Aron Beauregard returns to The Dark Mind Podcast to discuss his latest book Homewreckers, a devastating family horror story about the Huxley family and their possessed 14-year-old son Dustin.

Aaron breaks down the suffocating atmosphere of the novel, exploring how he crafted a story about a marriage crumbling under the weight of an impossible burden.

We dive into the cult element of the book, The Transcenders, and their disturbing practices involving autoerotic asphyxiation.

Aaron reveals how the book was inspired by his own sleep paralysis experience and research into the Hat Man phenomenon.

He discusses the innovative QR code nightmare videos embedded in the deluxe hardcover edition, created in collaboration with Michael Squid, offering POV glimpses into each family member's nightmares.

We explore the differences between extreme horror and splatterpunk, and why Aaron focuses on character-driven stories rather than gratuitous gore.

Aaron shares his two-year writing process for Homewreckers, including major revisions and the challenge of making disturbing scenes necessary rather than gratuitous.

We discuss the nature versus nurture debate, childhood innocence and corruption, and why the best horror must be inescapable.

Aaron talks about his previous viral success with Playground and his upcoming project Horsefly, which also features QR code integration.

The conversation ventures into philosophy, technology, conspiracy theories, Waymo driverless cars, and interdimensional beings.

Available at abhorror.com and wherever books are sold.

Official Website:

https://www.abhorror.com

Social Media:

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

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AronHorror

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aron.beauregard13

Substack Newsletter: https://aronbeauregard.substack.com

Where to Buy:

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/homewreckers-aron-beauregard/1148993165

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aron-Beauregard/author/B07RWS59JT?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=d556bec1-9862-4417-afea-3b0667e23b96

Audible Audiobooks:

https://www.audible.com/author/Aron-Beauregard/B07RWS59JT

Homewreckers Audiobook:

https://www.audible.com/pd/Homewreckers-Audiobook/B0G5RKSTRP

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19170844.Aron_Beauregard

Deluxe Editions (Exclusive):

AB Horror Store:

https://www.abhorror.com

Support The Dark Mind Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/c/thedarkmindpodcast

Rebecca Rowland returns to The Dark Mind Podcast to discuss her new novel Eminence Front, releasing January 20th from CLASH Books.Set on a single New England street during a brutal snowstorm, the novel follows neighbors as an ancient entity preys on their secrets, sins, and regrets.We explore why snow creates such effective psychological horror, from its sound-muffling properties to the sensation of being smothered alive.Rebecca reveals how the title came from a Who song about false facades and self-deception, themes that run through every character on the street.We discuss agoraphobia as both vulnerability and advantage, dementia as a Cassandra narrative device, and why betrayal trauma appears in all of her work.Rebecca shares her extensive research process, from the science of snow to real historical blizzard accounts that inspired scenes in the book.We dig into the challenge of writing deeply flawed characters who are neither heroes nor villains, just people making terrible choices under pressure.Rebecca also talks about her novella Shagging the Boss, her background in psychology, and why she believes most people are fundamentally good despite writing horror.This conversation goes deep into quiet horror, art house atmosphere, and what happens when suburban pretense collapses under supernatural weight.Guest Websitehttps://rowlandbooks.com​Books Page (All Titles & Anthologies)https://rowlandbooks.com/the-books​Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fictionhttps://rowlandbooks.com/unburied​Generation X-ed Anthologyhttps://rowlandbooks.com/generation-xed​Guest Social MediaInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rebecca_rowland_books/​Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/rebecca-rowland.bsky.socialX (Twitter)https://x.com/BecRowlandTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beccalrowGoodreads Author Pagehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4738797.Rebecca_Rowland​Denver Horror Collective Profilehttps://denverhorror.com/rebecca-rowland/​Buy Rebecca Rowland's WorkAuthor Hub for All Books (various retailers linked per title)https://rowlandbooks.com/the-books​Amazon – Rebecca Rowland Bookshttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=rebecca+rowland+authorThriftBooks – Author Pagehttps://www.thriftbooks.com/a/rebecca-rowland/924284/​Godless – Rebecca Rowland Page (eBooks and more)https://godless.com/products/rebecca-rowland​Powell's Books – Search Results for Rebecca Rowlandhttps://www.powells.com/books/search?query=Rebecca+Rowland​Goodreads – Works by Rebecca Rowlandhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4738797.Rebecca_Rowland​Dead Sky Publishing – White Trash & Recycled Nightmareshttps://deadskypublishing.com/portfolio-item/white-trash-recycled-nightmares/​(Unburied, Generation X-ed, American Cannibal, and other titles also link out to individual purchase and audio options from the books hub on her site.)​Support The Dark Mind Podcasthttps://www.patreon.com/c/thedarkmindpodcast

A haunted house on Virginia’s Eastern Shore becomes a conduit between two women separated by 400 years.

