Horror fans, the countdown is over! “First Word on Horror,” a shocking and revelatory new documentary series debuts today, February 7, 2025 on Substack. This captivating 15-part series takes a deep dive into the lives and creative processes of five of horror’s most acclaimed contemporary authors: Stephen Graham Jones, Paul Tremblay, Elizabeth Hand, Laird Barron, and Mariana Enriquez. With each episode, the authors read one of their short stories and share personal insights into their inspirations and philosophies, giving fans a rare look behind the curtain at what fuels their terrifying tales.
We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Stephen Graham Jones himself to talk about the documentary and his unique journey in the world of horror. He revealed how a teacher played a pivotal role in his path to becoming a writer, submitting one of his early stories to a contest, and convincing him that he truly had a talent for the craft. Stephen also opened up about the lasting impact of Scream on his work—how the film franchise shaped his understanding of horror, and his thoughts on the recent entries in the series. Finally, Stephen gave fans an exciting preview of what’s to come in his next book, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, offering us a glimpse of what readers can expect from his thrilling new release.
