02/09/2025 BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Travis Bruce

Danielle Yvonne
8 hours ago
3 min read

As we do every year in the month of February, Uncomfortably Dark takes time out to honor Black authors and Black history from every era, past and present. If you already read widely and diversely or want to get started; please add these authors to your Must - Read lists and to those TBR piles!

A massive thank you to fellow author Eliza Broadbent for this huge undertaking for this month, enabling Uncomfortably Dark to honor at least one author a day, or more!

Travis is both a friend and a co-host. In 2024, I did two interviews with him about my debut novella, Ink Vine, and he ended up asking me to host a show on his network, The Horror Realm. Now, The Paranormal Xperience asks horror authors to tell their true stories of the uncanny and the unknown. We’ve had some wild shows—Pedro Iniguez’s was a standout in particular—but until Andrew Najberg last week, we’d never heard about actual walls bleeding.

Today, we honor Travis Bruce!

What kind of horror do you read and review? What brought you to the horror genre in particular?

I am a huge fan of indie horror novels. Some of the best stories written are definitely coming from the indies.

How long have you been podcasting? How did you get started?

My YouTube channel is almost 2 years old. During COVID, like for many individuals, I had time to devote to new creative ideas. The idea has of having a YouTube has been something that I've considering for years. 2 years ago I finally took the jump and pulled the trigger.

What’s your favorite thing to talk to your guests about?

I enjoy getting inside the minds of my guests and allowing the audience to get to know them on a personal level.

What’s the journey of The Horror Realm been like? What challenges have you faced?

I have a loyal audience who continues to support my brand. Unfortunately, establishing that new audience has been a bit of a challenge. The fact that I have the #1 indie horror YouTube channel and 80% of indie horror creators still don't know my brand is a little frustrating.

Who do you think everyone should be reading right now?

Mark Allen 100%.

What’s it like being a Black horror podcaster right now?

With the majority of the indie horror community being white, I think there's definitely pushback. I honestly feel that many white men feel intimidated that the top indie horror podcaster happens to be a black guy. That's where I believe the lack of support comes in.

All horror is political. How do you think your politics informs your work?

I honestly keep my politics separate from my work. At the same time, I allow my guests to speak that beliefs.

E: This is how Travis gets his guests to say fairly outrageous things—he’s a great listener, and people just … keep going. Before we were cohosts, I interviewed with him and definitely ran off at the mouth about stuff I hadn’t intended to!

What advice do you have for Black horror writers or podcasters who are just getting started in the genre?

It's a grind. To be successful, you definitely have to get there and in front of people. Rather it conventions, appearance, clubs, etc., you have to find your audience.

What’s your favorite part about interviewing people, and who was your best interview?

I actually enjoy the psychology of how creators' brains work. Best interview would have to be Elizabeth Broadbent when it comes to authors. Which you already know, lol.

E: This is because Travis just smiled while I kept talking about my time working as a cocktail waitress. He’s being modest. He’s done a ton of great interviews other than me!