Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast · Stephanie Gagnon

Our Horror Journeys with Becky Spratford

·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Becky Spratford reveals the inspiration behind her essay collection, Why I Love Horror.

This episode of Books in the Freezer features host Stephanie in conversation with Becky Spratford, a librarian and genre advocate, about Spratford's new essay collection, *Why I Love Horror*. They use the book's premise to explore their personal histories with the horror genre. Spratford explains the anthology features essays from major authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due, and Alma Katsu answering the central question. The discussion traces Spratford's horror journey, beginning with reading Stephen King's *Carrie* at age eleven. She describes a pivotal childhood moment watching the made-for-TV movie *Dark Night of the Scarecrow*, which she found terrifying. Stephanie shares her own early memory of being frightened by the Groke character from *The Moomins*. Spratford highlights how libraries provided a safe space for her to explore frightening materials as a young reader. A key insight is Spratford's view of horror as a genre that allows readers to safely experience fear and process real-world anxieties. She argues horror fiction often explores societal fears through metaphor, making it a profoundly social genre. The conversation notes how personal horror touchstones vary widely, from classic literature to cult films. Spratford emphasizes that a reader's "horror journey" is unique and constantly evolving. The tone is warm, conversational, and deeply nostalgic, reflecting a shared passion between two knowledgeable fans. The style is informal and anecdotal, structured around personal memories and professional observations. Horror fans, especially those interested in genre history and personal narratives, will appreciate this reflective discussion. Listeners seeking plot analysis or author interviews about specific works might find the episode too autobiographical.

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