Podcasts about literary analysis

Primal Fear is a superb film. The novel, by William Diehl, is even better. This is a story to add to your short list of go-to stories to study for absolutely any aspect of the craft. Enjoy! - V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

this episode we're journeying deep into the 2000s, to the land of ornamental chillies in bottles, oil-filled bath beads and thursday-evening chai lattes and orange and almond cakes with the girls at book club. For the theme knee's weak, mum's bookclub-etti we're reading the seminal white woman memoir – eat, pray, love by elizabeth gilbert. we'll dive into the ins and outs of elizabeth's escapades, eating in italy, praying in india and loving in indonesia and pose the question – is this a heart-warming and relatable journey of self-discovery, or a self-indulgent, surface-level exploitation of foreign cultures?send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

Welcome to the first installment of our Autumn-ish Book Club! In this flash analysis series, we take an academic approach to some of the most talked-about books in Romantasy and fantasy today. With over 13 years of combined academic literary training, we bring a critical lens to fandom favorites while keeping the discussion fun, thought-provoking, and accessible. In this episode, we're discussing The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. We explore Katniss Everdeen as a heroine whose personality type makes her both powerful and vulnerable, how Peeta functions as a unique male main character (MMC), and why the series' themes of power, media, and survival feel even more relevant today than when the books were first released. This is part 2 of this week's episode. This season, we'll be covering: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Where the Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell Blood of Hercules by Jasmin Mas Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem And when book club wraps up, get ready! Our next full literary analysis will dive into Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. If you're new here, we also have full seasons analyzing A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight. Go back and check those out to see how we break down metaphors, symbolism, narrative structure, and character arcs through multiple literary lenses. Plus, we're thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We're publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy, and deep literary analysis, you're in the right place. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at ⁠⁠⁠⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. The Subtext Society Journal: ⁠https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/⁠  Support the Show:  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Etsy Store⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first installment of our Autumn-ish Book Club! In this flash analysis series, we take an academic approach to some of the most talked-about books in Romantasy and fantasy today. With over 13 years of combined academic literary training, we bring a critical lens to fandom favorites while keeping the discussion fun, thought-provoking, and accessible. In this episode, we're discussing The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. We explore Katniss Everdeen as a heroine whose personality type makes her both powerful and vulnerable, how Peeta functions as a unique male main character (MMC), and why the series' themes of power, media, and survival feel even more relevant today than when the books were first released. This is part 1 of this week's episode. Come back Thursday for part 2. This season, we'll be covering: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Where the Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell Blood of Hercules by Jasmin Mas Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem And when book club wraps up, get ready! Our next full literary analysis will dive into Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. If you're new here, we also have full seasons analyzing A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight. Go back and check those out to see how we break down metaphors, symbolism, narrative structure, and character arcs through multiple literary lenses. Plus, we're thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We're publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy, and deep literary analysis, you're in the right place. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at ⁠⁠⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠⁠⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. The Subtext Society Journal: https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/  Support the Show:  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠  Merch: ⁠⁠⁠Etsy Store⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clare and Hannah have a close encounter! In this episode we go over C.S. Lewis' five kinds of science fiction, as detailed in, "On Science Fiction."We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text message!Support the showWe provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you'll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin' somethin' to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking! Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you might enjoy The Keys of Death. It's a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories.

In this episode, Melanie is studying female characters and how women are presented in modern stories (her work in this episode is reeeeally interesting!), and I investigate something I learned from Steven Pressfield, which is that we shouldn't introduce anything new after Act 2. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

In this book club episode, Clare and Hannah travel into space and try not to embarass themselves as they discuss C.S. Lewis's science fiction classic, Out of the Silent Planet. Naturally, they mention The Abolition of Man.For complete show notes, including a list of the books we discussed and one of the most beautiful passages Lewis wrote, click through to the episode page on the Splanchnics website. If you'd like to get your own copy of Out of the Silent Planet, or any of the books we mentioned, check out Clare's Bookshop.org page and scroll down to the Splanchnics Book Club section, the C. S. Lewis section, or the Science Fiction & Fantasy section. We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text message!Support the showWe provide links and other resources to help you find and enjoy the things we talked about on this episode! Note that some of these may include “affiliate” links to books and other products. When you click through and purchase, the price of the item is the same for you. In fact, most of the time you'll get a discount! But the company gives us a little somethin' somethin' to say “thanks” for sending you their way! This helps you enjoy the website and the podcast EVEN MORE by eliminating intrusive advertisements. Thanks for clicking! Theme music: “Splanchnics Riff” composed and performed by Clare T. Walker Clare is an independent author who would love it if you checked out her books! If you like exciting thrillers featuring an “everyman” hero who rises to his or her full potential in the face of peril—-you might enjoy The Keys of Death. It's a veterinary medical thriller about a small-town animal doctor who gets tangled up in a whistle-blowing scheme against a big biotech company. Or, if you prefer shorter fiction, try Startling Figures, a collection of three paranormal urban fantasy stories.

Join Nicole and Meghan (sans Alley!) as they finish the conversation deep diving into Bryceriel from a literary analysis perspective! And if you haven't already, make sure you're following @marvelousmrsmeghan on Instagram and Tiktok!

in amongst a sea of mafia romance, shrek smut and interplanetary interlopers, one book has revealed itself to us time and time again. perhaps more requested than any other book we've ever read on the podcast, this month, for the theme of “pearl-clutching smut” we are reading credence by penelope douglas. vulnerable and unloved, seventeen year old tiernan finds herself trapped on a snowy mountain with only her (step) uncle and cousins for company. throughout the novel, our shimmering young ingenue eats lollies from the bin, visits multiple ponds, fixes a fridge and gets a pink camo bow and arrow but not without the three lecherous (or lovely???) men in her life having their way with her first. tune in to find out how we rate this book and hear our long, long rants about where we think credence went so very wrong or so very right. send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

Join Alley, Nicole, and special guest Meghan from @marvelousmrsmeghan as they do a deep dive on Brycerial from a purely literary analysis perspective! You don't want to miss this incredible Bryceriel episode!

