iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 20h

A found fiction horror story about a cursed role-playing game. Erm… yes please! Enjoy. All podcast platforms.

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Heads up to any and all newbies to Talking Scared. Stephen King is back on the show next week, for a conversation about OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE and other Talisman-related things. I promise to keep it entirely spoiler-free for the new book. But I will be demanding answers about Wolf.

2261

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Joe Phelan @joejp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I've just listened to Neil McRobert's interview with Deena Helm author of Our Cut of Salt. What can I say other than a classic heartfelt interview. Well done Neil.

293

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I have FINALLY begun Widow's Bay and it's no surprise, but this show feels like someone somewhere knows what I need.

6511

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I don't care about parasociality - I have made a new friend!

1122

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Andrea Morstabilini @andreamorstabilini.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Flew to Manchester, drove a bus to Combs, met some truly brilliant human beings that I'm happy and proud to call friends, and we wrote, had fun, scared each other, had beers, walked in the woods, invited the dark in & also helped each other keep it at bay.

Our group of eight writers in front of the idyllic background of the English countryside.

141

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This week's episode transports the Gothic to Palestine, for a story of oppression, claustrophobia, fractured selves and haunted, homicidal houses. It's Deena Helm and OUR CUT OF SALT All podcast platforms

0278

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Recorded a proper old chinwag with my mate @scribeofhades.bsky.social We talk about sentient houses and intrusive thoughts in his fantastic WORRY BOX - and the scary basement in his own house. Tomorrow’s episode (if I can produce it in time)

0155

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Alan Baxter @alanbaxter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Once again influenced by Neil of @talkscaredpod.bsky.social I just read this one and absolutely loved it. It's a brilliant novel and mindblowing that it's Higginson's debut. This is one to read and he's one to watch.

The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson.

1132

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Plus, Patreon subscribers get an extra 35 minutes of China Miéville talking through the books, movies and music that has most inspired him. You’ll never guess his favourite book or album! Support the show!

patreon.com

Profiling the Monster – China Miéville | Talking Scared

Exhausted by the 90 minutes of deep, dense chat with China. Course not, I know you're made of sterner stuff than that. But this next 30 minu

152

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

China Miéville makes a rare podcast appearance to discuss his ludicrously epic novel, THE ROUSE It’s a saga of a dark twentieth century, haunted by war, by secrets, by the echoes of empire and yes, by ghosts - if that’s what you wish to call them I’m so proud of this episode All podcast places

4186

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The biggest name in horror comics came on the show for an in-depth chat about the whole SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN story-world — including the forthcoming novel, Hope is a Knife Listen if you’re interested in the best of horror creativity happening right now. All podcast platforms

0203

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Hey it's International Dog Day so... 1) spend an extra few minutes playing or walking that little four-legged heartbeat today 2) a note that I wrote a book about the bond between a man and his dog, and the child-stealing monster they fight. People like it, including Stephen King

0346

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Fresh Patreon bonus - If you enjoyed the Clive Barker chat in the latest ep, I recorded a whole other patreon-exclusive episode about the legend’s work - with uber-fan (and great author) Alan Baxter. Subscribe - support - enjoy!

patreon.com

Baxter on Barker | Talking Scared

I know a lot about horror but next to sod all about Clive Barker. Thankfully I know a big, burly man who does. Alan Baxter AKA The Lord of

042

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Big week on Talking Scared. @chuck_wendig is back and he wrote a book that got me dropping the C-bomb! We talk about it THE CALAMITIES- about the influence of demonology on Chuck’s career, writing loveable psychos, handling exposition, and the shadow of Clive Barker. All podcast platforms

1121

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Episode recorded with China Miéville. As befitting his 1300 page book, the conversation went long. It's nearly 1 hour 45, and I had to REALLY up my intellectual game for this one. You can hear it September 8th.

2141

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I saw The End of Oak Street and had more complicated opinions than you'd expect about a film featuring brontosaurus shagging. Patreons can listen right now. Subscribe - support - enjoy

patreon.com

WTF Did I Just Watch? The End of Oak Street | Talking Scared

I went to see The End of Oak Street and came away with more complicated opinions than a movie featuring sweaty brontosaurus porn should prov

2133

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Who is watching FURIOUS? If you're not, may I suggest you watch FURIOUS. Mostly for this absolute legend!

A still of the Disney+ show, Furious, depicting the character Nora, played by Quincy Taylor Bernstine, looking typically pissed off at her desk.

6668

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Latest episode of Talking Scared is a well-seasoned genre mash. natasha_pulley joins me to talk about THE SALT KING - her fantasy/apocalypse/folk-horror/romance/comedy blend. It’s a dive into the darkest excesses of the Catholic Church and the occasional magical salt mine. All podcast places

094

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I’m 300 pages into China Mieville’s THE ROUSE and just about getting a sense of things. It’s a mesmeric novel. Like a ghost story written by Samuel Beckett. 900 pages to go.

1161

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I just recorded an absolute banger of an Off Book episode with Ben Bradford from the new ARE WE DOOMED podcast - which explores existential end-of-the-world scenarios. You won't believe how hopeful both his podcast and our conversation will make you feel. Hoping to turn it around for tomorrow.

051

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I really do have a split online personality. Over on threads i'm all "it's such a shame Nigel Farage didn't die in that helicopter crash," whereas here i'm like "here's this phenomenal book I read and isn't my dog cute?"

