School Book Scare
Season 1
D. W. Gillespie - Grin
Ally Russell - Down Came the Spiders
by Jose Cruz
Today I’m joined by D. W. Gillespie, a writer of adult horror fiction who has recently turned his hand at writing for the middle grade market including today's book, GRIN. In this episode we talk about the moving target of success, being terrified of ghosts late at night, learning how to get out of your own way as an author, the current exciting moment that horror is having, committing to the darkness of your story, and how the human need for genuine art will eventually prevail over the scourge that is generative AI. Yay.
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.
Today's fair special: A. D. Aro, author of the BUMPS IN THE NIGHT series. We discuss the joys of finding your people, the ups and downs of self publishing, the creeping terror of severed hands, and why you should always be careful when handling a blowtorch. Bring your flashlight!