The Inaugural Episode: In which we introduce ourselves, insult each other, lament audio difficulties, and discuss what the hell counts as a “beach read.”

Nichole Currier joins the podcast to review and edit one of Kirstyn’s short stories. Also, first date stories, and what makes a mystery novel the worst.

*Please forgive overlapping audio issues in this episode

This story has now been published at Punk Noir

Steve Luber joins the podcast to discuss a section of his novel in progress. It’s a creepy story written by a pleasant guy. 

Stephen J. Golds, author of Say Goodbye When I’m Gone, joins us from Japan to discuss his book, Always the Dead.

Steve Luber rejoins the podcast to edit a story from Nate. Nate is gently coerced into talking about his college days. Toxic concepts of masculinity fight with one another. 

This story has since been published in Punk Noir

Jacob Close joins us from the UK to discuss his recent book, Tinfoils, and starting a career as a full-time writer. We touch on what it’s like to balance multiple professional projects, the importance of finding the correct editor, the fallacy of universal popularity, and Isaac Newton’s second career taking down a dildo salesman.

Matthew Simmons joins the show to answer the question we know you’ve all been wondering: what actually counts as torture porn? Also, the evisceration of a catfish, bible stories they don't teach you in Sunday school, and Kirstyn reads some of her first novel. 

The Next Witness was published in May 2022 by Cinnabar Moth Publishing 

For our season one finale, we’re joined by the lovely Izzy Hourihane. We discuss surviving 2020 with memes, booze, and books, the importance of killing darlings, and why 2025-2035 will be the years of revealed cults. Nate reads a short story that may or may not include maggots and we all get really excited about the myth of Bluebeard.

Isabelle Hourihane is a UK-based copy editor and advocate for irredeemable characters. She does not have social media and exists as a 20th-century ghost. We sometimes wonder if she’s just a figment of our imagination.