Dead Languages

Everyone is talking about AI these days, but what does it mean for writers? Also, should AI writers even be considered writers? Listen and find out all the ways we can say "absolutely not!" Sources https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-ai-writing-how-does-it-work/ https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/11/08/ai-writing-is-here-and-its-worryingly-good-can-writers-and-academia-adapt https://www.re...

This week we're joined by James from the JustJames Horror Review podcast and we ask him all sorts of crazy questions about what indie horror is like from a reader's perspective, how he got into the podcasting game, and what's it being a reviewer! Find the Just James Horror Review Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Bd9x2R7x7Bhoo3pq1KB2w?si=9d0cc77b04b94207 Instagram: https://w...

You are a spooky co-ed. Under the light of the full moon, you enter the old house on 4/5 lane, listening to the floorboards creek with your footsteps. As soon as you enter, you see PLM and Carson, and they ask, "Why is this in second person?" ... Learn all about narrative perspective (first, second, and third) this week with the Dead Languages crew! Sources: https://www.masterclass.com/a...

Danger Slater (HOUSE OF ROT) joins the goblins to talk about a mysterious, wild, wacky subgenre of horror called Bizarro. What is Bizarro? How does a new Bizarro writer break out into the scene? AND LOTS AND LOTS OF DIRTY TALK, THIS TIME ON THE DEAD LANGUAGES PODCAST! Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_fiction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KX1VPN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FV92TQAZKX52QNYZZ...

No good, rotten, unlikable characters are a hallmark of the horror genre... but how do you write them? PLM and Carson get into the nitty-gritty and talk about the baddies of the horror genre. Sources https://www.norwoodlibrary.org/the-horror-of-difficult-women/ https://juliaamante.medium.com/how-to-write-unlikable-characters-21f4518cfedf https://www.writersdigest.com/there-are-no-rules/writing-the...

Submission calls are a big part of the writing grind. PLM and Carson talk about how they write for submission calls, where they find them, and whether they're actually the worst thing in the world or not. Sources: https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/ https://horrortree.com/

Twitter has been alight with people weighing in on the subgenre "cozy horror." PLM and Carson join the fray so that everyone else can rest easy. Sources: https://booksinthefreezer.podbean.com/ https://www.themarysue.com/instead-of-arguing-about-this-horror-genre-why-not-curl-up-and-enjoy-it/ https://swanriverpress.ie/2021/04/that-didnt-scare-me-thoughts-on-horror-fiction/ https://collide...

A little chill episode for our spooky co-eds as PLM and Carson compare their top five books of 2023 so far! Come chill with us and see how our lists compare!

Carson and PLM get down and dirty, chatting all thing editing and revision. From self-revision to professional feedback, from beta readers to editing as you go. The goblins cover it all. Sources https://youtu.be/WEFC5Oz_Dco https://youtu.be/_190lk7nP0E https://youtu.be/CP-G7SPXg6A https://youtu.be/6xS8LykRUj0 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/les-petites-morts-live-reading-event-tickets-629580601527?aff...

The gang talks about that weird space between a short story and a novel—the novelette. What secrets does it hold? Do we even know what they are? Do we write them? What are some of our favorite novelettes? All that and more on the Dead Languages Podcast. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-the-differences-between-novelettes-novellas-and-novels https://diymfa.com/reading/deep-dive-short-forms...

PLM loves conventions. Carson hates them. But what's the real deal with these behemoths—and are they worth your time? Find out in the latest episode of Dead Languages. https://www.stokercon2023.com/ https://ghoulishbookfest.com/ https://horrorcons.com/ https://fancons.com/events/schedule.phptype=horror https://horrorconla.com/ https://prixaurorawards.ca/ https://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/ h...

PLM and Carson talk about one of their favorite horror archetypes: the vampire! Hear the gang explore the origins of vampire in myth and legend, as well as some of their favorite portrayals of vampires in fiction. https://www.britannica.com/topic/vampire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/01/12/books-first-vampire-in-literature https://www.wired.com/2012/04/va...

