The October Chronicles

My buddy Mazzy Zero hosts some of my shorts, including ALL AROUND THE PEONIES, about a small town with one simple rule. You know where that's headed. I hope you enjoy listening! P.S. I have a new horror novel coming out on Kickstarter in October 2025 - you can sign up to stay in the launch loop here: pxl.to/chasersKS

King talks about the frightening thing that happened to a group of 1950s kids watching a movie. Have you read DANSE MACABRE yet? Grab it here! https://amzn.to/3YQtCmZ

What is your one potent idea? Let's see what Stephen King and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has to say... Have you read the book? It's a great read; here is an affiliate link to take you right to it: https://amzn.to/4fZ4ZLZ

Horror as allegory, and the joy of movies like PROPHECY and KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS. Media mentioned in this episode (these are affiliate links): HELLWORLD https://amzn.to/3NmIKTV DANSE MACABRE https://amzn.to/3Y5U3Vj PROPHCY https://amzn.to/3XYUEIm KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS https://amzn.to/3U77OC0

You have permission to write pulp fiction, and King still tells stories when writing nonfiction. Affiliate links to books mentioned in this episode: Danse Macabre https://amzn.to/3BDvqI3 Thrill Me! https://amzn.to/4gYDO5g

The value of social media; the usefulness of formal writing education; and a well-crafted sentence that I need to takes to get right.

Should you be friends with your editor? Did Stephen King ever worry about money? What are the speedbumps you need to be ready for as an author? All that and more. @tomleveen RESOURCES These are affiliate links. I only recommend and endorse material I have personally read or viewed. DANSE MACABRE https://amzn.to/471zj5a 101 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED https://amzn.to/3X1LJVX Also follo...

Welcome to the second episode of Retro Reads, where we explore the terrifying world of horror literature, starting with Stephen King's "Danse Macabre." Join me as I share personal anecdotes and insights on how this seminal work shaped my understanding of the horror genre, both as a reader and a writer. Whether you're a horror fan, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about King&...

Welcome to the first episode of Retro Reads, where we explore the terrifying world of horror literature, starting with Stephen King's "Danse Macabre." Join me as I share personal anecdotes and insights on how this seminal work shaped my understanding of the horror genre, both as a reader and a writer. Whether you're a horror fan, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about King&#...

My novel THOSE WE BURY BACK is a haunted house story...but it's really about grief. Take a listen.

Feeling stuck in your creative journey? In this video, we dive deep into common challenges faced by writers and creatives and explore practical solutions. From breaking down the silos of your different life roles to managing the impact of external factors on your creative process, we cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights to h...

Imagine Sir Anthony Hopkins, most known for his role as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs . Now, Sir Anthony Hopkins was  once just Tony Hopkins, starting like all of us. He was 17 or 18, doing shows wherever he could. In one play, he worked with Sir Laurence Olivier, considered the greatest classical actor of his generation. Hopkins, playing a minor role, mustered the courage to ask Olivier...

Just this morning on my walk, I brushed a hand over a short pine tree and came up with the following sentences on the fly, which might open a novel someday: Despite their name, pine needles are actually soft, almost silky, to the touch when caressed the right way. Rub them the wrong way, and they’ll stick you. My mom was the same way. Will it win a literary award? No, but it’s a vivid image, ain’t...

Pro tip: You don't get writer's block... :) Here's a quick 16-minute bit about how to crush logjams in your writing! If this is helpful, may I point you to STORYCRAFT...ten hours of hanging out with two successful authors, talking about everything from story structure to traditional publishing contracts and more! https://tomleveen.store/b/storycraft

🎬 Crafting the Perfect Opening Line for Your Novel 📚 In this video, we delve into the art of writing captivating first sentences for your novel. Description: In this tutorial, we explore how to write a first sentence that hooks readers and agents alike. Using examples from my own writing, we compare different approaches and discuss the nuances that can make your opening line stand out. Whether y...

🚀 Unlock Your Character's Journey: A Writing Exercise 🚀 In this video, I'm sharing a powerful exercise to give depth and dimension to your characters. Whether you're working on a short story, novel, or series, this exercise will help you create memorable characters. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:20 - Describing Your Protagonist at the Beginning 01:05 - Sensory Details: Going Be...

A group of teens crashes a new home built in the Sonoran desert, only to wake the next morning and find the house surrounded by a billion desert insects, arachnids, and snakes, which swarm any human trying to leave...

I'm not sure what a "meet-cute" is, and I don't think this is one...but it's quick story about one way to ask that special person out. Or commit a felony. Whichev. Enjoy!

In this bone-chilling micro-horror story, a seemingly innocent doll becomes a nightmarish presence in a little girl's life. Tune in for a spine-tingling tale that explores the unsettling world of a child's imagination turned into terror. Read for you by Tina Edwards.

In a world where self is king, how can she overcome the cruelty?  This very short piece about life in the big city starts pretty bleak, but I promise you'll smile by the end. That's kind of my thing. :) Also in this episode, a very quick chat about metaphor and theme.

I came up with this horror short while glancing in a mirror this morning. That doesn't maybe speak well of me... In any case, enjoy this forray into the macabre, plus a quick lesson on whether or not aspiring novelists ought to write short stories. 

Never Abandon the Blissful Value of Saying What Can't Be Said -- make a mixtape for someone you love today. :) This is a short story about a man who can't speak his heart to the person he loves, followed by a quick exposition on the inspiration and purpose of the story.

Giving a mixtape lets a person know you see them, you hear them, and you’re thinking thoughtfully about them. It demonstrates gifting them with your most precious commodity: Time.

#nanowrimo #writingtips #writing   In this episode, award-winning novelist Tom Leveen walks through the importance of writing everything down.   How strong is your plot? Sign up here to find out! https://www.fictionmentor.com/signup/   For more personalized access and help with your writing, join Patreon! http://bit.ly/leveen_patreon   Need help right away? Check out Fiverr: ht...

#writing #nanowrimo #writingtips   Join award-winning author Tom Leveen each day for a look at critical aspects of the first draft of your manuscript--for National Novel Writing Month and beyond!   How strong is your plot? Sign up here to find out! https://www.fictionmentor.com/signup/   For more personalized access and help with your writing, join Patreon! http://bit.ly/leveen_patr...