Ryan Thomas LaBee
@ohthatryan.bsky.social
(He/Him) Missouri Author, photographer, Filmmaker, EIC of @PyreMagazine, Entertainment Writer for @ Cinemablend
www.ohthatryan.com
www.ohthatryan.com
Pinned
Ryan Thomas LaBee
@ohthatryan.bsky.social
· Aug 21
On Sept 24 (6PM PT / 8PM CT) I’ll be live on YouTube with the legendary Joe R. Lansdale to talk horror, craft, and his new book The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale.
Don’t miss it → youtube.com/@ryanthomasl...
@tachyonpub.bsky.social @joerlansdale.bsky.social
Don’t miss it → youtube.com/@ryanthomasl...
@tachyonpub.bsky.social @joerlansdale.bsky.social
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
To all the weirdos defending Megyn Kelly: 15 year olds are underage, and that is statutory rape.
Pretty simple
Pretty simple
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 AM
To all the weirdos defending Megyn Kelly: 15 year olds are underage, and that is statutory rape.
Pretty simple
Pretty simple
Tomorrow I get to interview two of the co-directors on Ken Burns’ new Revolutionary War documentary series — Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
Fellow history/Ken Burns nerds: what are the big questions you’d love me to ask them? #kenburns #theamericanrevolution #PBS
Fellow history/Ken Burns nerds: what are the big questions you’d love me to ask them? #kenburns #theamericanrevolution #PBS
November 14, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Tomorrow I get to interview two of the co-directors on Ken Burns’ new Revolutionary War documentary series — Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
Fellow history/Ken Burns nerds: what are the big questions you’d love me to ask them? #kenburns #theamericanrevolution #PBS
Fellow history/Ken Burns nerds: what are the big questions you’d love me to ask them? #kenburns #theamericanrevolution #PBS
My name is Ryan, and I write Midwest Gothic.
Childhood fear? Dolls... My teen mom thought it was hilarious. My great aunt used him to punish me by locking me in a room with a doll. Midwest family dynamics at their finest, right?
I've always wanted to write a haunted doll story
#HorrorWritersChat
Childhood fear? Dolls... My teen mom thought it was hilarious. My great aunt used him to punish me by locking me in a room with a doll. Midwest family dynamics at their finest, right?
I've always wanted to write a haunted doll story
#HorrorWritersChat
Hola, Horror Writers. I'm going to post and eat as I've pretty much just walked in. But, we're all about it today, so close to Halloween!
Tell me tell me. What scared you as a child?
No links, no hawking books please, till the end. Thanks Thanks.
#HorrorWritersChat
Tell me tell me. What scared you as a child?
No links, no hawking books please, till the end. Thanks Thanks.
#HorrorWritersChat
October 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
My name is Ryan, and I write Midwest Gothic.
Childhood fear? Dolls... My teen mom thought it was hilarious. My great aunt used him to punish me by locking me in a room with a doll. Midwest family dynamics at their finest, right?
I've always wanted to write a haunted doll story
#HorrorWritersChat
Childhood fear? Dolls... My teen mom thought it was hilarious. My great aunt used him to punish me by locking me in a room with a doll. Midwest family dynamics at their finest, right?
I've always wanted to write a haunted doll story
#HorrorWritersChat
#VinceGilligan and #RheaSeehorn reunite for a mysterious #AppleTV+ sci-fi drama that turns bliss into a battlefield. I cannot wait for #PLURIBUS
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Breaking Bad Creator’s New Show Declares War On Happiness
Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn reunite for a mysterious Apple TV+ sci-fi drama that turns bliss into a battlefield.
www.military.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
#VinceGilligan and #RheaSeehorn reunite for a mysterious #AppleTV+ sci-fi drama that turns bliss into a battlefield. I cannot wait for #PLURIBUS
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
Out today: BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2025, edited by... me! So so many great stories in here. I can't wait for you to discover them and their talented writers.
