KEY LINKS:
Devil's Rock Books: https://devilsrockbooks.com
Daniel Willcocks: https://danielwillcocks.com
Twisted Tales Books: https://twistedtalesbooks.com
SHOWNOTES
In this episode, Daniel sits down with C.M. Forest — award-winning horror author, atmospheric storyteller, and creator of deeply unsettling, isolation-driven fiction.
Together, they explore Christian’s unconventional path into writing, from studying animation and chasing a dream of comic art to discovering that storytelling—not drawing—was the real obsession. What followed was a decade-long journey into horror, experimentation, and ultimately finding his voice through short fiction and novels.
They dig into the origins of his award-winning novel Infested, the unexpected impact of adopting a pen name, and how his short story collection The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories came together almost by accident—revealing recurring themes of loneliness, dread, and existential fear along the way.
The conversation also dives into horror craft, from building atmosphere and sustaining tension to why slow-burn horror hits harder than shock value. Plus, Christian shares insights on the evolving horror landscape, the rise of indie creators, and why there’s never been a better time to be a horror writer.
This is a grounded, honest conversation about finding your creative lane, embracing what scares you, and building a career in horror on your own terms.
💀 In this episode you’ll discover:
• How writing in Tim Hortons became Christian’s creative routine
• Why switching to a pen name changed everything for his publishing journey
• The surprising origin of his short story collection and how it came together organically
• Why isolation, loneliness, and existential dread keep appearing in his work
• The importance of atmosphere and slow-burn tension in effective horror
• How authors like Nick Cutter and Adam Nevill shaped his writing style
• Why indie horror is thriving across books, film, and games right now
• The challenge of structuring a short story collection for pacing and variety
• His love of classic slashers like Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and what makes them work
• Why atmosphere matters more than gore when it comes to lasting horror impact
Links & Resources:
• Official Website: https://christianlaforet.com/
• Explore The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories
• Discover Infested
Recommended in this episode:
• The Troop by Nick Cutter
• The Ritual by Adam Nevill
• The Acolyte
• Last Days
• The Terror
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If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow horror fan or writer.
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks
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💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast
📚 About the Guest
C.M. Forest (Christian Laforet) is a horror author based in Ontario, Canada. He is the author of the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award-winning novel Infested, the novella We All Fall Before the Harvest, and the short story collection The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories.
His fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies across multiple genres, often exploring themes of isolation, dread, and the human psyche. A lifelong horror fan, he draws inspiration from film, literature, and the growing indie horror scene. When he’s not writing, he lives with his family—and his blanket-obsessed basset hound, Sully.
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