The Night Crew Podcast

From Small-Town Horror to Godless Splatter: Author Shannon Bradner | Ep 11

📖 Episode Description
In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, Brad sits down with horror author Shannon Bradner to talk about her journey from childhood stories inspired by her grandmother to publishing dark, twisted tales on Godless and with Baynum Books Press.
Shannon opens up about:
Her early love of reading and how it sparked her passion for writing.
The grind of balancing night shifts with writing time.
Why editing is her most dreaded part of the process.
Inspirations behind her chilling stories like One Night at Clyde’s, Songs to Dismember You By, and My Dad Is a Maniac.
Her favorite horror creature (spoiler: she’s a vampire fan, but definitely not the sparkling kind).
Her influences, from Stephen King and Clive Barker to Rachel Harrison and Chad Lutzke.
Upcoming releases, including her short story collection Filthorama (December) and a secret novella project in the works.
Along the way, Brad and Shannon also swap stories about The Lost Boys, zombie flicks, Fright Night (original vs. remake), and why practical effects still matter in horror.
If you love indie horror, dark humor, and authors who keep the genre alive with grit and passion, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
Follow Shannon Bradner:
📚 Find Shannon’s work on Godless and through Baynam Books Press, and follow her on Instagram at @murder_shan_wrote.
#HorrorPodcast #Splatterpunk #IndieHorror #Vampires #AuthorInterview #TheNightCrew
 
keywords
writing, horror, self-publishing, Godless, inspiration, editing, literary influences, vampires, practical effects, upcoming projects

Ross Killey Interview | Horror Author on Werewolves, Zombies & Bigfoot | Ep 10

🔍 Episode Description:
In this fun and cryptid-filled episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks is joined by horror author Ross Killey for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, monsters, and that one time a tree started shaking in the Indiana woods.
Ross discusses his journey from outlining stories during security shifts to publishing werewolf horror comedies and zombie tales in Vietnam. You’ll hear all about his books—Full Moon Highway, Stuck to a Monster, and Nightmare Jungle—as well as the inspiration behind his wild and weird horror concepts.
The duo nerds out about Bigfoot (Ross’s favorite monster), horror movie recommendations (including the Blair Witch creator’s Sasquatch film Exists), the joys and pains of outlining, and the tragic sacrifices of Warhammer painting in exchange for writing time.
Stick around for Ross’s top cryptid book picks, including Dweller by Jeff Strand and The Mountain King by Rick Hautala—plus a hilarious story about the one time Ross might’ve almost met Bigfoot in the wild.
📚 Topics Covered:
Ross’s path to becoming a published author
How Stuck to a Monster was inspired by conjoined twins and YouTube
Cryptids as writing fuel: why Bigfoot reigns supreme
Horror comedy and writing for the horror fan
Balancing dad life with writing life
Warhammer, Airsoft, and the death of hobbies
Found footage horror gems: Exists and Willow Creek
The elusive art of outlining and creative procrastination
Bigfoot sightings in Indiana? You decide...
 
Cryptid Book Recommendations:📚 Dweller by Jeff Strand📚 The Mountain King by Rick Hautala
Follow Ross Killey:📸 Instagram: @rosskilley_author📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ross.killey.3📚 His books are available on Amazon
 
🧛‍♂️ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out The Night Crew novel series wherever you get your monster-hunting fiction. Stay creepy, friends.
keywords
 
Ross Kelly, author, writing journey, horror fiction, cryptids, Sasquatch, Bigfoot, writing process, inspiration, horror comedy
 
#TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #RossKilley

Zach Ellenberger - Historical Horror, Wendigos, and Improvised Madness | Ep 9

📄 Episode Description:
In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks welcomes indie horror author Zach Ellenberger for a wide-ranging and hilarious conversation about writing, folklore, and how music and history collide with monsters.
Zach—author of Potato Kingdom and dozens of eerie short stories—shares how his love of history, horror, and punk music shaped his storytelling voice. The two talk about cryptids, creepy facts from history, Slavic and Native American folklore, and why the Wendigo tops Zach’s list of terrifying monsters. Plus, he reveals his process for mixing fact with fiction to ground his horror stories in real-world dread.
You’ll also hear about his comedy storytelling podcast Party Bonus, which combines improv, sketch writing, and mad-lib chaos to hilarious effect. And yes, they absolutely talk about bad signatures, the dancing plague of 1518, and what it’s like being part of the indie horror world.
📚 Topics Covered:
Zach’s origins in music and how songwriting sharpened his writing voice
How he blends history with horror in his fiction
Using real events (like the dancing plague of 1518) to inspire terrifying stories
The Wendigo, Koshchei the Deathless, and underrated folklore monsters
The writing challenge of “middle act syndrome”
How short stories helped build his storytelling discipline
🎧 Also Mentioned:
Zach’s first novel: Potato Kingdom
His Wendigo-inspired short story The Resurrectionist
Favorite literary influences: Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, Robert Louis Stevenson
Upcoming anthology collaborations with indie authors like Jerry Blaze and Carrietta Dorsch
Party Bonus podcast – A mix of improv fiction, sketch comedy, and storytelling games
👹 Favorite Monster: The Wendigo
Cannibalistic forest creature rooted in Native American folklore
A haunting blend of human hunger, transformation, and icy isolation
See also: The Ritual (film), early Supernatural episodes, and Our Father’s Burden (novel)
 
🔗 Where to Find Zach:
🌐 ZachEllenberger.weebly.com
📘 Amazon & Smashwords (Search: “Zach Ellenberger”)
🎙️ Party Bonus podcast (Spotify, Apple, etc.)
🎬 Socials via his Linktree (user to provide)
 
🧛 Don’t Forget:
If you enjoyed the show, follow, rate, and review The Night Crew Podcast. And check out Zach’s work—especially if you love horror that digs its claws into real-world history.
keywords
 
writing, author, historical fiction, horror, indie authors, storytelling, folklore, collaboration, creative process, literary influences
 
#TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview #ZechEllenberger

The History of Vampire Movies | From Nosferatu to Twilight & Beyond | Ep 8

In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, horror author and host Brad Ricks takes listeners on a cinematic coffin crawl through the history of vampires on the silver screen.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🎥 Silent beginnings: Nosferatu (1922) — Count Orlok’s plague-ridden nightmare and Bram Stoker’s widow’s lawsuit.
🦇 Universal era: Bela Lugosi’s Dracula (1931) — the cape, the accent, and the birth of the sexy vampire.
💉 Hammer Horror: Christopher Lee’s blood-soaked Dracula, cleavage, and technicolor gore.
🎶 1970s experimentation: Blackula, lesbian vampires, and disco-era bloodsuckers.
🎸 1980s cool factor: The Lost Boys, Fright Night, and Near Dark.
🕯️ 1990s Gothic revival: Coppola’s Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, and From Dusk Till Dawn.
🗡️ Action-horror hybrids: Wesley Snipes in Blade and the Underworld saga.
📺 TV fangs: Buffy, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries.
✨ Twilight & beyond: Sparkly abstinent vampires vs. HBO’s blood-soaked camp.
🎭 Modern reboots: Eggers’ Nosferatu, Renfield, Abigail, and the vampire “renaissance.”
Why It Matters:
Vampires in film reflect our fears, desires, rebellion, and immortality fantasies. From rat-faced nightmares to romantic heroes, they never truly die — they just reinvent themselves.
📚 Grab signed copies of Brad’s books → BradRicks.com📲 Follow Brad on TikTok & Facebook → @BradRicksAuthor

Monster Behind the Microphone - Author Brad Ricks | Ep 7

Episode Description:In this special birthday episode of The Night Crew Podcast, the tables turn as Brad Ricks hands over the mic and becomes the interviewee! Guest host and spooky book club leader Courtney DeGuire steps in to dig deep into Brad’s writing journey, his vampire-fueled inspirations, and the wild story behind his first short story about... well, let’s just say it involves cannibalism and a confused teacher.
Brad opens up about:
His earliest horror writing moments (including a disturbing chicken-flavored revelation)
His transition from music to novels during COVID
The creation of The Night Crew and how a world of bloody, no-sparkle vampires was born
Why he hates vampire romance tropes
How To Hell With Hallmark went from a joke to a fan-favorite Christmas slasher
Navigating indie publishing, marketing woes, and why community matters
What makes horror truly scary (hint: creaky floorboards and husband-shaped jump scares)
Courtney and Brad also geek out over classic horror novels, favorite vampire movies (yes, The Lost Boys wins), and Brad reveals the secret sauce behind his writing routine. And yes, bourbon is involved.
🎂 It’s a birthday celebration, horror fan confession, and behind-the-scenes author chat all rolled into one bloody good episode.
 
