Episode Summary:
Join us for a deep dive into existential horror, identity, and cosmic weirdness with Erik McHatton—author of "Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void," published by Undertaker Books. We talk about defying traditional storytelling, searching for meaning in the Void, and crafting literary horror that lingers long after the last page.

Guest Information:

• Erik McHatton – Author of Straw World and Other Echoes from the Void

Find Erik McHatton Online:

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/ErikMcHattonx
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikmchattoninstagram
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-mchatton-232937139linkedin
• Author Linktree: https://linktr.ee/erikmchattonx

Official Website/Blog:

• Undertaker Books author page: https://undertakerbooks.com/blogs/news/dark-matters-new-cosmic-horror-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Book page on Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Additional blog feature: https://theblogwithoutaface.com/2025/09/04/straw-world-a-love-letter-to-the-void/theblogwithoutaface

Where to Buy Erik McHatton’s Books:

• Undertaker Books: https://undertakerbooks.com/products/straw-world-and-other-echoes-from-the-voidundertakerbooks
• Godless: https://godless.com/collections/undertaker-booksgodless
• Amazon UK (pre-order/release): https://amazon.co.ukfantasy-hive

Learn more:

• Cosmic Horror Monthly features: https://cosmichorrormonthly.com/tag/erik-mchatton/cosmichorrormonthly
• Author interview: https://ivygrimes.substack.com/p/interview-with-erik-mchattonivygrimes.substack

Show Notes Highlights:

• Existential horror and metafiction themes
• The “Void” as central motif
• Ecological entropy and grief
• Unconventional story structure

In this episode, Daniel Volpe discusses his latest novel “Slaughterhouse Moan,” exploring themes of horror, depravity, and redemption. He shares insights into his creative process, the evolution of his writing, and the personal experiences that shape his work.

Keywords

Daniel Volpe, Slaughterhouse Moan, horror, depravity, redemption, creative process, writing evolution

Takeaways

“Slaughterhouse Moan” is described as Volpe's most depraved work.

The novel started as a short story called “My Beauties.”

Volpe draws inspiration from real-life farming struggles.

The book explores themes of isolation and economic insecurity.

Volpe emphasizes story over gratuitous content.

He believes in redemption for most characters.

Volpe's writing retreats are crucial for his creative process.

The novel is set in 2003, reflecting Volpe's own high school years.

Volpe aims to entertain and provide an escape for readers.

He sees vengeance as a recurring theme in his work.

Sound bites

"Slaughterhouse Moan is my most depraved work."

"It started as a short story called My Beauties."

"I draw inspiration from real-life farming struggles."

"Isolation and economic insecurity are key themes."

"I emphasize story over gratuitous content."

"I believe in redemption for most characters."

"Writing retreats are crucial for my creative process."

"The novel is set in 2003, reflecting my high school years."

"I aim to entertain and provide an escape for readers."

"Vengeance is a recurring theme in my work."

Daniel Volpe's Social Media and Website:

Website: www.danielvolpeauthor.com

Twitter: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Instagram: @DanielVolpeAuthor

Facebook: Daniel Volpe Author

Upcoming Personal Appearances:

HorrorCon 2023: www.horrorcon2023.com

Book Signing at Dark Delicacies: www.darkdel.com

Guest Speaker at the Horror Writers Association Conference: www.horror.org

Author Jessica McHugh joins Vince on the show to discuss her novel "Pins," inspired by her own experiences in the club scene. This episode explores the emotional, gritty, and glamorous world behind the book, with discussion spanning blackout poetry, the power of sisterhood, storytelling craft, and new horror projects.

Highlights

• "Pins": Real-life inspiration, re-release by Madness Heart Press, and the struggle of protagonist Birdie amidst violence, spectacle, and survival.
• Themes: Dark humor, grit, sexuality, and empowerment.
• Music as Motif: Use of “Rocket Man” and other songs as emotional anchors for the main character.
• Blackout Poetry: Jessica's ongoing commissions and upcoming horror-themed blackout collection based on "Wuthering Heights."
• Recent & Upcoming: Contributions to "Howl" (Black Spot Books), "The Rack 2," and the Gardening Guidebooks trilogy.

Connect with Jessica McHugh

• Website: mchughniverse.commchughniverse
• Instagram: @thejessmchughinstagram+1
• Twitter/X: @mchughjessx

On this episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, host Vincent Midgard welcomes horror author Holly Rae Garcia for a deep dive into her debut novel, Come Join the Murder, and her unique approach to dark fiction.