October 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Out today: BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2025, edited by... me! So so many great stories in here. I can't wait for you to discover them and their talented writers.
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
Giant copy of the Constitution being carried down Pennsylvania Avenue.
October 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Giant copy of the Constitution being carried down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
Thanks for another insightful chat! To kind of tie back today's theme, in my LWF series, power and oppression play major roles, particularly with regards to misogyny and ableism. You can find Little White Flowers lots of places, including the UMaine Bookstore (pictured below)!
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Thanks for another insightful chat! To kind of tie back today's theme, in my LWF series, power and oppression play major roles, particularly with regards to misogyny and ableism. You can find Little White Flowers lots of places, including the UMaine Bookstore (pictured below)!
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Alright, my turn in the confessional. If you’re in the mood for small-town mayhem, pumpkins, and poor decisions, The Halloween Party & Other Tales of All Hallows’ Eve Terror is my love letter to October. www.amazon.com/Halloween-Pa... #HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Alright, my turn in the confessional. If you’re in the mood for small-town mayhem, pumpkins, and poor decisions, The Halloween Party & Other Tales of All Hallows’ Eve Terror is my love letter to October. www.amazon.com/Halloween-Pa... #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
My guiding principle is "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" and if I'm not doing both, I've missed the mark #HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
My guiding principle is "comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable" and if I'm not doing both, I've missed the mark #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
I'm a Eat The Rich girlie head to toe, so I will always write stories where the rich get their comeuppance.
Although, there's this one story I wrote where riches were used in order to exact vengeance on rapists and abusers in the form of a torture banquet 😇
#HorrorWritersChat
Although, there's this one story I wrote where riches were used in order to exact vengeance on rapists and abusers in the form of a torture banquet 😇
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I'm a Eat The Rich girlie head to toe, so I will always write stories where the rich get their comeuppance.
Although, there's this one story I wrote where riches were used in order to exact vengeance on rapists and abusers in the form of a torture banquet 😇
#HorrorWritersChat
Although, there's this one story I wrote where riches were used in order to exact vengeance on rapists and abusers in the form of a torture banquet 😇
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
Despair is far more satisfying because you can utilize it anywhere at any time, especially when hope is kept out of a hand's reach.
Best example? Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass
#HorrorWritersChat
Best example? Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass
#HorrorWritersChat
Q4.
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Despair is far more satisfying because you can utilize it anywhere at any time, especially when hope is kept out of a hand's reach.
Best example? Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass
#HorrorWritersChat
Best example? Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
I'm Michael, I write queer cosmic & supernatural horror!
I think of myself as scraping-by-working-class after spending most of my life living that way. Morally, I have high enough standards that I constantly beat myself up. (Or is that the religious trauma from youth?)
#HorrorWritersChat
I think of myself as scraping-by-working-class after spending most of my life living that way. Morally, I have high enough standards that I constantly beat myself up. (Or is that the religious trauma from youth?)
#HorrorWritersChat
Oh right then here we go, if it glitches I'll wait till it's back up then fire the next.
Can't say fairer than that. Hi #HorrorWritersChat, let's talk riches. Or poverty. Moral or cash, I don't mind which.
Horror is one of the more egalitarian genres I think. More room for poor...
No links please.
Can't say fairer than that. Hi #HorrorWritersChat, let's talk riches. Or poverty. Moral or cash, I don't mind which.
Horror is one of the more egalitarian genres I think. More room for poor...
No links please.
October 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm Michael, I write queer cosmic & supernatural horror!
I think of myself as scraping-by-working-class after spending most of my life living that way. Morally, I have high enough standards that I constantly beat myself up. (Or is that the religious trauma from youth?)
#HorrorWritersChat
I think of myself as scraping-by-working-class after spending most of my life living that way. Morally, I have high enough standards that I constantly beat myself up. (Or is that the religious trauma from youth?)
