Best Tananarive Due Realm Podcasts (2025)

1
We Made Our Own "Vintage" Radio Play! Introducing THE WALKER (Guest J. Michael Hayes) 1:19:49

12d ago1:19:49

1:19:49

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive premiere their "vintage" radio play, THE WALKER, a narrative audio story modeled after classic radio of the 1930s and 1940s - but diverse! But first, they talk to co-producer J. Michael Hayes (an author, filmmaker and Lifewriting Premium alum) about how they brought the story to life on audio - and how you can …

1
We're Directing Our First Short Film! Writing Lessons from the Director's Chair 1:04:40

20d ago1:04:40

1:04:40

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about adapting their horror graphic novel, THE KEEPER (illustrated by Marco Finnegan), as a short film for a major production company. On how they made the journey from prose writers to screenwriters to having an opportunity to direct a short film with an eye toward directing their first feature. Also on t…

1
Creating Art in the Midst of Chaos (adrienne maree brown) 52:23

2M ago52:23

52:23

In this episode, Tananarive talks to visionary thinker, organizer and artist adrienne maree brown (author of EMERGENT STRATEGY, GRIEVERS and LOVING CORRECTIONS) about the role of the artist during times of chaos -- creating beauty from pain and uncertainty, the obligation of artists to express joy, and how art can be a bridge to better times. LEAVE…

1
Best of Lifewriting: A.I. and the Writer! 53:24

2M ago53:24

53:24

The WGA writers' strike is over, but A.I. is still a big conversation among writers. From the WGA strike and screenwriters' concerns about A.I. infiltrating writers' rooms to the recent class action lawsuit including former podcast guest Paul Tremblay against OpenAI and ChatGPT, A.I. and writers are on a collision course. Steve and Tananarive talk …

1
Guest Josh Ruben! (Heart Eyes, Werewolves Within) 1:03:49

2M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to director Josh Ruben about his new horror comedy (romance) Heart Eyes, which is destined to be a cult Valentine's Day horror hit! They talk about directing, how to make a horror romance, and why Ruben cast Black leads in Heart Eyes (Mason Gooding, opposite Olivia Holt) and Werewolves Within (Sam Richards…

1
Navigating Feedback in Your Writing - And in Life! 51:04

3M ago51:04

51:04

In this new episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the need for feedback to grow as writers and how difficult it is to determine which feedback is useful and which feedback isn't useful - and the tools it takes to tell the difference! They also talk about their new video on why writing Science Fiction / Afrofuturism can be empowering in 2025 - ch…

1
Lessons from Octavia Butler and Ray Bradbury On How to Survive 2025 47:01

3M ago47:01

47:01

In this episode - their first one recorded in 2025! - Steve and Tananarive talk about how Octavia E. Butler and Ray Bradbury confronted their times with art to help inspire themselves and others. (Includes a clip from a 2000 interview with Octavia Butler). They also talk about their upcoming hybrid class on Writing Science Fiction/Afrofuturism (1/2…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Tananarive's novel The Reformatory - Turning Heartache to Horror 49:49

4M ago49:49

49:49

Tananarive spent more than seven years working on her new novel, THE REFORMATORY, which was inspired by true-life family history about her great-uncle Robert Stephens and the Dozer School for Boys in Marianna, FL. In this podcast, she and Steve talk about why it took so long to write, the Lifewriting tools she used to complete it, and how she's fig…

1
Clay McLeod Chapman! Wake Up and Open Your Eyes (Finding Hope in Horror) 1:03:37

4M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

In this episode, Tananarive interviews horror author/screenwriter Clay McLeod Chapman about his upcoming novel, WAKE UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES -- which was blurbed by Jordan Peele and is about a deadly political spell cast over the nation. (Sounds familiar!) He and Tananarive also talk about his start as an author, how he first met Jordan Peele, and th…