Key Topics Covered:

• From Psychological Thriller to Soul-Crushing Horror:
  Holly discusses the inspiration and emotional core behind Come Join the Murder, exploring themes of grief, vengeance, and morality in her protagonist’s harrowing journey.
• Constructing Realistic Grief:
  Holly reflects on her own experiences as a mother and how personal fears around child safety and loss influenced her portrayal of Rebecca's trauma and obsession with her family’s fate.
• Moral Ambiguity in Character Building:
  The conversation examines the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, and how good people might do bad things under extraordinary circumstances. Holly shares her fascination with this gray area and how it fuels her writing.
• Grounding Horror in the Everyday:
  Drawing inspiration from Stephen King, Garcia explains how taking everyday objects and situations—like a white van or a family outing—can evoke deep unease and make her stories linger with readers.
• Villains and Violence:
  Holly reveals her intent to subvert expectations with a villain (James Porter) who is menacing through his casual, emotionless approach to murder and the challenge of escalating violence in a way that always serves the story.
• Sensory Writing and Process:
  Learn about Holly’s process of "white-rooming" first drafts and then meticulously layering in sensory details, atmosphere, and action to make her horror scenes come alive.
• Genre Blending and Subjectivity:
  The discussion veers into lively debates about what constitutes horror vs. thriller vs. sci-fi, and why, for Holly, films like Jurassic Park qualify as horror.
• Personal Background:
  Holly shares her roots on the Texas coast, her background as a photographer, her family’s embrace of the macabre, raising reptiles (and parrots), and how a supportive—if darkly humored—family helped shape her creativity.
• Co-Writing with Family:
  Vincent asks about collaborating with her husband, army veteran Ryan Prentiss Garcia, on Easton Falls Massacre, and how they balance their writing strengths.
• Publishing, Rights, and Upcoming Projects:
  Holly talks about the upcoming re-release of Come Join the Murder with a new cover and her ongoing journey balancing writing, work, and life.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Good people do bad things for good reasons, and bad people do good things for bad reasons. No one is all one thing.”
• “When you show a reader the bomb under the table, you create tension—not just surprise.”
• “I don’t write for shock value; the violence has to serve the story or the character’s truth.”
• "Sometimes the darkness wins, and I think that's just more honest to life."

Connect with Holly Rae Garcia:

Website: https://www.hollyraegarcia.com
X (Twitter): https://x.com/hollyraegarcia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyraegarcia/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19577186.Holly_Rae_Garcia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyraegarcia

Most recent work: Flesh Communion (short story collection)
Look out for the re-release of Come Join the Murder in 2026!

Support the show:
If you enjoy what we do, consider supporting The Dark Mind Podcast on Patreon for bonus content and more:
https://patreon.com/thedarkmindpodcast

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to leave a review and follow for more in-depth conversations about the boundless realms of dark literature and film.

Guest: Keith Rosson
Host: Vincent Midgard
Episode Recorded: August 22, 2025

About This Episode

In this episode, Vincent welcomes renowned author and artist Keith Rosson to talk about his new dark literary novel Coffin Moon. The conversation covers the gritty heart of noir fiction, the reimagining of the vampire archetype, the lasting impact of war and trauma on storytelling, the struggle and beauty of DIY punk and zine culture, and the organic chaos of the writing process. Keith opens up about how blindness shapes his art, why family trauma is an unavoidable theme, and why ambiguous endings matter.

Key Topics Discussed

• The challenge and richness of setting a vampire story in 1970s Portland
• Breaking the mold: Writing messy, morally gray characters
• Punk, zines, and the creative energy of relentless DIY art
• How blindness shapes Keith’s visual and narrative sensibility
• The importance of landscape in fiction (Oregon, North Dakota, LA)
• Writing trauma, revenge, and the uncertain hope of healing
• Literary fiction vs. genre and why Keith refuses to choose just one
• Taking and leaving vampire tropes: Curses, curses, and fatherhood
• Inspirations: From Richard Lange’s Rovers to Andy Davidson’s In the Valley of the Sun

Connect with Keith Rosson

• Website: keithrosson.com
• Instagram: @rossonkeith
• Goodreads: Keith Rosson on Goodreads

Buy Keith Rosson’s Books

• Bookshop.org (support indie): Bookshop - Keith Rosson
• Amazon: Keith Rosson on Amazon
• Publisher: Meerkat Press - Keith Rosson

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this episode, rate and review the show and consider supporting Keith Rosson by picking up his latest book, Coffin Moon, and leaving a (non-spoiler) review. Share with a friend!

