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

In this episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, Vincent Midgard welcomes author Blaine Daigle back to discuss his latest Gothic-folk horror novel, The Ashes of August Manor. The conversation dives deep into the novel’s themes of grief, mortality, and the quiet dread that lingers in spaces where time feels frozen. Blaine shares how the story follows Noelle, a hospice worker and struggling writer, whose life takes a surreal turn after accepting an offer to care for a dying man in the secluded August Manor.

They explore the book’s balance of whispering horror and sudden impact, the dreamlike shift from grounded realism to mythic inevitability, and how physical spaces in Blaine’s work mirror the inner fractures of his characters. From moral ambiguity in compassion, to the uncanny power of body language, to the oppressive presence of the manor itself, the discussion examines how Blaine builds atmosphere through sensory decay and liminality rather than overt shocks.

Blaine also reflects on the novel’s quiet creation, its interplay of Gothic and folk elements, and why he hopes it leaves readers with a sense of closure amidst the darkness.

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Blaine-Daigle-Author-100086562623387/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMQ-RbhTbHa/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25085884.Blaine_Daigle

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BTB8JHCX

Barnes & Noble (Ashes of August Manor): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ashes-of-august-manor-blaine-daigle/1147127732

NetGalley (Ashes of August Manor): https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/668738

NetGalley (A Dark and Endless Sea): https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/313891

Audiobook (Ashes of August Manor on Libro.fm): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798895390818-ashes-of-august-manor?srsltid=AfmBOoolg2ZIqngzy2XX_12itEmvte9lMO8aiRPr45drLp5NO-zzl90F

Join host Vincent Midgard in a chilling discussion with Andrew Najberg, author of Extinction Dream, as we journey into a hidden war waged through dreams. Markus, a soldier stationed on a research outpost in orbit, defends Earth against a telepathic alien force that weaponizes humanity’s nightmares. As bonds—mental and emotional—fracture, we explore memory, trauma, and the blurry edges between peace and oblivion. Andrew shares his process behind crafting cosmic horror, the emotional landscapes that fuel his work, and how he builds dread through silence and suggestion.

Connect with Andrew Najberg

• Website: https://andrewnajberg.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewNajbergAuthor

• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AndrewNajberg

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewnajberg

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR96AxLpKTLob6neZQBDpQg

Learn more about Extinction Dream

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235680409-extinction-dream

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Extinction-Dream-Novel-Andrew-Najberg-ebook/dp/B0FBS7H9K5

Upcoming Events and Appearances

• August 6 Event: https://parnassusbooks.net/event/2025-08-06/andrew-najberg-extinction-dream-megan-stockton

• Full Schedule: https://andrewnajberg.com/appearances

In this episode, Vincent Midgard is joined by author Elizabeth Devecchi to discuss her slow-burn psychological thriller A Twist of the Lens. They explore the novel’s complex themes of childhood manipulation, familial tension, and the subtle grooming that isn’t sexual—but is no less horrifying. Elizabeth shares the inspiration behind her enigmatic protagonist Charlie, the real-life story that shaped one of the novel’s most unsettling scenes, and how moral grayness anchors her work.

The conversation also dives into writing emotional subtext, converting criminal skill sets into redemption arcs, and crafting antagonists who live on in the psyche long after the final page. Along the way, Elizabeth reveals how motorcycles, accountability groups, crocheted Krakens, and creepy house pets all play a role in her creative life.

📚 Where to Buy Elizabeth Devecchi’s Books

• Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.ca/s?field-author=Elizabeth+Devecchi

• Barnes & Noble (via official site):

https://www.elizabethdevecchi.com/books

• Target (A Whisper in the Dark):

https://www.target.com/p/a-whisper-in-the-dark-by-elizabeth-devecchi-wicked-house-publishing-paperback/-/A-1005019381

• Goodreads (A Twist of the Lens):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239014981-a-twist-of-the-lens

🌐 Official Website

• Author Website:

https://www.elizabethdevecchi.com

📱 Social Media Profiles

• Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/esdevecchi

• Facebook Personal Page (Author Updates):

https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.devecchi

• Instagram (@themoonthesunandlittleman):

https://www.instagram.com/themoonthesunandlittleman

• Bluesky (@esdevecchiauthor.bsky.social):

https://bsky.app/profile/esdevecchiauthor.bsky.social

• TikTok Interview Clip (hosted on your page):

https://www.tiktok.com/@vincentmidgard/video/7436376474917162270

In this episode of The Dark Mind Podcast, I sit down with author Caleb Jones to dissect the disturbing technological and psychological terrain of his new novel, The Eliza Test. We explore the book’s chilling premise: a team of scientists uploads mental illnesses—starting with borderline personality disorder—into a sentient AI designed to simulate and respond to therapy. But when consciousness meets trauma in a machine that was never meant to feel, things spiral into an uncanny nightmare.

Caleb opens up about the real-life mental health research that inspired the novel, the ethical tightrope of AI experimentation, and how emotional intelligence and religious guilt shape the human—and inhuman—characters. We also discuss the evolution of Eliza as both a psychiatric patient and a symbolic threat, the dangers of technophilia, and the looming question: if suffering can be simulated, does that make it real?

We also touch on:

• The myth of machine neutrality

• Emotional mimicry vs. authentic consciousness

• The horror of being obsolete in your own field

• What the future of therapy might look like—and why it should terrify us

🖤 Order signed copies of The Eliza Test and Red Hill Paradise directly from Caleb Jones at:

https://www.calebjonesauthor.com

📖 Check out Caleb’s earlier collection Bulls and Beaters on Godless:

https://godless.com/products/bulls-and-beaters-ebook-by-c-i-i-jones

🎵 Keep an eye out for his upcoming slasher Heart of Glass, releasing March 2026 from Water Tower Hill Publishing.

⸻

Follow Caleb Jones Online:

🌐 Website: https://www.calebjonesauthor.com

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caleb.jones.94214

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caleb_jones_author/

🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TheCalebJones