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ.Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few.These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, John Givens, and Dana Dragunoiu.Michael Marder is Ikerbasque Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Emrah Atasoy is a professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick. John Givens is a professor of Russian at the University of Rochester and the author of 'The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak'. Dana Dragunoiu the author of 'Vladimir Nabokov and the Art of Moral Acts' and 'Simply Nabokov'. And don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with your thoughts or questions on the episode!To witness such debates live buy tickets for our upcoming festival: https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/And visit our website for many more articles, videos, and podcasts like this one: https://iai.tv/You can find everything we referenced here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

this episode we once again sent out a signal begging for your hot takes, grievances and deepest secrets in the hopes of inserting ourselves into your personal lives and become the agony aunts you never knew you needed. you well and truly delivered and we have lots to dig into:the highs and lows of study and tbr pilesbooks where the mc is an authorrain = hot or not? (bonus mould chat included)great big beautiful life - too literary?a rage against trope title marketingsilver elite controversyemerald fennel's curious casting of wuthering heightssend us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

grab your plaid blazers, light a candle, and cue the rainymood.com soundtrack - we're diving headfirst into the moody, mesmerising world of Babel by R. F. Kuang. in this episode, we explore the rich layers of dark academia (think crumpled parchment and candle-lit libraries) while unpacking the novel's powerful themes of colonialism, racism, language and resistance. we'll also talk about found friendship, complain endlessly about the reviews and hot takes we read, and try to articulate why this book left us feeling like we'd lived through something colossal. synopsis music by Samual F. Johannssend us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

we've been reading and recording talk lit, get hit podcast since November 2022 and we've hit the milestone of releasing 50 episodes! we're shocked and delighted to have so many hours of podcast episode released for you (and let's face it, us) to listen to and enjoy. we've picked out some of our favourite bits from the 50 episodes gone by - things that made us laugh, discussions of accents, our favourite accents, some mistakes, some terrible steamy scenes, all our biggest crash-outs and finally, a supercut of all the many, many times we mention twilight. Thank you to anyone who has ever listened to an episode of our show! We are forever surprised, overjoyed and eternally grateful. these clips are taken from the following episodes. beware of spoilers for these books within:The Love Hypothesis - Ali HazlelwoodBride - Ali HazelwoodIcebreaker - Hannah GraceWildfire - Hannah GraceFourth Wing - Rebecca YarrosFifty Shades of Grey - E. L. JamesTwilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn - Stephenie MeyerA Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly JacksonThe Hating Game - Sally ThorneThe Spanish Love Deception - Elena Aramas Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi If We Were Villains - M. L. RioThe Housemaid - Freida McFaddenSunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins Romantic Comedy - Curtis SittenfeldRed, White and Royal Blue - Casey McQuistonmontage music by RolZim and Denis-Pavlov-Musicsend us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

Welcome to Book Talk for BookTok! Best friends Jac and Amy return to break down Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. In this premiere episode, we dive into chapters 1–5, where Celaena Sardothien is no longer just Adarlan's most feared assassin; she's the King's Champion, but not in the way everyone thinks. This is part 2 of this week's episode. Through our signature academic literary analysis (backed by our 13 years of combined literary training), we explore themes of misinformation, identity, shifting power dynamics, and imaginary lines between people, personas, and political loyalties. Spoilers ahead for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire. This season, we're asking: Has Crown of Midnight truly prepared Celaena for her future as Aelin Galathynius? This episode starts with that question and more: – How are Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol navigating their changing relationships? – What role does dissociation play in the early narration? – And why is Celaena's fashion sense so symbolically important? We apply a feminist lens (Jac) and a Marxist lens (Amy) to unpack character arcs, foreshadowing, and major literary breadcrumbs you may have missed. If you love:

Welcome to Book Talk for BookTok! Best friends Jac and Amy return to break down Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. In this premiere episode, we dive into chapters 1–5, where Celaena Sardothien is no longer just Adarlan's most feared assassin; she's the King's Champion, but not in the way everyone thinks. Through our signature academic literary analysis (backed by our 13 years of combined literary training), we explore themes of misinformation, identity, shifting power dynamics, and imaginary lines between people, personas, and political loyalties. Spoilers ahead for Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire. This season, we're asking: Has Crown of Midnight truly prepared Celaena for her future as Aelin Galathynius? This episode starts with that question and more: – How are Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol navigating their changing relationships? – What role does dissociation play in the early narration? – And why is Celaena's fashion sense so symbolically important? We apply a feminist lens (Jac) and a Marxist lens (Amy) to unpack character arcs, foreshadowing, and major literary breadcrumbs you may have missed. If you love:

this episode, we wade into the emotionally unstable, couture-drenched world of Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings… and, well, we have some thoughts.if you've ever wondered what it's like to witness a slow-motion relationship implosion between two wildly codependent people—while surrounded by designer fashion, public spats that feel like a highschool Facebook fight, and enough black vans to stink out the UK, you're in the right place.we also ask the important questions, like: is anyone in this book okay? and how many times can one person sabotage their own life before we take their Gucci privileges away?send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