Support this podcast:
patreon.com/thedarkmindpodcast

Explore memory, morality, and the future of technology in this gripping conversation with author T. R. Napper.

We delve into his cyberpunk novel *The Escher Man*, set in a high-tech, neon-lit Macau of 2101, where identity can be erased and rewritten at will.

Napper discusses the inspiration for his world, the philosophical roots of cyberpunk, and the emotional impact of memory manipulation.

We also touch on his journey as a writer, world-building secrets, and the meaning of art in an increasingly dehumanized age.

Tune in for an episode that asks: what happens to the soul when our memories are not our own?

T.R. Napper Links & Social Media:

• Official Website: www.nappertime.com

• Twitter/X: @TheEscherMan

• Instagram: @trnapper (https://www.instagram.com/trnapper/)

• Bluesky: @trnapper.bsky.social

• Facebook: T.R. Napper

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7826255.T_R_Napper

• Email: voight0kampff@gmail.com

Where to Buy T.R. Napper’s Books:

The Escher Man (2024)

• Amazon (all international listings)

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-escher-man-t-r-napper/1144264422

• Penguin Random House

• All good bookstores worldwide

Ghost of the Neon God (2024) - Aurealis Award Winner

• Amazon (all international listings)

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghost-of-the-neon-god-t-r-napper/1143968635

• Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744919/ghost-of-the-neon-god-by-t-r-napper/

• All good bookstores worldwide

36 Streets (2022) - Award-winning cyberpunk novel

• Amazon (all international listings)

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/36-streets-tr-napper/1139309064

• Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678795/36-streets-by-t-r-napper/

• Kinokuniya (worldwide, including Japan)

• All good bookstores worldwide

Aliens: Bishop (2023) - Aliens tie-in novel

• Amazon (all international listings)

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aliens-tr-napper/1143358855

• Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743030/aliens-bishop-by-t-r-napper/

• HamiltonBook.com

• All good bookstores worldwide

Neon Leviathan (2020) - Short story collection

• Amazon (all international listings)

• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/neon-leviathan-t-r-napper/1135617509

• IndieBound.org (US independent bookstores)

• Grimdark Magazine

• All good bookstores worldwide

Signed Editions Available

Contact T.R. Napper directly at voight0kampff@gmail.com for signed copies of:

• Neon Leviathan

• 36 Streets

• Ghost of the Neon God

• The Escher Man
(Note: International postage may be expensive from Australia)

All books are also available as eBooks and audiobooks on major platforms including Kindle, Audible, and other digital retailers.

What happens when grief, abuse, and horror collide in the most intimate spaces of our lives? In this episode, I sit down with author Emma E. Murray to discuss her searing new novel, Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day. We explore the psychology behind toxic relationships, how abusers weaponize love and grief, and why the real horror often hides in plain sight.

Emma opens up about writing through the eyes of both victims and predators, the influence of abnormal psychology on her characters, and the visceral power of body horror to express what words alone cannot. We also dive into her haunting depictions of decomposition, the blurred line between care and control, and the shame that clings tighter than any monster.

This is not just a conversation about horror fiction—it’s about the human condition, survival, and the stories we carry in silence.

👉 If you value these kinds of deep conversations, support The Dark Mind Podcast on Patreon and help me keep bringing you the voices shaping dark literature today.

Official Website:

• ​https://emmaemurray.com

About Page / Bio:

• ​https://emmaemurray.com/about-me/

Anthologies:

• ​https://emmaemurray.com/anthologies/

Instagram:

• ​https://www.instagram.com/emmaemurray_

X (Twitter):

• ​https://x.com/emurrayauthor

Representative / Literary Agency:

• ​https://www.therightsfactory.com/Authors/emma-e.-murray

Interviews & Features:

• ​https://horrortree.com/the-crushing-weight-of-horror-a-conversation-with-emma-e-murray/
• ​https://christinogle.substack.com/p/emma-e-murray-dark-and-visceral-horror
• ​https://ivygrimes.substack.com/p/interview-with-emma-e-murray

Where to Buy Emma E. Murray’s Books:

• ​"The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions" (Undertaker Books shop): https://undertakerbooks.com/products/the-drowning-machine
• ​Target (The Drowning Machine): https://www.target.com/p/the-drowning-machine-and-other-obsessions-by-emma-e-murray-paperback/-/A-1004581104
• ​Thriftbooks Author Page: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/emma-e-murray/5717854/
• ​Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/21520496.Emma_E_Murray