The Writers Chair

In this episode, Daniel sits down with speculative fiction powerhouses Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan — writers, educators, and co-authors of the bestselling Spec Fic for Newbies series from Luna Press.Together, they dive deep into the ever-expanding world of speculative fiction, exploring how genre works, why it matters, and how writers can better understand where their stories fit. With the release of Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3, this conversation blends craft, teaching, collaboration, and a whole lot of joyful nerdiness.From academia to publishing, pandemic-era book deals to writing about pirates, space procedurals and dark academia, this is a lively, insightful look at what it means to write across genres — and why speculative fiction remains one of the most exciting playgrounds for storytellers today.  💀 In this episode you’ll discover:• How Spec Fic for Newbies began during the pandemic and grew into a three-book series• Why understanding genre can transform your writing (and your confidence)• The role academia and teaching played in shaping the books’ accessible approach• How speculative fiction overlaps with crime, romance, fantasy, horror and beyond• Why joy, curiosity and “nerdiness” are essential tools for writers• The realities of writing collaborative non-fiction — and keeping it fun• How the series helps writers who don’t have access to formal creative writing educationLinks & Resources:Tiffani Angus website: https://www.tiffani-angus.comVal Nolan website: https://illusorypromise.wordpress.com/Luna Press: https://www.lunapresspublishing.comSpec Fic for Newbies series (Luna Press): https://www.lunapresspublishing.comSubscribe to The Writer’s ChairIf you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow writer or genre fan.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast📚 About the GuestsTiffani Angus (PhD) is a multi BSFA- and BFS-award finalist for her debut novel Threading the Labyrinth and for non-fiction (with co-author Val Nolan) for Spec Fic for Newbies: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Vol. 1 (2023) and Vol. 2 (2024), both of which also made the Locus Recommended Reading List. Volume 3 launches March 2026. She spent over a decade teaching creative writing at universities in the US and UK, most of that time as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Publishing at ARU in Cambridge (UK). She works as a freelance editor and proofreader, runs the typesetting/formatting business Book Polishers, leads various writing workshops in person and online, and is currently at work on novel, a novella, and a scandalous secret project.Val Nolan is the author of Neil Jordan: Works for the Page (UCC Press, 2022) and co-author of the Spec Fic for Newbies trilogy (Luna Press Publishing, 2023, 2024, 2026). He has published academic articles in Science Fiction Studies, Foundation, Journal of Graphic Novels and Comic Books, Irish University Review, Irish Studies Review, symplokē, and Dictionary of Literary Biography. His fiction has appeared in Year’s Best Science Fiction, Best of British Science Fiction, Unidentified Funny Objects, the ‘Futures’ page of Nature, Andromeda Spaceways, ParSec, and Interzone (for which he also writes the ‘Folded Spaces’ column about the history of Science Fiction criticism). He has been shortlisted for the Theodore Sturgeon Award (for his story ‘The Irish Astronaut’), twice been a finalist for the BSFA Awards, and twice shortlisted for the British Fantasy Awards. He is currently a research fellow at Aberystwyth University in Wales where he was awarded Lecturer of the Year in 2022. His next project is Space Opera: The First Hundred Years, due from Luna Press Publishing in 2028.  

In this episode, Daniel sits down with Tim Lebbon — award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels across horror, fantasy, thriller, and tie-in fiction, including The Secret Lives of the Dead, The Silence, and novels set in the Alien, Predator, Firefly, Conan, and Halo universes.Tim returns to the chair for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about building a long-term writing career, finding community in horror, and staying creatively sane in an increasingly noisy, online world. They discuss book tours, conventions, imposter syndrome, drafting chaos, novellas versus novels, and why horror writers might just be the nicest people you’ll ever meet.This episode is a grounded, generous look at the realities of writing over decades — the wins, the doubts, the friendships, and the work that keeps you going.In this episode you’ll discover: • How The Secret Lives of the Dead evolved from a crime novel into folk-tinged horror • Why horror conventions and community friendships can make or break a writing career • How Tim navigates imposter syndrome — even after thirty years in publishing• The difference between writing novels and novellas (and why novellas may be his best work)• What drafting actually looks like for a “panster” — and why the first draft is really the plan• The realities of writing tie-in fiction for Halo, Alien, and Conan• Why social media is becoming less useful — and how to protect your creative focus• Tim’s advice for new writers trying to find their place in the horror communityLinks & Resources:Tim Lebbon’s website: https://www.timlebbon.netThe Secret Lives of the Dead (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Lives-Dead-Tim-Lebbon/dp/1789099732British Fantasy Convention: https://britishfantasysociety.orgStokerCon (Horror Writers Association): https://www.horror.org/stokerconFrank Turner (mentioned): https://frank-turner.comSubscribe to The Writer’s ChairIf 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🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast📚 About the GuestTim Lebbon is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author with a career spanning over three decades. He has written more than fifty novels, dozens of novellas, and hundreds of short stories across horror, fantasy, and science fiction. His work includes original novels such as The Silence (adapted into a Netflix film) and The Secret Lives of the Dead, as well as tie-in fiction for Alien, Predator, Hellboy, Star Wars, Firefly, Conan, and Halo.Tim lives in South Wales, writes daily, walks his dog every morning, and firmly believes horror is where we work our darkest thoughts out — so we can be kinder everywhere else.

