PODCAST · comedy
Dead Languages
by Carson Winter, P.L. McMillan
Authors P.L. McMillan and Carson Winter have joined forces to have lively, irreverent, and hopefully helpful conversations on the craft of writing horror fiction. Expect weird tangents, frank industry discussions, interviews, and more!
Episodes
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Episode 176: WTF is Survival Horror?
You're in an abandoned house, you're shotgun only has two shells, and something's moaning in the blackness of the corridor... WTF do you do? This week the Goblin Professors discuss the ins and outs of survival horror, it's history, and what we love about the subgenre. ------------ OUR LINKTREE…
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Episode 175: Spooky Season Vibe Check
It's time for all of you black-clad ghouls to blossom into your final form! This week, we bring a chill hang out episode to the spooky co-eds, where we list our top 5 2026 Halloween-season vibe flicks. OUR LINKTREE HAS EVERYTHING!!!! Check out our website, discord, merch shop, and more!...
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Episode 174: Gendered Genres (with CJ Subko)
Pink horror? Mantasy? Guy-fi? Weird Girl Lit? We talk with author CJ Subko about gendered genres and how they kinda suck. OTHER COOL STUFF New LINKTREE! Join our Discord, submit to our Drabble contest, buy merch, and MORE: https://linktr.ee/deadlanguagespodcast Learn more about what's going on CJ...
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Episode 173: Worst Line is it Anyways
This week, we pay tribute to the Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest and their celebration of terrible opening lines. We reached out to the spooky coeds for them to submit their own terrible openers and even came up with a couple of our own! https://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ Buy Dead Languages merch:...
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Episode 172: The HWA Demonstrates a Healthy Death-Drive (Part II)
We continue our look into the HWA's many varied recent tragedies! Buy Dead Languages merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dead-languages-podcast/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/97EtArJQnP
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Episode 171: The HWA Demonstrates a Healthy Death-Drive (Part I)
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) has been in a constant state of disaster recently, much of it surrounding (now, former) executive director Maxwell I. Gold. In this two-parter, we go over the many recent controversies of the HWA. Buy Dead Languages merch:...
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Episode 170: Afraid of THE DARK
The spooky professors try out a new format this week! Raise your hand if you've been rejected by THE DARK. We read the August 2026 issue of famed horror magazine THE DARK to analyze what they publish and if it matches their submission guidelines! Discord: https://discord.gg/97EtArJQnP
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Episode 169: Mental Illness in Horror
All writers are mentally ill, so it makes sense that all of our characters are too! We talk about sensitive and insensitive portrayals of mental illness in horror and associated tropes. Sources https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2020.160110...
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Episode 168: History of Horror (Part II)
This week, PLMbo finishes up our deep dive into the history of horror! Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/NnZnyQube
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Episode 167: History of Horror (Part I)
Professor PLM keeps hitting her ruler against her palm as she delves into the history of horror in this massive 1 of 2 part series. Learn the foundations of the genre and discover the commonalities at the core of horror. Sources https://www.librarypoint.org/blogs/post/bh-horror-fiction/...
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Episode 166: Promptly Delivered Prompts
The goblins dive deep into a valuable writing tool: the prompt. How do they like to use prompts in their writing, types of prompts, and they even provide some for their dearest spooky co-eds. Don't forget to join the discord: https://discord.gg/qx5RRZSUg3
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Episode 165: Trendcasting Horror
PLMbo steps up to the plate with some juicy, juicy data on the future of horror! Pull out your spreadsheets and find things to be both optimistic and pessimistic about.
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Episode 164: Work, Life, Repeat
Both of the goblins have experienced big life changes recently. How are we pulling through now that our schedules are all disrupted? Listen in and learn from our struggles reconciling writing with change.
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Episode 163: AI Keeps Making Everything Worse
Several publishers have copped to accepting AI stories. We follow up with some of the latest news stories to react, discuss, and find a path forward. See what we're talking about here: https://www.bona-books.com/news/we-bought-an-ai-story...
