In this episode of The Malliard Report, Jim Malliard sits down with Lura Ketchledge, a novelist, screenwriter, and producer whose real-life paranormal experiences have shaped both her storytelling and her outlook on life. Lura’s journey began more than thirty years ago when a devastating car accident left her clinically dead — and returned with what she describes as “a new kind of sight.” From that point forward, unexplained activity followed her from home to home, convincing her that sometimes it isn’t the house that’s haunted — it’s the person.
Drawing from these experiences, Lura built a writing career that blurs the line between fiction and the supernatural. Her trilogy — Throwaway Horses, The Near-Death Connection, and The Reincarnation of Tess Hamilton — combines emotional storytelling with firsthand encounters from her life. She tells Jim about navigating skepticism, finding humor in the unknown, and “flying her freak flag proudly” after decades of silence about what she’d seen and felt.
The conversation then takes a sharp and entertaining turn into filmmaking. Lura details the chaos and creativity behind her self-produced comedy Another Apocalyptic Zombie Movie, a project that attracted police chiefs, stand-up comics, and real paranormal investigators. It’s a Mel Brooks-style spoof with real-world hauntings baked into the script. Between laughs, she shares her deep appreciation for the cast and crew who made it possible — and her mission to prove that independent filmmakers can still make “movie magic” on pure grit and good people.
As always, Jim balances humor with curiosity, asking thoughtful questions about belief, evidence, and creativity in the paranormal world. Together they explore what it means to live with mystery — to accept both the ghosts that scare us and the ones that inspire us. It’s a conversation that reminds listeners that storytelling, like haunting, leaves traces that never quite fade.
00:00 – Opening & Introductions
Jim welcomes Lura Ketchledge and jokes about learning to pronounce her last name. Lura explains her background as a paranormal fiction author and columnist.
05:00 – A Near-Death Awakening
Lura recounts her 1979 car accident and the near-death experience that changed everything — from skepticism to sensitivity toward the unseen.
10:00 – “People Are Haunted, Not Places”
She describes decades of paranormal phenomena following her from house to house, believing that “the whole gang moves with me.”
15:00 – From Page to Screen
Lura discusses her evolution from novelist to filmmaker and the creative madness of producing Another Apocalyptic Zombie Movie, a comedy filmed on her haunted Kentucky horse farm.
25:00 – Behind the Scenes & EVP Evidence
Detailed accounts of paranormal investigations on her property — orbs, shadow clusters, and the chilling EVP that replied, “You have to look.”
35:00 – Building a Career with Humor and Hustle
She explains how a tongue-in-cheek eBay listing for her “haunted horse farm” brought national media coverage and launched her public career.
45:00 – Lessons from the Film Set
Lura reflects on leadership, young actors, and the fine line between confidence and entitlement. Jim and Lura connect over the importance of teamwork and gratitude.
55:00 – Looking Ahead: Film Festivals and Future Projects
She reveals her next goals — promoting the zombie film internationally, writing new screenplays, and continuing her novel series. Jim closes with appreciation for her openness and humor.
Pull Quotes
“I used to think houses were haunted — now I believe people are.”
“If you’ve got a good story and good people behind you, there’s nothing in America that says you can’t make it.”
“I decided to fly my freak flag proudly, and the world didn’t end — it opened.”
“Making a movie is like building the pyramids. It takes everything you have and gives back magic.”
“The paranormal isn’t what I believe anymore — it’s just part of my life.”