1
A Tribute to Candyman Star Tony Todd (And an interview from 2017!) 1:00:31

4M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Tananarive and Steve were devastated by the death of Candyman star Tony Todd in November of 2024. (He also co-starred in their "Fugue State" story in the Shudder/AMC+ anthology film Horror Noire.) His death inspired them to unearth an interview they did with Todd as a part of their online digital download course The Sunken Place, a history of Black…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Gabino Iglesias! (The Devil Takes You Home, House of Bone and Rain) 1:03:56

5M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In this episode, Tananarive and Steve talk to New York Times horror columnist and author Gabino Iglesias! In 2023, Iglesias, who is Puerto Rican, became the first Latino writer to win a Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel for THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME. (His more recent book, HOUSE OF BONE AND RAIN, is also great!) Steve and Tananarive talk to Gabino ab…

1
On Writing Through Pain - Guest Nadine Pinede! (When the Mapou Sings) 53:46

5M ago53:46

53:46

In this episode, Tananarive talks to author, poet and scholar Nadine Pinede about her difficult journey bringing her debut novel to life, WHEN THE MAPOU SINGS - a novel about a young girl's experiences in historical Haiti, including encounters with Zora Neale Hurston. And the novel is entirely in verse! National Book Award winner Edwidge Danticat c…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Stephen Graham Jones! 1:08:31

6M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Bram Stoker Award winner Stephen Graham Jones. He shares his writing process, his love for slashers, his exploration of father-son relationships in his stories, and how his own personal promise to an elk he hunted gave birth to his bestselling novel The Only Good Indians. (Latest novels: My Heart is a C…

1
On Claiming Your Personal Power! (Kristin Iris Johnson - Wicked City) 54:48

6M ago54:48

54:48

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Wicked City television series creator Kristin Iris Johnson about her journey to Hollywood as a queer Black woman with disabilities -- and how she claimed her personal power to thrive as a writer and producer in such a competitive industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Best of Scare Up the Vote! (Stephen King, Joe Hill, Rachel Harrison, Mike Flanagan, Stephen Graham Jones, Bryan Fuller & More!) 1:19:05

6M ago1:19:05

1:19:05

Wow - just WOW. Tananarive talks about mounting Scare Up the Vote, the horror community's campaign event to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. On this episode, excerpts from amazing talks about horror and why voting matters by your horror faves: Stephen Graham Jones, Gabino Iglesias, Stephen King in conversation with Joe Hill, Erin E. Adams, Mike …

1
Nuzo Onoh (Where the Dead Brides Gather) - the Queen of African Horror! 57:02

7M ago57:02

57:02

That's right, royalty is in the house - Nuzo Onoh has been hailed as "The Queen of African Horror." This Nigerian-British writer is a pioneer of the African horror genre, and she talks about how tropes like vengeful ghosts have shaped her writing. Her books include Dance for the Dead and the upcoming Where the Dead Brides Gather. LEAVE US A VOICEMA…

1
Guest Nat Cassidy! (Nestlings, Mary: An Awakening of Terror) 56:44

7M ago56:44

56:44

Tananarive talks to author, playwright, actor and screenwriter Nat Cassidy about how his different artistic endeavors have fed into a single creative drive. On fluidity in creativity and the persistence to follow your dream -- and then the NEXT dream. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!)…

1
Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian, The Horizon Experiment: The Manchurian) 1:01:29

7M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to comics creator and screenwriter Pornsak Pichetshote. On how his feeling of displacement after moving from the U.S. to Thailand as a child helped him become a storyteller, mastering comics and TV writing - and The Horizon Experiment (The Manchurian), his new community-building comics project to showcase …

1
On Finding Your Voice! (Guest Michelle McGill-Vargas) 50:19

7M ago50:19

50:19

Tananarive talks to debut novelist Michelle McGill-Vargas about how she nurtured her writing practice while teaching full-time and how she found her voice to write her debut vampire novel, AMERICAN GHOUL. On the persistence and confidence writers need to win! LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your m…

