Unspookable

Kooky Spooky Countdown: Elise Parisian (Unspookable) interviews Adam Gidwitz (Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest)

Oct 23, 2025
Join Elise Parisian as she interviews Adam Gidwitz, a New York Times bestselling author and master of Grimms' tales. Adam reveals how his childhood campfire scares sparked his love for storytelling and discusses the emotional power behind scary stories. He explores why we seek out these tales for growth, the differences between kids' and adult horror, and shares insights on the Brothers Grimm's darker narratives. Don't miss his humorous take on fairy tales and tips for crafting spooky stories that resonate with young listeners!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Campfire Origin Of Scary Story Love

  • Adam Gidwitz remembers a summer-camp counselor from England who taught him what a good scary story feels like around a campfire.
  • The counselor's vivid voice and original tales showed Adam how atmosphere and slow dread make a story memorable.
ADVICE

Test Your Story By Saying It Out Loud

  • Adam insists he must feel the emotion he's writing: if a joke doesn't make him laugh or a scare doesn't quicken his pulse, it doesn't stay.
  • He also advises telling stories aloud to test emotional beats and improve their impact.
INSIGHT

Scary Stories As Emotional Practice

  • Adam argues scary stories let kids practice living through fear and unfairness to grow stronger and wiser.
  • He sees fairy tales as simulations for the challenges of growing up and finding triumph after terror.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app