Dead Languages

The goblins put their thinking caps on and answer the ponderous question: does it take talent to write? Are you born with it? Or maybe it's May...never mind. Don't forget our drabble contest is live!

We answer writing questions from Reddit, and also get to do some housecleaning. Drabble contest. Cummies Awards. The Return of Reader Mail! All that and more!

In episode 109, PLM and Carson decided to write for a new submission call put out by Slugger magazine! They pledged to write their little hearts out, then have Arwyn Sherman and Sam Logan on the show to talk about how the submission call went, along with the fate of their stories! DUH DUH DUN!!!!!! Well, the day has come. Find out the myriad ways we screwed up. Learn more about Slugger here: https...

Today Goblin PLM interviews literary agent Becky LeJeune about literary agents. Where authors should start, what to expect, and staying positive in the face of rejection! Find Becky here: https://bondliteraryagency.com/about-us

This week, Carson and PLM talk a lot about pedophil— Wait! Okay, we also talk about things anyone can do to help their favorite author sell some books.

Oh no! Our minds are unraveling! Can you help us step-killer? This week, we talk about Psychological Horror—a genre with some incredible history that also sometimes ages like milk.

This week we're phoning it in with some scary stories to listen to on your way to work or the bathroom.

When Christopher O'Halloran asks to talk about love, you talk about love. This week, we're exploring the many different ways love can shape a horror story (and also going on way too many tangents). Chris is the author of PUSHING DAISY from Lethe Press. Learn more here: https://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p716/Pushing_Daisy.html

This week, PLM is off the clock so Carson brought in his favorite goblin, author Erik McHatton! Erik and Carson discuss two short stories this week: "The Professor's Teddy Bear" by Theodore Sturgeon and "Flying to Byzantium" by Lisa Tuttle.

Okay, so you're a new writer and you have no idea where to start. Well, guess what Spooky Co-eds? Stop smushing your nose up against the glass on the outside, and start embracing the pain of professional fiction writing!

The goblins kickback, relax, and share their top 5 books of 2025 so far. Will their tastes align? Probs not. Discord: https://discord.gg/97EtArJQnP Carson's new collection: https://carsonwinter.com/pre-order-portraits-of-decay/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DeadLanguagesPodcast

PLM couldn't stop talking to authors at this year's StokerCon! Listen to the second part of her adventune here!

PLM went to StokerCon and interviewed EVERYBODY!!!!! Listen in to dozens of authors who'd like to diminish their accomplishments by appearing on the Dead Languages Podcast!

The DL goblins are back at it, asking: does the dog die? This week we discuss animals in horror, as both plot fodder and the antagonist. Also, did you hear that Carson has a book out? Order PORTRAITS OF DECAY here: https://www.saltheartpress.com/portraits-of-decay

This week, the Dead Languages goblins discuss all the many ways authors behave poorly in public settings and on social media... and how to NOT do that. RSVP for Carson Winter's launch party https://www.eventbrite.com/e/remove-your-mask-portraits-of-decay-book-launch-tickets-1393362618099 Preorder Portraits of Decay https://carsonwinter.com/pre-order-portraits-of-decay/ Discord https://discord....

Does becoming a writer change how you read? Does it kill the fun or enhance the joy? The goblins discuss why they readand how they feel it's changed for them when they started to write. Submit questions for PLM to ask at Stokercon https://forms.gle/utFpoKnzcofzNjsE9 RSVP for Carson Winter's launch party https://www.eventbrite.com/e/remove-your-mask-portraits-of-decay-book-launch-tickets-13...

It's that time of the year again. The pollen is thick, it's still sometimes gloomy, and the imposter syndrome is strong. Every writer feels like they flounder or hit a wall. Not the goblins though, they're perfect. jk. The goblins check in with each other's writing journey. What hurdles have they been feeling, how are they coping, what are they looking forward to? Preorder Carson&#...

The goblins get sluggy with it as they brainstorm ideas for story subs to write for the new literary magazine: SLUGGER. Listen in to their feral ramblings as they plan their next devious piece of fiction. Or whatever. Wanna join in? Check out SLUGGER here: https://sluggerfiction.com/ Preorder Carson's upcoming collection here: https://carsonwinter.com/pre-order-portraits-of-decay/

This week, we sit down with author Viktor Athelstan to talk about webnovels! What are they? How are they? Who reads them? Find out more about everything Viktor is working on right here: https://linktr.ee/ViktorAthelstan

This week, we delve into TRAUMA! How it shapes us as people, our perspectives, and how it always finds its way into our fiction—one way or another.

Writers have to wait. That's just a fact of life. Between submissions, queries, releases, cover art, edits, and more—it's likely you're going to find yourself waiting more often than not. This week we discuss how to practice patience and strategies to take the pain away from the process!

PLM is back from the Planet Alimnia and that means that the Dead Languages Podcast is back at full force! This week we're talking about single-author collections and how you can choose to name them.

PLM is still gone, but that doesn't mean Carson's going to shut up. This week, Timaeus Bloom joins the Dead Languages Podcast as co-pilot, to discuss the importance and process of mentorship in writing.

Carson's alone again while PLM is lost in space! This week, author Patrick Barb joins Dead Languages to talk about horror writing hot takes. Will our white-hot opinions finally cause us to be banished from the scene? Listen and find out!

PLM is off on terrible new adventures, so Carson is home alone. So, who does he invite over? Erik McHatton, of course! Carson and Erik catch up on their reading by checking out two stories lauded within the horror canon.