I interview horror author Jake Bible, a Bram Stoker–nominated novelist, co-chair of the North Carolina Horror Writers Association chapter, and a primary story writer for Dr. NoSleep podcast studios. Bible shares his writing history (first short-story sale in 2006/2007), his output (about 65 novels and roughly 250 short works), and how he began writing for Dr. NoSleep after responding to a freelancer ad in May 2024, now averaging 3–4 stories a week (sometimes more). He discusses early podcasting his novel “Dead Mech”, building a large audience through free podcast fiction, and his current approach of compiling Dr. NoSleep stories into monthly collections while posting free serialized stories on his Substack without paid subscriptions. Our conversation covers the early “new media” podcast-fiction community, cycles of gatekeeping in indie spaces (including Substack), his views on AI and online pile-ons, and his belief in avoiding self-editing out of fear of offense. Bible explains his focus on drabbles (exactly 100-word stories), including his drabble-structured first novel, and how the form sharpens editing and concision. He talks about balancing paid writing with passion projects, developing screenplays, and his flexible approach to scheduling and writing frequency. Bible also explains why he loves horror—its rule-free creativity, adaptable tropes, and supportive fandom—and how he approaches tropes while maintaining story logic. He directs listeners to jakebible.com and jakebible.substack.com for free fiction every Wednesday and a free drabble every Friday, and highlights his latest release, “It’s Under the Shroud: 10 More NoSleep Stories, Volume Three.” The episode ends with an ad for Mark Burton’s horror/sci-fi thriller “Aroughcoune”, about a genetically modified 15-foot military-bred raccoon escaping a secret lab on Plum Island.

00:00 Welcome + Meet Horror Author Jake Bible

00:25 Jake’s Writing Origin Story & Prolific Career Snapshot

01:50 Landing the Dr. NoSleep Podcast Gig (and Writing at High Volume)

03:35 The Early Days of Podcast Fiction: iPods, GarageBand, and Serializing a Novel

06:12 Free Fiction vs. Giving It All Away: Substack Teasers & Collections

08:34 ‘New Media’ Then and Now: The Wild West Era of Digital Publishing

11:58 When Indie Movements Become Gatekeepers: Cliques, Rules, and Substack Cycles

15:53 AI, Accusations, and Genre Dogma: Why the Struggles Stay the Same

19:21 Drabbles 101: The 100-Word Story and Why Jake Swears by It

25:06 Writing ‘Bonkers’ Horror: No Idea Is Too Much (and Handling Controversy)

29:25 Don’t Self-Edit: Writing Characters Who Disagree With You

31:08 Tea, Picard, and Trusting Your Creative Instincts (Indie Freedom)

32:29 The Working Writer Reality: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Time

36:13 Time Management Without a Schedule: Writing in the Cracks

38:08 “Write Every Day” Is Bad Advice: Grace, No Rules, and Chaos English

41:48 Why Horror? Halloween DNA, No Rules, and the Nicest Fandom

47:07 Using Tropes Without Getting Trapped: The Road Trip Analogy

50:49 Genre Rulebooks vs Horror Freedom (LitRPG, Romance, and Story Logic)

54:54 Wrap-Up: Where to Find Jake Bible + New Releases

56:31 Outro Ad: Raccoon—Conspiracies, Genetic Experiments, and a Giant Predator

In episode 33 of Creative Dynamos, I interview James Alan McGettigan, a talented filmmaker and author. We discuss his early inspirations, both in writing and filmmaking, his journey from creating fan fiction to developing his own unique fantasy and sci-fi series called The Dust Cosmos, and the challenges of writing across multiple genres. He also shares his experiences with filmmaking, the intricacies of writing screenplays versus novels, and the ethical challenges faced in creative collaborations. James emphasizes the role of self-reflection and enlightenment through storytelling, aiming to inspire readers and viewers to engage deeply with art for personal growth. Tune in to learn more about James Tigan's creative path and his upcoming projects.

In episode 32 of the Creative Dynamos Podcast, I chat with author Angela Sylvain about her journey into writing, her inspirations, and her work. Angela shares how she transitioned from reading voraciously to writing in her mid-thirties, inspired by a coworker. She discusses her initial foray into young adult paranormal novels and how she honed her skills with short stories, leading to over 60 published. The conversation delves into her horror-comedy novel 'Frostbite' and its sequel 'Cold Snap,' both set in North Dakota, blending sci-fi elements with dark humor. Angela talks about her inspirations, including 80s and 90s horror films and Stephen King’s works, and how she balances horror and comedy in her writing. She also discusses her experiences with publishing, marketing, and the importance of community in the literary world. The episode wraps up with Angela sharing her plans for Women in Horror Month and the importance of adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of social media.

https://linktr.ee/angelasylvaine

https://angelasylvaine.com

Pre-order Cold Snap - https://darkmattermagazine.shop/products/cold-snap

Promo for Aroughcoune by Mark Berton - https://www.markberton.com

Affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4a6NTLT

In episode 31 of Creative Dynamos, I interview author Andrew K. Clark. Andrew discusses his journey as a writer, starting from high school, and elaborates on his works 'Where Dark Things Grow' and 'Where Dark Things Rise.' He delves into the influence of his Appalachian roots, the importance of authentic voice in storytelling, and discusses the balance between maintaining character depth and engaging readers in horror fiction. The conversation also touches on effective marketing strategies for authors, the significance of literary community engagement, and a shared appreciation for grits.

https://www.andrewkclark.com

Othering Podcast - https://www.otheringpodcast.com

In this episode of Creative Dynamos, I talk with my longtime friend and mentor, Matt Selznick. We cover the gamut, from Matt's extensive writing journey. From writing short stories in his childhood to creating immersive fantasy worlds like the Shapers World and the Sovereign Era, Matt has done it all. Matt provides insights into his self-publishing experiences and the early days of podcasting fiction. Our conversation delves into world-building, character development, and the intricacies behind Matt's unique, character-driven storytelling approach. Matt also introduces his 'Your Story Buddy' service and announces an exclusive offer for listeners of the podcast.

https://www.mattselznick.com

https://www.threads.com/@matthewwayneselznick

https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewWayneSelznick

https://bsky.app/profile/mattselznick.bsky.social

https://mastodon.cloud/@MattSelznick

Aleshka aka Alexandra and I talk about her family history, her multiple creative outlets, and her book In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic. Affiliate Link - https://amzn.to/4pU08jo

In this episode I talk to author Omari Richards about his Afro-fantasy novel The Kimoni Legacy Initiation and his romantasy WIP James and Kiani: A Black Mermaid Tale (title subject to change). We also talk writing tips and the challenges and successes in 2025

IG/Threads: Omari_a_Richards

TT: orichards_author.

Affiliate link to his novel - https://amzn.to/4qvH1NJ

On this episode, I talk with the aptly named Kathleen Marple Kalb about her cozy mystery writing, her MASSIVE number of series, why she uses pen names, and her experience as a traditionally published author who's dabbled in and is seriously considering more indie publishing. Website: https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Marple-Kalb-1082949845220373/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/Threads: @kathleenmarplekalb Bluesky: @mysterymarple.bsky.social