iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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

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

It’s the back of my review copy. I don’t think the final book will look like this.

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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.

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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.

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Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

this is precisely how I hoped people would listen! Enjoy.

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Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Only seen the first two. I'll probably binge the lot over the weekend.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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

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

That is some fine company to be in. Liam's book is fantastic.

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Talking Scared Podcast @talkscaredpod.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

You are very very welcome. Thanks for listening.

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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)

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

I'd love to take credit for that line, but it just beamed into my head unbidden. Maybe it was Ted.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

she comes on screen and i start smiling

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

It's far far far more used by the writer community, at least to my eyes. Which is why i'm there. But by god the crazy is CRAZY.

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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?"

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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

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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.

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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.

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

Welcome to Derry is a bit of silly fun. Nothing deep and the gore is comic book rather than upsetting. I'd say definitely watch it, but bear in mind that the first ep is grimmer than the rest. After that it's charming.

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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!

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

That sounds so much fun. Where did you begin?

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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.

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

That's fair enough. It's only two images, but I understand the need for zero tolerance in this stuff. I was conflicted when I saw them.

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

It's absolutely brilliant. The way it uses comedy and then hits you in the gut with underlying horror!

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

that's weird as hell. Is there a contextual reason for it?

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