Athena Liu had everything Juniper Hayward wanted... and then she died. and so begins the story for Juniper 'June' Hayward, our completely despicable and unhinged (white) protagonist who can't. stop. lying. in this month's episode, we dig into Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. we talk about books written about influencers in the age of influencers, the murky and confusing connections between fiction and reality, and what could make a book with such an unlikeable protagonist so compulsively readable. throughout the episode we touch on cultural appropriation and ask the question: who gets to tell what story?synopsis music by James Minorsend us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

What is the meaning of piety and how does it resonate with us today? In this episode of Classical Et Cetera, the team dives into the ancient and timeless concept of piety, exploring its role in classical literature. From the loyalty of Antigone to the sacrificial love of Aslan, we examine how this forgotten virtue shapes heroes and stories.   Shop Memoria Press Literature right here! https://www.memoriapress.com/literature-poetry/?utm_source=PodBean&utm_medium=CETC&utm_campaign=168   *What We're Reading* from This Episode:  _The Portrait of a Lady_—Henry James (Martin)  _The Flaming Forrest_—James Oliver Curwood (Paul)  _Wind and Truth_—Brandon Sanderson (Ian)   _Basic Economics_—Thomas Sowell (Ian) 

If you were alive in the 2000s you knew three things:Renee Zellweger is a horrifically misguided casting choice for our British icon Bridget JonesThe character Bridget Jones is roughly the size of a houseColin Firth and Hugh Grant are hot  After reading and discussing Bridget Jones's Diary for a previous podcast episode, we decided it's only fair that we dive into the 2000s film adaptation of Helen Fielding's classic novel. From casting choices to the long standing (potentially fictional) feud between the two male leads, no stone is left unturned! What twists and spins can the glitz and glamour of Hollywood add to this already classic tale?send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

this episode we are taking a dive into the diary that defined a generation! for our April book and the theme "haha that's so funny", we're talking about Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. we spend some time cringing at our own adolescent diary entries and talk feminism, fad diets and try to decide if this novel is a depressing glimpse into the hive mind of the 90s or an optimistic, progressively feminist masterpiece.send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

welcome to our latest talk lit, get hit bonus chapter! in this episode we attempt to disentangle our thoughts and feelings on the supposed rise of anti-intellectualism in the literary world. we discuss the modern manifestations of this ancient concept -  trope titles, simplistic narratives, audiobooks vs physical books, social media echo chamber driven publishing and a resistance to critical thinking. we discuss the ever-present question - can reading ever, truly be “not political” and what can we do to change our reading and consumption habits?mentioned in this episode:@andrearaereads - https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrRd8A6P/@bookishwithb - https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrRenYcr/@flexmami - https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrRecUm3/Australia Reads SurveyTolkien on TikToksend us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

Dan Corder is joined by Dr. Ally Louks, the English literary academic whose ground-breaking PhD dissertation, Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose, went viral on social media. Dr. Louks shares the unexpected journey of her research gaining public attention and unpacks why scent, often overlooked in literary analysis, holds deep political and cultural significance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Panel Chewing Pick of the Week, hosts Steve and Jarrod discuss various comic book series, focusing on their reading experiences and the themes within the stories. They explore the appeal of origin stories, review specific titles like Absolute Batman and Drawing Blood, and delve into the nuances of character development and storytelling in comics. The conversation also touches on the impact of fame, the challenges of rebooting classic characters, and the unique perspectives offered by independent comics. In this conversation, Steve and Jarrod delve into various comic book reviews, exploring the complexities of storytelling, adaptations, and unique concepts within the medium. They discuss the impact of anthologies, the future of superhero narratives, and the significance of character-driven stories. The dialogue highlights both the successes and failures of adaptations, the importance of presentation in comics, and the evolving landscape of the comic book industry.Send us a messageSupport the showFilm Chewing Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2235582/followLens Chewing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lenschewingSpeculative Speculations: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/speculative-speculationsSupport the podcast: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9EJoin Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?via=steve-l

Writers of quiet, character-driven or "literary" stories often ask me if all this story theory stuff applies to them, or if it's only for "commercial" fiction. Believe me when I say that it's even more important and in this episode of the podcast, I explain why. Meanwhile, Melanie conducted an experiment this week. She wanted to discover how knowing the ending impacted the tension of a story. Does it kill the tension or enhance it? What she learned may surprise you. -V."Our jobs, when we're writing a novel, is to grab our readers' attention early, as early as humanly possible." - Melanie HillRelated Story Nerd EpisodesSeason 6 - Empathy  + StakesCrazy Stupid Love (Season 13, Episode  1304) For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

This episode is packed with fun book recommendations perfect for new readers, offering a mix of genres that will spark a love for reading! Hosts Susie and Kylee share their all-time favorite reads, clever tips for picking the right books, and have a blast chatting about the highs and lows of starting a reading journey.Here's what you'll get:• Kickoff to our mid-month mini episode – Short, sweet, and filled with bookish goodness!• Perfect book picks for beginners – Easy-to-love recommendations to jumpstart your reading habit.• Holiday romance vibes with "Wreck the Halls" – A festive, swoon-worthy read for cozying up during the holidays.• Getting hooked again with the "After" series – How this dramatic series can reignite your passion for reading!• Suspense you can't put down: "The Perfect Marriage" – A thriller that'll keep you guessing until the very end.• Psychological twists in "The Silent Patient" – A mind-bending read you'll want to devour in one sitting.• Magical world of YA fantasy with "Powerless" – A fantasy adventure that's perfect for young and adult readers alike!• Cowboys and romance by Elsie Silver – Hot, steamy, and full of heart—cowboy romance at its best!• Nostalgic feels with "Twilight" – Remembering the book that started the vampire craze.• Thrills galore in "The Chain" – A fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller you won't want to miss.• The joy of reading for fun – Why it's all about enjoying what you read, no pressure!Don't miss the next episode, and let us know what books or topics you'd love to hear about next time!Support the showEditing done by Connor Luther @clfilms.coMusic by @thundercatlouisMERCH SHOP HERE

