Welcome, New Readers!
By Mike | HJTV Presents!
Hey there, and thanks for subscribing!
My name is Mike, and if you’re new here (even if you’ve been lurking in the shadows for a while), I figured it’s about time for a proper introduction. I’m the creator of HJTV Presents!, and the host/producer of the Horror Junkies, a podcast dedicated to all things Horror. I’m so glad you’ve decided to join me in this little corner of the internet where things are always a little eerie, nostalgic, and full of horror love.
Let’s start with a simple truth: I’ve always been obsessed with horror. It’s not just the scares, it’s the atmosphere, the creativity, the way horror challenges us to look into the dark and stay there. It’s how horror can be weird, emotional, thrilling, absurd, and beautiful all at once. It taps into something primal. Something personal.
Growing up, I was glued to the spooky stuff. I devoured Goosebumps and Fear Street books, tearing through them like candy. R.L. Stine was my gateway drug, not just into horror, but into storytelling. TV was no different. My childhood was filled with marathons of Goosebumps episodes, Ghost Adventures, and Travel Channel’s Top 10 Scariest Haunted Attractions or Haunted Locations. I couldn’t get enough of countdown shows, haunted hotel specials, or grainy ghost footage that aired way too late at night. Then there were the behind-the-scenes shows, the ones that showed the artistry of fear. Making Monsters. Face Off. Those programs pulled back the curtain and showed how the things that scared me were made, and instead of ruining the magic, it made me love it even more.
And of course, every Friday night meant one thing: a trip to the video store.
Whether it was Video Gallery, Movie Gallery, or good ol’ Blockbuster, walking those aisles was a ritual. I’d scan every VHS and DVD cover in the horror section, looking for something grotesque, strange, or forbidden. Horror movies weren’t just about the title, they were about the cover art, the tagline, the mystery. I’d rent something terrifying (or at least try to sneak it past my mom), grab some snacks, and settle in for a night of fear. Sometimes, I’d even pick up a horror video game for a double-dose of nightmare fuel.
That’s the energy I try to bring to everything I do now.
Here’s What to Expect
This Substack is a mix of spooky vibes, personal stories, deep cuts, and horror nerd-out moments. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in your inbox:
📚 Horror Movie & Book Reviews + Analysis
Breakdowns of cult classics and indie gems, deep dives into what makes horror tick, and reviews of everything from brutal slashers to slow-burn gothic novels.
🕯 Original Horror Writing
Short stories, analog horror scripts, and experimental pieces inspired by everything from urban legends to classic gothic literature. Some tales are real (or real enough), others are pulled straight from the darkest corners of my brain.
📼 Found Footage & Analog Horror Deep Dives
I’ve got a soft spot for the grainy, chaotic world of found footage. Expect essays, breakdowns, and appreciation posts for the genre’s weirdest corners.
👻 Real-Life Haunts & Paranormal Encounters
True ghost stories (mine and others), haunted history, urban legends, forgotten cemeteries, cursed roads, and maybe even a little Ouija board experimentation. This is where fiction meets reality.
🎃 Zine Updates & Behind-the-Scenes
Sneak peeks at upcoming zine issues, contributor shoutouts, bonus content, and insights into the DIY process of making something creepy from scratch.
🩸 Podcast Extras & Interviews
Extended thoughts from Horror Junkies episodes, listener Q&As, and interviews with filmmakers, writers, and horror creators doing wild and inspiring work in the genre.
🏚 Exploring the Horrific & Obscure
Top 10 lists, forgotten films, horror video games, creepy internet lore, and maybe a few “do not go there at night” kind of travel guides.
Whether you’re here for nostalgia, the thrill of fear, or to explore the genre’s darker edges with someone who’s been watching the shadows since childhood, thanks for coming along.
New posts drop regularly, especially around spooky season (but really, every season is spooky season around here). If you want daily horror content consider following me on TikTok and other sites by clicking here!
I’ll be sharing the story of how my love for horror truly began… involving a dusty VHS tape, a dark forest, and a movie I was absolutely not ready for. Stay tuned for that post!
As Always, Stay Weird!
Mike