🔍 Show Notes:
📚 Books Mentioned:
The Night Crew
The Night Crew 2 (Coming November)
Fear Not the Dead
To Hell With Hallmark
Classics: Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Stand
🎬 Vampire Movie Faves:
The Lost Boys
30 Days of Night
Blade
Interview with the Vampire (with some side-eye)
🧛‍♂️ Want more bloody horror?Visit Brad’s site to grab signed books: https://www.bradricks.comFollow him on Facebook for updates, events, and awkward vampire memes.

New Orleans Vampires: Anne Rice, Casket Girls, & Jacques Saint-Germain | Ep 6

New Orleans: jazz, gumbo… and vampires?
In Episode 6 of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks takes you deep into the mist-shrouded alleyways and blood-soaked lore of one of America’s most haunted cities—New Orleans. From the eerie legend of the Casket Girls to the mysterious, possibly immortal Jacques Saint Germain, and even a modern-day vampire subculture, this episode explores why the Big Easy is the unofficial vampire capital of the United States.
We’ll visit real-world locations steeped in shadow, unravel centuries-old legends, and pay homage to Anne Rice, the queen of modern vampire fiction. Whether you believe or not, by the end of this episode, you’ll think twice before knocking on the attic shutters of the Ursuline Convent.
So grab your garlic, your beignets, and maybe a blessed crucifix—this one's gonna be bloody good.
📝 Show Notes:
In this episode:
🦇 Why New Orleans Is Perfect for VampiresGothic architecture, voodoo, graveyard fog, and a city that embraces the macabre
🧳 The Casket GirlsWomen brought to New France in the 1700s with coffin-shaped trunks, whispered to have brought something unholy with them
🧛‍♂️ Jacques Saint GermainThe charming 1900s French Quarter resident who never ate, only drank... red
🏚 The Carter Brothers1930s blood-draining killers whose bodies mysteriously vanished after execution
🩸 Modern Vampire SubcultureMeet real-life sanguinarians and psychic vampires in today’s New Orleans—including NOVA (New Orleans Vampire Association)
📖 Anne Rice’s Undying LegacyFrom Interview with the Vampire to the Garden District, how one author gave the undead a home
🗺️ Spooky Spots to Visit in NOLA
Ursuline Convent
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Boutique du Vampyre
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
🧛 Explore More:
📚 Brad Ricks Novels➡️ BradRicks.com – Get signed copies & join the newsletter
📱 Follow Brad on SocialsTikTok & Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor
📖 Coming Soon: The Night Crew 2: Bloodlust — Set in New Orleans and releasing this November!
🕯 Favorite Quote from the Episode:
“New Orleans doesn’t just have vampire stories. It is a vampire story.”
🔔 Don’t Forget:
If you loved this eerie, funny, and fang-filled episode, make sure to follow, review, and share The Night Crew Podcast. Whether you’re Team Lestat, Team Louis, or just in it for the po’boys, there’s always a seat at the vampire’s table in New Orleans.

BD Prince on Comedy, Horror & Killer Clowns 🎭 | Ep 5

📄 Episode Description:
n this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with horror author and screenwriter BD Prince, whose darkly twisted imagination takes center stage. From writing humorous greeting cards and jokes for Joan Rivers to creating gut-wrenching horror fiction, BD Prince shares his unique journey from comedy to the macabre.
We dive deep into his creative process, his award-winning screenplay Boondocks, and how he juggles a day job with his passion for storytelling. BD opens up about the careful balance between scares and laughs, the haunting inspiration behind his stories, and what makes clowns the most terrifying monster of all (yes, he even drops the actual name for the fear of clowns!).
If you’re a fan of psychological horror, creepy circus lore, or just want to hear how a worm farm can scar a child for life and become a great horror story, this one’s for you.
Oh—and his short story collection drops in September, so don’t miss that teaser.
🔎 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
BD Prince’s journey from comedy writer to horror author
The delicate dance between horror and humor
Why clowns are more terrifying than vampires
Real-life inspirations behind terrifying tales
Writing discipline, creative routines, and time management
A sneak peek into his upcoming releases and spooky short stories
The disturbing story behind Boondocks—now an award-winning screenplay
How “wiggle room” turned into a nightmare (literally)
 
🧛‍♂️ Favorite Horror Creature:
BD names clowns as his current top monster—and explains why they’re way creepier than you think.
 