In this episode, Daniel Willcocks sits down with the legendary Paul Tremblay — Bram Stoker Award–winning and internationally acclaimed author of A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World, Survivor Song, The Pallbearers Club, and his latest novel, Horror Movie (Titan Books, 2024).Paul opens up about the origins of his horror obsession, the long road to “overnight” success, and what it means to balance integrity, art, and audience in a genre that’s constantly evolving. From Texas Chainsaw Massacre and literary horror to Hollywood’s obsession with “happy endings,” this conversation is equal parts reflective, funny, and fiercely insightful.💀 In this episode you’ll discover:• How A Head Full of Ghosts became a breakout hit — and what it was like when Stephen King tweeted about it• Why Texas Chainsaw Massacre helped inspire Horror Movie• How Paul approaches structure and storytelling in mixed-media fiction• What today’s horror landscape gets right — and where it’s in danger of going wrong• The authors redefining modern horror (Mariana Enriquez, John Langan, Stephen Graham Jones, and more)• Why persistence, not perfection, is the real secret to a lasting writing career🔗 Links & ResourcesPaul’s website: https://www.paultremblay.netHorror Movie (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horror-Movie-Paul-Tremblay/dp/1803367776Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez (recommended): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Share-Night-Mariana-Enriquez/dp/1787303466🎧 Subscribe to The Writer’s ChairIf you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow horror lovers and creative misfits.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast📚 About the GuestPaul Tremblay is an award-winning American author whose work bridges horror, suspense, and literary fiction. His novels — including A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World (adapted for film by M. Night Shyamalan), Survivor Song, and Horror Movie — have been translated worldwide and praised for their psychological depth and genre-defying storytelling.He has won the Bram Stoker, British Fantasy, and Massachusetts Book Awards, and his short fiction has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly Online, and numerous Year’s Best anthologies. Paul lives just outside Boston, where he teaches mathematics, writes fiction, and continues to push the boundaries of modern horror.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with Tim Lebbon — award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels across horror, fantasy, thriller, and tie-in fiction, including The Secret Lives of the Dead, The Silence, and novels set in the Alien, Predator, Firefly, Conan, and Halo universes.Tim returns to the chair for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about building a long-term writing career, finding community in horror, and staying creatively sane in an increasingly noisy, online world. They discuss book tours, conventions, imposter syndrome, drafting chaos, novellas versus novels, and why horror writers might just be the nicest people you’ll ever meet.This episode is a grounded, generous look at the realities of writing over decades — the wins, the doubts, the friendships, and the work that keeps you going.In this episode you’ll discover:How The Secret Lives of the Dead evolved from a crime novel into folk-tinged horrorWhy horror conventions and community friendships can make or break a writing careerHow Tim navigates imposter syndrome — even after thirty years in publishingThe difference between writing novels and novellas (and why novellas may be his best work)What drafting actually looks like for a “panster” — and why the first draft is really the planThe realities of writing tie-in fiction for Halo, Alien, and ConanWhy social media is becoming less useful — and how to protect your creative focusTim’s advice for new writers trying to find their place in the horror communityLinks & Resources:Tim Lebbon’s website: https://www.timlebbon.netThe Secret Lives of the Dead (Titan Books): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Lives-Dead-Tim-Lebbon/dp/1789099732British Fantasy Convention: https://britishfantasysociety.orgStokerCon (Horror Writers Association): https://www.horror.org/stokerconFrank Turner (mentioned): https://frank-turner.comSubscribe to The Writer’s ChairIf 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🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast📚 About the GuestTim Lebbon is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author with a career spanning over three decades. He has written more than fifty novels, dozens of novellas, and hundreds of short stories across horror, fantasy, and science fiction. His work includes original novels such as The Silence (adapted into a Netflix film) and The Secret Lives of the Dead, as well as tie-in fiction for Alien, Predator, Hellboy, Star Wars, Firefly, Conan, and Halo.Tim lives in South Wales, writes daily, walks his dog every morning, and firmly believes horror is where we work our darkest thoughts out — so we can be kinder everywhere else.

