This is a JAM-PACKED episode as we reach the best single day in the entire year: HALLOWEEN!Light the pumpkins, spice the cider, and get ready for two hours of spooky, scary goodness! First, Dan and Brigid discuss the War on Halloween and how they're celebrating the auspicious day. Then, an interview with Nina Alvarez from Cosmographia books on her newly curated collection: "Early American Gothic: Stories and Poems." They discuss her work as an indie publisher, what Cosmographia's "By Candlelight" series is, and just what the word "gothic" even means!Finally, a good mix publication opportunities for writers of a more horrific persuasion, including a particularly "ruff" one for LGBT writers!And, as a bonus, the hosts have recorded some of their favorite bits of poetry and fiction for you to enjoy throughout the episode, so be sure to listen to every spine-tingling second!Readings:"Ghost House" by Robert Frost, read by Brigid PhillipsMusic: Nocturne in C sharp minor 'Lento con gran espressione', B. 49 (Op. posth.) by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Aya Higuchi, used under Creative CommonsPoem 670 ("One need not be a Chamber—to be Haunted—")by Emily Dickinson, Read by Dan Arndt Background Sound: "Atmosphere Horror-4" by julius_galla via freesound.comExcerpt from Mary Shelley's ????????????; ??, ??? ?????? ??????????, read by Celia FreemanMusic: "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel BarberIntro Music: "Halloween" by Keshco, used under Creative CommonsContact us:writetosurvivepodcast@gmail.comwritetosurvivecast.comTwitter: @WritingSurvivorFacebook: WriteToSurvivePodcast

Write to Survive Podcast

Episode 27: Halloween Spooktacular II feat. Nina Alvarez

We have a whole mess of stuff this week as we prepare for the BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR: Halloween! In lieu of our normal Monday episode, we're instead bringing you back-to-back interviews with horror writers leading up to an All-Hallows-Eve special! First on the Docket is Lisa Shea, who among many hats is a writer of mystery, romance, and more. She also runs the Horror Retweet Group on twitter, helping promote her fellow authors on the platform. She and Dan discuss here newest series "Monstrous Vision of the Cthulu Call" and how she worked to make sure it would piss old Howard right the hell off! We also touch on the THREE other books she has out this month, how she keeps up a manic pace, working from home, and the secret to proper balance as a writer. Happy hauntings!Intro Music: "Fearweaver" by Three Chain LinksOutro music: "Little Hotel of Horror" by DocumentariumContact us:writetosurvivepodcast@gmail.comwritetosurvivecast.comTwitter: @WritingSurvivorFacebook: WriteToSurvivePodcast

WTS Drabbles: Lisa Shea

Welcome back to the Spook to Survive Podcast ghosts and ghouls! This week, we delve into the depths of horror as Dan and Brigid try to figure out just what kind of horror they like and why people like it in the first place!Then, Dan talks with poet and musician Joseph Van Buren, who has recently had his work appear in "Haunted Are These Houses" from Unnerving, and who has released his latest chapbook of dark poems "Mask: Persona.Finally, a trip into the terrifying world of erotic horror literature, a discussion of the BS "LGBT" genre, and a round of publishing opportunities picked especially for only our spookiest listeners.

Episode 26: New Dimensions of Fear w/ Joseph Van Buren

0:00 Hi's Hello's and Many MeetingsBrigid has a new job!7:29 Self-Publishing Discussion28:00 Interview with CA Worleyhttps://caworleyauthor.wordpress.com/1:15:00 Publishing OpportunitiesFor show notes and other info, visit our website: www.writetosurvivecast.comFollow us on Twitter: @WritingSurvivorBecome A Patron: Patreon.com/WriteToSurviveFallow Fellow by Cullah used under Creative Commons

