I came across this Pod randomly and immediately loved it. Neil is one of the best interviewers around and the conversations are fantastic. Of course, I k Now have about 1000 books on my “to read” list.

Was recently referred to this pod due to my love of Stephen King. Once I binged the King episodes I moved on to the others and continued to be completely delighted by the pod. The open, frank conversations with interesting authors has caused me to buy WAY more horror books than I ever have before. Thanks for the good times and amazing stories!

Introduced me to many authors and horror books. A lot of valuable discussions about horror and craft for readers and current/aspiring writers.

I say “essential listening for horror fans,” but this podcast, hosted by the charming and perceptive Neil McRobert, is indispensable for anyone with a passion for literature, the arts, or informed discussion of popular culture. Neil delves deeply into the books featured on his show, and the vast array of fascinating individuals who wrote them. Do yourself a favor and start listening — you’ll be very glad you did!

Neil does a fantastic job dissecting horror fiction, while engaging in wholesome conversations with authors that are insightful, fun and entertaining. His love for the genre is ever present and authentic. This podcast is a must listen if you enjoy horror. My TBR pile has grown to the size of a small mountain because of this man! Do yourself a favor and have a listen. You won’t be disappointed 💀

This show serves as a gathering space for people who love horror. The host is superb. I’ve gotten so many book and story recommendations and discovered several authors through this conversations.

I would listen to Neil read the directions for colonoscopy prep, love his voice. He always asks thoughtful questions, quite clearly has done his homework with the guests.

Just as he announces he will be taking a long vacation, I become hooked on this podcast. A great way to learn about new and upcoming horror, and to revisit classics and hear from the authors. Just now (late to the game) getting into all things Stephen King and have really enjoyed the episodes with him. Lastly, I agree with Tanna Rewve Dew in that Will Patton could read a cereal box and I would listen…. Great show, can’t wait for more

Neil obviously takes much care in crafting an entertaining and informative interview.

An extremely intelligent deep dive interview series into horror authors and their work. Never fails to entertain and educate.

This podcast is a GEM. In it, the host interviews horror authors and other types of creators, diving deep into their books and creative processes. I love that Neil really LISTENS to his guests and appreciates their work on such a thoughtful level. In the last episode I heard, he told his guest, "I'm rethinking a question because of what you just said," which I don’t think I’ve ever heard from an interviewer before and should be common practice! 🤯 Despite the eerie subject matter, there’s something cozy and comforting about this podcast. Every episode feels like a deep, enriching conversation you don’t want to end. IG: @adriennecruzva

I’ve been listening for a little over a year now and Neil talks about politics a little bit, however, here recently he’s gone on a rampage of a rant that honestly just isn’t necessary for a horror novel podcast. Neil leave the politics out of the show.

I absolutely LOVE this podcast. Highly recommend!

This is the best podcast on horror lit around. But I think it’s also possibly one of the best podcasts on literary analysis in general. So many podcasts on books spend so much time on superficial details, bland discussion that never really gets to the heart of the narrative. But Neil has a PhD in this stuff and it shows. He has great insight into each story or novel, he picks up on symbols and metaphors and allegory, etc. He understands the wider context of a piece. The writer’s motivations. All of this doesn’t even touch his skill as an interviewer. He’s great at giving the guest free reign but chimes in with real insight or a good question. If you’re a subscriber, you know he’s great without a guest too. I’m ready for the merch already!

I’ve been listening to this podcast on and off for over a year and it’s definitely one of my favorites. Neil’s interviews are always entertaining and insightful and I feel like he brings out the best in all the authors he interviews. I haven’t listened to all the episodes yet, only because I enjoy going into a novel with as little info as possible (although he’s pretty diligent about not having spoilers for new books). But I love capping off my reading of a book by listening to the corresponding episode. (I guess I’m nerdy that way lol.) Keep up the great work, Neil!

My favorite 2 parter of my favorite writer’s favorite king short stories. Neil, you dessert a looooong break.

I’ve never reviewed a podcast in my life but I love this one enough to leave it a five star review. Phenomenal guests and an incredible host.

I’ve been meaning to review this podcast for quite some time! Not only does Neil feature authors who are hugely talented, but the time and attention he takes in researching the authors and their work is such a huge component. It’s the same thing that I enjoy in watching Hot Ones, where it’s clear the host has done so much work behind the scenes to make this an interesting conversation for the listeners and the guests!

This is as much a sociological endeavor as it is a fun literary podcast. I started listening to this podcast as a teenager, and it has helped guide me into an adult who loves writing. Just fantastic conversations and tips and book recommendations. Highly recommend to anyone.

Neil is an amazing interviewer and always gets to the heart of the story and what drives the writers. I’ve myself purchasing books almost weekly since starting the pod and I’ve had to split my TBR pile into 3 separate piles lest it reach my ceiling. An Insightful and charming host as well as the ever pleasant, brilliant guests make this a MUST listen for all enjoyers of horror and dark fiction.

