Librarians with Lattes

In this episode of Librarians with Lattes, Amanda Lowe sits down with two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning horror author Robert P. Ottone to talk about his latest novel, Amityville Awakens, his writing journey, and his love of all things horror. Ottone is the author of the Bram Stoker Award-winning The Triangle and There's Something Sinister in Centerfield, as well as The Vile Thing We Created, Nocturnal Creatures, and the short fiction collection Tear Me Open: Fears Unwrapped. His latest novel, Amityville Awakens, offers a fresh and terrifying take on one of horror's most infamous locations, imagining what happens when the legendary Amityville Horror House is demolished and the evil within is unleashed. Together, Amanda and Robert explore the inspiration behind his work, the challenges and creative possibilities of writing horror, the genre's enduring appeal, and what makes a story truly unsettling. Along the way, they discuss his creative process, his influences, and the stories that have shaped him as both a writer and a lifelong horror fan. Whether you're a seasoned horror reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, grab your favorite beverage and join us for a conversation about haunted houses, storytelling, and the things that go bump in the night! Music credit: Bensound.com, Artist: FoePound

What happens when your comic ends up on a banned books list? In this episode of Librarians with Lattes, Amanda Lowe and librarian Kaci Wilson sit down with comic book writer Jeremy Whitley, creator of Princeless and writer of titles including The Unstoppable Wasp and My Little Pony, to talk comics, creativity, censorship, and the freedom to read. Jeremy shares his journey into comics, what goes into writing stories for readers of different ages, and his experience seeing his own work challenged. The conversation digs into why comics and graphic novels so frequently become targets of book challenges, what happens when a single panel or image is pulled out of context, and why representation and access to stories matter. Plus, there’s plenty of talk about the comics Jeremy loves, the wonderfully weird business of being a writer, what everyone is sipping on, and—because we couldn’t let him escape without it—a lightning round. Grab your beverage of choice and join us for a conversation about comics, challenged books, and telling stories worth fighting for. Music: bensounds.com

Summer of Horror continues on Librarians with Lattes! In this special episode, Amanda sits down with horror authors Sam Rebelein (Edenville) and Chris Panatier (The Phlebotomist) for a wide-ranging conversation about writing horror, crafting unforgettable plots, balancing dread with humanity, and why the genre continues to resonate with readers. They also discuss their creative processes, the books that haunt them, and what makes horror such a uniquely powerful form of storytelling. Whether you're a lifelong horror fan or horror-curious, pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us for this delightfully spooky conversation. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: J56T4Q0T6HQVZNOQ Artist: : FoePound

In this special, completely student-led and hosted episode of Librarians with Lattes, student library ambassadors Navid and Daniel take the mic for a fascinating conversation with two UAlbany professors, Dr. Sean Rafferty and Dr. Christopher Wolff. Together, they dive into monsters, academic publishing, and teaching a monsters class, and more. Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a thoughtful, engaging discussion! Music credit: BenSounds

Host Amanda Lowe, Outreach & Marketing Librarian at the University at Albany, sits down with horror authors Clay McLeod Chapman (Wake Up and Open Your Eyes) and Dennis Mahoney (Our Winter Monster) for a spine-tingling conversation straight out of this year’s Summer of Horror Book Club. From the thrills and chills of the horror genre to the nuts-and-bolts of their writing processes, Clay and Dennis share insights into what makes a story truly terrifying. Of course, it’s not all blood and shadows. We also veer off into action figure nostalgia, debate hydration strategies (decaf coffee counts… right?), and laugh our way through the lighter side of horror storytelling. If you’re a fan of scary stories, creative process deep-dives, or just want to hear two horror masters having fun with a librarian host, this episode is for you. Learn more about our guests: Clay McLeod Chapman → https://claymcleodchapman.com/ Dennis Mahoney → https://www.equinoxsociety.com/ Grab your (decaf?) coffee and settle in for some horror-filled fun! Music credit: bensounds