Episode 25: The Romantic Fantasy of Self Publishing w/ C.A. Worley

Happy September! We're all hyped up for fall and hope you crazy kids are happy to back in school, or hype to not be in school as the case may be. This week we have an interview with Monica Carter, the head of Lambda Literary's "LGBTQ Authors In Schools" program that promotes diversity through engagement between the LGBTQ community of writers and K-12 classrooms. Plus: Dan and Brigid recommend some books to get you in that autumnal mood, then some very interesting publishing opportunities coming up very soon!For show notes and other info, visit our website: www.writetosurvivecast.comFollow us on Twitter: @WritingSurvivorBecome A Patron: Patreon.com/WriteToSurviveFallow Fellow by Cullah used under Creative Commons

Episode 24: Back To School w/ Monica Carter from Lambda Literary

Do you get scared when you're out on the road, no cars in sight, with nothing but your headlights and a few stars between you and the crushing dark around you? Then you may just like "Lost Highways," the latest collection of dark fiction and horror from returning guest D Alexander Ward, who last appeared in our Halloween special! He and Dan discuss the genesis of the whole collection and we try to figure out what makes driving so damn scary. He also gives an insight into working with an incredibly diverse group of authors, as well as getting a forward from Brian Keene...while Brian was still in the hospital! For notes and more: writetosurvivecast.comFollow us on Twitter: @WritingSurvivorBecome A Patron: Patreon.com/WriteToSurvive"Gorgon" by Jesse Spillane is licensed under an Attribution License. "Fearweaver" by Three Chain Links is licensed under an Attribution License.

WTS Drabbles: "Lost Highways" with D. Alexander Ward

It's Dan's first episode back in Kansas! He and Brigid are back this week with a full report on the Hugo Awards as well as a discussion on the fantastic human that is N.K Jemisin. Then, Dan sits down with poet, graphic novelist, and dark fiction writer Robin Sinclair to discuss how they figured out their path in writing, one that lead them to their debut chapbook Letters to My Lover From Behind Asylum Walls. Finally, its another installment of Pretentious White Dude Writer Spotlight (now with theme music), where Dan and Brigid read from author and wannabe bad boy Will Self's recent Guardian article and learn just what a "maven" is. And, as always, some upcoming contests and open submissions for you to check out!For show notes and other info, visit our website: www.writetosurvivecast.comFollow us on Twitter: @WritingSurvivorBecome A Patron: Patreon.com/WriteToSurvive

Episode 23: Forging Your Writing Identity w/ Robin Sinclair

WTSP: Forging Your Writing Identity w/ Robin Sinclair by Write to Survive

WTSP: Forging Your Writing Identity w/ Robin Sinclair

There's a lot of ways that we can fill our need to write. In this episode, Brigid and Dan discuss a few ways to use your skills in non traditional ways. Dan reports from GenCon and we discuss how games like Dungeons & Dragons or shows like The Adventure Zone are changing the rules of storytelling. Then, Dan sits down with horror author Christa Carmen to discuss her upcoming debut "Something Borrowed, Something Blood-soaked," as well as her experience as a mental health professional who writes dark fiction. Then, an interview with MetaArcade founder David Reid from the GenCon floor. We get the lowdown on their new interactive storytelling game Cthulu Chronicles, and how interested writers can contribute stories to the ongoing project. Intro: Fallow Fellow by Cullah used under Creative CommonsOutro: Alice in Horrorland by the Voodoo Puppets used under Creative CommonsWebsite: www.writetosurvivecast.comPatreon: patreon.com/WriteToSurviveTwitter: @WritingSurvivor

Episode 22: Scratching The Writing Itch feat. Christa Carmen

Dan and Brigid hold it down this week as they interview acclaimed poet and children's book author Lesléa Newman. They discuss her education with the Beats, how her writing helps her heal, and how the Jewish concept of tikkun olam informs her mission to give voice to the voiceless. Then, Dan and Brigid are joined by WTS Special Library Correspondent Lily Jenness to tear apart Forbes's history of anti-library think pieces. 0:00- Hi, Hello, and Many Meetings0:20-New Website!1:55-Interview Recap6:00- Interview with Lesléa51:40- “I Carry My Mother” read by Lesléa Newman via the Jewish Women’s Archive52:40- The Weird World of Library Hatred w/ Lily Jenness Become a Patron: patreon.com/WriteToSurviveStitcher iTunes RadioPublicFollow the show on Twitter: @WritingSurvivorOutro music “Library Card” from Arthur

