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 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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In this episode, Daniel sits down with the authorial powerhouse Michael David Wilson — founder of This Is Horror, host of the award-winning This Is Horror Podcast, and author of The Girl in the Video, They’re Watching (with Bob Pastorella), House of Bad Memories, and his latest wild release, Daddy’s Boy.

Michael opens up about the chaos and catharsis behind his newest book, blending dark comedy with horror and crime, and the very real experiences that shaped it. From divorces and new beginnings to cult followings, sausages, and Naked Attraction t-shirts, this is a conversation equal parts raw, funny, and inspiring.

💀 In this episode you’ll discover:

• How personal trauma can fuel fiction (and whether to write in the moment or after).
• Why Michael’s latest book is his most unhinged — and most fun — yet.
• The balance (and tension) between authenticity vs. commercial success.
• What’s next for Michael, including a new novella and long-awaited collaborations.

Links & Resources:

• Michael’s website: https://www.michaeldavidwilson.co.uk/
• Daddy’s Boy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daddys-Boy-Michael-David-Wilson-ebook/dp/B0DX1LJV6P
• This Is Horror: https://thisishorror.co.uk/

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with the horror lovers in your life.

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📚 About the Guest

Michael David Wilson lives in Gifu, Japan, and is the founder of This Is Horror. His work has appeared in The NoSleep Podcast, Dim Shores, Dark Moon Digest, and The Other Stories. Find more at michaeldavidwilson.co.uk and support him on Patreon: patreon.com/michaeldavidwilson.

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Welcome back, wordsmiths and story seekers! In this episode of The Writer’s Chair, I sit down with Birmingham-based author J.D. Parker to talk about his debut dark historical novel, Ignis Sacer.

Jonny (JD) shares his journey from writing screenplays to finally tackling long-form fiction, why he considers his first unpublished novel the “first pancake,” and how Ignis Sacer became the book he was ready to share with the world.

We explore everything from medieval medicine and plague research to the pull of “sirens” (new ideas), balancing horror and hope, and why sometimes the most terrifying things are buried in history.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why JD draws a sharp line between his first novel and his debut novel
• How ergotism (Holy Fire) inspired the central horror of Ignis Saecer
• The challenges of weaving research, history, and dark fantasy into one story
• Why “prestige horror” filmmakers like Robert Eggers and Ari Aster shaped his writing style
• The balance between outlining and discovery in building sprawling stories

Links & Resources:

• J.D.’s website: https://wakeandwinslow.carrd.co
• Ignis Sacer on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ignis-Sacer-Nightmare-J-D-Parker-ebook/dp/B0F5MT5ZLP
• Connect with JD on Instagram: @j.d.parker_author

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Listen on your favourite app: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Join the community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

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Welcome to a brand-new feature on The Writer’s Chair — the Twisted Tales Diaries!

In this first diary entry, I’m joined by my co-conspirator R.P. Howley (aka Rob) as we pull back the curtain on our new horror series, Twisted Tales. Think Goosebumps… but bloodier. We talk through the origins of the idea, what it’s like co-writing fast, punchy horror together, and the long-term vision behind the series.

Expect honest, unpolished chat about the wins, the headaches, and everything in between as we build this universe one creepy book at a time.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Twisted Tales went from a forest walk in 2020 to #1 Hot New Release in 2025
• Why Goosebumps nostalgia meets adult horror in a bite-sized format
• What it’s really like to co-write and cut each other’s drafts to the bone
• Our strategy for building not just books, but a brand horror readers will want to collect
• Sneak peeks of what’s coming next (werewolves, Christmas horror, and more…)

Links & Resources:

• Visit the Twisted Tales hub: https://twistedtalesbooks.com/
• Free short story Thaw: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/72410/155104481435977576/share

Subscribe to The Writer’s Chair:

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with the horror lovers in your life.

📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🎧 Podcast apps: pod.link/1829723468

💬 Community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

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In this roundtable episode of The Writer’s Chair, Daniel welcomes three phenomenal authors from Eerie River Publishing’s dark new anthology, The Earth Bleeds at Night.

Joining the discussion:

• Christopher O’Halloran (Water Drops on the Stone Hearts)
• Em Starr (Dolly Rocks)
• Richard Thomas (Supplication)

Whether you’re a reader, writer, or horror fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, this episode delivers on both craft and heart.

