In this episode of Talking Horror, Rachel Redd sits down with the master of the "emotional highlighter," Clay McLeod Chapman. Known for his gut-wrenching novels like Ghost Eaters and What Kind of Mother, Clay dives deep into why the horror genre is the perfect sandbox for exploring our deepest fears, addictions, and "soft traumas."

We discuss his "bromance" with Nat Cassidy, his origins in the shadows of Edgar Allan Poe’s Richmond, and why he strives to be "water" in a world of square-peg branding. Whether you're a writer looking for advice on finding your voice or a reader looking for your next terrifying obsession, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – The Nat Cassidy "Bromance" & the Infamous Werewolf Mask

00:37 – Introducing Clay McLeod Chapman

01:50 – Why Horror? The Genre as an "Emotional Highlighter"

03:40 – Using the "Horror Sandbox" to Process Fear and Grief

04:55 – Clay’s Origin Story: Poe, Campfire Tales, and "Soft Traumas"

07:13 – Growing up in the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe in Richmond

11:00 – The Visceral Power of a Good Story

14:26 – Writing Across Mediums: From Theater to Comics to Fiction

18:15 – Navigating Self-Doubt and the "Deficit of Confidence"

21:28 – The "Dollop of Water" Philosophy: Finding Your Place in the Industry

26:40 – Handling Reviews: The Grace of the "Two-Star" Feedback

31:50 – Authors on Social Media: Building a Positive Community

34:21 – Paying it Forward: The Importance of Supporting Fellow Writers

37:55 – Exploring the "Darkness": Grief and Trauma in What Kind of Mother

41:30 – The Immersive Magic of Audiobooks

45:00 – Deep Dive into Ghost Eaters: Addiction as a Haunting

52:15 – The Current State of Horror: Indie Presses and New Voices

1:00:10 – Advice for Aspiring Writers: Being a "Student of the World"

1:05:54 – Closing Thoughts & A Final Question for Nat Cassidy

Connect with Clay McLeod Chapman:

Website: claymcleodchapman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claymcleod/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@claymcleodchapman

Follow Talking Horror Podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkhorrorpod/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelredd

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