1
Guest S.A. Cosby! (All the Sinners Bleed, Razorblade Tears) 57:34

7M ago57:34

57:34

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestseller S.A. Cosby, author of the bestselling novels ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, RAZORBLADE TEARS (praised by Barack Obama!) and BLACKTOP WASTELAND. They talk about how he almost gave up writing, blending crime fiction and horror, and what inspires him to write. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at http…

1
Best of Lifewriting: It's Spooky Season! Secrets to Writing Great Horror 56:25

8M ago56:25

56:25

In this episode, pioneering science fiction author Steven Barnes and Bram Stoker Award / Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner Tananarive Due (your hosts!) break down the secrets to writing great horror: bringing the scares and why strong characters matter so much in horror. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We mig…

1
Guest Justin C. Key! (The World Wasn't Ready for You, Out There Screaming) 1:01:39

8M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author Justin C. Key, who just published his debut sci fi/horror short story collection, The World Wasn't Ready For You. He's also a contributor to Jordan Peele's Out There Screaming horror anthology. They talk about the social impact he wants to make with his work and his journey to portraying his own …

1
Guest Justina Ireland! (Star Wars: The High Republic, Dread Nation) 1:04:58

8M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

Steve and Tananarive talk to NY Times bestselling author Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation (YA horror) and one of the story architects of Star Wars: The High Republic. She talks about taking up writing later in life, YA horror, writing for established IP, working in her first television writers' room for the Netflix series House of Usher unde…

1
Guest Grady Hendrix! (My Best Friend's Exorcism - How to Sell a Haunted House) 1:00:39

8M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestselling horror writer Grady Hendrix (My Best Friend's Exorcism, How to Sell a Haunted House) about how he started his career, why and how he writes so many women characters, and the role of grief in his storytelling. Also, hints about his upcoming new novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Gir…

1
Author Jeff Lindsay! On Dreaming Dexter and the Dark Side of Fame 1:09:04

9M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to bestselling author Jeff Lindsay, creator of the iconic character of Dexter Morgan in his eight-book series that began with DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER. He also recently published books in his Riley Wolfe series (THE FOURTH RULE). On how he created his serial killer character, the unexpected success of Dexter…

1
On Creating Unforgettable Characters! 54:31

9M ago54:31

54:31

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary and give tips on how to create characters that spring to life! Learn more about characterization from Steve and Tananarive at their hybrid writing workshop in Southern California on Aug. 24th. More info at www.writerwebinar.com. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakp…

1
It's Kamala Harris for President! The Power of Twists in Storytelling 58:48

9M ago58:48

58:48

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the surprise rise of Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president as a "plot twist" -- and how plot twists in narratives can create excitement both in real life and in storytelling. Tananarive also talks about how she came up with her biggest plot twist in her nove…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Guest Maureen Ryan (Burn It Down!) - Horrors in Hollywood 1:27:22

10M ago1:27:22

1:27:22

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome Vanity Fair contributing editor Maureen Ryan, author of the book everyone in Hollywood is reading -- BURN IT DOWN: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. They talk about why she wrote her book exposing Hollywood's ugly underbelly, the WGA strike, the sad demise of "Sleepy Hollow" and the…

1
Craft Lessons from A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Spoiler free) 59:15

10M ago59:15

59:15

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive unpack the new film starring Lupita Nyong'o, A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. It's breaking box office records for the Quiet Place franchise, and for good reason. With shades of 28 DAYS LATER, CHILDREN OF MEN and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, this new horror film is both an action-packed story of a horror apocalypse and …

1
Best of Lifewriting: Paul Tremblay! (Horror Movie, Cabin at the End of the World) 55:22

10M ago55:22

55:22

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Paul G. Tremblay about what it's like to have your novel (The Cabin at the End of the World) adapted into a major film by a major director, M. Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin). Tremblay talks about why he loves horror, his choice to make his protagonists a queer married couple and thei…