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by Ryan Thomas LaBee
It can be, yes. The supernatural is scary, but desperation can be more visceral(many of us have felt it). The desperation that can come from the horrific can be scarier than whatever the catalyst is sometimes. A ghost or ghoul? Scary. Being trapped underground in a coffin? NOPE.
#HorrorWriterschat
#HorrorWriterschat
Q4.
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:47 PM
It can be, yes. The supernatural is scary, but desperation can be more visceral(many of us have felt it). The desperation that can come from the horrific can be scarier than whatever the catalyst is sometimes. A ghost or ghoul? Scary. Being trapped underground in a coffin? NOPE.
#HorrorWriterschat
#HorrorWriterschat
Desperation’s always scarier. Ghosts just want attention — people want out. And some will torch a whole town to get it.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Q4.
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
Do hang around for the outro, in around 10 minutes.
Which is the easier route? Or the more satisfying?
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Desperation’s always scarier. Ghosts just want attention — people want out. And some will torch a whole town to get it.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
I write horror attempting to scare everyone—just in different tax brackets. The poor see themselves in the dark. The rich see what’s coming for them. Either way, nobody’s sleeping well.
Hopefully.
#HorrorWritersChat
Hopefully.
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I write horror attempting to scare everyone—just in different tax brackets. The poor see themselves in the dark. The rich see what’s coming for them. Either way, nobody’s sleeping well.
Hopefully.
#HorrorWritersChat
Hopefully.
#HorrorWritersChat
Scarcity is the air my characters breathe. Deprivation isn’t just material—it’s emotional, spiritual. In my worlds, folks pass down their lack like an heirloom.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Q2. So many of you are diving in courageously. I salute you. Don't worry, now we go more abstract.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Scarcity is the air my characters breathe. Deprivation isn’t just material—it’s emotional, spiritual. In my worlds, folks pass down their lack like an heirloom.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
I write small-town horror where everyone’s either cursed, drunk, or both. Think cosmic dread meets Dollar General. Financially? Let’s just say my monsters have better healthcare.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Oh right then here we go, if it glitches I'll wait till it's back up then fire the next.
Can't say fairer than that. Hi #HorrorWritersChat, let's talk riches. Or poverty. Moral or cash, I don't mind which.
Horror is one of the more egalitarian genres I think. More room for poor...
No links please.
Can't say fairer than that. Hi #HorrorWritersChat, let's talk riches. Or poverty. Moral or cash, I don't mind which.
Horror is one of the more egalitarian genres I think. More room for poor...
No links please.
October 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I write small-town horror where everyone’s either cursed, drunk, or both. Think cosmic dread meets Dollar General. Financially? Let’s just say my monsters have better healthcare.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
I favor the folkloric ghosts—the ones whispered about behind church pews and in hollow places, passed down and patched over generations. Yet I love when an author peels that fabric back and lets the old haunt breathe through something new.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Listen to the Symposium’s finest vocalist, as their tenor bends the living into unnatural angles and swivels them into the air! Tell us, what ghosts do you prefer? Of the folkloric tradition, or those invented by authors? And why?
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
October 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I favor the folkloric ghosts—the ones whispered about behind church pews and in hollow places, passed down and patched over generations. Yet I love when an author peels that fabric back and lets the old haunt breathe through something new.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
The hollers and riverbanks of the Ozarks—those are my favorite haunts. Not the grand estates, but the forgotten places: collapsed barns, drowned bridges, and roadside churches still echoing with hymns no one remembers.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Now, let us begin! Let the flutes bleat and the trumps blare, snatching all the souls of the living away! What are your favourite haunts? Mausoleums? Lavish estates? What secrets do their wraiths protect within?
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
October 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The hollers and riverbanks of the Ozarks—those are my favorite haunts. Not the grand estates, but the forgotten places: collapsed barns, drowned bridges, and roadside churches still echoing with hymns no one remembers.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
>Steps from the mist, boots caked in Ozark mud.< I write horror that seeps up from the soil and monsters that look too much like family.
