Hello, friends.

The last time I sent an email updating you on This Is Horror happenings, we had just put out episode 668 with Eliza Jabore on true crime research, slashers, and Bigfoot—and now we're already up to 675 episodes.

And what an absolutely incredible episode 675 was and is. See, episode 675 is with Brazil's most prominent thriller writer, Raphael Montes, and his latest English language release, The Secret Dinner, is without question my favourite book of the year so far.

As with many of these This Is Horror conversations, you can either watch the video version over on our YouTube or check out the audio on your favourite podcast app.

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TIH 675: Raphael Montes on T... Aug 17 · This Is Horror Podcast 84:08   ​

Now, the two episodes preceding our conversation with Raphael were with Richard Jerram. I'm often interested in stories set in Japan and Richard's debut, The Makoto Murders, did not disappoint. It's a wonderful crime noir set in Tokyo, and the conversation we had with Richard was equally delightful. We spoke about his approach to writing, as well as his time living in Japan, Singapore, and the UK.

Check out links to both parts of the conversation below.

​TIH 673: Richard Jerram on The Makoto Murders, Living in Tokyo, Japan, and Winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award​

​TIH 674: Richard Jerram on Lessons Learnt Writing The Makoto Murders, Writing Routine, and What Defines Success​

I also spoke with E. L. Chen about the slasher novel everyone is talking about, Slasher Summer. As with all This Is Horror conversations, this was not just a deep dive into one book—we covered all manner of subjects including early life lessons and the best writing advice E. L. Chen ever heard. In fact, if you want to jump straight into her best writing advice, you can watch our clip on TikTok below.

This Is Horror |Michael Wilson

E. L. Chen on the best and worst writing advice. This Is Horror Podcast episode 672.#horror #writing #podcast #writer #stephenking

♬ original sound - This Is Horror |Michael Wilson - This Is Horror |Michael Wilson

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​TIH 671: E. L. Chen on Sweetside Motel, Writing Routine, and Inverting Gothic Novel Expectations​

​TIH 672: E. L. Chen on Slasher Summer, Slasher Movies, and Best Writing Advice​

Which brings us to episodes 669 and 670 with David Moody. Now, I said at the start of this email that The Secret Dinner was my favourite novel of the year thus far, but this brings us to my second favourite of the year—a very close second, in fact. David Moody's Kemberton might just be the best book David has ever written and given how incredible Shadowlocked was last year and how many wonderful entries there've been in his Autumn and Hater series, that really is saying something.

Check out the episodes with David below.

​TIH 669: David Moody on Serialising Fiction, Embracing Boredom, and the Long Road to the Hater Movie​

​TIH 670: David Moody on Kemberton, Weoley Castle, and Writing About the Human Condition​

And if you want to see video versions for all of these conversations, please subscribe to This Is Horror on YouTube. Not every conversation is on YouTube yet but they will be landing imminently, so keep your eyes peeled.

Well, that almost does it for another This Is Horror email. And I nearly got to the end without promoting one of my own books, but here's the deal, the second edition of The Girl in the Video comes out tomorrrow so I'd be remiss not to remind you that if you pre-order The Girl in the Video paperback here, via This Is Horror, I'll also send you the audiobook and eBook free-of-charge.

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And if you want to hear and see me talking about The Girl in the Video, check out my conversation with Robb Olson on The ARC Party.

Michael David Wilson - THE G... Aug 11 · The ARC Party 103:19   ​

​And if you want to support the This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon, follow the link. You'll get early access to each episode, be able to submit questions to each and every guest, and get occasional bonus episodes.

That's it for now—be good to one another, take care of yourselves, read horror, keep on writing, and have a great, great day.

Michael David Wilson