Flowers for Algernon is a book I believe everyone should read. In this episode, I discuss the major themes of the novel and why it became my favorite read of 2024. With Dr. Martin Jacobsen's help, we examine the ethical and emotional questions the book raises and offer strategies for navigating its deeper ideas. If you're looking for a meaningful story that will leave a lasting impression, this episode is for you.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:

In this archive episode, we revisit our study of FATAL ATTRACTION which first aired as episode 5 of season 7. I was studying character revelation and Melanie was studying worldbuilding, but what I find most fascinating about this movie is that, viewed through a modern lens, it's unclear who the antagonist really is. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode, until then, Happy New Year! -V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

In this conversation, Steve and Jarrod reflect on their reading experiences in 2024, sharing their favorite books and discussing various themes and insights from their readings. They explore a range of genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, and non-fiction, while also touching on the emotional impact of literature and the importance of storytelling. In this engaging conversation, Steve and Jarrod delve into their top book recommendations of the year, exploring a variety of genres including novellas, science fiction, and fantasy. They discuss the impact of literary classics, the reimagining of Arthurian legends, and the nuances of character development in storytelling. The dialogue highlights the significance of unique narratives and the joy of discovering new perspectives in literature, culminating in a recap of their favorite reads and reflections on their reading journeys.Send us a messageSupport the showFilm Chewing Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2235582/followLens Chewing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lenschewingOn VERO: https://vero.co/lenschewingSpeculative Speculations: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/speculative-speculationsSupport the podcast: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9EJoin Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?via=steve-l

this episode we are bringing the cringe and chaos of a work christmas party to talk lit, get hit podcast for our annual “talk lit, get lit” drinking and podcasting extravaganza. for our last bonus chapter of the year, we are discussing none other than life and death by Stephenie Meyer. the booktok twilight renaissance continues as we pull apart the literary masterpiece that was promised to be midnight sun but instead ended up as a gender bent twilight reimagining.  we drink spiced ginger beers, crunch on pebble ice, clink glasses, demand justice for bella and have lots to say about the stars of the show - beaufort swan and edythe cullen.send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi!choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month!make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok.theme music born from the creative genius of Big Boi B.talk lit, get hit are reading and recording on Giabal, Jagera, Jarowair & Turrbal lands. we acknowledge the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to Elders past, present and future. always was, always will be.

While I'm teaching my kids to surf during our summer beach holiday, and Valerie is shovelling out from a winter storm, we're bringing you a throwback episode from season 6 where we studied stakes and empathy. Based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", "10 Things I Hate About You" is packed with lessons about what not to do. We'll be back with a brand new episode on January 8. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays story nerds! - M."Stakes equals object of desire plus consequences." Melanie Hill For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

Give your students six options to create graphic organizers and track the patterns, topics, and motifs of a poem, short story, novel, or play. Posters are a great way to get students out of their seats by collaborating, presenting, organizing their ideas and quotes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-cameron6/support

It's that time again! We've reached the end of the season and that means Melanie and I are wrapping up all our a-ha moments and lessons learned about writing exposition and creating character arcs. Plus we've got a special surprise coming for you and we talk about it in this episode to be sure to listen all the way to the end! - V."The closer a scene and its exposition are to real life, the easier it is to make it invisible." - Melanie HillRelated Story Nerd EpisodesSeason 12: Exposition + Character Arcs For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

In this conversation, the participants delve into the works of H.P. Lovecraft, exploring his significant contributions to horror literature, particularly the Cthulhu mythos. They discuss key stories, the evolution of the mythos, personal experiences with Lovecraft's works, and the impact of his writing style. Themes of madness, insignificance, and the role of characters are examined, alongside the portrayal of violence and horror. The discussion also touches on Lovecraft's influence on modern media and the legacy of his mythos in contemporary storytelling. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the works of H.P. Lovecraft, focusing on key stories such as 'The Dunwich Horror' and 'The Whisperer in Darkness.' They explore the themes of cosmic horror, the influence of Lovecraft on modern horror literature, and the adaptability of his mythos across various media. The discussion highlights the unique elements of Lovecraft's storytelling, including folk horror aspects and the significance of characters like scholars and dogs in his narratives. The speakers also reflect on the legacy of Lovecraft's work and its impact on contemporary writers and role-playing games.Find Jose: https://www.youtube.com/@JosesAmazingWorldsFind John: http://www.john-houlihan.net/Send us a textSupport the showPageChewing.comPAGECHEWING: Comics & Manga PodcastFilm Chewing PodcastLens Chewing on YouTubeSpeculative Speculations PodcastBuy me a coffeeLinktreeJoin Riverside.fm

