Dark Softly Tales is a weekly podcast of horror, suspense and dark fantasy stories written, produced and narrated by Mav Skye. The podcast will host dark fiction by guest authors and occasional interviews. Eventually, we will add additional weekly episode of true tales of the supernatural and fantas…
This is part two of Spark Your Creative Fire. Hopefully, it is helpful to those of you out there chomping at the bit to do something creative! Lots of love to everyone. Happy holidays! I hope to be back here soon.
I am still website building, but wanted to assure everyone I am still here and so is the podcast. I decided to take a break to share one of my current frustrations about website building and respond to questions about creativity from your emails. This is broken into two parts since it's longer chat. Stay tuned next Monday for Part Two.Hope to be back here with stories soon!Hope everyone is doing well.
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
Welcome to Dark Softly Tales: Arabian Nights~Summer Bites. Our Summer Bites series centers around an unknown but dramatic and rather steampunk story called The Ebony Horse. The story features an enchanted wooden horse, an evil sage, very confused kings and, of course, love that survives the ages. "Time dies, but never dies the fondest love for you I bear; and in your love I'll die and in your love I'll arise again." I hope everyone enjoys the summer bites series and I'll be back again in the fall with the regular program. Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com (www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com) https://my.captivate.fm/dashboard/podcast/www.darksoftlytales.com (www.darksoftlytales.com)
We kick off the 2022 Summer Bites with an introduction to Arabian Nights and the story I'll be narrating over the summer called The Ebony Horse. Summer Bites are shorter episodes than our normal program without an intro or commentary from the host. I hope you enjoy and I'll be back with the regular program in the fall! Music: Islamic Way by Serge Quadrado Arabic Dawn by Zen Man Website: www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Following in the footsteps of the Pied Piper series, I wrote my own story based off a dream I had: Neverwas is trapped in an abusive relationship with her mother. When she meets the Pied Piper, a beautiful hero who calls to her with his silver whistle, she transforms into the very essence of beauty and freedom. She follows the Pied Piper into the forest where he shows her the deep, dark secrets of his cave. You can read this story in https://www.amazon.com/SHAPESHIFTERS-Horror-Short-Story-Collection-ebook/dp/B00OWMY36E/ref=sr_1_1?crid=288EVZEO3ZJD3&keywords=shapeshifters+by+mav+skye&qid=1655751293&sprefix=shapeshifters%2Caps%2C605&sr=8-1 (Three Tales to Chill Your Bones, Volume 3: Shapeshifters.) Music: Dark Streets by Ambient Soundscapes Website: www.darksoftlypodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Though written several hundred years after the event, Robert Browning's poem catches the eerie mystery of when 130 children were led away by a magician over Koppleburgh hill, never to be seen again. The Pied Piper of Hemalin by Robert Browning. Music: Mystique from pixabay.com Website: www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
In the year 1284, a hundred and thirty children went missing from a small German town. This has been a historically documented event that actually happened. Tonight we will be straying from our regular structure. I'm going to narrate the Grimm brother's version of The Pied Piper called The Children of Hamelin and then we we will lightly discuss the story and it's history. The following two weeks I will be narrating a Robert Brown's Poem "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" followed by own take on the pied piper called "Neverwas of Koppleburg Hill." Find the Astonishing Legends podcast by clicking https://www.astonishinglegends.com/al-podcasts/2020/2/16/ep-168-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-part-1 (HERE). Also links to the texts I referred to in the program are: https://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/ojs/index.php/tlg/article/view/390/383 (The Legend of the Pied Piper in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: Grimm, Browning, and Skurzynski by Mary Troxclair Adamson )(this article will automatically download!) Music: Dark Piano Websites: www.darksoftlytalepodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
A quick reminder we are on break the next two weeks as I continue to put material together on the Pied Piper and for the Summer Bites series. I hope everyone has a great week!