Carson and PLM chat about reviews, how they're used, where to find them, their importance, and more! These goblins even review each other! Sources: https://www.netgalley.com/ https://booksirens.com/ http://barksbooknonsense.blogspot.com/p/an-easy-guide-to-locating-horror.html Agony's Lodestone reviews: https://cosmichorrormonthly.com/chm-blog/review-agonys-lodestone-by-laura-keating/ https...

Carson and PLM are writers so that means they're also mentally ill. On this episode, the team talks about all the emotional pain that comes from writing and how they work through it. Sources: https://gingernutsofhorror.com/features/the-horror-of-humanity-the-author-vs-the-voice-of-discordia-by-pl-mcmillan https://horror.org/mhi-of-monsters-and-mental-health-by-sarah-sigfried/ https://www.thegu...

PLM and Carson talk self-publishing and how it's actually the worst/best thing ever. Find out our own personal history with self-publishing and stick around for the tangents. Sources: https://litreactor.com/columns/best-self-published-horror-books-in-2020-so-far https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/8-tips-for-self-publishing-a-book https://wnba-books.org/ten-tips-for-aspiring-self-publishing-autho...

The goblins, Carson and PLM, chat with Christopher O'Halloran (author, voice actor, AND editor!) about his experience editing the upcoming anthology, Howls from the Wreckage . We deep dive what it's like moving from the writer mindset to the editor mindset, the process of creating an anthology, and also include a reading of Carson's tale in the anthology, "Children of the Event.&q...

PLM and Carson talk about what literary horror is, whether they write it or not, and also wallow in its inherent elitism. Sources: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/so-you-want-to-read-literary-horror / https://bookstr.com/article/whats-the-future-of-literary-horror/ https://www.tor.com/2017/06/08/the-creeping-resurgence-of-literary-horror-six-places-to-start / https://en.wikipedia....

PLM and Carson talk with Matt and Alex from Tenebrous Press about the importance of a good pitch! The dos, the don'ts, and the different kinds! We also sit them down and get live reactions from listener-written pitches!

Carson and PLM take their cues from listener mail (thanks Erik McHatton!) this week and recommend each other a story, then talk about them! Listen in to see what we picked for each other and how our tastes disappoint.

PLM and Carson sit down with Charles Tyra, editor-in-chief of horror magazine CHM, to talk about how small presses operate. Join the goblins for a sneak peek behind the curtain!

Wanna get to know the hosts just a little better? PLM and Carson go down a list of their top ten favorite horror books, two lists with surprisingly little overlap. Tell us we're wrong at deadlanguagespodcast@gmail.com! Like the vibes, spooky co-eds? Subscribe to our Patreon for more weird exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/DeadLanguagesPodcast

Is there such thing as success in horror writing? The truth is... personal and complicated. Carson and PLM talk about their personal journeys writing, how they've redefined success, and provide some good tips for you to do the same! Like what you're hearing? Want more of the Dead Languages Pod crew? Subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/DeadLanguagesPodcas...

Sharing your writing is hard. It's harder when it sucks. PLM and Carson talk about their dark personal history, how to give and receive feedback, and a whole lot of other dumb stuff.  Sources: A big thanks for author and editor, Jennifer L. Collins , for allowing us to share her beautifully made presentation! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KF7JTv1U-faSffhCJ7NfWP-utyAgql-S/edit?usp=dr...

PLM and Carson talk about one of their favorite fictional monsters: the werewolf! They also talk about a lot of other really, really horrible stuff. Listener beware.  Sources: https://www.britannica.com/art/werewolf https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/werewolves#:~:text=Some%20scholars%20believe%20the%20werewolf,with%20the%20Legend%20of%20Lycaon. https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/hist...

Do you write every day? Do you write sometimes? IS YOUR ENTIRE WRITING LIFE BUILT AROUND THE THOUGHT OF "OMG SHOULD I BE WRITING?" PLM and Carson talk about good writing habits, bad writing habits, and a whole lot of other weird stuff.  Sources used in this episode: https://www.penguin.com.au/articles/3535-james-patterson-writing-routine#:~:text='I%20pretty%20much%20write%20seven,%2C%20oh%2C%...