1
On Thriving with New Opportunities and Challenges 40:11

10M ago40:11

40:11

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the joys and challenges of stretching our self image as creators: Steve has a job opportunity in a new field, and they're both working toward co-directing their first short films! How even good news can be stressful, and how to maintain the tools to thrive no matter what we're facing. LEAVE US A VOIC…

1
Best of Lifewriting: On Keeping It Short! (The Joy and Power of Short Stories and Short Scripts) 56:51

11M ago56:51

56:51

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive break down why writers of all levels should embrace short stories and short scripts, whether it's to learn craft faster or to get published or produced sooner. They also discuss their first collaboration, a short story named "Danger Word" that also became their first short film: www.dangerwordfilm.com. LEAVE US…

1
Tananarive Won a Stoker Award for The Reformatory! (When History is the Monster) 1:11:04

11M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

In this episode, Tananarive opens up about why it was so difficult for her to write her novel, THE REFORMATORY, and why it was such a thrill to win Best Novel at The Bram Stoker Awards -- the first Black author to win Best Novel! How she motivated herself to write a difficult novel based on her family history while juggling parenthood and screenpla…

1
On the Writer's Juggling Act - Working on Multiple Projects! 53:18

11M ago53:18

53:18

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the necessity of working on multiple creative projects and share their tips on how they juggle writing scripts and books. Join Tananarive's list at tananarivelist.com - or Steve's list at stevenbarneslist.com LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your mes…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Nisi Shawl! (Kinning, Everfair) On Friendship with Octavia E. Butler 52:41

11M ago52:41

52:41

In this episode from March of 2023, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Nisi Shawl (KINNING, EVERFAIR) about the anthology they published, NEW SUNS 2, featuring speculative fiction from marginalized writers - including a story, "Supptertime," from Tananarive! Nisi also talks about the journey from a fangirl to friend of the late Octav…

1
"So Be It! See To It!" Success Hacks for Writers 56:08

12M ago56:08

56:08

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the practices that have helped them succeed as writers. They discusses Steve's late friend Octavia E. Butler's use of Napoleon Hill's THINK AND GROW RICH and the practices and affirmations that helped her become such an influential author despite the odds. And how you can use the same hacks to find s…

1
Guest Brent Lambert! (On A Necessary Chaos and Worldbuilding) 50:02

12M ago50:02

50:02

Tananarive talks to debut author Brent Lambert about his critically acclaimed new novella, A NECESSARY CHAOS and the power of queer speculative fiction, how growing up as a queer Army brat fed his love for writing, and keys to worldbuilding and characterization in speculative fiction. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPod…

1
Guest David Dastmalchian! (Late Night with the Devil) 57:02

12M ago57:02

57:02

Steve and Tananarive welcome powerhouse actor David Dastmalchian, star of Shudder's Late Night with the Devil -- also from Oppenheimer, Suicide Squad (Polka- Dot Man!), Dark Night, Last Voyage of the Demeter and other films. A candid conversation spanning his earlier struggles with addiction, why the idea of playing Jack Delroy on Late Night with t…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Leigh Bardugo! (The Familiar, Hell Bent, Ninth House) 1:01:41

1y ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Fresh from Tananarive winning an LA Times Book Prize in Speculative Fiction for her latest novel, The Reformatory, a replay episode: Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House, Hell Bent, Shadow and Bone) on her incredible career: from jobs she didn't like to publishing her first book at 37 to getting …

1
Kat and Jazz from "Girl, That's Scary!" Podcast 49:18

1y ago49:18

49:18

This week, Tananarive talks to two of her favorite podcasters, Kat and Jazz (Kathleen White and Jazzmin Crawley), co-hosts of Dread Central's "Girl, That's Scary!" podcast -- which, as they say, is all about friendship and horror. How these two horror lovers found their voice as horror podcasters after GET OUT, the reaction to their show, their hor…

1
The Black Guy Dies First! Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman & Mark H. Harris 1:01:45

1y ago1:01:45

1:01:45

This week, it's a mini reunion of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror as Steve and Tananarive welcome horror scholars Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman (who wrote Horror Noire) and Mark H. Harris, who have teamed up to write THE BLACK GUY DIES FIRST: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar. A Black Horror roundtable on some of the wor…