This week brings us to the conclusion of Algernon Blackwood's The Wendigo where reality and the hauntingly fantastic meet at the tipping point of sanity... I will be taking two weeks off before we launch into the brief history and stories of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and then the summer bite series. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
We continue on this week with part five of Algernon Blackwood's The Wendigo, where Simpson meets up with Hank and Dr. Cathcart. The two hunters struggle with Simpson's story…trying to argue it away with logic and emotion. The mirror of reality has been shattered. And when it shatters, the mind, body and emotions struggle to put it back together again… but we all know what happened in the story of Humpty Dumpty. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Simpson performs an investigation to find clues to where the guide disappeared. He makes a startling revelation when he finds not one but two sets of footprints in the snow. One set is 18 feet long, the other set obviously human...eventually the human prints disappear leaving only the monstrous prints behind. Join Dark Softly Tales in Part Four of The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Huddled in the tiny tent amongst the smothering trees, there are not two shadows, but three...two of human form and one very distinctly not human. Join Dark Softly Tales in Part Three of The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Hunter and guide set out by themselves deep into the heart of the vast unknown. The beauty is unfathomable, yet impersonal. Still, late into the evening, the guide catches the scent of something that has definitely taken notice...and it shakes him to his very core. This week is part two of The Wendigo by Alergnon Blackwood. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
In the the wilds of Canada, an ancient evil taunts a group of hunters, creating such madness that is sure to send goose bumps down your spine and cause you to double think going out into the woods alone... For the next few weeks, we will be reading The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood. Music: Cello in a Dream by Liron www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Last week of our improv, short episodes with dark poetry by Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe. Next week we return to our regular program with The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood. Poems in Order: Silence is All We Dread - Emily Dickinson We Grow Accustomed to the Dark - Emily Dickinson We Do Not Play on Graves - Emily Dickinson Silence by Edgar Allan Poe Music: Dark Street by Dream Protocol
This week is a lovely poem called Rise Up by Rumi. His wise words bear to witness that there is always a light within the dark. A reminder that Dark Softly Tales is creating shorter, unscripted, episodes for a few weeks. We'll be back to regular schedule at the end of April. ;-) Music by Chillmore
This week we ponder the wonderful words of Kahlil Gibran in his poem "Do Not Love Half Lovers." The next few weeks will be slightly shorter episodes as I'm helping my son with his move to Montana. Towards the end of April we will back with our regular program! Music: Soft Ambient by Alex MakeMusic
Tonight's poem called Violet Visions, is inspired by a passage I wrote in one of my books called Wanted Single Rose, and also by world events. It's kind of a mashup of things. Find the illustrated storybook creation of the poem on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vrhCabz9SJ8 (https://youtu.be/vrhCabz9SJ8) www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
Death makes quite the entrance at Lady Neville's ball. To everyone's surprise, Death is young, beautiful and charming. So charming in fact, that Lady Neville and her guests request Death remain with them, which Death accepts... on one condition. This week's story is part two of Come Lady Death by Peter S Beagle. Music: Waiting for the Sun by Luca Fraula
Lady Neville has thrown the most wonderful parities that even the king himself has attended. Now in her old age, she wants to throw the grandest party of all…but she can't think of who could be grander than all the nobles she has already invited in the past, and finally it comes to her…she will invite Death himself…er…herself. This week's story is part one of Come Lady Death by Peter S Beagle. Music: Waiting for the Sun by Luca Fraula
A woodland fairy decides to enter the body of a young woman to discover what it feels like to be in love. Through the ups & downs of this experience, she considers giving up her magic to become human. This story is none other than Ray Bradbury's The April Witch. First published in 1952 by The Saturday Evening Post Music: Facile by Kevin MacLeod
In light of current events, I decided to pause the regular programing this week and make an impromptu episode discussing courage and freedom. I recorded this on Friday, Feb 25th. The two clips of speech is Winston Churchhill's address to Harrow School in 1941 Music: 528 Hz Morning Meditation
