🎙️ USDN PODCAST INTERVIEW — MARK BERTON

Into the Heart of the Unknown: Cryptid Horror, Conspiracies & AROUGHCOUNE

Author and former journalist Mark Berton joins the United States Department of Nerds Podcast to discuss Aroughcoune, a chilling cryptid horror novel that blends secret government experimentation, survival horror, Indigenous folklore, and ethical consequences rooted in reality.

Set in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania, Aroughcoune explores what happens when science pushes too far — and when ancient knowledge collides with modern secrecy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The real-world inspiration behind Aroughcoune
• Cryptids born from government experiments
• Journalism’s influence on believable horror
• Survival horror in isolated environments
• Folklore as a counterbalance to science
• Ethics, secrecy, and consequences
• What’s next for Mark Berton

This isn’t just horror — it’s horror that feels possible.

🔗 FEATURED LINKS

🌐 Official Websites
https://www.markberton.com
https://www.roswellpublishing.co.uk

📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/markbertonauthor

📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/FrogElixir

🧵 Threads
https://www.threads.net/@FrogElixir

🦋 Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/markberton.com

🎧 USDN PODCAST
Exploring the strange, the dangerous, and the unknown.

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#USDNPodcast,#MarkBerton,#Aroughcoune,#CryptidHorror,#IndieHorror,#HorrorAuthors,#FolkHorror,#CreatureHorror,#ConspiracyFiction,#WeirdHorror,#IndieBooks,#PodcastInterview,#HorrorCommunity,#SupernaturalFiction

🎙️ Indie Comics Spotlight: Evan Quiring Talks Murder City Devil & Lucha Mystery | USDN Podcast

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with Evan Quiring, creator of Murder City Devil and Lucha Mystery, to talk noir horror, masked mythology, and over 20 years of grinding in indie comics.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba to working with publishers like Antarctic Press, Dynamite, Markosia, and Big Bang Comics, Evan shares his journey as a writer/artist, the challenges of freelancing, and what it means to finally see his creator-owned series picked up by Studio Comix Press in 2025.

We cover:

• The creation of Murder City Devil
• The pulp-inspired world of Lucha Mystery
• Visual storytelling, process, and tools
• Survival, discipline, and advice for indie creators

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

🔗 Evan Quiring Links

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@psyclonecomicsstudios
Website: https://www.psyclonecomicsstudios.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psyclone_comics_studios/
Studio Comix Press: https://www.instagram.com/studiocomix/

#IndieComics,#EvanQuiring,#MurderCityDevil,#LuchaMystery,#IndieComicsPodcast,#CreatorOwnedComics,#ComicCreatorInterview,#NoirComics,#HorrorComics,#LuchaLibreComics,#MaskedHeroes,#PulpComics,#StudioComixPress,#FreelanceComicArtist,#WriterArtistComics,#USDNPodcast

🎙️ USDN PODCAST — Indie Comic Spotlight: Grinding Against The Marrow w/ Snake | USDN Podcast Interview

Creator of Grinding Against The Marrow

“In every town, there’s a darkness people pretend not to see. A walkway they don’t walk down. A story they’re too afraid to hear. But sometimes… a storyteller shows up who’s willing to drag that story into the light.”

This episode of the USDN Podcast features Snake — the UK indie comic creator behind Grinding Against The Marrow, a raw, poetic, street-level character drama published by Markosia.

The story follows Soma, a homeless ex-junkie Muslim woman navigating the violence, prejudice, and claustrophobic hostility of her hometown. Blending parkour-driven action, poetry-infused narration, and brutal realism, Grinding Against The Marrow is quickly earning attention for its honesty, movement, and emotional weight.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The origins of Grinding Against The Marrow
• Creating Soma and writing survival with authenticity
• Using poetry as narrative muscle, not decoration
• Building the oppressive world of Marrow
• Working with Markosia and Webtoon Canvas
• Audience feedback and creator growth
• What’s next for Soma — and for Snake

This is a story born from fractures — and shaped by resilience.

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

This is The Chairman, and the Council of Nerds is adjourned.

🔗 GUEST LINKS

📖 Grinding Against The Marrow (Webtoon):
https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/grinding-against-the-marrow/list?title_no=1025007

📸 Scott Matthew Watson (Snake) — Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/snake87smw/

🛒 Publisher (Markosia):
https://markosia.com/2025/10/17/grinding-against-the-marrow-1-on-drivethrucomics-and-comixology/