In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss their strategies for unwinding on weekends, the impact of literary fiction on their reading habits, and the distinction between contemporary and classic literature. They reflect on the challenges of discovering new books in a saturated market and the importance of reading material that challenges and enriches their understanding of literature. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the challenges of standing out in a crowded literary market, the impact of transformative literature on readers, and how discussions about books can enhance reading experiences. They explore the SF Masterworks series and its significance in understanding classic science fiction, while also reflecting on the enduring legacy of 'Lord of the Rings' and its influence on modern fantasy literature. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community in reading and the value of diverse literary experiences. The hosts delve into various themes surrounding literature, including the subjective nature of book reviews, the impact of enjoyment on literary criticism, and the complexities of adapting books into television series. They explore hot takes on popular books, the challenges of rating literature, and the nuances of grimdark fantasy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal experience in reviews and the performative aspect of sharing opinions in the book community.Find Chris: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChronicleofChrisFind Jarrod: https://www.youtube.com/@thefantasythinkerSend us a textSupport the showPageChewing.comPAGECHEWING: Comics & Manga PodcastFilm Chewing PodcastLens Chewing on YouTubeSpeculative Speculations PodcastBuy me a coffeeLinktreeJoin Riverside.fm

Pippa and KJ are back again, and this time discussing Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and its 2021 adaptation directed by David Lowery. Listen on as we examine what it means to adapt or translate a poem whose original author has been lost time, and bringing your own biography to the text. Website: https://adaptordiepod.wixsite.com/mysite Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/adaptordiepod Cover art by Jess Rubio. Music by Isabel Forden. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight translated by Simon Armitage In Our Time - Podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001kr8 Indiewire: David Lowery Almost Quit Filmmaking Before ‘Green Knight' Release - https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-green-knight-david-lowery-interview-1234654659/ Vanity Fair: Director David Lowery on The Green Knight's Eerie Influences - https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/07/the-green-knight-david-lowery-preview-dev-patel-willow-influences

Join Michael Knowles as he takes you on a deep dive into Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy.” In this video, Michael unpacks the epic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, exploring the profound themes, rich symbolism, and timeless lessons woven into Dante's incredible narrative. Michael gave this speech at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Go check them out at http://isi.org/ and their official YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@educatingforliberty?si=qTp_eaE8vMTr44kY

The Rolling Stone's song ‘You Can't Always Get What You Want,' is my earworm this season. This week, I started to pick apart how wants, needs and arcs are connected. Dorian Gray is a classic cautionary tale about selling your soul. Dorian arrives in London as a beautiful but naive young man and dies with a rotten and decrepit soul - he is unredeemable. Dorian gets what he wants, but he doesn't get what he needs because there are no consequences for his actions. Understanding how wants, needs and character arcs is an essential story tool. Good exposition is invisible. Valerie highlights how exposition is masterfully delivered and where it fails. Exposition is all about information management - the what and the how. -M“Understanding wants and needs is important for story arcs because they determine the protagonist's motivations and actions.” Melanie HillRelated Story Nerd EpisodesThe Woman King (Season 8 Episode 2)The Social Network (Season 12 Episode 1) For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

Literary analysis shouldn't be a cold dissection that increases the distance between the reader and the text, but rather a way for the reader to more deeply engage with the text. In today's episode, Julie lays out Brave Writer's approach to teaching literary analysis and writer's craft to your kids. This is a rebroadcast of a training webinar.Literary analysis and noticing a writer's craft can start before your child even learns how to read, Julie explains. Daily read-aloud time, with pauses to notice feelings about the text and guess what comes next, builds your child's critical thinking skills. Literary analysis doesn't need to be bound to books either–using a remote while watching TV shows or movies can work in much the same way.Julie then goes through each age bracket, showing how literary analysis can build a deeper love of literature and greater self-awareness.If you find this episode helpful, be sure to check out our Brave Writer 101 training, where we coach you on giving kinder, more meaningful writing instruction to your child.Resources:Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that's sure to grab and keep your child's attention.Find “Becoming a Critical Thinker” in the Brave Writer Book Shop.Check out all class descriptions here. Take a look at the Braver Writer fall class schedule. Sign up for Brave Writer 101. Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684Connect with Julie:Instagram: @juliebravewriterThreads: @juliebravewriterTwitter: @bravewriterFacebook: facebook.com/bravewriterConnect with Melissa:Website: melissawiley.comSubstack: melissawiley.substack.comInstagram: @melissawileybooksTwitter: @melissawileyProduced by NOVA Media

Your reader doesn't have to like the protagonist but she does have to empathize with him because if empathy is absent, your story is in trouble. In this episode Melanie and I study conflict triangles and narrative drive, but we also have an interesting side conversation about empathy and likeability. If you're writing an unlikeable character, or if you're writing a quiet, character-driven story, this episode is for you. -V"The protagonist does not have to be likable, but you've got to be careful that you don't place the reader's empathy on another character." - Valerie Francis  For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

