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.
Evolution of the Word Goth - From German Barbarians to Pop Culture - Medieval & Modern History The word goth references several things, many of them only indirectly related, but all things goth, whether literature, fashion, architecture or music, contain an atmosphere of dark beauty. The Barbarians The word goth comes from the Greeks and … Continue reading Evolution of the Word Goth – From German Barbarians to Pop Culture
A Mood I Enjoy in Music & Gothic Fiction + "My Regards to Those Able to Keep Their Courage" NC Club Welcome to the world of Dream Pop The Character's Mood: The slow power of a being who has "seen it all before" and pities humankind for their shortsightedness, but is in awe of their … Continue reading A Mood I Enjoy in Music & Gothic Fiction + “My Regards to Those Able to Keep Their Courage” NC Club [Dream Pop Song]
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
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
Coffin Vs. Casket [Gothic Grammar #5] Did you know the words coffin & casket have different definitions? A coffin is made of wood and has a distinctive wide-shoulder appearance. The casket is rectangular, often opens to view the top half of the body, padded, and more expensive than the coffin. Let me know if you … Continue reading Coffin Vs. Casket [Gothic Grammar #5] ~ Gomics. Ideas for authors. #amwriting
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
Exercise vs. Exorcise [Gothic Grammar #3] Writing skills. ESL Tips. I just made this one today. I hope you enjoy! Sven likes to exercise and raise his heart rate before he exorcises demons. Gothic Grammar #4-> Click here to sign up for my email list. Get exclusive updates on my latest projects.
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.
The ghoul peeled the meat from her hand. “My fingers look more elegant, longer, without all that skin” ~[FIN]~ My own interpretation of a ghoul is a living human who eats human flesh, who becomes altered from the resulting strange disease, but whose life is extended as a result of the supernatural process. I will, … Continue reading Beautiful Fingers – Gomic Strip (Gothic Comic Strip)
Clarence liked to be the first to tell children about hell ~[FIN]~ Follow SM Dotson's Strange Tales on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0_1SiRVEZo_11-b5n3n3A Click here To join the SM Dotson E Mail list. Enter name and email.
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 