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Episode 162: We Answer Questions from R/Horrorwriters
PLM and Carson are once again entering the Reddit mines for easy content! The goblins answer questions from real horror writers and have some fun along the way. Also, join our Discord: https://discord.gg/QswkXXDd2
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Episode 161: Live Editing (with Kai Delmas)
Today the goblins sharpen their scalpels and dissect a willing victim: Kai Delmas, King of Drabbles. Settle in for a girthy episode on editing techniques, critiquing, and discussion of writing development. There is no mercy. Find Kai's remains er we mean fiction: https://www.kaidelmas.com/
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Episode 160: You Should Start a Newsletter
Carson pulls on his tweed jacket and talks all about newsletters. Also, join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Dtzfhepue
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Episode 159: Writer Insecurities
Writers? Insecure? NEVER. This week, we take a look at some common writer insecurities and do a bit of commiserating. And if you haven't heard, we have a Discord! Join up and fan the flames of your parasocial relationship: https://discord.gg/Dtzfhepue
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Episode 158: The Future of Horror
The future of horror is now and the goblins sit down to talk about what they want to see most of in the future of horror. More weirdness? Less tropes? Tune in and see what the goblins want to see.
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Episode 157: Best 5 So Far - 2026
The goblins compare their top 5 books for the first half of 2026. PLM's choices will SHOCK.
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Episode 156: Mothers in Horror
Why do so many killers have mommy issues? Why are mothers often set as the villains or the victims and rarely ever in between? Today, the goblins interview Emma E Murray and Dr Nina Miller on the representation of motherhood and mothers in horror. https://emmaemurray.com/...
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Episode 155: Why Your Story Is Getting Rejected
The goblins have cracked the secret formula to why and how one short story submission gets accepted versus another. They've analyzed thousands of form rejection emails, they've infiltrated presses, they've bribed the editors' cats. They know all. And they are here to share it all with you!
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Episode 154: WTF is Folk Horror
Get your sickles out, spooky co-eds! It's time for the annual goblin sacrifice! Because today, PLM and CarCar are going to be diving deep into the lore of the folks! What is folk horror? Is it any religion? Just the folksyiest? How to folk?
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Episode 153: Sizzling (Hot Off The Grill) Takes
The goblins get spicy today. What are their hottest takes (XXX jk, wait actually there is a new update on the podcast's fav cryptid) about the horror genre and writing community. Is this the episode that gets them cancelled? O M G Gossip goblin xxoo Don't forget, the goblins also have new books…
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Episode 152: What the Slash Is Up With These Killers?
The goblins are joined by slasher experts Erik McHatton and Patrick Barb (and his anaconda) to chat about all things slasher in the horror genre. Is the trope dead? Or is it rising up for its thirteenth sequel? Find out today on this episode of the Dead Languages Podcast!...
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Episode 151: "How Far is Too Far?" Ask the Dorks on Reddit
Everyone wants to know How Far is Too Far in horror, and we let 'em know what we really think of the question.
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Episode 150: Conspiracy Theory Horror
Did you know that the government is breeding human-dog hybrids in the basement of an old Pizza Hut? Trust me, bro. This week, we discuss how conspiracy theories can be the seed from which your horror grows.
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Episode 149: Publishing a Book - Start to Finish
In today's special episode, goblin Carson Winter shares what went into the making of his latest release The Corpse Priest. From conception to logistics, marketing and celebrating. This behind the scenes look at the nitty gritty is a great guide if you're interesting in the booky process of…
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Episode 148: Horror at Home
Today the goblins are chatting about domestic horror. What happens when you can't trust your children, your parents, your spouse, your PET? When your safe space becomes the worst place? Don't forget the launch party to celebrate Carson Winter's newest release: THE CORPSE PRIEST is April 10th!...
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Episode 147: Updates and Reddit Questions
This week, the Spooky Professors put up their feet and wheel out the TV for an easy class period. We answer questions from Reddit and talk about all the cool new shit happening in our writing lives. Which means... Carson's THE CORPSE PRIEST is out now! Grab a copy wherever you like to buy books,...
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Episode 146: Dealing with Professional Envy
Don't you hate it when one of your writer friends sells a story to a big mag? What about when they get a blurb from your hero? Or go viral? Or sell a lot of books? Or— There's many ways envy can be stoked amongst writers and this episode we talk all about those ugly feelings and how to cope with...
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Episode 145: Demon Horror
Oh no, step bro—something with horns is standing behind you miming cunnilingus! This week, PLM and Carson are talking about Demon Horror and how it can be used in creatively.
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Episode 144: Apocalypse Horror
What's that looming in the sky? Or rising from the grave? Or... This week we're embracing the end of the world and its place in horror fiction. Check out Ivy Grimes' upcoming event hosted by our own PL McMillan here:...
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Episode 143: Regional Horror
Horror can be found everywhere, even in your own back yard. This week, Carson and PLM explore diving into your home turf to fuel your ghastly yarns. Sign up for PLM's special event with Ivy Grimes celebrating the release of THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR:...
