109 – Gemma Amor and The Big Mental Health in Horror Bonanza

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The time has finally come to go to the scariest place imaginable – the inside of the human mind. 

Thankfully, we have a friend to accompany us on this most hideous of trips. I’m joined this week by Gemma Amor, author of the brand-new techno-horror FULL IMMERSION. It’s a book that deals with trauma, psychosis and experimental treatment, and it’s the perfect springboard for an epic conversation about mental health in horror.

Gemma and I cover the autobiographical elements of her novel and how it helped her recovery. I lay bare my own neurosis and explain why this genre is not necessarily a safe space. And Gemma explains the dangerous reality of being a woman in the horror game. 

If that all sounds a tad sombre, don’t worry – there is also chat about the Uncanny Valley, Men in Black, Creepypasta and Black Mirror. As well as the pros and cons of pushing over racist statues.

It’s a long episode this one. You won’t get this level of self-indulgence every week. But it was just too good a conversation to cut short.

Let’s head into my head, it’s scary there!!

Enjoy!

Full Immersion is released September 13th by Angry Robot 

Read Gemma’s essay - The Female Experience of Fear

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