Episode 21: Healing the World Through Words w/ Lesléa Newman

In this episode: Brigid puts away some graphs, Celia's brains leak out of her ears, and Dan commits troop crimes. Then, an interview with LA-based writer Dan Lopez on community, Lambda Litfest, and surviving in the wake of the 2016 Pulse Shooting. Finally, we visit the Extreme Teen Writer's Corner, discuss the new alt-Nobel Prize in Literature, and dip a toe into the insane world of right-wing thriller novels. 10:00- Interview With Dan Lopez1:01:00- News1:07:00- Brief Note On Harlan Ellison1:08:00- Publishing1:08:49- Extreme Teen Writer’s Corner1:27:00: Trigger Warning DiscussionFollow the show on Twitter @WritingSurvivorSupport the show and unlock exclusive content by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/WriteToSurviveTheme tune is "Fallow Fellow" by Cullah, end tune is "Every Cowboy" by Cellophane Sam

Episode 20: The Power of Community w/ Dan Lopez from Lambda Literary

Lean and clean this week as Dan flies solo with an interview-only episode. No extra biz, no guff. Just our guests. And we've got a hell of a pair of guests this week. In our first dual interview, Dan spoke with legendary poet Mary Meriam and Canadian dancer-turned-poet Carolyn Boll, both from Lavender Press. We talk about everything from the Odyssey, to the state of poetry since Mary's MFA years, to whether or not Dan is up on his lesbian history. Don't forget to check out our Patreon at patreon.com/writetosurvive Show notes here: https://writetosurvivepodcast.wordpress.com/2018/06/24/wtsp-episode-19-lesbian-poetics-w-mary-meriam-carolyn-boll-from-lavender-review/

Episode 19: Lesbian Poetics w/ Mary Meriam & Carolyn Boll from Lavender Review

Boy, have we got an episode for you. Brigid and Dan do a deep dive into writing as bisexuals, the value of queer characters, and what still needs to be done on the representation front. Then, Dan talks with Tara Shea Burke, queer poet and editor for Sinister Wisdom, about the tight-rope act of erotic writing, her struggles with identity, and the power of the queer body in poetry. Finally, Brigid and Dan spotlight some of their favorite queer lit mags publishing today.13:06- Pride Discussion50:00- Interview with Tara Shea Burke2:15:16- Queer Lit Mag SpotlightShow notes here: https://writetosurvivepodcast.wordpress.com/2018/06/18/episode-18-queering-our-writing-w-tara-shea-burke/

Episode 18: Queering Our Writing w/ Tara Shea Burke

The second installment of our interview series features writer, editor, and self-described bisexual nerd Gretchen Ellis, Managing Editor for The Fandomentals. We discuss the escapism of writing, the role we play in representation, and why fandom is important despite how silly it all can be.

WTS Drabbles: Fanfic and Fandom w/ Gretchen Ellis from The Fandomentals

In this episode: Dan nerds out over Balrogs, Celia is finally heard, and Brigid goes full librarian on us. Our main subject this week is the MFA. Long considered a "must have" to be a serious writer. But is that the case nowadays? We discuss our paths to, or away from, the MFA, as well as the many variations on the MFA. Also: An interview with Lily Jenness, a Bloomington based writer and librarian, plus our usual mix of news and publication opportunities.

Episode 17: Is An MFA Right For You?

A writing podcast for everyone! Interviews with up-and-coming and established authors, writing news, and info on contests and journals. Writing doesn't begin and end with publication, and we want to cover everything else that makes up your writing life.