Castle Talk: Christopher Micklos on TICK TOWN's Summertime Horror

ANTHOLOGY SERIES. Tonight we’re chatting with T. D. Severin, whose novel DEADLY VISION has just been released by Penmore Press. The book is a medical thriller that peole are comparing to Michael Crichton and Dean KoontzDeadly Vision is a high-concept medical thriller that follows Dr. Taylor Abrahms, a pioneering surgeon and researcher in the field of Medical Virtual Reality. Abrahms leads the Virtual Heart Project (VHP), a revolutionary initiative that fuses virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and microsurgery to transform cardiac care. The technology allows doctors to perform intricate, life-saving surgeries inside a virtual recreation of a patient’s heart. However, as the project gains media attention during a heated presidential election, it becomes a political flashpoint. Abrahms faces relentless attacks from political operatives, established medical professionals threatened by new technology, and even murder, as those connected to the VHP are targeted one by one. The story is not only a fast-paced thriller but also explores themes of innovation, resistance to change in medicine, and the personal cost of pursuing groundbreaking science in a hostile environment.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 1968 Hammer Dracula film DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.  This is Episode #462! Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is a 1968 British supernatural horror film directed by Freddie Francis and produced by Hammer Film Productions. It is the fourth entry in Hammer's Dracula series, and the third to feature Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, the titular vampire. The film stars Rupert Davies as a clergyman who exorcises Dracula's castle, and in doing so, unwittingly resurrects the Count back from the dead. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave also stars Veronica Carlson, Barry Andrews, Barbara Ewing, Ewan Hooper, and Michael Ripper. It was followed by Taste the Blood of Dracula in 1970.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Christopher Micklos, author TICK TOWN, which comes out this month from Castle Bridge Media.In the book, “When a northern Wisconsin tourist town becomes the feeding ground for a band of giant, mutant ticks, a young reporter, her cop ex-boyfriend, and a veteran newspaperman must track down and destroy the queen tick and her nest before the monsters overrun and slaughter the entire town.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Illustrator Clint Langley and writer Chris McAuley about SHADOWS OF THE STOKERVERSE, a new illustrated story book launched on Kickstarter and soon to come out from Scratch Comics.  After the hugely successful launch of the comic book series "Dracula The Return: Cult Of The White Worm" Scratch Comics and the equally successful launch of the Stokerverse Role Playing Game released by Nightfall Games, which featured the stunning artwork of 2000ad comic art legend Clint Langley (ABC Warriors, Slaine, WarHammer 4000), ideas started to flow between Chris McAuley, Clint Langley and team to find an exciting way to expand the Stokerverse beyond Dracula himself.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 1963 Hammer film KISS OF THE VAMPIRE.  This is Episode #461! KISS OF THE VAMPIRE (also known as KISS OF EVIL on American television) is a 1963 British vampire film directed by Don Sharp and starring Edward de Souza and Jennifer Daniel. It was written by producer Anthony Hinds (as John Elder) and made by Hammer Film Productions.It was Sharp's first movie for Hammer. He went on to make two more non-vampire films for the company, The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964), and Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966). He also made Witchcraft (1964) with Lon Chaney, a film we’ve covered.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Join our panel on writing, reading, and getting out there with Urban Fantasy, or what we call "Fantasy Without Elves." In honor of the release of TUNNELS OF BUDA (https://amzn.to/4mNSWFs) by Don Sawyer. Panelists:Tricia Copeland -Critically acclaimed and Award-Winning author, Tricia Copeland has been acknowledged as an Award Winners in two separate book categories for the prestigious 2024 Global Book Awards– acclaimed novel, To Be A Fae Queen which is the first book in her Realm Chronicles series was the recipient of the Gold Award in the Teen and Young Adult Action/Adventure category. In addition, Tricia also received the Silver Award in the Teen and Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Category for her stand-alone novel, Azreya, Aztec Priestess. Mark Morton - Noted Canadian non-fiction author and long-time CBC columnist Mark Morton has a debut as a novelist with The Headmasters, from Shadowpaw Press; he has DEEP experience in nonfiction as well, Cupboard Love: A Dictionary of Culinary Curiosities (was nominated for a Julia Child Award Don Sawyer He has authored over 12 books in several genres, including two Canadian bestsellers, his new book is THE TUNNELS OF BUDA which launches TODAY Mickey Mikkelson is the founder of Creative Edge Publicity. Since founding Creative Edge, Mickey has signed some of the top talents in the literary industry, including multiple award-winning authors, New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, and successful indie authors.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Mark Stevens, author of the new thriller novel NO LIE LASTS FOREVER out in June from Thomas & Mercer, who call NO LIE LASTS FOREVER “Zodiac with a terrifying twist, in a taut thriller from author Mark Stevens about a reformed serial killer and the disgraced journalist he coaxes into finding the imposter trading on his name.” Stevens’s book The Fireballer (Lake Union, 2023) was named Best Baseball Novel by Twin Bill Literary Magazine and named one of Best Baseball Books of the Year by Spitball Magazine, and his books Buried by the Roan, Trapline, and Lake of Fire were all finalists for the Colorado Book Award (2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively). Trapline won the Colorado Book Award in 2016 and also received the best genre fiction award from Colorado Authors League.  In September 2016, Stevens was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year, and again in 2023. Stevens hosts a regular podcast for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and has served as president of the Rocky Mountain chapter for Mystery Writers of America. And like me he lives in Colorado.CONNECT WITH MARK STEVENS ONLINEOfficial Website: WriterMarkStevens.com Facebook: /writermarkstevens X : @writerstevens Instagram: @mark54stevens TikTok: @mark54stevensBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Tonight we’re chatting with Producer Craig Perry (Final Destination franchise, American Pie franchise) about the smash hit FINAL FESTINATION: BLOODLINES.Craig Perry is the longtime producer behind the Final Destination franchise, having shepherded the series since its inception in 2000 and playing a pivotal role in shaping its enduring legacy. His vision and stewardship have been instrumental in creating and sustaining the FD franchise, including the latest installment, Final Destination: Bloodlines. But he’s also so many other things: a songwriter, singer, producer, just relentlessly creative. We have a great conversation about what goes into this resilient series.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 1966 Hammer film DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS.  This is Episode #460! Dracula: Prince of Darkness is a 1966 British gothic supernatural horror film directed by Terence Fisher. The film was produced by Hammer Film Productions, and is the third entry in Hammer's Dracula series, as well as the second to feature Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, the titular vampire. It also stars Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, and Barbara Shelley.The film was photographed in Techniscope by Michael Reed, designed by Bernard Robinson and scored by James Bernard.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

This week we have a look at the 2025 film COMPANION.  This is Episode #459!Castle of Horror is a Feedspot Top 100 Horror Show: see https://podcast.feedspot.com/horror_podcasts/. Companion is a 2025 American science fiction thriller film starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid as a couple on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin, which unravels into chaos after a revelation that one of the guests is a companion robot. The film is written and directed by Drew Hancock. Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, and Rupert Friend also appear in supporting roles.Companion was released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on January 31, 2025. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $36.7 million against a budget of $10 million.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.