Cutthroat Queens

The Queens are excited to share a short story with you as a little treat. From the upcoming anthology, Howls from the Scene of the Crime, we bring you A Fate Finer Than Death by Michelle Tang, narrated by L. J. Long. If you like what you hear and want more crime horror, you can pre-order the anthology today by supporting their Kickstarter campaign: https://rb.gy/9tq236 You are welcome.

It's been a while and they're late again, but the Cutthroat Queens are back for the start to another exciting year of celebrating indie horror. Brett Mitchell Kent, Chelsea Pumpkins and Elton Skelter take a look back at the past year and reminisce about the best parts of 2023, and then look forward to what's to come. Pull up a chair and sit down with a meth wine, and get up close and personal with the Queens as they escort you, awkwardly, into the second season. You're welcome!

For the final episode of the year, the Queens are thrilled to be joined by two indie booksellers with brick and mortar bookshops. Chelsea gets down and dirty with Chris, whose store Little Ghost Books can be found in Toronto, and Jenny Kiefer, who is the owner of Butcher Cabin Books in Louisville, Kentucky. We also get the insight on Jenny's up and coming novel, This Wretched Valley, and find out all the latest updates from the Little Ghost Press via Chris. Thanks to everyone who's listening - we hope you stick around for a new year of fun and horror, done the indie way. We are the Cutthroat Queens... You are welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

This month Noelle W. Ihli and Kat Silva join us to bust up all the stigmas surrounding self-publishing! Learn why and how they do it, tips for success, and hear about their latest books! At the top of the episode, the Queens discuss CB Jones’ brand new self-pubbed slasher book-club style. We’re brave, strong, and independent, and you are welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

It's part 2 of the authors spotlight on Cutthroat Queens Podcast! We journey from weird architecture to Weird West by way of Alaskan wilderness creature features, and we put our own British royalty, Elton Skelter, in the interviewee's chair! We're thrilled to announce guests Andrew F. Sullivan, KC Grifant, and Candace Nola as well as two guest hosts, Tim Bloom and Christina Pfeiffer. Chelsea and Brett also discuss the finer points of modern feminism and chat about the Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. Featuring the track "Dead Inside" from the official Cutthroat Queens Soundtrack, 'Camp Cutthroat'. Happy Halloween, and you are welcome! For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

The Cutthroat Queens tries a new lewk this fall! In a series of one-on-one interviews, we take a quick but deep dive into four authors' individual works. Join us in welcoming guests JAW McCarthy, Caleb Stephens, Lindz Mcleod, and NJ Gallegos. From beasts to bugs; lonely hearts to vindictive ones, there's a story in this episode for any and all tastes. We also welcome Rae Knowles back to the show, but this time she's seated in the interviewer's throne. Featuring the track "Trigger Finger" from the official Cutthroat Queens Soundtrack, 'Camp Cutthroat'. It's part 1 of the authors spotlight - You are welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

In this episode, Elton discusses queer horror movies, and in particular all the filth he's Swallowed (2022). Brett and Chelsea fall into the intrigue of found fiction with Archive of the Odd editor Cormack Baldwin, and author of their new release, Revenge ARC, Cat Voleur. Hear Chelsea shame young Baldwin for his youthful lifespan and "old soul". Hear Brett talk the life of a new editor. And hear Elton talk about his new collection of short horror stories, "Let's Get F**ked Up and Die". It's late again, but as queens, that is their prerogative. Let's get odd - you're welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

Brett and Chelsea gush over Elton's newly released novel and discuss great self published work, while definitely not going off into multiple Animal Crossing tangents. Then beat the dog days of summer with coverage of all things Howls from the Wreckage! They keep Elton up way past his bedtime while they chat with editor, Chris O'Halloran, and authors, Timaeus Bloom and Nick Cutter about this brand new anthology and the state of horror writing and publishing in general. Hear Chelsea work through her daddy issues vis-à-vis a cranky bear named Ike. Hear Brett take a left turn on the island but still find his way back to the title at hand. And hear Elton refer to himself as a "spicy boy"? It's meant to be July, but they missed the deadline. Either way - you're welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

Beat the summer heat with tears! For our Summertime Sadness Special, Brett and Chelsea had the chance to sit and chat with Kelsea Yu (Bound Feet) and Emma E. Murray (Exquisite Hunger) about their devastating and powerful stories. To cheer yourself back up check out a horror comedy like the one Elton discussed with Author D.A. Holmes (Coming out of the Coffin)!! [Content warnings: miscarriage, violence, death/loss, gore, cannibalism etc etc] It's Summertime Sadness, and we welcome you and your sadness! For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

Chelsea's back from her travels to mark the mid-point of the year, while Elton takes some much needed downtime after the release of his debut novel, Life Support. As usual, Brett holds it all together in this fun new episode from everyone's favorite queens. This month, Brett gets to fangirl over horror badboy, John Durgin, and discuss the release of his latest works, while Chelsea goes international and kicks it off with cover artist extraordinaire, Matt Seff Barnes. Hear Chelsea's updates on the annual Stokercon, as well as some very questionable British cosplay. Hear Brett dig deep into the inner workings of an up-and-coming horror icon. And let Elton rest in peace, Goddammit! It's June, it's late, but it's worth it. And you're welcome. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