A blind woman meets a mysterious man in the forest who is very coy about who he is. She bargains a potion from an old gypsy so she can finally see her lover. She does see her lover, but pays the ultimate price... This story has appeared in a few publications including Howl: Tales of the Feral and Infernal, Best of Lame Goat Press Anthology, Cast Macabre where it was originally narrated by the wonderful Barry Northern and, finally, in my short but sweet Tales to Chill Your Bones anthology, Shapeshifters, Volume 3. Music: Dark Romance Piano by Crypt of Insomnia
The soul and the Fisherman lead us to a surprising conclusion and give us yet another piece of the human spirit to ponder on. This isn't the Valentine's episode I was planning on, but perhaps it's the one we need... Part Four of The Fisherman and His Soul by Oscar Wilde. Music: Music: Deep Woods by Lilo Sound
The Fisherman's soul continues its journey to a wealthy city's wondrous bazaar and meets the rich young emperor. The soul makes demands that is too great and the young emperor meets an uncertain fate. Join Dark Softly Tales as we continue this week with part three of The Fisherman and HIs Soul by Oscar Wilde. Music: Deep Woods by Lilo Sound
This week our story takes a turn as the fisherman's heartless soul takes a journey through many marvelous lands. It enters the temple of a priest and demands to see God or else... Join Dark Softly Tales in Part Two of The Fisherman and His Soul. Music: Deep Woods by Lilo Sound
A fisherman hoping to score a few fish in his nets, catches a beautiful mermaid instead. In order to marry her, he must get rid of his soul. By asking how to get rid of his soul, many other questions arise: why does a soul matter if you can't see it or touch or if you do not know it? The fisherman goes on a quest and meets a priest, a witch and even the devil himself... Oscar Wilde takes on quite the adventure in The Fisherman and His Soul. This is the first in four part series. Music: Lost in the woods by Lilo Sound
Hey Everyone! So I.... accidentally deleted this week's episode and couldn't retrieve the file. That means no story this week! Dark Softly Tales is growing which is a good thing, but also means growing pains...this week is definitely a growing pain. Thank you for your patience and we will be back next week!
A frosty maid taunts a warrior after a long fought battle. He chases her to where her ice giant brothers are waiting... yes, this is a Conan the Barbarian story called The Frost Giant's Daughter by Robert E Howard. Music: Lost Place Atmospheres #1 by Sascha Ende
There is no doubt that Nature is a seductress, luring souls through our senses and instincts. Blackwood takes this a step further, giving Nature a haunting and irresistible human form through The Glamour of the Snow. This will easily be one of the most beautiful and terrifying stories you've ever heard. This episode will be the longest to date as this story was too beautiful to break up into parts, and I wanted to have a two week break for the holidays. I will be back on January 10th, 2022! Enjoy! Happy Holidays, everyone! Music: Ice and Snow by Rafael Krux www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com www.darksoftlytales.com
We've reached the end, though Lovecraft implies this is only the beginning…Beware of the strange days, my friends, for what might seem to be bright and colorful can be a gray death in disguise. Join Dark Softly Tales in the conclusion of The Color out of Space. Music:
The town finally investigates the deaths and disappearances at the Gardner farm. After Ammi tells his suspicion of the well, the men insist in drawing up the water, but what they find is…unmentionable and otherworldly. Yes, this is a Lovecraft story. Explore your chromatic colors with Dark Softly Tales in part three of The Color out of Space. Music: Outer Space Journey by AG Music
Madness, silence, multi-chrome butterflies…all is not well on Nahum's farm and the whole town knows it. Unwholesome colors have sprung upon the property where the meteorite hit. Come take a walk with Dark Softly Tales in part two of HP Lovecraft's The Color out of Space. Music: Outer Space Journey by AG Music
There is a place where the forest is dense, where water creeps from yawning darkness, where shadows are longer and leaner than they should be, to where the colors of the world are just a little…off. This week we begin The Color from Space by HP Lovecraft. Music: Outer Space Journey by AG Music
In a small Texas town, a young woman takes her dog out for a walk after dinner. She discovers an elderly fellow riding in an electric chair toward the graveyard. Curious, she follows him. Later, she'll wish she hadn't... Today's story is called Crypt Curiosity. You can find this story in Graveyards—3 Tales to Chill Your Bones, Volume 6 Music: Dark Field by Michael Musco
It's Halloween Night, Mich is throwing a ghastly party. All the neighbors will be there, and he has the perfect game planned down in the darkness of cellar… trick or treat. Tonight's story is The October Game by Ray Bradbury. Happy Halloween! For other halloween tales check out https://www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com/episode/smashing-roxy-mav-skye-halloween (Eps 51: Smashing Roxy) https://www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com/episode/halloween-games-by-mav-skye (Eps 53: Halloween Games) Or a scary urban legend tale calledhttps://www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com/episode/the-bridge-by-alec-cizak ( The Bridge by Alec Cizak) Music: A scary piano by Plaincask