adjacent worlds, lighting out for the Territories.

Our latest side-quest takes us to The Talisman, the 1984 epic dark fantasy, co-authored by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It’s a ... more

We're Southbound for monster-loving this week on Talking

Scared.

 Georgia writer, Yah Yah Schofield comes to discuss her Southern Gothic debut, On Sundays She Picked Flowers – a story of monsters, spirits, swamps, and generational trauma. There’s a ... more

Imagine you’re back in high school – but worse! The shuffling idiots actually want to EAT you!

That’s the premise of Courtney Summers’ This is Not a Test, her 2012 zombie novel of teen despair amongst the undead, now reissued in a fresh ‘definitive’... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Yah Yah Schofield
Debut novelist from Atlanta, Georgia
Episode: 265 – Yah Yah Schofield & Pretty Words for Ugly Things
Kristi DeMeester
Author of horror fiction, discussing her new novel Dark Sisters
Author
Episode: 263 – Kristi DeMeester & The Purity of Anger
Carmen Maria Machado
Seminal contemporary author, known for works like Her Body and Other Parties and In the Dream House
Episode: [From the Vault] Carmen Maria Machado & Passing Literary Kidney Stones
Jeff VanderMeer
Author of the Southern Reach series, including the acclaimed book Annihilation
Episode: [From the Vault] Jeff VanderMeer and Our First On-Air Murder
Courtney Summers
Author known for boundary-pushing narratives in young adult fiction.
Episode: [From the Vault] Courtney Summers & The Master of the Bitch
Joe Hill
Crown Prince of horror fiction, author of Heart Shaped Box, Nos4A2, Lock & Key, The Black Phone, and King Sorrow.
Episode: 260 – Joe Hill & The One About the Dragon
Joe Lansdale
Elder statesman of Outlaw Horror and a writer whose stories are grotesque but grounded in raw humanity.
Episode: 259 – Joe Lansdale & Our Desperate Need to Be Less Dumb
Ben Leonberg
Writer, director, cinematographer, and professional dog dad
Episode: Off Book #12 – Ben Leonberg and Good Boy
Neil McRobert
Author of Good Boy
Wild Hunt Books
Episode: 258 – Neil McRobert & My Four-Legged Ode to Bravery & Joy

Host

Neil McRobert
Host of the horror literature podcast, known for engaging discussions and insightful interviews with prominent authors in the horror genre.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Leftist propaganda?

    Why does a horror podcast have to be blatantly political and clearly run by anti English leftist?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    419Dggusji346
    United States18 days ago
  • Stephen King fans will love this

    If you are a King fan then this podcast is for you. I started listening because of the King connection. I’ve really enjoyed the ongoing Dark Tower analysis. I then listened to other episodes with horror authors and OMG I got some great book recommendations which I would have otherwise missed out on. Enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peckers UK
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Wizard in Glass!

    Love the show! Audibly gasped when I saw the new Tower episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheDoorTalks
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • State of the Horror Nation ‘25

    I look forward to these episodes every damn year but Neil and his cabinet kill it this time round. I already knew Anna and Emily (and Neil of course) were stars, George was new to me, and I need more of these chats already! I have Futility, Veil and What Hunger on order.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RobynS1S5
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fab horror podcast

    Smart, funny, insightful, and a constant source of inspiration - if you’re a horror fan, or just love stories, you’ll adore these episodes led by author Neil, as he chats with all the best horror folk around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doc Forbes
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host is recognized for his excellent interview skills, creating a welcoming atmosphere for in-depth exploration of complex topics.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, nuanced discussions about horror literature and the insights provided by guests who are established authors.
Many fans mention the podcast's ability to introduce them to new authors and works in the horror genre, amplifying their reading lists.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#146
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#133
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#235
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#202
Poland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#205
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#209
Sweden/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

265 – Yah Yah Schofield & Pretty Words for Ugly Things
Q: How did this crazy story come to be?
I first wrote it at 16, with a child's understanding of darkness, and rewrote it later with a grown perspective on trauma.
265 – Yah Yah Schofield & Pretty Words for Ugly Things
Q: Can you tell us what we need to know about the story before we dive in?
On Sunday, She Picked Flowers is about a woman who escapes an abusive mother's home and confronts her past and a new home.
264 – Courtney Summers & Dead Is Not Better
Q: How do you write authentic teenage dialogue without overusing modern slang?
I write dialogue that feels organic to the characters and stay true to what needs to be communicated, instead of focusing too hard on including current slang.
264 – Courtney Summers & Dead Is Not Better
Q: How does trauma inform survival instincts in your story?
Sloane's trauma profoundly affects her perspective, where the desire for survival is complicated by her belief that she holds a moral obligation to the other teenagers she is with.
264 – Courtney Summers & Dead Is Not Better
Q: Can you introduce us to the story of This Is Not a Test?
It follows a young woman who has decided to end her life on the day of the zombie apocalypse but is caught up with a group of teenage survivors barricaded in their high school—highlighting the moral and existential dilemmas they face.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Scared

What is Talking Scared about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the realm of horror fiction, this series engages in deep conversations with renowned authors, exploring their works, inspirations, and the intricacies of writing within the genre. The discussions cover a diverse array of topics such as psychological horror, societal commentary, and environmental themes, often weaving personal anecdotes with broader narrative explorations. Listeners can expect insightful content on both classic and contemporary horror literature, with episodes that intertwine critical examination and appreciation of the genre's evolution, making it appealing to avid readers and aspiring writers alike. Additionally, the dynamic between the host and guests fosters a rich environment of camaraderie and respect, prov... more

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How many listeners does Talking Scared get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Scared?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Scared:

1. The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast
2. The Evolution of Horror
3. Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast
4. Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast
5. Reading Glasses

How many episodes of Talking Scared are there?

Talking Scared launched 5 years ago and published 304 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking Scared?

Recent guests on Talking Scared include:

1. Yah Yah Schofield
2. Kristi DeMeester
3. Carmen Maria Machado
4. Jeff VanderMeer
5. Courtney Summers
6. Joe Hill
7. Joe Lansdale
8. Ben Leonberg

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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