It’s Pride Month, so the Queens are celebrating with a bonus special. This time it’s a case of the more the merrier, for what is Pride about if not community? Lor Gislason joins Elton to discuss all things Goopy, including the introduction of The Goop Troop; Rae Knowles talks the haunted strings of the Stradivarius and the threat from beneath the surface; and finally David-Jack Fletcher and Leeroy Cross James talk to the boys about their new press, Slashic Horror Press, and the launch of their first release, David-Jack’s own “Raven’s Creek” which comes out today! We get a great reading from David-Jack to cap off the episode and to fill in the void left by Chelsea Pumpkins, Elton blasts every silence with a snippet from his original song called “Hook, Line & Sinker”. [Content warnings: murder, violence, death/loss, gore] Hear Brett radiate the spirit of Pride month. Hear Elton get all flustered talking to one of his favorite writers. And hear the silence of the absence of Chelsea, the peace it brings... It's the Rainbow Special, and everyone is welcome! For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

Brett, Chelsea and Elton are back, and this time they're feeling creative, as they don their coveralls, rinse their brushes and get intimate with the creators of Collage Macabre, an anthology of art horror. Guests this month include illustrator, Schism, calling in all the way from South Africa, and writers and organizers extraordinaire, Jessica Peter and Joseph Andre Thomas, two of the contributors to this community-created collection. Come hear Chelsea discuss something other than picture books, for a change! Come hear Brett show his true dislike of Elton. And come hear Elton be...mayonnaise? For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

In Episode 3, the queens welcome the screbful and talented TJ Price, author of The Disappearance of Tom Nero. We chat about his inspiration for this incredible mixed media novelette as well as his penchant for prose, the death of the author, and his screbbing experience at Haven Speculative magazine. The queens discuss their recent horror screbs as well as this month’s #TransRightsReadathon. Brett makes us play a dreadful Would You Rather game while Elton sips wine coolers and Chelsea sheds light on the importance of maintaining community and solidarity when times seem darkest. Pour yourself an Old Trashioned and hit play. Content warnings include: suicide and suicidal ideation, pregnancy, infant and mother mortality For more info on what was discussed, visit bit.ly/CQPod

In Episode 2, the queens are joined by the Real Housewife of Hysterical Horror, editor of new charity anthology, Aseptic and Faintly Sadistic, and all-round badass, Jolie Toomajan. We discuss her editing experience, writing process, and her insightful philosophies, all the while being graced with her rapier wit and her big activist's heart. Per usual, you'll also get a glimpse at what we're reading, watching, and even wearing this month. Hear Chelsea make the surprise discovery that M3GAN was in fact not played by a robot. Learn how to do laundry with Brett (sponsored by Tide Pods). And listen to Elton take a few cheap shots at his co-hosts for the sake of a little British chuckle (SPOILER: they fight back!) As a serious aside, this podcast is in full support of the women's right to choose, and we wholly get behind the themes discussed with Jolie and those affected by the overturning of Roe vs Wade. Please consider making a donation to the Chicago Abortion fund. Link in show notes. Content warnings include: child harm, pregnancy, issues surrounding body autonomy For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

In this, the first hour-long holiday special, the Queens meet writer and editor Ruth Anna Evans to discuss the upcoming release of her first anthology, "Ooze: Little Bursts of Body Horror" and the processes she used to get this amazing collection together. They talk rejection, submission and repulsion, all from the writers viewpoint. To cap off the episode, all four read short fiction work, to celebrate the occasion: valentines day. [Content warnings: murder, violence, death/loss, gore] Hear Brett discuss the power of a constructive rejection. Hear Elton get so drunk he can't form words. And hear Chelsea pull his ass out of the fire. It's the heartbreak special, and you are welcome! For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

In their very first official episode, Brett, Chelsea and Elton celebrate all things 90's with the release of the AHH! That's What I Call Horror Anthology, edited by their very own Ms Pumpkins! Then guests Edith Lockwood and CB Jones join the queens for a detailed spoilerific dive into how the antho came together. Come hear damp witch, Chelsea P, trade the podcasters hat for the editors hat, and then the writers hat, and then other hats because she loves hats so much - BEWARE HATMAN! Come hear Brett broadcast live from the bottom of a well with a tin can and a piece of string as his microphone (it improves in the roundtable when he realizes what he's done). And come hear Elton generally lower the tone in a way only a British gay fellow can do. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod

In the very first recording, we meet hosts Brett Mitchell Kent, Chelsea Pumpkins and Elton Skelter, three indie horror writers who started the Cutthroat Queens, and what they are striving for with the podcast. Elton cancels himself with his Rob Zombie opinions, Chelsea shocks all with a British patois and Brett proves all Steves are created equal. For more info on what was discussed, visit: bit.ly/CQPod