So many podcasts!I thought I could make one podcast episode where I talked to some folks who podcast about horror, and it would be a one-stop-shop for folks looking for a new favorite commute time killer (hmm. commute-time killer? commute time-killer?)Well, as is often the case, it wasn't until I was in the middle of it that I realized two things:* There are so many podcasts talking about horror books.* Podcasters love to talk - so my 15-20 minute target often ended up going way longer than that.* (I know I said two, but heck this deserves a bullet) There's a ton of podcasts where the only topic is Stephen King and his books.Episode OneClick above to check out the first episode, if you haven't already. For this first installment, You'll hear from Stephanie Gagnon from BOOKS IN THE FREEZER, followed by Michael David Wilson from THIS IS HORROR.The GuestsBooks In The Freezer - Stephanie GagnonThis is Books in the Freezer, a podcast dedicated to the deliciously disturbing world of horror fiction. Our topical, bi-weekly episodes will cover those scary books that you might want to put in the freezer. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of our recommendations!This Is Horror - Michael David WilsonThe This Is Horror Podcast is a weekly show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. We have interviewed over 100 creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.Episode TwoNeil McRobert kicks off the second episode, talking about his well respected podcast TALKING SCARED. Max Booth III follows, always fun to talk to Max, and we get into the various podcast projects they have going on. Finally, I included myself in this series - not out of vanity, but rather, in case a listener came to these episodes from an outside audience, I thought they might be curious about what I get up to at the ARC PARTY, so I brought in backup to interview me about this humble effort.The GuestsTalking Scared - Neil McRobertConversations with the biggest names in horror fiction. A podcast for horror readers who want to know where their favorite stories came from ... and what frightens the people who wrote them.Ghoulish & Dog Ears - Max Booth IIIGHOULISH is a weekly comedy podcast celebrating all things spooky, hosted by Max Booth III.DOG EARS is a podcast about publishing, writing, and dogs.The ARC Party - Robb Olson (with Ryan McRae interviewing)Your first look at upcoming books!My goal with the ARC Party is to connect readers with books before they release! Much of the success of a new book is connected to pre-orders and early sales numbers, but sometimes people don't hear about a book until long after it's been released.An episode typically consists of an author giving a quick description of their book, followed by a spoiler free discussion about it. We often talk about themes, characters, settings, etc.But I'm careful to not talk about anything that would ruin the reading experience!SubscribedHungry for more?I asked the internet for recommendations of podcasts that they like that talk about horror books, and here is a giant list of their responses. (descriptions borrowed and sometimes shortened from their websites)NOTE: I tried to focus on currently active podcasts and exclude any that seemed defunct, and I can't be 100% sure that all of these are still publishing episodes.* Behind Your Face There Is A Place: Host Johnny Compton has conversations with creative guests, broadly, but not strictly about one of three possible subjects: I LOVED THIS!, Author's Commentary, Studying the Scares.* Bleeding Page: A bi-weekly podcast wherein authors Chad Lutzke & Jason Brant discuss self-publishing dark fiction and the craft of writing with special guests.* Fearmongers: Bestselling author Clay McLeod Chapman hosts FEARMONGERS, featuring interviews with and readings by horror fiction's biggest stars.Produced in cooperation with Verso Studios at the Westport Library.* Geek's Guide to the Galaxy is a podcast hosted by science fiction author David Barr Kirtley. The show features conversations about fantasy & science fiction in books, movies, games, and comics, as well as related subjects such as science, history, and critical thinking.* Killer Mediums: Horror Podcast hosted by author William Sterling, examining how horror tropes manifest across different mediums of entertainment. Let'ss Get Spooky!* Lifewriting: Authors and screenwriters Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due (and guests!) on writing, the writer's life, Hollywood, the work/family balance and relationships - the tools writers need to make themselves the heroes/heroines of their own story.* Lovecraft E-Zine: A friendly horror podcast. Panelists are Bridgette Brenmark, Matthew Carpenter, Pete Rawlik, John Langan, Benjamin Handelman, Melissa Walsh, Michael DaBronzo, Stephen Mark Rainey, Alan Hughes, and Mike Davis.* Postcards From A Dying World: Postcards from a Dying has been my blog for the last decade with more than 1,000 book reviews to promotional bonuses for my fiction. This podcast feed collections all the audio bonus materials for the blog, interviews and will include a monthly digest of my book reviews.* She Wore Black: A gothic, mystery, and horror podcast.* Sley House Presents: Sley House Presents is a podcast offered by Sley House Publishing. Our episodes are dedicated to discussing the best in genre literature, interviewing notable professionals in the field, reviewing movies, producing radio dramas based on your favorite classic and new short stories, and deep dives into your favorite horror topics.And here are the ones that are, ostensibly, entirely focused on Stephen King and his writing:* Chat Sematary: Chat Sematary will dive into the works and adaptations of the King of Horror, Stephen King. Hosted by Deanna Chapman.* Dark Tower Palaver: Join hosts Tadd and Peter for in-depth discussion and analysis of Stephen King's Magnum Opus The Dark Tower series. Explore the Novels, comics, upcoming film/TV adaptations, and all things Dark Tower. Join in on both the Round Table Discussions covering the entire series, as well as the Book Club where each book is systematically read, analyzed and discussed in order from the first line to the last. Come let's Palaver Gunslinger!* Derry Public Radio: Welcome to the basement of the Derry Civic Center. Pay no mind to the strange sounds coming from behind the Unfound Door. It's just your ka-tet, who are here to provide you with a variety of perspectives on Stephen King's work - ranging from the comfortably familiar to the frighteningly fanatic. Derry Public Radio is here to keep you up-to-date with all that's happening in Derry, Maine and "beyond."* Just King Things: is a monthly podcast about reading the books of Stephen King in publication order. Join hosts Michael and Cameron, two cultural critics and horror fans who literally grew up reading this stuff, as they embark upon a quest to revisit and review a vast body of work spanning five decades, reading one book a month for… only ten years or so* Kingcast: is a Stephen King podcast for Stephen King obsessives hosted by former film bloggers and rabid horror fans Eric Vespe and Scott Wampler. Each week, the pair welcome a notable guest to the show to discuss the King adaptation (or unadapted novel/short story) of their choice. It's an unpredictable show, one that can turn on a dime between being legitimately emotional and outright hilarious, and always approaches the work of its legendary namesake with the love, respect, and top-shelf nerdery that it deserves.* Loser's Club: Founded in 2017, The Losers' Club® is an award-winning weekly series that chronologically digs through the work of Stephen King with humor, irreverence, and a critical eye. Each episode, the Losers gather together to read between the iconic pages and share the latest in King's Dominion, whether it's the author's oft-controversial tweets, the boldest Hollywood headlines, or his endless forthcoming projects. The series also regularly features special guests. In the past, the Losers have spoken to Mike Flanagan, Thomas Jane, Tananarive Due, Chapo Trap House, Owen Teague, Mick Garris, Mary Lambert, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton, Joe Bob Briggs, and even King himself. Suitable for readers both Constant and casual. King says check us out.* The Constant Reader Podcast: Everything Stephen King, from Carrie to The Institute, from the novels to the short stories, from the small screen to the big screen. Each month we take a deep dive into one book from the bibliography of the King of horror fiction, while also charting the byways of King's forays into other genres (The Dark Tower series, On Writing etc) and also casting an eye on the many TV and film adaptations of King's work.Recorded live from the UEA media suite, Richard Sheppard interviews writers, academics, superfans and anyone with a passion for the work of Stephen King.* The Year of Underrated Stephen King: This is a one-woman, (lecture style) Stephen King podcast that analyzes Stephen King's lesser-known novels and short stories in depth and explores why Stephen King is the greatest fiction writer alive!Applying what I teach my Fiction students, in this podcast we will examine: Strong Writing, Storytelling Principles, Genre, Literary Analysis, Stephen King Universe Nerdery and the Constant Reader Community at Large!* Tower Junkies: A podcast celebrating the work of Stephen King with an occasional focus on his magnum opus, The Dark Tower series.SubscribedFor those of you who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Holy moly, this is a good movie! It's an especially good movie to study for anyone writing a quiet, character-driven story. THE WIFE originally aired as Episode 4 of Season 6 when Melanie was studying stakes and I was studying empathy. But honestly, this is one of those rare films that novelists (and memoirists!) can study to learn just about any storytelling principle. -V.*Programming Note: In next week's episode we review the movie NYAD, not GONE BABY GONE as indicated in the intro. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

