Episode 38: Exploring the Depths of Dark Fiction with Daniel Willcocks

🎙️ What makes dark fiction unforgettable? It’s not the monsters, it’s the emotions they uncover.
In this episode of @TheAuthorNextDoor Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Daniel Willcocks, bestselling dark fiction author, to explore his ten-year writing journey and the craft of writing horror that hits you in the gut—not just with fear, but with feeling.

In this episode you'll find:

Daniel’s evolution from solo writer to collaborative creator and coach

The psychological layers of dark fiction and horror 🧠🕯️

How to build suspense and dread that keeps readers flipping pages

Why relatable characters make fear more powerful

The fine line between reader expectations and genre-breaking risks

Maintaining boundaries when collaborating creatively

The importance of loving the process, not just chasing outcomes

Whether you’re writing horror, dark fiction, or just looking for deeper creative insight, this episode will leave you thinking about fear in a whole new way.

Answer in comments 👇 What’s your favorite horror novel that made you feel something real?

Where to find Daniel:
https://www.danielwillcocks.com/

Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:
ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 Daniel Willcocks, dark fiction, horror, writing, author, collaboration, boundaries, storytelling, suspense, reader expectations, monsters, post-apocalyptic novels, goosebumps for grownups

#theauthornextdoor #horrorauthor #indieauthors