The world of contemporary horror has been cast into a bold new light with the release of the gripping documentary series “First Word on Horror,” now streaming on Substack. This 15-part journey pulls back the curtain on the minds of five trailblazing authors: Stephen Graham Jones (interview here), Paul Tremblay (interview here), Elizabeth Hand (interview here), Laird Barron, and Mariana Enriquez. Each episode is an invitation to step inside their creative worlds, where haunting stories and personal revelations intertwine. With intimate readings of their chilling short stories and candid reflections on the inspirations that shape their craft, “First Word on Horror” offers an exclusive peek into the minds behind some of the genre’s most electrifying voices. For horror aficionados, this series is an unmissable deep dive into the art of fear itself.
To celebrate the final featured author in the series, CinemaChords sat down with the legendary Mariana Enriquez to discuss the roots of her love for horror. The Buenos Aires–based author – known for her haunting masterpieces “Our Share of Night,” “The Dangers of Smoking in Bed,” and “Things We Lost in the Fire” – has earned her place as one of the most powerful voices in contemporary horror. In her “First Word on Horror” episodes, Enriquez opens up about the personal ghosts, gothic influences, and political shadows that inform her chilling tales, offering raw insights into her creative process. Expect not just gripping story readings but an in-depth exploration of the forces that shape her unnerving fiction.
A finalist for the Booker Prize, a nominee for the Bram Stoker Award, and a master of modern fear, Mariana Enriquez’s episodes provide a captivating journey into the darkness that defines her unique voice in horror.
