Why Speculative Fiction Lets Us Explore the Hardest Parts of Being Human with Michelle Maryk (E217)
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Michelle Maryk to discuss her debut novel, The Found Object Society—an atmospheric speculative suspense story that blends grief, curiosity, addiction, and the supernatural into a wholly original reading experience.
Michelle shares her journey back to fiction after careers in acting, comedy, and voice work, and how those experiences helped shape her confidence and voice as a writer. We talk about her lifelong love of horror and speculative fiction, the emotional themes underneath the story, and the kind of reading experience she hopes to create for readers. This conversation explores storytelling, creativity, grief, and learning to trust yourself on the page—all while diving into a novel built around a mysterious society where members can relive the final moments of someone else’s life.
Episode Highlights:
How Michelle’s background in improv, acting, and comedy shaped her writing voice
Why speculative fiction and horror have always felt like home to her as a storyteller
What she hopes readers take away from The Found Object Society
Connect with Michelle:
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Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
Midnight in the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan
Midnight at Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan
On Writing by Stephen King
Time and Again by Jack Finney
King of Ashes by S.A. Crosby
The Doorman by Chris Pavone
Book Flight
The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan
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