Author and screenwriter Jacquie Walters joins The Dark Mind Podcast to talk about her new novel Turn Off The Light.

We dig into dual timelines, women of knowledge, and how small communities can be more terrifying than any ghost.

Jacquie unpacks how sleep deprivation, grief, and family secrets fracture her characters’ sense of reality.

We explore her use of quantum physics to reframe what a haunting actually is.

She shares how her TV background shapes her pacing, structure, and “cinematic” horror on the page.

Jacquie also opens up about mediumship, trusting her intuition, and how her daughter’s experiences with spirits helped inspire the story.

JACQUIE WALTERS - AUTHOR LINKS

Official Website:
https://www.jacquiewalters.com

Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwalterswrites/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiewalters
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15036438.Jacquie_Walters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61564033081098

Buy Books:
Dearest by Jacquie Walters:
https://www.amazon.com/Dearest-Novel-Jacquie-Walters/dp/0316580293

Turn Off The Light by Jacquie Walters:
https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Off-Light-Jacquie-Walters/dp/0316580323

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/turn-off-the-light-jacquie-walters/512b3cf20bdbb039

Mulholland Books (Publisher): https://www.mulhollandbooks.com/titles/jacquie-walters/turn-off-the-light/9780316580328/
Hachette Book Group: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/jacquie-walters/

Book Community:
Send Me A Book (Book recommendations): https://www.sendmeabook.me

In this episode, horror filmmaker A.K. Espada joins me to discuss her deeply personal short film I Could Just Die and That Would Be All Right.The film follows a woman struggling with suicidal depression who offers herself to a cryptid called the Bonecat in the forests of Southern Gothic suburbia, only to wake up undead and denied the escape she sought.Kate opens up about writing the script during one of the darkest periods of her life and how making the film became a form of therapy and advocacy.We discuss the COVID shutdown that nearly ended the production, the challenge of maintaining directorial distance while depicting your own trauma, and why she felt obligated to be transparent about her mental health struggles during festival Q and A sessions.Kate also talks about her other films including The Promotion, a darkly satirical office horror co-directed with Phil Cheney, This Is Our Home, a vegan versus pragmatist horror that won the Audience Award at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, and Laundry Night, which won a Special Jury Prize.We explore the importance of programming at festivals, how dark humor functions in horror, and why she believes everyone needs some form of artistic expression to process difficult emotions.Kate shares insights from her work as a scenic artist on productions like Stranger Things, her participation in the Sundance Horror Fellowship and Moonshot Initiative, and her philosophy on self-distribution and making films outside the traditional gatekeeping system.This conversation covers the psychology of horror, the ethics of depicting suicide on screen, and what it truly takes to make independent films that break stigma and foster genuine connection.OFFICIAL WEBSITEhttps://akespada.comSOCIAL MEDIAInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/akespada/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/a-k-kate-espada-b24a1075FILM-SPECIFIC SOCIAL MEDIAI Could Just Die Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/i_could_just_die/STREAMING PLATFORMSShort of the Weekhttps://www.shortoftheweek.com/2025/07/17/i-could-just-die-and-that-would-be-all-right/Shudder (This Is Our Home - Etheria Showcase)https://www.shudder.com/movies/watch/etheria-film-night-2022/9bf212afcd42a5daALTERhttps://youtu.be/-GHVEeMJc0M?si=dE4MuNTNZvv3GkKoIMDB PROFILEhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm6711544/SEED AND SPARK (Crowdfunding/Distribution)https://seedandspark.com/fund/i-could-just-dieCONTACThttps://akespada.com/contact

Guest: Kathe Koja

Kathe Koja is an award-winning author known for her groundbreaking Dark Factory trilogy, including the newly released Dark Matter. Her work explores immersive fiction, the collapse of consensus reality, and the psychological impact of living in a world where augmented experience and celebrity culture collide. Koja is a pioneer of narrative experimentation, blending genres and inviting readers to participate in her stories.

