Episode 184 Notes and Links to Robert Ottone’s Work
*Please be aware of Content Warning for Discussion: This episode contains conversation about suicidal ideations
On Episode 184 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Robert Ottone, and the two discuss, among other things, bagels and cream cheese, Seinfeld’s greatness, Robert’s early appetite for books of many genres and types, his writing journey, his diverse interests, writing as catharsis and writing as therapeutic, hyperbole, allegory, and real-life issues like medical racism, pregnancy, adulthood, parenting, and friendship that informed The Vile Thing We Created.
Robert P. Ottone is the author of the horror collection Her Infernal Name & Other Nightmares (an honorable mention in The Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 13) as well as the young adult dystopian-cosmic horror trilogy The Rise.
His short stories have appeared in various anthologies as well as online. He’s also the publisher and owner of Spooky House Press.
Robert is also an English as a New Language teacher, as well as a teacher of English Language Arts. He can be found online at SpookyHousePress.com or on Twitter/Instagram (@RobertOttone). He delights in the creepy and views bagels solely as a cream cheese delivery device.
Buy The Vile Thing We Created
Robert Ottone's Website with This is Horror
Interview with NFReads
At about 1:35, Robert lays out his bagel routine and philosophy, as well as tales from the tipping world
At about 4:10, Pete and Robert analyze Seinfeld and its legacy and incredible outfits and hairstyles and ironies
At about 7:50, Robert fills in the readers on his YA trilogy and his feelings upon being nominated for a Bram Stoker Award
At about 10:10, Robert talks about his voracious and diverse reading, as well as his superhero loves and the beautiful connections with his father through reading
At about 13:00, Robert talks about his experience with Batman and the movies
At about 14:10, The two discuss Stephen King and his phenomenal writing and his iconic craft guide “On Writing”
At about 17:30, Robert discusses writers and writing that inspired him, including his favorite book of all-time, Less Than Zero, Elmore Leonard,
At about 20:45, Robert talks about his progression in reading and delving into journalism and music writing, including his appreciation for Alex Garland
At about 26:10, Robert shouts out the great Erika Wurth, for her partying abilities and incredible generosity and mentorship and friendship
At about 27:30, Robert muses on horror writers as good people
At about 29:05, Robert appreciates Paul Tremblay and his humility and genius and kindness, as well as the up-and-coming Todd Keisling
At about 30:55, Robert responds to Pete’s questions about what it’s like to live “in the muck” when writing and ideas of writing as catharsis; Robert discusses maternity and institutional racism and how this type of real-life issue is more scary than the fantastical
At about 33:30, Robert discusses the ideas of writing as catharsis, and he shares ways of mourning and grieving his beloved father’s death
At about 37:15, Robert connects exorcising fears and ideas of closure through his work
At about 42:05, The two discuss psychological horror and real-life scares like racism and how creativity comes in
At about 45:45, Robert discusses body horror and the issues that come into play with pregnancy, especially for women of color
At about 47:40, Pete cites part of the book’s exposition involving a scene that shows Ian and Lola feeling alienation from those who have kids
At about 49:20, Robert speaks about societal pressures and other causation for Lola and Ian
At about 53:20- “For spite”-Seinfeld reference
At about 53:30, Pete and Robert discuss Lola’s horrendous pregnancy
At about 55:00, Robert gives background on Lola’s giving birth and how it was “an amped-up version of what happened to a friend’s partner”; he cites an interesting “cosmic” connection to childbirth
At about 58:20, Jonesy, the child, is characterized as tranquil and chill while Lola experiences depression and anger
At about 59:10, Dannah’s role and her gift- a seven-pointed star, are discussed and put into historical context
At about 1:01:00, Darkness as a symbol and before/after pregnancy are discussed
At about 1:03:00, Pete wonders about hyperbole and its role in shining a light on societal and familial issues
At about 1:05:05, Robert explains his imaginings of Jonesy and how he’d fit into the real world
At about 1:11:30, Robert gives contact info/social media
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 185 with Toni Ann Johnson. A true Renaissance woman, she is the recipient of two Humanitas Prizes and a Christopher Award for her screenplays, which include Ruby Bridges, for Disney/ABC and Crown Heights, for Showtime Televisión; her acclaimed story collection is Light Skin Gone to Waste.