1
Guest Erin E. Adams! (Jackal, The Black Girl Survives in This One) 59:58

1y ago59:58

59:58

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome actress-turned-author Erin E. Adams, who made a splash with her terrifying debut horror novel, JACKAL -- and also has short stories in Jordan Peele's OUT THERE SCREAMING anthology as well as the brand new THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE (out 4/2). On how her background as the daughter of Haitian imm…

1
Guest Jonathan Janz! (Children of the Dark) 1:01:02

1y ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Steve is back! This week Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Jonathan Janz -- high school teacher by day, horror writer by night -- who recently revealed his true identity after writing under a pseudonym. His novel CHILDREN OF THE DARK was recently reissued. On making his mark, why he loves horror, and balancing his work, family and writing …

1
Guest Lamar Giles! Ruin Road - On Writing YA (Horror) 52:43

1y ago52:43

52:43

In this episode, award-winning YA author Lamar Giles talks about writing YA horror aimed at Black boys -- his road from self-publication to fighting his way into mainstream publishing with FAKE ID and THE GETAWAY. His upcoming novel, RUIN ROAD, is a great read blending a demon's curse with true-life issues facing Black teens. On his secret to succe…

1
Guest Alma Katsu! (The Hunger, Red London) - On Genre Jumping 1:07:36

1y ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Tananarive talks to award-winning author Alma Katsu (The Hunger, The Fervor, Red London) about her unique career both as a horror writer and her spy novels powered by her former career in national intelligence. On the challenges of straddling both genres and her rise to success...and how The Fervor drew upon her Japanese background in a horror nove…

1
Best of Lifewriting: LeVar Burton! 1:02:45

1y ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Steve and Tananarive talk to actor LeVar Burton about his career spanning from 1977's adaptation of Alex Haley's ROOTS, where he played Kunta Kinte in an iconic role at the age of only 19, to the recent Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion where he reprised his role as Giordi La Forge for Star Trek: Picard. He also discusses Jeopardy and tak…

1
Guest Joe Hill! (The Black Phone, The Fireman, NOS4A2) 1:05:35

1y ago1:05:35

1:05:35

In this episode, Tananarive and Steve talk to #1 New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill (The Black Phone, The Fireman, Strange Weather, NOS4A2) about how his first major success was followed by his life's darkest times, the power of horror and the horror community, and how he's balancing his life with new twins. He also talks about how much he …

1
Best of Lifewriting: Horror Noire and Adaptation! (Victor LaValle and Stephanie Malia Morris) 1:05:48

1y ago1:05:48

1:05:48

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Victor LaValle and burgeoning writer Stephanie Malia Morris about their experiences with Shudder/AMC's Black Horror anthology film, Horror Noire. Steve, Tananarive ("The Lake" / "Fugue State") and Victor ("Daddy") adapted their own short stories for Horror Noire, and Stephanie was a…

1
Marc Bernardin! (Star Wars: Mace Windu) 1:06:55

1y ago1:06:55

1:06:55

In this episode, veteran television and comic writer Marc Bernardin (Star Trek: Picard, Castle Rock) discusses his journey from being a journalist to a television writer, how he started writing for Star Trek, his secrets to succeeding in Hollywood, the state of the industry - and his new Star Wars: Mace Windu comic! LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://…

1
Cynthia Pelayo! (The Shoemaker's Magician) 57:10

1y ago57:10

57:10

Tananarive and Steve talk to poet and author Cynthia Pelayo, the first Latina Bram Stoker Award (2022) winner. The author of CRIME SCENE, CHILDREN OF CHICAGO and THE SHOEMAKER'S MAGICIAN talks about the challenges of growing up in inner city Chicago, balancing her growing popularity with being a wife and mother, and the support of the horror commun…

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Tananarive Due Realm Podcasts

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