The ARC Party

It’s the final Horror TBR episode of 2026, and I’m flying solo this time. I had originally had someone set up to guest with me, but plans fell through and as the days ticked on, I decided to just give it a go solo. You’ll have to let me know if you think it went okay. If it works out, I may consider doing Horror TBR episodes solo all the time.It’s also my 99th episode! Well. Of this podcast. I’ve done probably upwards of 800 podcast episodes in my days. But yeah, next episode will be my 100th, and for that I’m bringing on Alan Lastufka from Shortwave Publishing, and Mitch Hull from Rapture Publishing to talk about their recent deal to create Rapture Trade as an imprint of Shortwave - fulfilling what I assume are sympathetic goals: Mitch establishing a trade publishing imprint, and Alan getting more titles under the Shortwave banner without having to do the work on them himself. It’s a big year for both Alan and Mitch, and I wanted to get together to hear what it’s been like, and what they have planned for the future. Please use the buttons at the top of this post to go preorder the books in this episode, and if you have ANY connections to Richard Kelly, please help me get an advanced copy of his book. I’m dying over here. And remember: Always Carry A Book.For the YouTube people out there: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Nick Medina is a fantastic writer, and SAVAGE LAKE is the latest bit of evidence. Set in upstate Wisconsin (is that a thing?) Nell and her son Oscar have to go to their recently-inherited cabin in the woods to get it ready for sale. The cabin, the lake, and the town are choked with ghosts from Nell’s past, and if they aren’t careful, they may never make it out. This book isn’t just a cabin in the woods book. It’s also a slasher. It’s also a ghost story. It’s also a cryptic story. It’s also a touching look at family and generational trauma. It’s also an analysis on racism and invasiveness. It is a whole lot, and it all works, and it still manages to be well-paced and entertaining. Somehow Nick manages to make it feel effortless. I love talking to Nick, and I’ve loved promoting this book, which is certainly in my top three for the year. I hope I didn’t gush too much, and that the conversation was something you will enjoy even a fraction of how much you’ll enjoy SAVAGE LAKE.For the YouTube lovin’ folk: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Yes, I know that this is a long episode, but I promise that it’s worth the time. Bitter Karella is an impressive author, a hilarious social media personality, and a really interesting person. I want to emphasize that Quaint Folk is a seriously entertaining story. It’s imaginative, funny, engaging, propulsive, and cool. I want to emphasize that because for nearly an hour of our conversation, we talk about gender and sexuality and how messy it can be to navigate those topics and more so messy to write about them. It’s good and necessary discussion, but I worry it could give the impression that this book is stuffed with the topic. I’m here to assure you that it’s not. It is in there, but it is amongst the witchcraft, British cheekery, and strange goings-on. I’m also very excited for Bitter’s upcoming novella Monoceros, and the fact that She’ll be launching it in Chicago in November. All you Chicago locals should join me in Oak Park for the event.Quaint Folk releases Tuesday October 6th, so just a few days after this episode posts. There’s still time to preorder, or if you aren’t a day-one listener, it’s likely available to buy now. Check it out, it’s a fantastic book!For the YouTube folks: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

It’s that time again, time to bless you with some titles we are dying to check out. For October, my good friend and horror aficionado Greg Greene joined me to sing the praises of some amazing upcoming books.You probably know Greg best for the amazing shirts that he creates, themed on contemporary horror novels. His “Jade Daniels Is My Final Girl” shirt is such a cultural phenomenon that it’s been written into multiple horror novels. If you want to see what kinds of shirts he’s got, check out his store at Threadsofdread.com.In this episode, Greg also shares information about his upcoming magazine - Rough Beast, which will be available at the same website. Exciting times for horror!In this episode, we cover a dozen sizzling October titles. I asked Greg to join me specifically because I know how excited he is for the release of the new Stephen Graham Jones book Off The Reservation, and also the hotly anticipated sequel from Brian Evenson - Phantom Limb, a follow-up to his most popular novel Last Days. Check out the episode for all the titles we’re jazzed for, and hit the link below to order them all!For the YouTube folk: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Horror podcaster and journalist Matthew Jackson from The Scares That Shaped Us was nice enough to help me carry the huge burden of curating a list of September releases to talk about. Matthew’s podcast has a fun theme where he interviews authors about their upcoming books, and as part of the discussion they talk about a story (a book, a movie, poems, etc.) that was foundational to them and their relationship with horror. It’s a cool way to conduct a conversation and has led to dozens of very entertaining episodes, which I recommend you check out by clicking the button below.In this episode we covered twenty of the most exciting horror books releasing in September. It’s not all of them by far. On Emily Hughes’ amazing website, she lists 85 titles! So it’s fair to say there are many more amazing books than what we discuss. They are out there for you to discover. We chose ones we’re particularly drawn to, and for the sake of time we had to cut it off somewhere. I heavily encourage everyone to make Emily’s website a primary tool in your book shopping process. It’s a real gift. Please enjoy this list, preorder the books, and let me know on social media what you’re looking forward to!For the folks who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