• How parenting, personal experience, and grief inspired some of the most emotionally raw stories in the anthology
• What makes horror the perfect genre for exploring nature, decay, and transformation
• The joy (and madness) of being a short story maximalist
• Real talk about rejections, impostor syndrome, and breaking into pro markets
• Where short stories fit into a writer’s creative and commercial journey
• A vital call for more active inclusion of BIPOC voices in horror publishing
• Resources and advice for writers trying to break into magazines like The Dark, Nightmare, and Lightspeed

Published by Erie River Publishing

Explore what terrors make the very earth bleed in this chilling collection of dark, literary, and cosmic horror from award-winning and rising authors.

👉 https://books2read.com/u/bPOjjR

🔗 Christopher O’Halloran https://www.coauthor.ca

📚 Debut novel Pushing Daisy https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Daisy-Christopher-OHalloran-ebook/dp/B0F8SKYD95

🧠 Also recommends reading: https://www.thingsthatkeepmeupatnight.com/new-page

🔗 Em Starr https://emstarr.com.au

📱 BlueSky | Facebook

🔗 Richard Thomas whatdoesnotkillme.com

📲 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform: https://pod.link/1829723468

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devilsrockbooks

🌐 Learn more and join our dark fiction community: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

📣 Jump into the Devil’s Rock Discord to chat about this episode and meet other dark fiction writers.

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In this special episode of The Writer’s Chair, host Daniel Willcocks sits down with internationally acclaimed horror author Craig Davidson, best known under his dark fiction pseudonym Nick Cutter. Craig is the author of The Troop, The Deep, The Handyman Method, and now The Queen — his latest terrifying tale of teenage friendships, grief, and grotesque creatures.

Together, Daniel and Craig dive into:

• Craig’s journey from literary fiction to horror heavyweight
• The deep influence of Stephen King on his work (and whether they’ve ever met)
• Why The Queen is one of his most personal novels yet
• The evolution of horror: from slashers to psychological depth
• Gross-out scenes, sensory horror, and writing from lived emotion

This conversation is a beautiful blend of nostalgia, insight, and raw honesty from one of modern horror’s most respected voices.

• How Craig (aka Cutter) channels both emotional truth and body horror into his fiction
• The challenges of writing teen characters in a modern world as a Gen-X author
• Why “elevated horror” isn’t a genre — and why it doesn’t need to be
• The five most disgusting sensory experiences Craig’s ever had (you’ll squirm)
• His top horror reads of the last few years

• The Queen by Nick Cutter (Gallery/Arcadia, 2024)
• The Troop, The Deep, Little Heaven, The Handyman Method
• Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Robert McCammon, Clive Barker
• Dead Space 2, Hellraiser, Cujo, Skeleton Crew
• Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• Devil by Name by Keith Rosson
• Maeve Fly by CJ Leede

• 🌐 Craig’s official website:
• 👉 www.craigdavidson.net
• 👑 The Queen fan site:
• (Accessible via Craig’s main site)
• 📖 Buy The Queen:
• 👉 Gallery (North America)
• 👉 Arcadia/Pushkin Press (UK – imprint TBC)
• 💀 Join the Devil’s Rock writing community:
• 👉 devilsrockbooks.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with the horror lovers in your life. Each episode of The Writer’s Chair brings you deeper into the minds of today’s most exciting authors — from indie newcomers to genre icons.

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Welcome, wordsmiths and story seekers! In this very first episode of The Writer’s Chair, author and podcast host Daniel Willcocks invites you to pull up a seat for an honest, no-fluff introduction to this brand new show for writers of all stripes—especially those who like their fiction a little on the darker side.

Daniel shares:

• Why he’s launching this podcast now (after months of planning),
• What to expect from upcoming episodes,
• His journey from stage-play adaptations to publishing 70+ books,
• Lessons from running (and restarting) multiple writing podcasts over the last decade,
• And his personal mission to create the biggest online community for dark fiction authors.

This is a candid, unscripted look into the heart of a writer who’s spent 10+ years in the indie trenches—and is ready to bring you along for the ride.

• What The Writer’s Chair is all about (and who it’s for)
• Daniel’s experience across horror, ghostwriting, coaching and podcasting
• Why perfection kills momentum—and how to start before you’re “ready”
• How connecting with other authors can make writing less lonely
• An invite to join the new Devil’s Rock community for dark fiction writers

• 💀 Join the Devil’s Rock community (free):
• 👉 devilsrockbooks.com/podcast
• 🖤 Follow Daniel on Instagram:
• 👉 @wilcoxauthor
• 📚 Learn more about Daniel’s books & publishing projects:
• 👉 danielwillcocks.com

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow writer. New interviews and solo episodes are dropping soon, featuring dark fiction authors, publishing insights, and hard-won lessons from the writing life.

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