🎪 Special Mentions:
Boondocks – Winner of Best Long Format Screenplay at Imaginarium 2025
Upcoming short story collection (September release)
Eye for an Eye – BD’s favorite published work so far
Dark Drafts & Books and Brews appearances
The eerie phrase “clown seeds” (yes, that’s a thing now)
 
🔗 Connect with BD Prince:
Website: BDPrince.com (redirects to Amazon author page)
Signed copies: GhastlyPress.com
Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryan.prince.52
Twitter: https://x.com/ClownPrinceB
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clownprinceb
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@clownprinceb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clownprinceb
 
📚 Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, share it with your horror-loving friends, and follow The Night Crew Podcast wherever you listen!
Find host Brad Ricks and his books at BradRicks.com or follow on Facebook and TikTok: @BradRicksAuthor
Keywords
writing, horror, comedy, inspiration, storytelling, screenwriting, novels, time management, creativity, monsters
#clownbprince #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview

How to Kill a Vampire 🩸 | Global Vampire Myths, Folklore & Slaying Methods | Ep 4

Think you know how to kill a vampire? Think again.
In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks goes full Van Helsing, guiding you through the wild, weird, and often hilarious ways vampires are destroyed around the world.
From Romania’s classic stake-through-the-heart to the Philippines’ terrifying Manananggal-slaying tactics, we tour vampire-killing lore across 27 countries (and one very smart Transylvanian grandma). We’re talking garlic, rice, mirrors, sacred mantras, flying heads, vampire snakes, fireflies, and chicken blood. It’s practical. It’s gruesome. It’s global.
Whether you’re a folklore buff, horror lover, or prepping for your next supernatural encounter, this episode has the tools you need to stay undead-free.
🧛‍♀️ Because you never know when a vampire will knock once at your door…
📝 Show Notes:
In this episode:
🧄 Vampire-Slaying 101:Why killing a vampire isn’t one-size-fits-all
🌍 International Methods of Vampicide:
Europe: Romania’s Strigoi, Bulgaria’s iron stakes, Greece’s door-knocking undead
Asia: Hopping vampires (China), fetus hunters (Philippines), flying heads (Japan & Malaysia)
Africa: Tree-dwelling Asanbosam, bloodsucking fireflies, and noble nail-biting vampires
Americas: Aztec witch-vamps, Caribbean fireballs, Brazilian were-vamps, and more
Arctic Vampires?! Yes. Soul-stealing fog monsters in Inuit myths
🎬 Pop Culture Vampires:Buffy, Blade, Lestat, Edward, and Dracula’s many deaths
🧳 Your Ultimate Vampire Survival Kit:Garlic ✅ Rice ✅ Machete ✅ Bell ✅ Salt ✅ Mirror ✅ Sarcasm ✅
🔮 Why So Many Cultures Have Vampire Myths:Death, disease, misogyny, and metaphors with fangs
🧛‍♂️ Survival Tips Recap:
Never answer a knock on the first try
Keep rice and salt nearby
Don't sleep near a window in the Philippines
Question fireflies and grandmas
If you hear wings at night, grab the garlic and start praying
📚 Related Links:
✍️ Books by Brad Ricks➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies and newsletter➡️ Available wherever books are sold
📱 Follow Brad RicksTikTok & Facebook: @BradRicksAuthor
🔔 Don’t Forget:
If you laughed, squirmed, or learned something new about fireball vampires and rice-obsessed spirits, be sure to follow, rate, and share the show. The Night Crew is always watching… and maybe counting grains of rice.
keywords
vampires, vampire slaying, folklore, horror, mythology, cultural significance, vampire legends, vampire survival, pop culture, vampire myths
 

