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
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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.
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