Talking Scared is my go-to literary podcast. Neil is an excellent interviewer and has fantastic insights. He always has the best authors of the macabre and I always learn something new or fascinating every time I listen.

A perfectly balanced expression of the human condition through horror. Think you don’t like horror… think again. It’s fun, witty, and Neil is one of the best interviewers I’ve listened to in recent years. My daughters listen with me almost every ep, and it’s become a cool father-daughter highlight of our week. Has been the perfect spring board into discourse about all sort of heavy subjects. Love this pod!

I’m so glad I found a podcast that reveres the horror genre like I do! Neil is such a fantastic interviewer and I’m so grateful for the books and authors I’ve discovered!

McRobert perfectly balances fanlike enthusiasm and informed guide with his conversations with some of the best horror writers out there. Always fun, always informative. When writers are on press tours, they sometimes come off as bored answering the same questions over and over. I’ve never gotten that sense on Talking Scared. Even when he landed an interview with Stephen King, who’s been asked every question possible, the interview was fresh, unique, and lots of fun.

I love the way Neil thinks about and talks about horror literature. He is making a place for authors to share and readers to learn more about the best genre out there. This podcast is lots of fun!

Listening to this show is one of my greatest motivations to keep writing. As a writer it gives me that push, as a reader it piques my interests, and as an overall horror-loving person in the world, it just plain rules. Neil’s impeccable interview style has become such a staple to my week, the thing that “truly scares me” is thinking what I’d do without it.

These episodes are a true treasure trove for any lover of bookish horror! I find myself reading books only to find that the most recent episode is an interview with the author! My TBR pile is getting out of control, thanks to Talking Scared! I love, love, love this podcast! Keep up the incredible work!

It’s an interesting place to go. Into the darkest parts of human nature, but it’s there where we are entertained when we pick up a book or a pen and stroll on in. As a writer who has just produced a ghost story, this podcast is rich with ideas and inspiration. Than you!!!

Host Neil McRobert leads an in-depth and wide ranging discussion with some of the biggest and/or most interesting authors on the horror and dark fiction scene. Neil, while having some questionable opinions about film, has an infectious enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the genre and has created an excellent podcast for other horror fiction enthusiasts to either learn about authors and/or novels that they might not have been immediately familiar or to get greater insight into novels they have already read and enjoyed. I’m slowly but steadily making my way through the back catalogue but I highly recommend it.

So many great authors and stories I would otherwise never have heard of plus the great ones I do know. Great insight and perspectives. Highly recommend.

It’s a grey, rainy day in Georgia—perfect for curling up with a podcast about horror novels. You can’t do better than Talking Scared with Neil McRobert. Smart, erudite, incisive questions and lively chat . If you like wide-ranging conversations with horror writers you need to check it out. Margaret Atwood, Catriona Ward, Stephen Graham-Homes, Tananarive Due, Victor Lavalle, and Stephen King are only some of the famous names, Neil talks with debut novelists and masters of the craft. Great stuff. Watch out—your book budget is going to explode.

I just found Neil McRobert’s fantastic podcast and it has instantly provided me with nearly endless hourly of quality conversations with many of today’s best horror literature writers. I love that the focus is nearly entirely on horror lit instead of branching out too broadly into the world of horror cinema. I have learned so much in a short time about so many authors and books that I only really knew by their titles previously and that many people considered them good. I have been avidly following the horrorlit subreddit for quite awhile and Talking Scared provides a perfect companion to that informative thread. Many of the recommended authors from that thread have extensive interviews on Talking Scared and listening to those have allowed me to get a much clearer understanding of which books I should read and which books may not appeal to me. Neil’s recent interview with John Langan hooked me (pun intended) to give the podcast a try and I am so happy that I did. Neil is a great guy, well informed, funny, and intelligent. I highly recommended this podcast to anyone wanting to learn more about the incredible world of modern horror literature. Thanks, Neil!

This podcast is a must listen for all fans of horror literature! Who doesn’t want to hear from the authors who write the books we love. Great podcast

I don’t have the time to get a PhD in dark, horror, or gothic fiction ( ;) ) but I desperately want to deep dive in the genre. This podcast helps me stay on top of the best writers and works in those areas, both the current big names and the classics, and the interviews help me get the most out of my reads. I don’t know that Neil McRobert and I would be friends IRL (though I’m sure his dog and I would get on!), but his interview questions are smart. You can tell that guests enjoy being on his podcast because they really get to talk about their work rather than being asked the same boring, surface questions they get asked everywhere else; that’s really special and the hallmark of a great show. I think he also does a good job attending to diversity, highlighting great writers in the genre of different races, sexualities, gender, and so on, which is important not just because its unfair for writers to be missed simply because they’re not white straight cis men but also because the genre is so much richer when we read diverse authors. This should be a bare minimum requirement, but it isn’t always easy or natural, and Neil McRobert is clearly committed to it, This podcast often gets me to buy or check out books I wouldn’t otherwise, and I’ve found some real favorites. I can’t wait for more Talking Scared!

Neil McRobert is a smart, engaging, funny and always thoughtful host, and his podcast outshines all other similar efforts that I’ve encountered. He’s erudite w/o being stuffy, enthusiastic w/o being gushy, and he gets the most fantastic guests (a recent episode w/ Tananarive Due being particularly stellar). Five stars all around. So what are you waiting for? Dive in.

Absolutely love this podcast. Discovered it this past year. The most insightful and professionally done podcast on horror fiction I have listened to yet. Neil is a world class interviewer.

Grateful for finally getting around the Apple glitch that wouldn't let me subscribe. I've got a lot to catch up on here, but every episode has been fantastic. Neil lets the author's work guide the discussion, so each one is a treasure trove of interesting ideas from both author and host. The reading lists alone would make the show worth it, but the conversation never disappoints. The only drawback is not being able to join the conversation yourself, but that's probably for the best.

When I started listening to this podcast, I was not really a huge fan of horror, but more of a curious bystander. In the ensuing year and much in line with my listening here, I have become engrossed in what I now consider to be the most interesting genre of fiction today. Neil is the perfect host, blending an engrossing personality, self-deprecating wit, and a graduate student’s level of passion to his interviews. The most important thing he does is listen and let the authors build the conversation. Amazing stuff. Do yourself a favor and listen now, and do yourself a second favor and hide your credit card and your cash because you’re gonna wanna start buying books.

Neil’s podcast is brilliant. He is an incredibly thoughtful and passionate interviewer, you can tell he really loves the horror genre. And he successfully dodges spoilers for the books he is discussing each episode - which is really important to me because I am a slow reader and don’t have all the time I wish I did to dive into every book he discusses. So as a result each episode is an extended, more tantalizing preview of the books without giving anything away, he creates excitement for them. And for the ones I have read, his interviews are spot on and create more of an appreciation for the book and author.

I have to take so many breaks through each episode. And it’s because these conversations make me think about my own writing in newer, darker, smarter, and more joyful ways. If you’re hopelessly in love with horror and all the goes into writing it, you’ll find some great camaraderie here.

To be brief, there are two things I love about this podcast. First, it’s obvious that Neil is a fan of the authors he interviews. He has read their work and generally has insights about their work that sometimes I think the author may not have been aware of. Secondly, there are no shortages of book suggestions that pop up over the course of the conversation. Keep it up!

Finally! A wicked spooky (intelligent) podcast about wicked spooky books!!! 🖤 I have been binge-listening to this show, desperately trying to catch up to the current timeline, and what a dark joy it’s been. Neil is THE most knowledgeable podcast host and I appreciate his enthusiasm and skill in discussing all of the things that go bump in the night. I’m buying so many recommendations but am listening too much to sit down and read. Heehee… Keep up the incredible job of freaking me out, and I promise I will catch up asap!

i love deep dives into story. this podcast is amazing, goes far under the surface and brings up new and interesting writers and stories.

Love the podcast!! Listening from the beginning!

I just discovered the podcast a few weeks ago and I am really digging it. I sort of gave up on horror in the mid 90s, but this guy and his guests are sucking me back in! Give it a listen, especially the interviews the Stephen King and the Mother of Horror.

This podcast has it all when it comes to horror fiction—intriguing recommendations, fantastic interviews, smart discussions about the genre, everything you could want. Neil McRobert’s “Talking Scared” should be on every horror fan’s list of must-listen podcasts.

And I’m so happy he did! If you’re a Horror fan or author, like me, you’ll enjoy all the interviews and in-depth discussions about classics and the newly out! IT’S SPOOKTACULAR!

This podcast is incredible. I love discussing media or listening to podcasts that discuss media and have been yearning for one that discusses the horror books that I love so much. None of my friends read the books that I read, so this podcast is filling a void in my life that I was longing for! Not only is the podcast conceptually great, but Neil is brilliant. He asks incredible questions and treats his hosts and their stories with awe and respect. I know I am going to burn through this podcast and that it will get me to burn through my TBD list so that I can listen to those episodes. I cannot express how happy I am that this podcast exists lol.

I’m beyond pleased to have discovered Talking Scared a couple years back. Every week, Neil manages to not only read and digest an entire horror novel, but also consider and ask the most thoughtful questions for these authors on any podcast I’ve ever listened to about *any* kind of literature. If you’re a horror fan in particular, this show is an absolute must.

I just discovered this show and I’m loving it. The host is kind and treats each guest with the utmost respect and care. His insights are intelligent. Every book that I have bought at his recommendation has been enjoyable. At the end of each show, he asks his guest to recommend a book, I have been building up my TBR pile like crazy based on these. Keep Talking Scared!