Website:

kathekoja.com

darkfactory.club

Social Media:

instagram.com/kathekoja

twitter.com/darkfactoryclub

Online Retailers (Books & Audiobooks):

barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-matter-kathe-koja/1146964352

barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-factory-kathe-koja/1140472551

amazon.com/stores/Kathe-Koja/author/B004N2MO82

amazon.com/Dark-Matter-Kathe-Koja/dp/1946154970

audible.com/author/Kathe-Koja/B004N2MO82

Publisher:

meerkatpress.com/category/authors/kathe-koja

Goodreads:

goodreads.com/author/show/8125999.Kathe_Koja

Alex Gonzalez joins The Dark Mind Podcast to discuss his debut novel rekt.
He talks about the dark web’s role in shaping grief and obsession.
Gonzalez shares his experience with early 2000s gore sites.
The conversation explores how algorithms exploit emotional vulnerabilities.
He examines the difference between the dark web and surface internet horror.
Gonzalez considers whether the internet is a mirror or a predator.
The episode covers the psychological effects of online shock content.
He reflects on the reality of being trapped by data-harvesting tech.
Gonzalez discusses his own online habits and digital anxieties.
The discussion touches on the evolution of horror in the digital age.
He shares insights from teaching horror workshops.
Gonzalez reveals how regional geography influenced his writing.
The episode addresses toxic masculinity and online community.
He talks about the process of turning trauma into fiction.
Gonzalez considers the future of horror storytelling.
The conversation ends with his thoughts on catharsis and confrontation in horror.
This episode offers a deep dive into tech horror, online culture, and the dark corners of the human psyche.

Here are the links for Alex Gonzalez and his work:

Official Website & Socials

• Website: alex-gonzalez.mealex-gonzalez​

• Instagram: @nahitsjustalexinstagram​

Where to Buy rekt

• Amazon: Buy on Amazon (Search Link)

• Barnes & Noble: Buy on Barnes & Noblebarnesandnoble​

• Bookshop.org: Buy on Bookshop.orgbookshop​

• Penguin Random House: Buy on PRHpenguinrandomhouse​

• Audible (Audiobook): Get the Audiobookaudible​

Lesley Camphouse returns to The Dark Mind Podcast to discuss her latest novel A Hollow Dream, a devastating work of erotic horror that explores the dark underbelly of influencer culture. Dubbed "extreme misery porn," this slow-burn psychological nightmare follows Georgia, a desperate college student who enters the world of social media stardom only to find herself trapped in a system of exploitation and manipulation orchestrated by agency head Garrett.

In this conversation, we explore why emotional abuse is more terrifying than physical violence, how social media creates invisible cages, and the real-life experiences that inspired this unforgettable story. Lesley shares insights into writing psychological manipulation, the pressures of curated online personas, and why so many readers—especially women—recognize themselves in Georgia's harrowing descent.Camphouse-Transcript.txt​

Lesley Camphouse is an independent author specializing in extreme horror, erotic horror, and dark fiction. Known for crafting psychologically intense narratives that explore the darkest corners of human experience, Lesley draws from real-life observations and personal experiences to create stories that resonate with brutal authenticity. A Hollow Dream is part of her Nightmare Duet series.Camphouse-Transcript.txt​

https://www.instagram.com/authorlacamphouse/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54089710.Lesley_A_Camphouse
https://www.audible.com/author/Lesley-Camphouse/B0DSV3HTWX
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apex-prey-lesley-a-camphouse/1147037020?ean=9789083439105
https://www.abebooks.com/9789083439105/Apex-Prey-Extreme-Horror-Novel-9083439100/plp
https://www.indiereads.org/team/lesley-a.-camphouse
https://www.bookscouter.com/author/camphouse-lesley-a

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lesley-Camphouse/author/B0DSV3HTWX?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1764445661&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Join us as we talk with PD Alleva about The Sleepy Hollow Incident.
This episode explores the blend of vampire lore, gothic romance, and psychological horror that defines his newest series.
We discuss how paying homage to Washington Irving shaped the story and how classic horror influences weave through every chapter.
PD Alleva shares insights into crafting villains inspired by Hannibal Lecter, Lestat, and the Joker.
We delve into deep themes like duality, trauma, anticipation, and the ritualistic nature of violence in horror.
Hear how PD's experience as a therapist influences the psychological depth of his characters and the chilling realism of his scenes.
Discover how portals and mythology fuse with raw emotion and crime thriller elements throughout the novel.
If you appreciate stories that challenge belief systems, explore the human condition, and leave you thinking after the final page, this episode is for you.

Website
https://pdalleva.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pdallevaauthor/

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

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7634126.P_D_Alleva

Amazon Author
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08B3VNVN2

BookScouter
https://bookscouter.com/publisher/paul-alleva