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Episode 142: Why Mainstream Horror Sucks
Professor CarCar puts on his tweed suit and lecherous grin as the spooky co-eds all ask what they can do for extra credit. Turns out, all he wants to do is rant about how and why popular stuff is bad.
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Episode 141: Bug Horror
Creepies! Crawlies! Bugs are scary, right? PLM and Carson dive into why bugs are so freaky and how horror writers can make them even freakier.
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Episode 140: Fairy Tales (with Ivy Grimes)
PLM and Carson both love the weird fiction of Ivy Grimes, so who better to come on the show and talk fairy tales? Learn more about Ivy here: https://ivyivyivyivy.com/ Preorder her new novella THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR here:...
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Episode 139: Our 2026 Writing Resolutions
It's that time of year! We must reflect and realign with our goals! PLM and Carson gather to deliver their writing resolutions, and encourage you to do the same. Join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/xRrvUrtW
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Episode 138: The Winners of the Second Annual Cummies
It's that time of year again... CUMTIME! We're announcing the winners of our bizarrely named horror fiction award as voted by YOU!
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Episode 137: Favorite Reads of 2025 (Part II)
PLM and Carson are back in 2026 after our winter break, but we're not done with 2025 yet! We gather up our top five reads from the second half of last year as a cozy preamble to next weeks' Cummies announcement!
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Episode 136: Ho-Ho-Holiday Horror
The goblins eat tinsel and get festive with Luciano Marano! What makes holidays such a popular topic to add horror to? Is it the visiting family? The sweet potato casserole? The commercialism? Join the goblins as they have a civilized discussion by the festivus log. Cummies:...
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Episode 135: Final Girls
This week on the Dead Languages Podcast, PLMbo and CarCar dive into the history of the final girl, and talk about whether its still relevant or just a tired cliche.
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Episode 134: The Big, The Bigger, The Biggest - Kaiju in Horror
This week, the goblins are size queens as they gush about kaiju in horror. The history, the memes, the love, the tips, and tricks of getting those big girthy monsters in your fiction. Don't forget to nominate for the Cummies!...
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Episode 133: The Annual Dead Languages DnD Extravaganza (Part 2)
The adventure continues! PLM plays Dungeon Daddy as Carson, Erik McHatton, Nina Miller, and Kai Delmas join us for our Annual DnD Halloween episode.
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Episode 132: The Annual Dead Languages DnD Extravaganza (Part 1)
PLM plays Dungeon Daddy as Carson, Erik McHatton, Nina Miller, and Kai Delmas join us for our Annual DnD Halloween episode. We storm the Red Tower... and talk a lot about poop.
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Episode 131: Situational and Speculative Hooks
This week, Carson talks about Situational and Speculative hooks to jumpstart your ideation phase! Also, We Will Speak Again of the Red Tower is out now! Get it here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/zum1k2dg9b
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Episode 130: Drabble Contest 2025!
We asked for drabbles and you delivered! Carson and PLM name the three winners, along with the ten runner-ups!
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Episode 129: Live Editing! (with Kai Delmas)
This week, the goblins are role-reversed into being spooky co-eds! Drabble King Kai Delmas joins us on the latest episode to offer expertise on our short stories. Find out more about Kai's editing services and fiction here: https://www.kaidelmas.com/
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Episode 128: Editorial Services
Carson and PLM talk about editorial services—but not just any editorial services! Carson's new offering! Listen in to learn more about Professor CarCar's desperate move to earn income! For actual writing services, follow the link: https://wintergreen.my.canva.site/
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Episode 127: Reality Breakdown in Horror (D. Matthew Urban)
Did reality just get all messed up or are you some sort of weird horror author? This week, the goblins are joined by D. Matthew Urban to discuss how to utilize the breakdown of reality to dazzling, disorienting effect! Find out more about D. Matthew Urban here: https://dmatthewurban.com/
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Authors P.L. McMillan and Carson Winter have joined forces to have lively, irreverent, and hopefully helpful conversations on the craft of writing horror fiction. Expect weird tangents, frank industry discussions, interviews, and more!
HOSTED BY
Carson Winter, P.L. McMillan
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Dead Languages have?
Dead Languages currently has 176 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Dead Languages about?
Authors P.L. McMillan and Carson Winter have joined forces to have lively, irreverent, and hopefully helpful conversations on the craft of writing horror fiction. Expect weird tangents, frank industry discussions, interviews, and more!
How often does Dead Languages release new episodes?
Dead Languages publishes regularly with 176 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Dead Languages?
You can listen to Dead Languages on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Dead Languages?
Dead Languages is created and hosted by Carson Winter, P.L. McMillan.
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