4161

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

It's time for another Hushed Tones - my patreon-exclusive dead-honest reviews of books i've read for the show. Sign up and enjoy. Feel good about yourself for supporting indie podcasting.

patreon.com

Hushed Tones 29 – June '26 | Talking Scared

I read books and the people who support the show (YOU!) get the secret, honest reviews. This time I’m looking back to the stuff I read in Ju

062

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Celebrating Welsh folklore and one of my favourite books of the year. Liam Higginson is this week’s guest, talking us through his debut THE HILL IN THE DARK GROVE. It’s wonderful, quite frankly.

3242

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I've decided the Dark Tower Deep Dive will include Rose Madder. Technically allowed because of that one single reference - but mostly cos it's a great book that doesn't get discussed ever. And we will have some female voices to balance out the sausage-fest for that one.

2241

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Roland of Gilead @rolandofgilead19.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

My Year of Book Covers Good Boy first edition paperback by Neil McRobert @talkscaredpod.bsky.social Riot is, in fact, a very good boy!

0141

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Been working for three days at a story that was tying itself in useless knots. Took Ted for a twenty minute walk and solved it. It involves starting again... but the solution never fails.

1151

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

What are we reading/watching this weekend folken?

1291

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I have never read SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN but with the second omnibus, a forthcoming novel, and James Tynion coming on the show… the time is now. Who’s a fan?

My stack of James Tynion’s SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN omnibuses - and my happy pot ghost Marlowe.

6182

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Hands up if you've never even been on the site? Is it a site? Or an app? Or do you have to pull on Sam Altman's balls and make a wish? I've never seen the interface.

4230

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

The fact that here in the UK we call a dog's erection a "lipstick" has forever ruined this franchise for me.

062

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Jesus...the mental yoga required to follow this line of reasoning! Administrative and commercial platforms use AI. Fuck it then, we'll let it write the stories and paint the art and compose the music then. Cos that's the same thing. And this was disseminated by the HWA? One more nail in the coffin.

2243

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

This is maybe the scariest episode I've ever released. Annie Jacobsen joins me for a conversation about BIOLOGICAL WAR: A SCENARIO - her speculative non-fiction menace of a book, in which she traces an engineered pathogen from its lab escape to the end of civilisation. Enjoy. Sort of.

2193

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I just recorded an episode with Liam about this book. It's reaffirmed my praise for the novel. Truly brilliant.

2172

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Rex Stephens @rexstephens.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Weekend listen? Neil @talkscaredpod.bsky.social , Nat @natcassidy.bsky.social , & Chris @scribeofhades.bsky.social catch up, dive deep and discuss Book Five of the Stephen King's Dark Tower series, WOLVES OF THE CALLA. Catch it anywhere you listen to Podcasts. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...

081

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I've just finished Liam Higginson's THE HILL IN THE DARK GROVE and it's possibly my favourite novel of the year. Folk-horror steeped in Welsh lore and identity, a Celtic riff on The Shining, with the most fantastic prose and two characters you deeply root for. Can't recommend it enough

7379

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

And so we come to the Calla, to meet old friends, new enemies, a pain-in-the-ass robot and death-dealing women. It’s the new Dark Tower Deep Dive! Wherever you get podcasts.

1143

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Aaaand the WOLVES OF THE CALLA deep dive is recorded. 2 hours 20 minutes of gunfights, robots, roses and jokes about "wet commala" It'll be out tomorrow!

0243

Reposted by Talking Scared Podcast

Titan Books @titanbooks.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We're delighted to share the fantastic lineup of moderators who will be joining @rachelharrison.bsky.social on her KISS SLAY REPLAY tour! We can't wait to see you all at the altar! Have you saved the date? 💒 🎟️ Tickets on sale now: bit.ly/4ebrhMc

2145

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Saw The Odyssey. I was expecting a life-changing movie considering how much the myth means to me. I ended up bemused. I liked it very much overall, but paradoxically found so many individual moments undernourished or abbreviated. Felt like it had been edited within an inch of its life.

0161

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

It’s a horrid history lesson on Talking Scared. Danielle Giles leads a tour of 16th century London in GENTLE THINGS - complete with murder, misogyny and medicinal cannibalism. All podcast platforms

0133

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I just recorded a conversation with Annie Jacobsen about her pair of nightmare speculative non-fiction 'Scenarios' – Nuclear War and Biological War. This episode is going to make all of you VERY nervous indeed.

2203

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Happy Friday. I get to spend all day researching and writing about the Michigan Dogman. There are worse jobs.

1230

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Good Boy's new Spanish cover. I love it so much.

The cover of Good Boy, my novel, translated into Spanish. It features a black dog sitting on a patch of grass, staring either mournfully or excitedly up at a free floating window in the heavens.

4506

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I just recorded an episode with Danielle Giles about her historical Gothic romance, GENTLE THINGS. One of the most purely enjoyable books i've read all year. It's next week's episode.

1101

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

New Patreon Exclusive (I'm really pumping them out this month!) HUSHED TONES - my honest and candid reviews of the books I read for the show. Subscribe if you want the inside scoop.

patreon.com

Hushed Tones 28 – May '26 | Talking Scared

I promise you candid reviews of the books I read. Dear christ are these candid! I sincerely hope I can keep my title as Cheeriest and Kindes

020

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Sam Neill horror movie marathon: Jurassic Park Dead Calm Omen III In the Mouth of Madness Possession Event Horizon What a time!

5844