Dark Side of the Word

Join us as we explore T. Kingfisher's latest horror novel, Wolf Worm , delving into themes of folklore, mythology, and the art of storytelling. We discuss the book's plot, characters, and the fascinating blend of science and horror, along with our personal reactions and favorite moments. Grab your copy of Wolf Worm here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9781250829825 Grab your copy of Japanese...

Join Kait Armada and CJ as they discuss their recent reading of Lindy Ryan's horror novel Dollface , sharing their thoughts on the plot, writing style, and their favorite horror moments. They also delve into upcoming book plans, horror movie references, and the challenges of balancing creativity with daily life. Grab your copy of Dollface here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9781250888914 Grab y...

In this episode, Kait and CJ dive into various topics surrounding literature, including their personal writing journeys, the impact of cultural representation in writing, and the joys of creative hobbies like embroidery. They discuss significant updates in the publishing industry, including the rise of AI and its implications for authors and publishers. The conversation also touches on exciting ad...

Grab your copy of Spread Me here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9781250387332 In this episode, Kait and CJ return for season four of their podcast, discussing their health challenges, personal updates, and the changes coming to the show. They share their reading experiences, including joining a book club and exploring new genres. The hosts also delve into the impact of Baker and Taylor's closur...

Grab your copy of Man, F*ck This House here! https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9798212638388 In this in-depth conversation, Brian Asman discusses his latest book, Man, F*ck This House , a book filled with the classic horror style that we know and love. Many of the stories could easily be turned into movies. From first self-publishing the title, to its success and eventual traditional release, Asman doe...

Grab your copy of What Stalks the Deep here! https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9781250354921In this engaging conversation, T. Kingfisher discusses her latest release for the Sworn Soldier series, What Stalks the Deep. From fairytales to horror, Kingfisher has a way of injecting whimsy into all of her writing. Her latest edition is no different — there might have been a few tears at the end. We go over...

Grab your copy of The Late-Night Witches here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9780593818558 It’s time to dive into our next book club read, The Late-Night Witches by Auralee Wallace — a great cozy read as we enter the “ber” months. We cover all aspects, from why it falls under the category of a dark cozy book, to why we love the Practical Magic influences, and the reasons we will be recommending it...

Grab your copy of this episode’s book An Academy for Liars here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9780593638323 In this episode, we discuss CJ’s latest content obsessions while Kait dives into her new book tracker and winning the game CJ didn’t even know she was competing in. Then we dive into discussing our book club pick, An Academy for Liars . We discuss Henderson’s setting, her character developme...

Grab your copy of this episode’s book Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs here: https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9780393358490 In this episode, we change things up by discussing our favorite movies, shows, and books from the first half of the year (even though CJ cheats). We then dive into this episode’s book, Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs by Caitlin Doughty. And since this was a nonfiction book, we added in ou...

In this episode, Kait and CJ discuss their recent reads, including Home is Where the Bodies Are and delve into the complexities of family dynamics portrayed in literature. The conversation also touches on podcast recommendations for escapism, the evolution of horror, and the nuances of age gaps in young adult literature. Through their lively banter, they reflect on the importance of character deve...

Grab your copy here! https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9780778368458 In this episode, Kait and CJ explore the world of books, discussing their recent reads, including Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng . They share their thoughts on the impact of weather on reading choices, the significance of emotional depth in storytelling, and their creative processes. The conversation also touches on recent TV...

Grab your copy here! https://bookshop.org/a/94484/9780593833001 In this engaging conversation, Amie McNea shares her journey as a creative, discussing the challenges of self-identification, the nurturing voice within, and the importance of journaling. The discussion highlights the balance between gentleness and determination in the creative process, the transformative power of art, and the role of...

In this episode, Kait and CJ share personal updates, discuss their current favorite shows, and delve into the evolution of beloved series like Dr. Quinn. They explore the unique concept of the Murderbot series, share reading recommendations, and reflect on their writing journeys, including challenges and character development techniques. The discussion highlights the balance between writing and ot...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ dive into their current reads and discuss the book Listen to Your Sister by Nina Vile. They explore themes of family dynamics, sacrifice, and the author's unique storytelling style. The conversation touches on the horror elements of the book, character relationships, and the importance of mental health. The hosts share their personal expe...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ dive into a discussion about the book The Bog Wife . They explore the themes of family dynamics, horror elements, and the Appalachian setting, while sharing their personal experiences and thoughts on the narrative. The conversation touches on the characters' arcs, the writing style, and the overall impact of the story, leading to a cr...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ welcome award-winning author Cynthia Pelayo, who discusses her journey in horror literature, the emergence of grief horror, and her unique writing techniques. They delve into the complexities of writing about grief, the dual perspectives in her latest novel Vanishing Daughters , and the challenges of navigating the publishing world. Cynth...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ discuss their latest book club read, I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones. They share personal updates on their creative journeys, health struggles, and the chaos of life that has impacted their writing. The conversation delves into the themes of the book, the unique writing style, and the characters, leading to diverging opini...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ dive into their latest book club read, Grady Hendrix's Witchcraft for Wayward Girls They discuss the podcast's themes, the impact of social media on creatives, and their personal updates before transitioning into a detailed analysis of the book's characters, themes, and Hendrix's writing style. The conversation highlights the importance o...

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, Kait and CJ interview author Allison Scott about her transformative book, 'Decoding the Stars.' They explore the intersection of astrology and creativity, discussing how understanding one's astrological chart can lead to greater self-awareness and fulfillment in creative pursuits. Allison shares her journey into astrology, the challenges of wri...

In this episode, CJ and Kait Armada delve into their thoughts on a sci-fi horror novel, discussing character development, horror and suspense themes, and the plot’s effectiveness. They critique the romantic subplots and explore the writing styles that have influenced their reading experiences. The discussion also highlights the importance of setting in sci-fi horror and concludes with recommendati...

In this episode, we dive into a detailed review of the book Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling. We explore themes of friendship, identity, and the complexities of doppelgangers while sharing our mixed feelings about the book's pacing and character development. The conversation flows from light-hearted banter to critical analysis, culminating in a reflection on the season's journey and what...

In this month’s industry topic, Kait and CJ delve into the intricacies of receiving and processing feedback from beta readers and critique partners. They discuss the subjective nature of feedback, the importance of self-confidence, and the necessity of organizing comments for effective analysis. Through personal anecdotes, they illustrate the challenges of handling criticism and the emotional toll...

Wondering what to watch and/or read next? In this episode, we sit down to discuss the content we’ve consumed over the past month. We’ll weed out the bad from the good so you don’t have to.  We’ll recap our favorite horror reads from October, discuss graphic novels, and share our thoughts on various TV shows and movies. We’re reviewing This Wretched Valley, Someone You Can Build a Nest In, No One W...

It’s time to catch everyone up on what we’ve been doing for the past month.  In this episode, we fill you all in on our little writing retreat in the Hudson Valley. We share what worked and what didn’t and how to make your own. We also delve into various themes, including personal experiences, creativity, feelings of guilt regarding productivity, and future aspirations. We talk about the challenge...

In this episode, we dive into a detailed review of the book Vampires El Norte by Isabel Cañas. We discuss our expectations, character dynamics, and the story’s historical context while debating the book’s classification as horror or romance. The conversation also touches on the cultural representation and language used within the narrative, leading to a critical analysis of the writing style and o...