The tension was palpable as we welcomed comic creators Laurie Calcaterra and Brandon Starocci to the Summerween Slamdown - a bare-knuckle brawl between frenemies that would determine the fate of Laurie's zombie crown and Brandon's prized mustache. What began as online beef culminated in this explosive showdown, judged by none other than 2024 Zombie-ween king and horror author Sylvester Barzey.

Contact & Social Links for Guests & Related Authors

Elevator Pitch

• R. Cuthbertson: @rcuthbertson.writes
  • Waves of Undead

Guests

• Laurie Calcaterra: @LaurieCalcaterra
  • Path of the Pale Rider
• Brandon Starocci: @brandonstarocci
  • Avalon Comic

Judge

• Sylvester Barzey: @sylvesterbarzey
  • SylvesterBarzey.com

Zombie Book Club Links

Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/

Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB

ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/

ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/

Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬

Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this provocative and poignant episode, we sit down with author KQ Watson to explore her short story Wheelchair Seating for the Apocalypse. Far from your average survival tale, this narrative focuses on a wheelchair user who chooses to opt out of enduring a zombie-infested world—prompting a powerful and compassionate exploration of autonomy, dignity, and the underrepresented voices in apocalyptic fiction.

We dive into the ethics of medical aid in dying, ableist tropes in horror, and what it means to grant agency to those who refuse to “survive.” Amid the weighty themes, KQ shares unlikely passions—from The Dark Crystal’s eerie magic to satanic death metal for sober listeners—and reveals what writing about a fallen angel, cookie dough, and last meals say about confronting the end of everything.

Contact & Social Media for KQ Watson

• Carrd: kqwatson.carrd.co
• Instagram: @kq_watson
• TikTok: @kq_watson

Music & Show Recommendations from KQ Watson

• The Gears by Dethklok
• To Tame the Temporal Shrew - Rishloo
• Memento Mori - Will Wood
• Baphomet - Zeal & Ardor
• Dead Set - Tv Show
• Threads - nuclear apocalypse (Full Movie)

Zombie Book Club Links

Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/

Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB

ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/

ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/

Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬

Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this special “get to know us” episode, Dan and Leah pull back the curtain on the Zombie Book Club. From meeting on ICQ in the internet’s dark ages to building a zombie-obsessed home in Vermont, they share their origin story, their love for all things undead, and why they use the apocalypse as a lens to talk about capitalism, climate collapse, and representation. You’ll hear about Dan’s zombie novel-in-progress, Leah’s creepy-cool zombie crowns, and the barking dogs that would absolutely blow their cover in a real outbreak.

They answer listener-submitted questions both thoughtful and ridiculous — from “Who’s the better cook?” to “Do zombies pick their noses?” — and feature an indie horror gem, Dead Awake: Collapse by Rob Ulitski. Whether you’re here for thoughtful apocalypse analysis or absurd competitions like the Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Cluck Challenge, you’re invited to join the found-family energy of the ZomBestie community. Grab a snack, your favorite blunt object, and hit play.

Elevator Pitch:

• Rob Ulitski: Dead Awake: Collapse:

Our Next Read:

• KQ Watson: Wheelchair Seating for the Apocalypse

Zombie Book Club Links

Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/

Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB

ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/

ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/

Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬

Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

Our Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com