The Writers Block

Our longtime episode artist, Keith Talbot, returns to discuss comic creation, AI art, and joins us in a brand new fully improvised tale about arctic explorers fighting off bears and discovering otherworldly entities buried beneath the ice. Keith's artwork can be found @ http://www. Ktalbot.co.uk And you can follow him on his Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/KTArtAndPhotography/ Suppor...

Author Jeff Beesler joins us in a convo about his many published novels, and a brand new fully improvised tale about a woman with a knack for money-making schemes..and mushrooms. You can find Jeff's work on Amazon @ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09GTYKR5B Audible @  https://www.audible.com/search?searchAuthor=Jeff+Beesler Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/share/167b17bnSs/ and on Ti...

Fellow Maine author Christine Akridge joins us in another ridiculous and fully improvised tale, this time about a farmer that encounters a series of otherworldly things... Stick around for a bonus convo at around 51:50! Check out Christine's books @ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-Akridge/author/B0BSB8GL5H? And follow her @ https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=christine%20akridge%20-...

Narrator, author, and an 8Sparks Stories legend, Danielle Muething, joins us for a conversation and story. Danielle talks about how she got into narrating and the recent release of her first book, a spooky YA story about a sorority of vampires. At around 13:44 Danielle joins us in a fully improvised tale about two sisters trapped in a stadium full of vampiric fangirls, transformed by the sinister...

Fresh off our first big con (as 8Sparks), we discuss the ups and downs of the Maine Comic & Toy Con, shoutout some new friends, and Clarence vents over issues with IngramSparks and Amazon's KDP. At around 33:01   we jump into a brand new fully improvised horror tale, based on an idea Clarence has been carrying around for a few months now. The story follows a prostitute named Chloe who fin...

Publisher, author and dancer, Christopher Clawson joins us for a conversation and story in this week's episode of The Writers Block Podcast! At around 32:54 , we jump into the story of a family vacation thwarted, and a boy that just wants to dance. Stick around after the story for a bonus convo! Check out all of Chris's work @ https://www.christophereclawson.com/#/ https://www.amazon.com...

KC just wants his prize-winning photograph, until a hurricane brings in a mothman creature that threatens to thwart his photographic pursuits...along with his life! But maybe his new friend, Brad can help... Support the show Follow us on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8_1YUBI_RgCsA85K2UTAPg?sub_confirmation=1 Brought to you by NerdCore at the Auburn Mall https://www.nerdcoremaine.com/...

Narrator Conor Lewis joins us for a conversation and a brand new fully improvised tale featuring dinosaurs, megalodons and rowdy pub crawling portal hoppers. STORY STARTS AROUND 15:40 . You won't want to miss this one! You can find Conor @ https://www.tiktok.com/@conorlewisvo https://www.instagram.com/conorlewisvo/ http://conorlewisvo.carrd.co/ Support the show Follow us on YouTube @ https://...

Clarence talks BookTok, screenwriting, a recent publication (Quiet Desperation in the Bad Spirits anthology), and his upcoming novel, A Girl Named Mishka. Shaun talks TWB trading cards (events/Patreon exclusive), and the Writers have another local event as well as the upcoming Maine Comic & Toy Convention (April 19-21 in Portland, Maine). The Writers also now have a Patreon! Become a patron to...

The official 8Sparks Media Patreon is back! Clarence and Shaun discuss the tiers of the new Patreon page, which include shoutouts, TWB characters named after patrons, exclusive and early TWB and 8Sparks Stories episodes, and more to come! In some more serious news, a fellow local writer, Robert Rumery, could really use some help. We're including a link here to his gofundme page to help pay fo...

Clarence discusses a fundraiser for a fellow writer on Tiktok. Shaun goes into detail about his newest rap review podcast, co-hosted by James Shannon of Blare Radio. And the writers discuss the pitfalls of being a creator in the age of social media, and the constant war with algorithms. At around 42:40 , the latest Detective Jade tale continues in Part 2 of "Bodies in the Bayou." The plo...

A RIDICULOUS AI SUMMARY:  "Imagine walking the storied streets of New Orleans, where every shadow whispers tales of temptation and redemption. This week, we're peeling back the layers of this enigmatic city, following the footsteps of Detective Jade as he teeters on the brink of a life-altering decision. Haunted by the ghost of his past, Jade finds solace in the companionship of a stray...

Clarence gets a story accepted to one of his favorite horror podcasts, and talks about his new children's book, The Pie Eating Contest (out now!) Shaun has a new western rap out and has recently rejoined TikTok! At around 29:35 , the writers improvise a brand new horror story featuring the Androscoggin Scrog monster. A young woman preparing for an open mic rescues a man with a blue gem from t...

