Want to write fear that actually gets under a reader’s skin—not just jump scares on the page? Start with what unsettles you.

Horror and thriller author Nicole M. Wolverton joins me to discuss why discomfort can be more powerful than terror, how writing from your own fears creates unforgettable stories, and why horror can be deeply empowering during difficult times.

Nicole is also very candid about the process, the realities of publishing, rejection, and the mindset she attributes to her success in publishing and marketing.

Timestamps

01:10 – Meet Nicole Woolverton
03:16 – Nicole’s Writing Origins
04:30 – Why We Crave Horror
05:15 – Fear, Resilience, and Difficult Times
07:15 – Her Novels and Settings
09:33 – Gastro Horror and Disgust on the Page
12:42 – What Makes Horror Truly Work
16:17 – Process: Outlining vs. Drafting
21:16 – Publishing Fears and Limbo
25:26 – “You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get”
28:29 – Rejection and Redefining Success
31:06 – Advice for Writers

Guest Bio

Nicole M. Wolverton is an unapologetic fear enthusiast who writes horror and thrillers for adults and young adults. She is the author of A Misfortune of Lake Monsters (CamCat Books, 2025), The Trajectory of Dreams (Bitingduck Press, 2013), and the upcoming Meat Sweats (Horrorsmith Publishing, 2026). She also served as Editor of the menopause-themed horror anthology Bodies Full of Burning, published by Sliced Up Press. Her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and essays also appear in about 50 anthologies, magazines, and podcasts. Nicole holds a master's degree in horror and storytelling from the University of Pennsylvania; her academic interests center on building resilience through horror media and gastrohorror.

Links

Website
nicole@nicolewolverton.com

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