But today is special because my first published novel is now on Amazon. It’s a paranormal thriller, a descendent of the old gothic fiction genre, titled Along the Graveyard Lane. It’s available as paperback and eBook. If you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s free in eBook form.
How Tolkien is that Tale? + Book Club Discussion Questions The Fantasy Trope Scale. Rating a Fantasy story by its use of conventional genre devices. Here is a list of book club discussion questions. A fun way to look at tropes in fiction. Your book club can read a fantasy novel, experience its world-building, and … Continue reading How Tolkien is that Tale? [The Fantasy Trope Scale] Book Club Discussion Questions.
Dad is Back [Strange Tales by SM Dotson] This short story is based off a dream I had in 1993 or 1994. Dad died a month ago. He took two years to die from cancer. He had traveled to the brink of death many times, only to return to have a normal conversation … Continue reading “Dad is Back” [3:31] Text & Audio. Gothic Fiction Short Story. Scary stories to tell at night.
Something often neglected in laudations of The Cure is Robert Smith's lyrical world building. Through his robust discography, Smith has created a gothic fiction world. He gives strength to the Anima as if she could live in the material world if only for a short time. It took the only girl I loved and drowned … Continue reading My Ultimate ‘The Cure’ Gothic Fiction Playlist
Welcome to another of SM Dotson's Strange Tales. Today, I'm sharing short fiction inspired by southern gothic stories. I'm particularly fond of Ambrose Bierce and his American Civil War short fiction. Another theme from the reading below, is that of pipe smoking. I bought my first corn-cob pipe when I was 13 at an Osco … Continue reading “The Devil’s Pipe” Gothic Fiction Horror Short Story ~ Scary Stories to tell at Night ~ SM Dotson
Prologue When I was in, what we called "middle school," I would often visit the library to check out books at the end of the day. I mostly re-read the same books, mainly horror shorts, martial arts manuals, weightlifting guides, and anything medieval. One large hardback with colorful illustrations was a tome on the wide … Continue reading The House Gnome. The Mystery of Gnomed Intruders. Short Story. Folklore. Gothic Fiction.
This is an exciting announcement for me. I am writing and directing a new paranormal audio drama, Fish & Bones, starring James Bryant and Kristie Fox, as Janitor Fish and Afterlife Communication Tech Dr. Bonita. Here is the introduction at the beginning of each episode: In the early 20th century scientists discovered afterlife communication. Mass … Continue reading New Project! “Fish & Bones” Paranormal Audio Drama.
In the genre of Fantasy, there is a concept known as hard magic. An author using a hard magic system creates clear principles and methods behind his or her use of the craft. Soft magic, on the other hand, is based on unclear principles as far as the reader is concerned. I like the concept … Continue reading [Hard Magic & Hard Metaphysics in Fiction] W/ Book Club Discussion Questions. Fantasy. Gothic Fiction. Horror. Paranormal. Supernatural.
"Old Testament Table." A Revenge Tale. Horror. Gothic Fiction. Scary Short Stories to Tell at Night. I always wondered what happened to that magical item from the Old Testament. Glad it could be put to good use! Listen and read below to the short fiction story, "Old Testament Table." A story of a woman, her … Continue reading “Old Testament Table.” A Revenge Tale. Horror. Gothic Fiction. Scary Short Stories to Tell at Night.
Recently, I traveled to Boston where I met up with the gothic fiction poet Edgar Allen Poe. The first night in Boston, I came upon his statue on accident. I recognized his face, but the nearby crow only confirmed it. "Well, look who we have here," I said to my wife. Poe is easily recognizable … Continue reading Visiting Poe – Edgar Allen Poe in Boston
Affect vs. Effect [Gothic Grammar #4] Improve writing ability ~ ESL tips Welcome to Goth Grammar #4! Here is a common problem: Affect vs. Effect. Simply put, Affect is a verb and effect is a noun. A good mnemonic to use: the words affect and action both begin with the letter a. Verbs are actions. … Continue reading Affect vs. Effect [Gothic Grammar #4] Improve writing ability ~ ESL tips
Those in the know say the cover of a book is the primary influence in the decision to purchase. To give my upcoming book a chance to survive, thrive even, the cover art should supply emotions and information to allure readers who like those moods and tropes. The following image is still in progress, and … Continue reading Cover Art in Progress ~ Guide to Ghosts: Why Your Grandmother’s Name is Stan ~ Sneak Peak
A love that lasted a lifetime, and the joke that took just as long to finish. It was the story of how they met and fell in love. Jerry was a total stranger. He walked right up to Laura, and said “Hi, Sally!” “Hi, but my name is Laura.” “My plan worked,” Jerry said as … Continue reading “Hi, Sally” Dark Humor. Flash Fiction. Twisted Love Story.
Fictional Account of a True Story "Well, hello, Dolly It's so nice to have you back where you belong." -Louis Armstrong Catalonia, Spain 1909 Salvador Dali was known as an eccentric, an artist, and as a figurehead of surrealism to the public mind. He created strange art, had startled eyes, and his idiosyncratic moustache: thin, … Continue reading Hello, Dali – Short Story. Salvadore Dali. Biography. Spooky.
Josephus acted innocent enough, but his shadow told a different story. ~[FIN]~ Click here To join the SM Dotson E Mail list. Enter name and email.
I illustrated a book of dark haiku, Supper of Suffer, coming out in late 2018/early 2019. In the interview below, I talk about how I created 30 new tarot cards to go with each haiku. We talk about Metropolis (1927) & symbolism. Two examples of the artwork are shown in the video. "Continue to Sob … Continue reading Occult Art & Dark Haiku. Interview w/ Supper of Suffer Illustrator SM Dotson
Gomic Strips give me the feeling that I am waking up on the weekend with that first cup of coffee and sitting with the big Sunday newspaper open to the "funnies." My favorites were anything like Gary Larson and his dark-surreal twists on reality in the Far Side.
Gerald rarely went to church but a finger on his left hand became possessed earlier in the week and harvest season neared. Sign up for the newsletter. Exclusive updates & free content. Click Here. Enter name & email. SM Dotson's Strange Tales YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0_1SiRVEZo_11-b5n3n3A SM Dotson on Twitter: @smdotsonauthor
SM Dotson 