In this episode we chat with Ally Russell, modern maven of middle grade horror about her book, DOWN CAME THE SPIDERS.

We talk about writing stories in response to the ones we read as kids, butt-kicking babysitters, slow vs. speed reading, the hard realities of being a full-time author, the cold intelligence of praying mantises, rediscovering your "why" through school visits, and how sometimes the best advice to follow is your own.