"Saddle up for a heart-stopping ride into the dark corners of the illegal gambling world with Pearl, our resident pool hustler whose knack for the game lands her in a heap of trouble. When a high-stakes loss leaves her ducking and diving from vindictive pool sharks, salvation comes from a shadowy benefactor with enigmatic motives. This episode stitches together a narrative rife with desperate...

Becky Kilimnik returns with cohost of the Homespun Haints podcast, Diana Doty, on this week's episode of The Writers Block! We discuss banjos, nsfw toys, ghost stories (of course), and haunted locations, as well as Diana's experiences learning Chinese, and our impressions of the show Lovecraft Country. At  around 25:13 Becky and Diana join the Writers for a new fully improvised tale abou...

Fellow Maine horror writer, Duane Coffill, joins the Writers this week to talk about his process for writing novels, his passion for cosplay (especially as Pennywise the clown), a con encounter with the Terrifier, and plans for the future with his very own Tucker Falls Publishing. At around 43:30 , Duane joins us in a hilarious (and fully improvised) tale about three people visited by giant forest...

Clarence is taking ice baths, Shaun is doing more rap collaborations. The Writers also discuss slasher films and dive into critiques of Clarence's latest short stories. At around 47:30, a brand new fully improvised tale begins, about some friends and an ex scientist that enter their ragtag mech into the Mech Battle League. Brought to you by NerdCore at the Auburn Mall https://www.nerdcoremain...

Shaun talks about his latest sprawling story rap, Clarence gives us some updates on upcoming interviews and readings. The writers also discuss the process of adapting stories to audio drama, and writing slasher film scripts. At around 27:07 , a tale of horror begins as two friends discover the horrifying secrets hidden within the old abandoned Filch mansion. Brought to you by NerdCore at the Aubur...

Fresh off their second event in two weeks, Clarence and Shaun discuss what's been going on "on the road" along with some new friends (Nerdcore, R Card Place) and updates on upcoming events! At 17:37 , the writers jump into a ridiculous new tale of a man and his golden Clyde Blossoms harmonica! Stay up to date with Clarence Carter @ https://www.clarencecarterauthor.com/ And Shaun J....

A woman finds herself framed for a murder she did not commit in this latest fully improvised tale from The Writers Block. Brought to you for the first time by NerdCore at the Auburn Mall https://www.nerdcoremaine.com/ Stay up to date with Clarence Carter @ https://www.clarencecarterauthor.com/ And Shaun J. Nigro @ http://www.shaunjnigro.com Follow The Writers Block on Meta @ https://www.facebook.c...

From the archives of critically acclaimed director, Vincent Terrence Tito: Shaun and fiancée, Heidi Grant, tell a ridiculous tale from way out west!  Check out the latest 8Sparks Stories @ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1361362 Stay up to date with Clarence Carter @ https://www.clarencecarterauthor.com/ And Shaun J. Nigro @ http://www.shaunjnigro.com Follow The Writers Block on Meta @ https://www.face...

Clarence gives an update on the state of Without Saying Goodbye, Shaun releases a jazzy new song. Upcoming events at the Auburn VFR, mall, and the Bangor mall (Maine) are announced! The writers also talk about what they've been watching and/or reading, including American Horror Stories, interviews with Neil Gaiman, The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke, and Bob's Burgers! At 31:21 ,...

We touch on the disturbing events that transpired in Lewiston last week, discuss our events lineup, and Clarence details the ups and downs of publishing and the process of writing and submitting a short story in today's market. At around 43:10 , the tale of Jimmy Eagle, Susanna Skyward and Bobby Wings continues as they descend into the fog-covered abyss below Pitstop City. Support the show Fo...

Fresh off a second weekend of conventioning, Clarence gives us the rundown on his experiences selling his books, and Shaun details his first flying lesson experience. At 40:39 , a new tale of the infamous pilot, Jimmy Eagle, begins, this time set in an alternate dieselpunk cityscape where the ground is poisoned and cities higher up are surrounded by a mysterious fog. Stay up to date with Clarence...

Clarence discusses more of his recent releases, including the Rejected Ones collection, and Damn Ernie, now available on Audible narrated by Todd Waites. Shaun talks about some local authors and the effectiveness of different styles of book covers. The writers also discuss how to get over stage fright when appearing at conventions and other live events. At 35:30 , a new fully improvised tale begin...