In this behind-the-scenes Twisted Tales Diaries episode, Daniel Willcocks and his co-author R.P. Howley sit down to reflect on five months of their “Goosebumps for grown-ups” horror series — from the chaos of launch day to the lessons learned from writing, publishing, and growing the Twisted Tales brand.They share an honest look at the realities of indie horror publishing, co-authoring across busy lives, and finding joy (and sustainability) in the process — plus a few exclusive teases about what’s coming next.🩸 IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER • How Twisted Tales has evolved since Jack, Heir, and Slay hit shelves • Why collaboration is both a creative blessing and a logistical nightmare (in the best way) • Real-world sales and KU data from the first five months • How to build a horror series that’s sustainable, joyful, and audience-focused • A sneak peek at Book Four: Deal — and what 2026 might bring🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES📚 Read the series: https://twistedtalesbooks.com💬 Join the Devil’s Rock community: https://devilsrockbooks.com/podcast🎧 Listen to all episodes: https://pod.link/1829723468📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks🧠 ABOUT THE HOSTSDaniel Willcocks and R.P. Howley are UK-based horror authors and co-creators of the Twisted Tales series — fast-paced, standalone horror novellas for readers who grew up on Goosebumps and still crave a good scare. Together, they explore the darker corners of storytelling while building the Devil’s Rock horror universe.

In this episode, Daniel sits down with James Kennedy — author of the genre-bending horror novel Bride of the Tornado, which was selected by The Guardian as one of the best SFF/horror books of September 2023.James shares how he created one of the most original and unsettling horror tales of recent years, blending Ray Bradbury nostalgia, Lynchian dread, and the visceral terror of the American Midwest. Together, they discuss genre expectations, experimental writing, and the dangers of commercial conformity. This is an episode for the bold, the curious, and the beautifully terrible people among us.In this episode you’ll discover:Why Bride of the Tornado defies genre — and how it nearly cost James his agent.What David Lynch and Ray Bradbury taught him about mystery, horror, and dream logic.The deep cultural horror of small towns, cult rituals, and being “nobody-ized.”Why he never names his protagonists (and why it makes you complicit).How embracing the strange can create unforgettable art — even if some people hate it.Links & Resources:James Kennedy’s website: https://www.jameskennedy.comBride of the Tornado on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Tornado-James-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B0BWF5M7TD90-Second Newbery Film Festival: https://www.90secondnewbery.comThe Secrets of Story Podcast: https://www.secretsofstory.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjameskennedyTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/iamjameskennedySubscribe to The Writer’s Chair:If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your weirdest friends.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcast📚 About the GuestJames Kennedy is the author of Bride of the Tornado, Dare to Know, and The Order of Odd-Fish. His work has been praised for its unflinching weirdness, literary elegance, and unapologetic originality. He’s also the founder of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival and co-host of the Secrets of Story podcast. He lives in Chicago and welcomes terrible readers everywhere.Find him at https://www.jameskennedy.com or @iamjameskennedy on socials.

In this episode, Daniel revisits a decade of storytelling with longtime friend and creative collaborator Luke Kondor — filmmaker, podcaster, comic creator, and co-founder of Hawk & Cleaver and The Other Stories podcast.Together, Luke and Daniel reflect on 10 years in writing and publishing — the highs, the failures, the pivots — and share the biggest lessons they’ve learned about writing, collaboration, and building sustainable creative careers.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVERHow The Other Stories podcast became a 14M+ download success — and the cost of keeping it goingThe truth behind burnout, creative boredom, and finding joy in weirdness.What Luke and Daniel would do differently if they had to start their author journeys again.The danger of “commercial success” killing your passion — and how to protect your art.How play, fun, and low-pressure projects can reignite your creative spark.LINKS AND RESOURCESLuke’s website: https://www.lukekondor.comMy Dog Shits Cash (Books): https://www.lukekondor.com/booksThe Other Stories Podcast: https://www.theotherstories.netTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/lukekondorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukekondorSUBSCRIBE TO THE WRITERS CHAIRIf you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow creatives.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks🎧 Listen on your favourite app: https://pod.link/1829723468💬 Join the community: https://www.devilsrockbooks.com/podcastABOUT THE GUESTLuke Kondor is a UK-based writer, podcaster, and filmmaker who’s spent the past decade telling weird stories across books, comics, and audio fiction. He’s best known for co-founding The Other Stories podcast and for creating award-winning low-budget horror films, bizarre books like My Dog Shits Cash, and irreverent comics like El Marvo.Find him at lukekondor.com or on social media @lukekondor.

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/ Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with your fellow horror fans.📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks 🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468 💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast 📚 About the GuestEric 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.