In this episode of Ink Blots, we sit down with author and performer Zach Ellenberger to discuss his haunting psychological horror novel, Past Lives.

When Kevin Philips moves to the quiet town of Deerview, he hopes to escape his past — but the town has secrets of its own. A centuries-old entity demands absolute truth, and those who lie face terrifying consequences. As Kevin's deceit unravels, he must confront his deepest guilt and a supernatural force that thrives on it.

Zach shares the inspiration behind Past Lives, his evolution from musician to author, and how his love of storytelling, music, and history intertwine to create emotionally charged horror fiction.

Whether you're a fan of eerie small-town horror or stories that explore the darker side of human nature, this episode will keep you hooked until the final word.

📚 Amazon Author Page → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Zach-Ellenberger/author/B0C5Y3YR8M
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqmQnYhaJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/words_of_the_bergermeister
🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@zak4prez911

#ZachEllenberger #PastLives #HorrorBooks #PsychologicalThriller #DarkFiction #SupernaturalHorror #IndieAuthor #HorrorPodcast #WritersOfHorror #BookTokHorror

This week on Ink Blots, we dive into the twisted, terrifying world of J.R. Blanes, the Chicago-based horror author behind the chilling novel Portraits of Decay from Ruadan Books.

We explore the creation of Jefferson Fontenot — a rising New Orleans artist whose life spirals into a rotting nightmare after a toxic betrayal by art influencer Gemma Landry. Cursed by swamp witchcraft, Jefferson battles against a zombifying transformation while his true love Nevaeh races to save him. Dark magic, obsession, and revenge collide in a story steeped in Southern Gothic terror.

Blanes also shares his journey into horror fiction, his contributions to top audio fiction platforms like Tales to Terrify, The NoSleep Podcast, and Creepy, and how the eerie streets of Chicago and New Orleans inspire his storytelling.

If you crave horror driven by atmosphere, psychological dread, and unforgettable characters — this is one episode you don't want to miss.

Order Portraits of Decay at Bookshop.org

bookshop.org/a/10588/9798991258760

Website: https://jrblanes.com

Publisher: https://ruadanbook.com

Linktr.ee: linktr.ee/jrblanes76

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrblanes76/

1. J.R. Blanes

2. Portraits of Decay

3. Horror fiction author interview

4. Psychological horror

5. Indie horror books

6. Chicago horror writer

7. Ruadan Books

8. Tales to Terrify

9. NoSleep Podcast author

10. Scary storytelling

#HorrorAuthor #PortraitsOfDecay #HorrorCommunity #IndieAuthor #DarkFiction #ChicagoAuthors #ScaryStories #HorrorPodcast #WritersOfInstagram #BookRecommendations

🎙️ Alley Chats – Episode: 60 Seconds to Save the World with Lawrence C. Connolly

In this episode of Alley Chats, Rob sits down with award-winning author Lawrence C. Connolly to discuss his thrilling new novel, Minute-Men: Execute & Run, a pulse-pounding fusion of military sci-fi, superhero action, and medical suspense.

Known for his genre-spanning storytelling, Connolly's work has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Twilight Zone, and Year's Best Horror. His story "This Way to Egress" was adapted for Mick Garris's film Nightmare Cinema, and his short fiction collections Voices and Visions have earned critical acclaim.

Now, with Minute Men: Execute & Run, Connolly reinvents the superhero genre. Imagine Mission Impossible meets X-Men—but you've only got 60 seconds to save the day.

📚 Find Lawrence C. Connolly's books on Bookshop.org:
👉 bookshop.org/a/10588/9781647101855

🧬 About Minute Men: Execute & Run
U.S. Marine Daniel Hayes, scientist Dr. Christian Chase, Ukrainian fighter Zoya Zynchenko, and bounty hunter Max "Jaxx" Jaquez have all been broken by trauma. When reclusive biotech genius Norman Blackwell offers them a chance to become something extraordinary, they gain superhuman abilities—but only for a minute at a time. Their mission: stop a ruthless corporate warlord from weaponizing life-saving nanotech.

It's a story of redemption, resilience, and the human spirit under pressure. And it's already being considered for a major Hollywood production.

We talk about:

• The origins of Minute Men and its cinematic influences

• Balancing character-driven drama with sci-fi action

• Writing across genres: from horror to speculative fiction

• The evolution of storytelling from page to stage and screen

• His collaboration on the Mystery Theatre Podcast and upcoming Edgar Allan Poe stage production

If you love high-stakes thrillers, cinematic storytelling, and thought-provoking speculative fiction, this episode is a must-listen.

🌐 Website: lawrencecconnolly.com
📘 Facebook: Lawrence C. Connolly
📷 Instagram: @lawrence_c_connolly
🐦 Twitter: @lawrencecconnolly

Lawrence C. Connolly, Minute Men Execute and Run, military science fiction, superhero thriller, speculative fiction, Mick Garris, Nightmare Cinema, eco-thriller, Caezik Science Fiction, Mystery Theatre Podcast

#LawrenceCConnolly #MinuteMenExecuteAndRun #SciFiThriller #MilitaryScienceFiction #SuperheroFiction #SpeculativeFiction #NightmareCinema #MickGarris #AlleyChatsPodcast #BookToFilm