Dead Languages

Authors P.L. McMillan and Carson Winter have joined forces to have lively, irreverent, and hopefully helpful conversations on the craft of writing horror fiction. Expect weird tangents, frank industry discussions, interviews, and more!

Episode 27: WTF is Weird Horror?

FINALLY! We delve into Carson's absolute favorite subgenre—weird horror! Put on your funky glasses and dive into the unknowable with your faithful stewards of strange! Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weird_fiction http://tenebrouspress.com/what-is-new-weird-horror https://www.lucysnyder.com/index.php/whats-weird-fiction/ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/weird-fiction https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-darkness-beyond-the-stars-launch-party-tickets-693207792167?aff=oddtdtcreator

08-23
01:22:34

Episode 136: Ho-Ho-Holiday Horror

The goblins eat tinsel and get festive with Luciano Marano! What makes holidays such a popular topic to add horror to? Is it the visiting family? The sweet potato casserole? The commercialism? Join the goblins as they have a civilized discussion by the festivus log.Cummies: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL6N4TwWdVICxiZw7y6I9jE7rC27fiuFGB9x9f7FWvi39DaA/viewform?usp=send_formLuciano Marano⁠: https://www.luciano-marano.com/contactHumbug: https://www.crystallakepub.com/product/humbug-by-luciano-marano/

11-26
01:44:51

Episode 135: Final Girls

This week on the Dead Languages Podcast, PLMbo and CarCar dive into the history of the final girl, and talk about whether its still relevant or just a tired cliche.

11-19
01:08:48

Episode 134: The Big, The Bigger, The Biggest - Kaiju in Horror

This week, the goblins are size queens as they gush about kaiju in horror. The history, the memes, the love, the tips, and tricks of getting those big girthy monsters in your fiction. Don't forget to nominate for the Cummies! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL6N4TwWdVICxiZw7y6I9jE7rC27fiuFGB9x9f7FWvi39DaA/viewform

11-12
01:45:35

Episode 133: The Annual Dead Languages DnD Extravaganza (Part 2)

The adventure continues! PLM plays Dungeon Daddy as Carson, Erik McHatton, Nina Miller, and Kai Delmas join us for our Annual DnD Halloween episode.

11-05
01:14:11

Episode 132: The Annual Dead Languages DnD Extravaganza (Part 1)

PLM plays Dungeon Daddy as Carson, Erik McHatton, Nina Miller, and Kai Delmas join us for our Annual DnD Halloween episode. We storm the Red Tower... and talk a lot about poop.

10-29
01:24:49

Episode 131: Situational and Speculative Hooks

This week, Carson talks about Situational and Speculative hooks to jumpstart your ideation phase!Also, We Will Speak Again of the Red Tower is out now! Get it here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/zum1k2dg9b

10-22
01:19:11

Episode 130: Drabble Contest 2025!

We asked for drabbles and you delivered! Carson and PLM name the three winners, along with the ten runner-ups!

10-15
01:23:21

Episode 129: Live Editing! (with Kai Delmas)

This week, the goblins are role-reversed into being spooky co-eds! Drabble King Kai Delmas joins us on the latest episode to offer expertise on our short stories. Find out more about Kai's editing services and fiction here: https://www.kaidelmas.com/

10-08
01:59:23

Episode 128: Editorial Services

Carson and PLM talk about editorial services—but not just any editorial services! Carson's new offering! Listen in to learn more about Professor CarCar's desperate move to earn income!For actual writing services, follow the link: https://wintergreen.my.canva.site/

10-01
01:28:51

Episode 127: Reality Breakdown in Horror (D. Matthew Urban)

Did reality just get all messed up or are you some sort of weird horror author?This week, the goblins are joined by D. Matthew Urban to discuss how to utilize the breakdown of reality to dazzling, disorienting effect!Find out more about D. Matthew Urban here: https://dmatthewurban.com/

09-24
01:33:45

Episode 126: Do You Need Talent To Write?

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!

09-17
49:55

Episode 125: More Reddit Questions and SO MANY UPDATES!

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!

09-10
02:00:42

Episode 124: Writing for Submission II (with Sam Logan and Arwyn Sherman)

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://sluggerfiction.com/

09-03
01:40:55

Episode 123: Literally All About Literary Agents

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

08-27
58:59

Episode 122: How to Help Your Favorite Author

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.

08-20
01:40:37

Episode 119: Love? In Horror? (with Christopher O'Halloran)

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

07-30
01:25:16

Episode 118: The Professor's Flight to Byzantium (with Erik McHatton)

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.

07-23
01:45:53

Episode 117: Where New Writers Should Start

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!

07-16
01:23:40

Episode 116: Top 5 for 2025 (so far...)

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

07-09
01:17:32

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