Horror Author Joe Scipione Talks Mr. Nightmare, Writing Horror & Aliens | Ep 3

📄 Episode Description:
In this episode of The Night Crew Podcast, host Brad Ricks sits down with horror author Joe Scipione—creator of the Mr. Nightmare series—for a deep dive into the creative chaos of writing monsters, aliens, and haunted middle-school trauma. From his long road to publication, to accidentally getting punched in the face on Bourbon Street, Joe shares the inspiration behind his stories, what scares him, and how a fly helped inspire him.
You’ll hear all about his upcoming projects (including Until Sunrise and Project Vega), his love of aliens, why the Alien movie franchise still slaps, and what it’s like juggling horror with history, harmonicas, and parenting.
Whether you're a fellow writer, a fan of cosmic horror, or just want to know why Joe refuses to watch Nightmare on Elm Street, this episode is equal parts funny, inspiring, and full of the creepy-crawly stuff we love.
📝 Show Notes:
🖋️ About Joe Scipione
Author of Mr. Nightmare, Never Dead, The Gods Among Them, and more
Represented by Wicked House Publishing and also self-publishes select works
Website: JoeScipione.com
Available on Amazon (signed copies available on his site!)
📚 Books Discussed in the Episode:
Perhaps She Will Die (re-releasing soon)
Mr. Nightmare (and its upcoming third installment)
Never Dead – Frankenstein meets noir
The Gods Among Them – Joe’s personal favorite
Until Sunrise (alien invasion horror – coming 2026)
Project Vega (intelligent alien first contact – coming 2027)
🧠 Writing Tips & Insights:
Balancing writing with parenting
Pantsing vs plotting (Joe’s a “tentpole plotter”)
Why the middle of the book always sucks
Finding inspiration in everyday life (and houseflies)
🛸 Joe's Favorite Monster: AliensFrom Alien to A Quiet Place, Joe explains why extraterrestrials are his go-to horror creature—and why he believes we're not alone out there.
🔗 Where to Find Joe Scipione:
Website: https://www.joescipione.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/joe-scipione-Author-100087319013756
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@joescipione0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joescipione0
🧛 Don’t Forget:
If you enjoyed this interview, leave a 5-star review, follow the show, and share it with a fellow horror nerd. For more author interviews and deep dives into vampire legends and other creepy creatures, tune in every Monday.
🎤 Bonus Quote:
"I wrote Mr. Nightmare 20 minutes at a time while my daughter was on school breaks. It was the fastest book I’ve ever written—and the one people won’t stop talking about."
📚 Related Links:
🧛‍♂️ Order The Night Crew Book 1➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies➡️ Also available wherever books are sold
🧠 Follow Brad RicksTikTok / Facebook: @BradRicksAuthorNewsletter sign-up at BradRicks.com
Keywords
horror, writing, Joe Scipione, Mr. Nightmare, podcast, author interview, inspiration, literary influences, alien movies, horror genre
#joescipione #TheNightCrewPodcast #HorrorPodcast #AuthorInterview

The Dark History of Dracula | Vlad the Impaler, Bram Stoker & the Evolution of Vampires | Ep 2

In Episode 2 of The Night Crew Podcast, we sink our teeth into one of the most iconic—and undead—figures in horror history: Dracula.
From the brutal legacy of Vlad the Impaler to the shadowy genius of Bram Stoker, this episode peels back the coffin lid to explore how Dracula went from medieval warlord to literary legend to pop culture icon.
We dive into gory historical tales (yes, there will be impalement), dissect the Victorian fears hidden in the pages of Dracula, and trace the count’s ever-evolving presence on screens big and small—from Bela Lugosi to Hotel Transylvania.
Whether you’re a fan of gothic horror, historical bloodbaths, or just curious about how a 15th-century prince became Halloween royalty, this one’s for you.
📚 Related Links:
🧛‍♂️ Order The Night Crew Book 1➡️ BradRicks.com for signed copies➡️ Also available wherever books are sold
🧠 Follow Brad RicksTikTok / Facebook: @BradRicksAuthorNewsletter sign-up at BradRicks.com
🔔 Don’t Forget:
If you enjoyed the episode, follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your fellow horror fans. The Night Crew is just getting started…