In this episode of Talking Horror, Rachel Redd sits down with CJ Leede, author of Maeve Fly, American Rapture, and the brand-new release Headlights. CJ dives deep into how her background writing dystopian stories in grad school ultimately pushed her to seek pure catharsis and freedom through horror fiction.

We discuss her childhood love for unlimited reading and media, the process of writing an unapologetic female Patrick Bateman, and exploring the dark realities of purity culture and religious trauma. Whether you're a fan of extreme splatterpunk, a romance reader who loves a dark twist, or just looking to dive into an immersive void that processes grief and loss, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Grad School Revelations & Discovering Horror

00:09 – Introducing CJ Leede & Her Unapologetic Characters

03:58 – CJ's Horror Origin Story & Media Freedom as an Only Child

13:59 – Unexpectedly Landing in the "Extreme" and "Splatterpunk" Horror Space

26:30 – The Inspiration Behind Maeve Fly & Finding Catharsis in Anger

32:48 – Balancing Maeve’s Monstrous Actions with Empathy and Relatability

36:12 – The Double Standard of Justified Violence for Women vs. Men in Literature

43:44 – Exploring Purity Culture and Religious Trauma in American Rapture

48:05 – Horror as an Empathy Machine and Safe Space to Face Reality

52:30 – Finding Camaraderie and Support in the Welcoming Horror Community

55:27 – Headlights: Writing a Male Protagonist & Refusing to be Boxed In

1:01:08 – Guarding Peace and Ignoring the Pressure of External Expectations

1:03:51 – Processing Grief, Death, and Hope Through Headlights

1:08:45 – What’s Next: A Sneak Peek at Books Four and Five

1:12:19 – CJ’s Favorite Books to Reread for Inspiration

Books mentioned:

Headlights: https://amzn.to/43WViJK

American Rapture: https://amzn.to/3QfoCrA

Maeve Fly: https://amzn.to/4dZb3pq

Connect with CJ Leede:

Website: https://cjleede.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjleede

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cjleede

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