I hail from the haunted hills of southwest Missouri, and tonight my wraithful visage is a preacher’s ghost still clutching his sermon.
#HorrorWritersChat
I hail from the haunted hills of southwest Missouri, and tonight my wraithful visage is a preacher’s ghost still clutching his sermon.
#HorrorWritersChat
Be welcomed to the ethereal music hall! A stringed aperitif is in order… do tell the Symposium what do you write, from where… and what IS, indeed, your wraithful visage for tonight?
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
October 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
>Steps from the mist, boots caked in Ozark mud.< I write horror that seeps up from the soil and monsters that look too much like family.
I hail from the haunted hills of southwest Missouri, and tonight my wraithful visage is a preacher’s ghost still clutching his sermon.
#HorrorWritersChat
I hail from the haunted hills of southwest Missouri, and tonight my wraithful visage is a preacher’s ghost still clutching his sermon.
#HorrorWritersChat
Eleanor’s Horrors
eleanorshorrors.substack.com?r=fm4th&utm_...
eleanorshorrors.substack.com?r=fm4th&utm_...
Eleanor’s Horrors | Eleanor Johnson | Substack
A series of essays about feminism and horror, literature and history, translation and transformation. Click to read Eleanor’s Horrors, by Eleanor Johnson, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...
eleanorshorrors.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Eleanor’s Horrors
eleanorshorrors.substack.com?r=fm4th&utm_...
eleanorshorrors.substack.com?r=fm4th&utm_...
Thanks for another great #HorrorWritersChat! If you’re into dark folk/Midwest Gothic, follow along! I am also launching a YouTube video podcast—Nightmares and Narratives. Just interviewed Joe R. Lansdale! Also, i have a novella—KILLING MY FLESH WITHOUT YOU.
#HorrorWritersChat here you go, your chance to shine. Do repost others, too. We're all in it together.
October 1, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Thanks for another great #HorrorWritersChat! If you’re into dark folk/Midwest Gothic, follow along! I am also launching a YouTube video podcast—Nightmares and Narratives. Just interviewed Joe R. Lansdale! Also, i have a novella—KILLING MY FLESH WITHOUT YOU.
Age always bleeds into the work. Whether my characters are 16 or 60, they carry some echo of my own unease—fear of endings, fear of irrelevance, fear of being forgotten. Fear of forgetting. Horror gives those whispers a body. In that sense, yes, we’re always speaking our fears. #HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Ageing comes to us all, if we're lucky. And while we might not self-insert, our fears colour our horror.
Does it matter if our characters are young or old? Do our ages, and our feelings about ageing, slip quietly out of their mouths?
Do we speak our fears?
10 minutes to outro
Ageing comes to us all, if we're lucky. And while we might not self-insert, our fears colour our horror.
Does it matter if our characters are young or old? Do our ages, and our feelings about ageing, slip quietly out of their mouths?
Do we speak our fears?
10 minutes to outro
October 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Age always bleeds into the work. Whether my characters are 16 or 60, they carry some echo of my own unease—fear of endings, fear of irrelevance, fear of being forgotten. Fear of forgetting. Horror gives those whispers a body. In that sense, yes, we’re always speaking our fears. #HorrorWritersChat
Coming-of-age doesn’t just belong to the young. Older characters can still have rites of passage—retirement, loss, confronting mortality, even facing the ghosts of choices they made decades ago. Their “becoming” may be smaller, subtler, but no less terrifying. #HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Puberty or kids brings one element to a story. Hero's journey, finding themselves, etc. An older character might have that too. Or it might be entirely different. What say you?
Puberty or kids brings one element to a story. Hero's journey, finding themselves, etc. An older character might have that too. Or it might be entirely different. What say you?
October 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Coming-of-age doesn’t just belong to the young. Older characters can still have rites of passage—retirement, loss, confronting mortality, even facing the ghosts of choices they made decades ago. Their “becoming” may be smaller, subtler, but no less terrifying. #HorrorWritersChat