Clay McLeod Chapman
“Like a demonic angel on a skateboard, like a resurrected Artaud on methadrine, like a tattletale psychiatrist turned rodeo clown, Clay McLeod Chapman races back and forth along the serrated edges of everyday American madness, objectively recording each whimper of anguish, each whisper of skewed desire. This is strong stuff, intense stuff, sometimes disturbing stuff, but I think the many who admire Chuck Palahniuk will admire Chapman as well.”—Tom Robbins, author, Still Life with Woodpecker
Clay McLeod Chapman is the author of novels What Kind of Mother, Ghost Eaters, Whisper Down the Lane, The Remaking, and miss corpus, story collections nothing untoward, commencement and rest area, as well as The Tribe middlegrade series: Homeroom Headhunters, Camp Cannibal and Academic Assassins.
His new novel, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, arrives on January 7, 2025. Upcoming projects include the novelette Stay On The Line (Shortwave Books), the novella Kill Your Darling (Bad Hand Books) and the creator-owned comic limited series Seance in the Asylum (Dark Horse Comics).
Quiet Part Loud, a 12-part horror podcast from Jordan Peele/Monkeypaw Productions, written by Chapman and Mac Rogers, is available on Spotify.
Chapman’s story late bloomer was adapted into a short film, directed by Craig William Macneill. An official selection at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, the short won Best Short at the Lake Placid Film Festival and the Brown Jenkins Award at the 12th Annual H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.
Their second short, Henley, based on the chapter “The Henley Road Motel” from Chapman’s novel miss corpus, was an official selection at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. It won Best Short at the 2011 Gen Art Film Festival and the 2011 Carmel Arts and Film Festival. The Boy (SXSW 2015), a feature-length adaptation of Henley, co-written with director Macneill, was produced by SpectreVision (Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, and Josh C. Waller) in 2015.
In comics, Chapman is the writer of the Marvel series Scream: Curse of Carnage. He has written Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety, Iron Fist: Phantom Limb, Typhoid Fever, as well as for Edge of Spider-Verse and Venomverse, The Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, American Vampire, Scream: King In Black, and ORIGINS among others.
He is the creator of Self Storage (451 Media) and Lazaretto (BOOM! Studios).
Chapman is the creator of the rigorous storytelling session The Pumpkin Pie Show. In the twenty years of its existence, it has performed internationally at the Romanian Theatre Festival of Sibiu, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, New York International Fringe Festival, Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Edmonton Fringe Festival, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Dublin-based thisisnotashop art space, IGNITE Festival, Women Center Stage Festival and Impact Theatre Festival.
Chapman wrote the book for Hostage Song (music & lyrics by Kyle Jarrow). He is the author of such plays as commencement, the cardiac shadow and volume of smoke. His story-monologues birdfeeder, undertow and the wet echo have been featured in The Best American Short Plays anthologies.
Chapman was educated at the North Carolina School of the Arts for Drama, the Burren College of Art, and Sarah Lawrence College. He currently teaches writing at The Actors Studio MFA Program at Pace University.
2022
QUIET PART LOUD
Performances
Quiet Part Loud1996
The Pumpkin Pie Show
Performances
Celebrating its second decade of performances, The Pumpkin Pie Show is a literary fist in the face. Part storytelling session, part boxing match, part shamanistic ritual, The Pumpkin Pie Show has established itself as an all-points artistic hodgepodge of theatre and literature.2024
WAKE UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES
Books
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes: A new novel written by Clay McLeod ChapmanWake Up And Open Your Eyes (UK Edition)
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Wake Up and Open Your Eyes: A new novel written by Clay McLeod Chapman, UK edition, from Titan BooksBookworms Horror Zine #6
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Bookworn Horror Zine features "saucy sprat" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanFear of Clowns
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Features the short story "quit clowning around" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanSeance in the Asylum #4
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Seance in the Asylum, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Andrea Mutti, from Dark Horse ComicsSeance in the Asylum #3
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Seance in the Asylum, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Andrea Mutti, from Dark Horse ComicsSeance in the Asylum #2
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Seance in the Asylum, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Andrea Mutti, from Dark Horse ComicsThe Rack
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The Rack features the short story WHITE PAGES written by Clay McLeod ChapmanThe Darkest Night
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The Darkest Night, featuring Mr. Butler, written by Clay McLeod ChapmanKill Your Darling
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Killy Your Darling, a novella written by Clay McLeod ChapmanSeance in the Asylum #1
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Seance in the Asylum, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Andrea Mutti, from Dark Horse ComicsLong Division anthology
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New anthology featuring a story by Clay McLeod Chapman.Spider-Verse: Across The Multiverse
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Spider-Verse: Across the Multiverse featuring Clay McLeod ChapmanQue Clase de Madre (Spanish edition)
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What Kind of Mother, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, Spanish edition, from Runas BooksGhost Eaters (Czech edition)
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Ghost Eaters, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, translated in CzechWhat Kind of Mother (UK Edition)
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What Kind of Mother, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, from Titan BooksShadows in the Stacks
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Shadows in the Stacks, A Spirited Giving Charity Anthology, featuring a short story written by Clay McLeod ChapmanStay On The Line
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Stay On The Line, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Trevor HendersonFangoria Vol 2 #22
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Fangoria Magazine features "Hermit" written by Clay McLeod Chapman2023
Extreme Venomverse
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Extreme Venomverse trade paperback featuring new stories written by Clay McLeod ChapmanKnockoffs
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Knockoffs written by Clay McLeod Chapman from Shortwave BooksWHAT KIND OF MOTHER: A Novel
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What Kind Of Mother, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, from Quirk BooksDaily Lurker
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Features the short story "swallowbox" by Clay McLeod ChapmanMakeout Creek #8
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Makeout Creek #8 featuring "pick of the litter" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #8
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #8, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Dax GordineShadows Over Main Vol 3
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Shadows Over Main Vol 3 features "summer in the pit" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanOctober Screams
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October Screams, edited by Kenneth W. Caine, featuring the short story "sweet meat" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanHouse of Haunts
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House of Haunts anthology featuring the short story "rug burns" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #6
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #6, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Philip SevyEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #5
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #5, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Gustavo DuartDark Corners of the Old Dominion
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Dark Corners of the Old Dominion featuring the short story "keep it civil" by Clay McLeod ChapmanEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #3
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #3, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Philip SevyEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #2
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #2, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Philip SevyEDGE OF VENOMVERSE UNLIMITED INFINITY COMIC #1
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Edge of Venomverse Unlimited Infinity Comic #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Philip SevyExtreme Venomverse #3
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Extreme Venomverse #3 featuring a new story written by Clay McLeod ChapmanExtreme Venomverse #2
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Extreme Venomverse #2 featuring a new story written by Clay McLeod ChapmanCreepshow Vol 1
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Creepshow #5 features the story "Husk" written by Clay McLeod Chapman and art by Amwita Citriya2022
Creepshow #5
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Creepshow #5 features the story "Debutante Ball" written by Clay McLeod Chapman and art by Amwita CitriyaLiterally Dead: Tales of Holiday Hauntings
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Literally Dead: Tales of Holiday Hauntings, featuring the short story "psychic santa" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanGhoulish Tales #1
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Ghoulish Tales #1 features the short story "Who Brings A Baby?" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanObsolescence
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Obsolescence features the short story "pump and dump" by Clay McLeod ChapmanAmerican Cannibal
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American Cannibal anthology featuring Clay McLeod Chapman's "all ears."Baby Carrots
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Baby Carrots written by Clay McLeod ChapmanGHOST EATERS: A Novel
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Ghost Eaters, a novel written by Clay McLeod ChapmanMama Bird
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Short story "mama bird" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanWeird House Magazine #2
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Weird House Magazine #2 featuring "nail on the head" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanWendell & Wild
Films
Wendell & Wild, directed by Henry Selick, written by Selick and Jordan Peele, based upon the book by Selick and Clay McLeod ChapmanFOUND
Books
Found, an anthology of found footage horror stories, features "the spew of news" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanCampfire Macabre: Volume 2
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Campfire Macabre includes the short story "scratch 'n sniff" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanNail on the Head
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Nail on the Head, a limited edition chapbook, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, published by Theurgical StudiesWorth Writing About
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Worth Writing About zine featuring the short story "Crosshairs" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanDevil’s Reign: Villains for Hire
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Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire, written by Clay McLeod ChapmanLe Remake (French edition)
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Le Remake, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, translated by Thibaud Eilroff, from Pygmalion Books2021
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #3
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Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire #3, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Manuel GarciaDevil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #2
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Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire #2, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Manuel GarciaDevil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1
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Devil's Reign: Villains for Hire #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Manuel Garcia9 Tales from Beyond the Pale
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Radio plays for the digital age.Southwest Review
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Southwest Review, featuring the short story "Stowaway" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanExtreme Carnage
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Extreme Carnage trade paperback collecting all eight issues.UNKNOWN
Films
Unknown is a psychological horror anthology series created by Craig William Macniell and Clay McLeod Chapman, produced by Kilter Films and Amazon StudiosORIGINS
Books
Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! StudiosAlter Bridge: Tour of Horrors
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An original horror anthology graphic novel from Z2 ComicsExtreme Carnage: Lasher #1
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Extreme Carnage: Lasher #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamExtreme Carnage: Scream #1
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Extreme Carnage: Scream #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamKing In Black: Gwenom vs. Carnage
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King In Black: Scream #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Garry Brown.King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes
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King In Black: Planet of Symbiotes #1, written by Clay McLeod ChapmanEmpyre Omnibus
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Web of Venom: Empyre's End #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with art by Guiu VillanovaORIGINS #6
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Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! StudiosORIGINS #5
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Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! Studios2020
Whisper Down the Lane: A Novel
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Whisper Down the Lane: A Novel written by Clay McLeod ChapmanBlack Telephone Magazine
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Black Telephone Magazine #1 featuring "room with a boo" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanORIGINS #4
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Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! StudiosORIGINS #3
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Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! StudiosORIGINS #2
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Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! Studios34 Orchard: Issue 2, Autumn 2020
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34 Orchard, includes the short story "fairy ring" written by Clay McLeod ChapmanThe Dread Machine
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The Dread Machine features TAKE ME written by Clay McLeod ChapmanFangoria Vol 2 #9
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Fangoria Vol 2 #9 featuring the story "debridement" by Clay McLeod ChapmanCome Join Us By The Fire
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Tor Nightfire's new audio anthology, Come Join Us By The Fire, featuring Clay McLeod Chapman's story "the fireplace"2019
ORIGINS #1
Books
Origins, an original graphic novel, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Jakub Rebelka, from BOOM! StudiosKing In Black: Scream #1
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King In Black: Scream #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Garry Brown.King In Black: Planet of Symbiotes #1
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King In Black: Planet of Symbiotes #1, written by Clay McLeod ChapmanWeb of Venom: Empyre’s End #1
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Web of Venom: Empyre's End #1, written by Clay McLeod Chapman, with art by Guiu VillanovaScream: Curse of Carnage #8
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #8 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Garry Brown.Scream: Curse of Carnage #7
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #7 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Garry BrownScream: Curse of Carnage #6
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #6 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamScream: Curse of Carnage
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Trade paperback collecting Scream: Curse of Carnage #1-5Scream: Curse of Carnage #5
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #5 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamScream: Curse of Carnage #4
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #4 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamBlack Telephone Magazine #3
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Black Telephone Magazine #3 featuring a new short story written by Clay McLeod ChapmanScream: Curse of Carnage #3
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #3 written by Clay McLeod Chapman.Scream: Curse of Carnage #2
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #2 written by Clay McLeod Chapman, art by Chris MooneyhamScream: Curse of Carnage #1
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Scream: Curse of Carnage #1 written by Clay McLeod ChapmanAbsolute Carnage: Scream
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Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety written by Clay McLeod Chapman.Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1
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Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety #1 written by Clay McLeod Chapman.Absolute Carnage Omnibus
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Absolute Carnage Omnibus hardbackAbsolute Carnage
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Trade paperback collecting Absolute Carnage #1-5Absolute Carnage #5
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Daily Bugle Editorial by J. Jonah Jameson (transcribed by Clay McLeod Chapman)Absolute Carnage #4
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Transcribed by Clay McLeod Chapman