So many podcasts!I thought I could make one podcast episode where I talked to some folks who podcast about horror, and it would be a one-stop-shop for folks looking for a new favorite commute time killer (hmm. commute-time killer? commute time-killer?)Well, as is often the case, it wasn't until I was in the middle of it that I realized two things: * There are so many podcasts talking about horror books.* Podcasters love to talk - so my 15-20 minute target often ended up going way longer than that. * (I know I said two, but heck this deserves a bullet) There's a ton of podcasts where the only topic is Stephen King and his books. Episode OneThis is now part one of what I'm guessing/hoping will be a series about horror podcasts. For this first installment, You'll hear from Stephanie Gagnon from BOOKS IN THE FREEZER, followed by Michael David Wilson from THIS IS HORROR.The GuestsBooks In The Freezer - Stephanie GagnonThis is Books in the Freezer, a podcast dedicated to the deliciously disturbing world of horror fiction. Our topical, bi-weekly episodes will cover those scary books that you might want to put in the freezer. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of our recommendations!This Is Horror - Michael David WilsonThe This Is Horror Podcast is a weekly show for readers, writers, and creators hosted by Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella. We interview writers, artists, publishers, editors, and creatives every week. We have interviewed over 100 creatives including Chuck Palahniuk, Joe Hill, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlaine Harris, Ellen Datlow, David Moody, Jennifer Lynch, Gemma Files, and Josh Malerman.Episode TwoNeil McRobert kicks off the second episode, talking about his well respected podcast TALKING SCARED. Max Booth III follows, always fun to talk to Max, and we get into the various podcast projects they have going on. Finally, I included myself in this series - not out of vanity, but rather, in case a listener came to these episodes from an outside audience, I thought they might be curious about what I get up to at the ARC PARTY, so I brought in backup to interview me about this humble effort. The GuestsTalking Scared - Neil McRobertConversations with the biggest names in horror fiction. A podcast for horror readers who want to know where their favorite stories came from ... and what frightens the people who wrote them.Ghoulish & Dog Ears - Max Booth IIIGHOULISH is a weekly comedy podcast celebrating all things spooky, hosted by Max Booth III.DOG EARS is a podcast about publishing, writing, and dogs.The ARC Party - Robb Olson (with Ryan McRae interviewing)Your first look at upcoming books!My goal with the ARC Party is to connect readers with books before they release! Much of the success of a new book is connected to pre-orders and early sales numbers, but sometimes people don't hear about a book until long after it's been released.An episode typically consists of an author giving a quick description of their book, followed by a spoiler free discussion about it. We often talk about themes, characters, settings, etc.But I'm careful to not talk about anything that would ruin the reading experience!Hungry for more?I asked the internet for recommendations of podcasts that they like that talk about horror books, and here is a giant list of their responses. (descriptions borrowed and sometimes shortened from their websites)NOTE: I tried to focus on currently active podcasts and exclude any that seemed defunct, and I can't be 100% sure that all of these are still publishing episodes. * Behind Your Face There Is A Place: Host Johnny Compton has conversations with creative guests, broadly, but not strictly about one of three possible subjects: I LOVED THIS!, Author's Commentary, Studying the Scares.* Bleeding Page: A bi-weekly podcast wherein authors Chad Lutzke & Jason Brant discuss self-publishing dark fiction and the craft of writing with special guests.* Fearmongers: Bestselling author Clay McLeod Chapman hosts FEARMONGERS, featuring interviews with and readings by horror fiction's biggest stars.Produced in cooperation with Verso Studios at the Westport Library.* Geek's Guide to the Galaxy is a podcast hosted by science fiction author David Barr Kirtley. The show features conversations about fantasy & science fiction in books, movies, games, and comics, as well as related subjects such as science, history, and critical thinking.* Killer Mediums: Horror Podcast hosted by author William Sterling, examining how horror tropes manifest across different mediums of entertainment. Let'ss Get Spooky!* Lifewriting: Authors and screenwriters Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due (and guests!) on writing, the writer's life, Hollywood, the work/family balance and relationships - the tools writers need to make themselves the heroes/heroines of their own story.* Lovecraft E-Zine: A friendly horror podcast. Panelists are Bridgette Brenmark, Matthew Carpenter, Pete Rawlik, John Langan, Benjamin Handelman, Melissa Walsh, Michael DaBronzo, Stephen Mark Rainey, Alan Hughes, and Mike Davis. * Postcards From A Dying World: Postcards from a Dying has been my blog for the last decade with more than 1,000 book reviews to promotional bonuses for my fiction. This podcast feed collections all the audio bonus materials for the blog, interviews and will include a monthly digest of my book reviews.* She Wore Black: A gothic, mystery, and horror podcast.