The episode airs May 30.
Episode 232 with Kate Brody, Author of Rabbit Hole and Master of Writing Intriguing and Flawed Characters and Crackling Plotlines
Episode 231-April 13, 2024 Live Event to Launch Jose Vadi's Chipped, a reflective, creative, subtly brilliant essay collection
Episode 230 with Chelsea T. Hicks, Author of the Story Collection, A Calm & Normal Heart, Revitalizer and Student of the Osage Language, and Crafter of Poetic, Timely, and Timeless Stories
Episode 229 with Will Sommer, Author of Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Reshaped America, and Keen and Thorough Chronicler of the QAnon Movement Through The Washington Post
Episode 228 with Jennifer Croft, Author of The Extinction of Irena Rey and Award-Winning Translator, and Master of Worldbuilding, Highly-Allegorical Yet Masterfully-Plotted Fiction, and Nuance
Episode 227 with Gina Chung, Author of Green Frog, a Dazzling Collection of Poignant, Offbeat, Chillingly-Realistic and Fantastical Stories
Episode 226 with Priscilla Gilman, Author of The Critic's Daughter and Skilled and Thoughtful Chronicler of the Universal and the Intimately Personal
Episode 225 with Andrés N Ordorica, Author of How We Named the Stars and Generous Creator of Poignant, Resonant "Love and Loss" Scenes and Utterly Memorable Characters
Episode 224 with Peter Coviello, Enthusiastic and Deeply Knowledgeable Critic and Celebrator of Moving Art, and Author of the Essay Collection, Is There God After Prince
Episode 223 with Sarah Rose Etter, Master Balancer of Surrealism, Realism, Dark Humor, and Themes of Grief and Anxiety that are Timely and Timeless
Episode 222 with Andrew Leland, Author of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, and Masterful Chronicler of His and Other Journeys with Blindness and its Intersections with our World
Episode 221 with Martha Anne Toll, Renaissance Woman, Book Reviewer, Creative, and Award-Winning Writer of the Moving, Contemplative Three Muses
Episode 220 with Aniefiok Epoudom: Keen Chronicler of Hip-Hop, Football Culture and Pop Culture in the UK, and Savvy and Nuanced Master of Telling Personal Stories; Author of
Episode 219 with Roxanna Asgarian, Principled and Dogged Reporter, Caring and Clear-Eyed Journalist and Author of We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America
Episode 218 with Melissa Rivero, Author of Flores and Miss Paula, Keen Observer of Modern Corporate Life and Nuanced Chronicler of Grief’s Many Permutations
Episode 217 with Jeff Sharlet, Author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, and Sharp-Eyed Chronicler of Impending Fascism and Previous Fighters in The Movements
Episode 216 with Kate Maruyama: Author of Bleak Houses, Master Worldbuilder, and Skilled Observer and Chronicler of Family Traumas, Class and Privilege, and Psychological Horrors Modern and Timeless
Episode 215 with Nick Fuller Googins, Reflective and Dynamic Worldbuilder, Educator, and Creator of the ”Hopeful” Climate Crisis Novel, The Great Transition
Episode 214 with Leah Myers, Chronicler of the Heartfelt, the Specific, the Universal, and the Myth and Proud History of the Jamestown S’Klallam in the Memoir, Thinning Blood
Episode 213 with Andrew Porter, Reflective and Genius of the Understated and Resonant, Creator of Unforgettable Characters, and Author of the Story Collection, The Disappeared
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Turn of the Screw
Pride and Prejudice
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends