Horror Stories and Gundam with Author Eric Otero

In this episode of That Nerd Thing, Morgan interviews horror author Eric Otero and they discuss his journey as a writer and his passion for horror. They explore the influence of his blue-collar job on his writing and his journey into becoming a horror author.  Eric even shares a SPOOKY experience from when he was a teenager!  Eric also goes deep into sharing his fascination with the Japanese military science fiction media franchise, Gundam, and he even explains the history behind the franchise. He explains how you can join the fandom and ways to participate in the Gundam community.  Eric explores his other nerdy interests like lepidopterology, nurturing butterflies, and the influences of Christian mysticism in his writing.  The episode also touches on the broader topic of starting to write later in life, facing insecurities as an author, and the power of niche communities online for embracing one's nerdiness. 00:18 Welcome and Introduction 00:48 Diving into Horror with Author Eric Otero 01:54  Exploring Eric's Creations: From Body Horror to Cosmic Mysteries 06:17 Unraveling the Depths of Nerdy Identity 06:20 Unpacking Gundam: A Deep Dive into Mecha and Its Impact 13:32 Embracing Nerdiness: Finding Community and Overcoming Isolation 16:00 Embracing the Indie Writing Journey 17:47 Eric's Unexpected Nerdy Passion: Lepidopterology 19:30 A Shift in Popularity: From Small Town to Comic Book Expert 21:05 Exploring Christian Mysticism and Personal Fears 22:51 A Childhood Fascinated by the Paranormal 23:21 A Mysterious Encounter in the Woods: A Personal Horror Story 26:37 From Isolation to Creative Writing 27:45 The Challenges and Triumphs of Writing 29:14 Embracing Vulnerability: Sharing Creative Work with the World 33:22 Navigating Fandoms: Gundam and Beyond 39:39 The Essence of Being a Nerd: Passion and Inclusivity 41:18 Geeky Recommendations: Embracing Horror and Sci-Fi 42:55 Connecting with the Author: Social Media and Final Thoughts Follow Eric Otero at:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHowlingBetweenWorlds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.m._otero/ Check out Eric’s work and stories! https://nightmaredownloads.com/products/between-the-panels-by-eric-otero Follow That Nerd Thing at:⁠⁠TikTok: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @thatnerdthingpod⁠⁠ Email: [email protected] Don’t forget to share this podcast with your nerdy friends!