In this episode, Daniel sits down with the iconic Eric LaRocca — Bram Stoker Award-nominated and Splatterpunk Award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, We Can Never Leave This Place, Everything the Darkness Eats, and The Trees Grew Because I Bled There (Titan Books, 2024).
Eric opens up about the viral rise of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, the challenges of overnight success, and the deeply personal themes that drive their work. From queer identity and lyrical horror to the raw humanity at the heart of their stories, this is a conversation about art, fear, and the courage to write from the soul.
💀 In this episode you’ll discover:
• How Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke became a viral sensation — and why that’s impossible to replicate.
• Why Eric believes the scariest monsters are human ones.
• The creative pressure that comes after success (and how to protect your art).
• How Clive Barker and queer horror shaped Eric’s storytelling voice.
• The philosophy behind their unforgettable titles — and what makes a story truly theirs.
Links & Resources:
Eric’s website: https://www.ericlarocca.com
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Things-Gotten-Worse-Since-Misfortunes/dp/1803363762
Everything the Darkness Eats (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Darkness-Eats-Eric-LaRocca-ebook/dp/B0BSSMC26H/
Deliciously TWISTED Halloween Book Sale: https://twistedtalesbooks.com/halloween/
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📚 About the Guest
Eric LaRocca is a Bram Stoker Award–nominated and Splatterpunk Award–winning author based in Boston, Massachusetts. Their work explores the darkness of humanity through poetic prose and unflinching honesty. Known for redefining modern horror with deeply personal, transgressive themes, Eric continues to be one of the most vital voices in contemporary dark fiction.
Find Eric online at ericlarocca.com or on social media @hystericteeth.
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