I believe it was Clay McLeod Chapman that recently said to me that if you’re going to do vampires in your story, you have to find an original way to do it. Which admittedly in this day and age is a challenge. There are scant possibilities that have yet to be picked clean in books, film, etc.In The Instruction Manual to Being a Vampire, Craig took care to get it right, and do it his way. In this interview, he explains his process for arriving at including vampires in his story, and how to make them in a way that services the plot. Craig’s take is very grounded and interesting. I think he made Clay proud. It’s a great book, and we talk about it at great length in this chonky interview. I know it’s a long one, but me and Craig go back 15 years, so there’s going to be some nostalgia, yeah? That nostalgia took shape as a reflection on an anthology that Craig was in called Warmed and Bound, and also the anthology I published - The Booked. Anthology. We look at the powerhouse lineup that Warmed and Bound had, and ruminate on the good old days. For those of you who are new to Craig Wallwork, he has a fantastic trilogy of dark detective novels that I loved and you should check those out as well. I’ve gathered a list of books by Craig you can buy on my Bookshop page.For the folks who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

The Girl in the Video by Michael David Wilson releases on August 25thFriend of the podcast Michael David Wilson of This Is Horror has a new edition of his breakout novella The Girl In The Video coming out soon, and it was a terrific excuse to get together and talk once again. It’s always the best time talking to Michael, and especially when there’s some good horror to cover. In this episode, we talk about Michael’s long history contributing to the horror community in many ways. This Is Horror the website has provided comprehensive coverage of horror for over 15 years. The This Is Horror podcast is approaching 700 episodes, including interviews with top names in horror books, film, and beyond. And Michael’s own writing has been piling up over the years. Many short stories published, and several novels and novellas in print as well. We also talk about The Girl in the Video’s second edition - now expanded with a bonus short story, and an afterward explaining the journey the book has been on since it was first conceived. We also get into the film adaptation situation, and talking about options, adapting, and movie agents. I don’t want to forget that we did talk some shop about publishers, advanced copies of books, and the ups and downs of trying to schedule time with authors. It’s especially helpful for folks starting out podcasting or reviewing, but interesting even if that’s not something you’re into. As a bonus, I dug up the original review and interview episodes that I posted on my previous podcast, Booked. I gave them a listen, and it’s cool to see how different the conversation was then vs. now. Here they are if you want to give them a listen:Original review on Booked. Podcast:Interview with Michael on Booked. Podcast:For the YouTube loving folk: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Premium chapbook magnate Mitch Hull joined me in this episode to talk about all the crazy good books that are releasing this month. It’s The ARC Party’s Horror TBR series, and in it we talk about twelve amazing August releases. In the episode we also talk about Mitch’s recent announcement for his partnership with Shortwave Publishing. Starting in 2027, Shortwave will add Rapture Trade as an imprint of their company, and all trade paperbacks that Mitch acquires will be published via Rapture Trade, which will benefit from Shortwave’s recent distribution deal with Simon & Schuster - putting Rapture Trade books on shelves in bookstores in a way that isn’t usually possible for a young company like Rapture. We also talked about what Rapture has coming out for chapbooks for the rest of the year, and the roster is pretty insane. Otessa Moshfegh? Holy crap. Definitely check out Rapture’s website for what they have going on, and get in on these chapbooks. They’re so worth it. I hope you enjoy this TBR, and remember to use the button above to preorder the books in this episode that you’re excited for! For the folks who want to watch on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

StokerCon 2026 took place in Pittsburgh at the beginning of June, and this year I was part of the programming team. Me and my good pal Greg Greene were tasked with managing the virtual panels for the con, which was an honor and a lot of fun! We pulled together a couple dozen virtual panels that were incredible, including my own panel where me and some rock star panelists asked and answered the question: Is horror having a moment, and if so, why?This episode, I’m happy to share with you the panel in its entirety. The roster of panelists is crazy. Ellen Datlow, Becky Spratford, Jeremy Robert Johnson, Yah Yah Schofield, and George Dunn all contributed their amazing experience and perspective and it was a great time. If you enjoyed this, maybe consider StokerCon 2027 virtual programming! You have the option to pay just for the Virtual Con which gives you access to all of the new panels as well as panels from previous years. We’re talking hundreds of panels you can only see by getting the Virtual con access. If you are planning to attend StokerCon 2027, you can add virtual to your in-person access. It’s a great value and we’re hoping to go even bigger for 2027.Also, please support all of the wonderful panelists that joined me. They’re doing great work and deserve as much support and recognition as possible! * Ellen Datlow* Becky Spratford* Jeremy Robert Johnson* Yah Yah Schofield* George DunnFor those who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

New to the ARC Party?If you’re new here, I’ll explain why this episode is so cool. Every six months, I get together with two of the most informed and well-read people in the horror book world…Becky Spratford: Becky Spratford [MLIS] is a Librarian in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library. She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All, writes reviews for Booklist and a Horror review column for Library Journal. Becky has been an elected Library Trustee and a former Board member for both the Reaching Across Illinois Library System and the Illinois Library Association. Known for her work with Horror readers. Becky is the author of three text books for library workers and the Locus Award nominated and Bram Stoker Award winning Why I Love Horror [Saga Press, 2025]. Becky was named one of the Chicago Tribune’s Chicagoans of the Year in 2025. She is on the Shirley Jackson Award Advisory Board and is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, currently serving as the Association’s Secretary and Co-Chair of their Libraries Committee.andEmily Hughes: Emily C. Hughes (she/her) is the Bram Stoker Award®-winning author of Horror For Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You’re Too Scared to Watch and the co-founder of Darker Times, a worker-owned magazine about horror and culture. You can find her writing elsewhere in the New York Times Book Review, Vulture, Slate, Reactor Magazine, Electric Literature, Nightmare Magazine, Thrillist, and more. Emily lives in crunchy western Massachusetts with her husband and four idiot cats.… and we spend a couple of hours talking about books that we’re super excited to read in the coming six months. We each choose two books per month, and go around sharing what we know about them. It’s a ton of fun, and it gives us an opportunity to talk up dozens of books. To date we have highlighted 219 books! That’s a lotta reads. And remember, books don’t have an expiration date, so feel free to go back in my YouTube playlist at the end of this entry, and get some recommendations from 2024 and 2025 as well!Don’t forget to support your hosts!* Keep coming back for my monthly Horror TBR list episodes!* Becky’s book won multiple Bram Stoker Awards at this year’s StokerCon!* Subscribe to Emily’s new horror magazine: Darker TimesThe Books!JulyFabulous Bodies by Chuck TingleThe Red Sacrament by Sara HinkleyHome Sick by Rhiannon GristCarry Me To My Grave by Christopher GoldenThe Flayed Man by Chloe LauterCaught in the In-Between by Alyson HassonAugustA Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-YoungThe Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam HigginsonCalamities by Chuck WendigThe Minimalist by Kailee PedersenThe Burn Line by Jonathan SimsArson By Design by Tyler JonesSeptemberKiss, Slay, Replay by Rachel HarrisonBlacktail by Scott HawkinsSomething of a Calling by Zoje StageMazywood bt Tananarieve DueAmerican Nightmare by Kelly McWilliamsThe Nudge by Joseph FinkWe Turn Gruesome at Night by Eric LaRoccaIncarnate by Alma KatsuSomething Followed Us Home ed. by Cynthia PelayoNever Whistle At Night II: Back for Blood ed. Shane Hawk and Theodore C Van AlstOur Cut of Salt by Deena HelmThe Ship of Death by Kyle WinklerObserver by Nicholas RussellCrone by Keith RossonThe Rouse by China MiévilleWorry Box by Chris PanatierPictures of You by Josh MalermanOctoberOff The Reservation by Stephen Graham JonesCarrying by Samantha JosephsSavage Lake by Nick MedinaMilk Teeth by Caitlin StarlingThe Unhaunting by Micaiah JohnsonFind Me Where It Ends by Cassandra KhawNovemberDepth Charge by Tyler JonesAnnex of the Obscure vol. 1 by Mo MoshatyWelcome Home Miriam by Sanchita MitraThere Used To Be People Here by Kennedy ColeDecemberDive by Allison MickMotherfucking Sharks by Brian Allen CarrVampire Menstrual Syndrome by SC HunterSee ALL of our recommendations from over the years on my YouTube Playlist:Horror Preview Playlist: 219 Horror Books from 2024 to 2026!For those who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe