E198: Cats, Magicians and Montreal with Heather Fawcett

 

Today I welcome back Heather Fawcett to chat about her new book AGNES AUBERT’S MYSTICAL CAT SHELTER. It’s a cozy fantasy that takes place in an alternate magical version of 1920s Montreal, and I love the juxtaposition of cats, messy magicians, and a woman who will do anything to save all the stray cats of Montreal. Heather and I also chat about the importance of community in Cozy Fantasy, and she tackles some of my craft questions about writing. 

In the episode, I mention The Triplets of Belleville. You can watch the movie here. The DVD appears to be out of print and I'm not sure where else it's streaming. Your public library may have it since it was an award winning film. 

The independent bookshop Heather shouts out is The Laughing Oyster in Courtenay, BC

Canada

The link to Heather's very smart and thoughtful Substack newsletter is here.

Heather also advocates for supporting the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

E197: Johnny Compton and DEAD FIRST

 

Today I welcome back a good friend and wonderfully terrifying writer, Johnny Compton to chat about his new book DEAD FIRST. It’s his first venture into genre blending his usual love of horror with mystery and noir. We get into his influences for the book as well as discuss how he gives his stories the flavor and atmosphere that immerse the reader in his stories. We also chat about his new story collection from Weird Tales called MIDNIGHT SOMEWHERE. My blurb on this book describes it as a more terrifying Twilight Zone, and I stand by that.  

The book store Johnny Compton wanted to highlight is The Book Nerd. 

He did also mention, Ghoulish Books, Nowhere Bookshop, The Twig, and Haunt Happy Books.

The ghost hunting show I mentioned is Strange Town. I mentioned an episode where they visit Yorktown Hospital, but I was mistaken. They visited Old Yoakum Hospital. You can view their YouTube channel here.