* Sley House Presents: Sley House Presents is a podcast offered by Sley House Publishing. Our episodes are dedicated to discussing the best in genre literature, interviewing notable professionals in the field, reviewing movies, producing radio dramas based on your favorite classic and new short stories, and deep dives into your favorite horror topics.And here are the ones that are, ostensibly, entirely focused on Stephen King and his writing:* Chat Sematary: Chat Sematary will dive into the works and adaptations of the King of Horror, Stephen King. Hosted by Deanna Chapman.* Dark Tower Palaver: Join hosts Tadd and Peter for in-depth discussion and analysis of Stephen King's Magnum Opus The Dark Tower series. Explore the Novels, comics, upcoming film/TV adaptations, and all things Dark Tower. Join in on both the Round Table Discussions covering the entire series, as well as the Book Club where each book is systematically read, analyzed and discussed in order from the first line to the last. Come let's Palaver Gunslinger!* Derry Public Radio: Welcome to the basement of the Derry Civic Center. Pay no mind to the strange sounds coming from behind the Unfound Door. It's just your ka-tet, who are here to provide you with a variety of perspectives on Stephen King's work - ranging from the comfortably familiar to the frighteningly fanatic. Derry Public Radio is here to keep you up-to-date with all that's happening in Derry, Maine and "beyond."* Just King Things: is a monthly podcast about reading the books of Stephen King in publication order. Join hosts Michael and Cameron, two cultural critics and horror fans who literally grew up reading this stuff, as they embark upon a quest to revisit and review a vast body of work spanning five decades, reading one book a month for… only ten years or so* Kingcast: is a Stephen King podcast for Stephen King obsessives hosted by former film bloggers and rabid horror fans Eric Vespe and Scott Wampler. Each week, the pair welcome a notable guest to the show to discuss the King adaptation (or unadapted novel/short story) of their choice. It's an unpredictable show, one that can turn on a dime between being legitimately emotional and outright hilarious, and always approaches the work of its legendary namesake with the love, respect, and top-shelf nerdery that it deserves.* Loser's Club: Founded in 2017, The Losers' Club® is an award-winning weekly series that chronologically digs through the work of Stephen King with humor, irreverence, and a critical eye. Each episode, the Losers gather together to read between the iconic pages and share the latest in King's Dominion, whether it's the author's oft-controversial tweets, the boldest Hollywood headlines, or his endless forthcoming projects. The series also regularly features special guests. In the past, the Losers have spoken to Mike Flanagan, Thomas Jane, Tananarive Due, Chapo Trap House, Owen Teague, Mick Garris, Mary Lambert, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton, Joe Bob Briggs, and even King himself. Suitable for readers both Constant and casual. King says check us out.* The Constant Reader Podcast: Everything Stephen King, from Carrie to The Institute, from the novels to the short stories, from the small screen to the big screen. Each month we take a deep dive into one book from the bibliography of the King of horror fiction, while also charting the byways of King's forays into other genres (The Dark Tower series, On Writing etc) and also casting an eye on the many TV and film adaptations of King's work.Recorded live from the UEA media suite, Richard Sheppard interviews writers, academics, superfans and anyone with a passion for the work of Stephen King.* The Year of Underrated Stephen King: This is a one-woman, (lecture style) Stephen King podcast that analyzes Stephen King's lesser-known novels and short stories in depth and explores why Stephen King is the greatest fiction writer alive!Applying what I teach my Fiction students, in this podcast we will examine: Strong Writing, Storytelling Principles, Genre, Literary Analysis, Stephen King Universe Nerdery and the Constant Reader Community at Large!* Tower Junkies: A podcast celebrating the work of Stephen King with an occasional focus on his magnum opus, The Dark Tower series.For those of you who prefer YouTube: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thearcparty.com/subscribe

Melanie and I are taking a short mid-winter/mid-summer break, so while we recharge our batteries we're reposting some of our favourite episodes starting this week with THE GODFATHER. Wow, there just aren't too many movies with this level of storytelling craft in them. I had a whole lot to say about this classic film and I know that no matter which genre you're writing in, there's something in this episode to help you. Enjoy! - V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

We visit the joys of multiplot stories this week. Valerie discovers (again) the issues with multiplot stories in movies, and I investigate how the different timelines impact the narrative drive. We both learnt what happens to a story when conflict triangles and curiosity and concern are absent - a cautionary tale for writers. -M“A character can't un-know something or completely ignore something that is right in front of them.” Melanie Hill. RELATED STORY NERD EPISODESNashville Season 5, Episode 5As Good as it Gets Season 6, Episode 5 (Empathy) For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on X, Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor