The Dread Alert Podcast

Philip Fracassi on The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre | Horror, Slashers & Writing Legacy

Episode 7

 

What happens when a serial killer stalks a retirement home? Philip Fracassi’s new novel The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre flips the slasher genre on its head with an octogenarian “final girl,” chilling kills, and raw emotion you won’t forget. 

Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award–nominated author Philip Fracassi joins us to talk about his chilling new novel, The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre. In this conversation, we dive into the origins of his octogenarian “final girl,” the blend of slasher, thriller, and mystery at the heart of the story, and how themes of aging, death, and dignity bring unexpected emotional depth to horror. 

Philip also shares insights into his career journey—from screenwriting for Disney and Lifetime to publishing acclaimed collections like Behold the Void, Beneath a Pale Sky, and No One is Safe. We talk horror inspirations (Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Aliens, and The Thing all make the list), plus the real-life experiences that helped shape the vividly authentic world of the Autumn Springs Retirement Community. 

If you love horror fiction with heart, unique perspectives on aging and resilience, and conversations that celebrate both the chills and the humanity behind the scares—this episode is for you. 

Stick around until the end as Philip teases his upcoming releases, including the historical horror Sarafina and a sequel to Gothic

Philip Fracassi's Website: https://pfracassi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philipfracassi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pfracassi/ 

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