How about another in-depth, deep-diving, evergreen conversation about creative writing, finding success as we each define it, and staying healthy and sane in the process? In Sonitotum with Matthew Wayne Selznick 093, I speak with transcendental horror author and speculative poet Darius Jones.
Our conversation covers the deeper, emotionally resonant value of horror and “weird” fiction, how Darius fills the “fiction-shaped void” in his soul, why the pandemic and a pair of astronomy binoculars led to publishing fantastical epic poetry, the value of rejection, the importance of meditation and stoicism, and…yep, a whole heck of a lot more.
The conversation with Darius Jones was recorded on May 24th, 2023. The rest of this episode was recorded on August 23, 2023.
About Darius Jones
Darius Jones writes cosmic horror, weird fiction, dark fantasy — or, taken together and as he likes to call it, transcendental horror, as well as speculative poetry and sometimes historical fiction.
His stories and poems have appeared in Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast, Starline Magazine, and elsewhere. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association.
Learn more about Darius Jones by visiting dariusjoneswriter.com. You can also find Darius on Twitter and Instagram. Make sure you check out Darius Jones on Amazon, too.
Links and Topics Mentioned in This Episode
- My day job? I’m a creative services provider helping authors, podcasters and other creators. How can I help you?
- Brave Men Run, the first novel in history with a simultaneous release in paperback, several e-book formats, and free podcast edtions. A Parsec Award nominee!
- That Blaise Pascal quote about brevity. And that other one about a god-shaped hole.
- The Scholastic Book Fair (and the Bookmobile before that!) is an invaluable resource for young writers and readers.
- Lon Chaney, Sr.
- All the episodes of shows in the Escape Artists family of podcasts featuring my own writing or dramatic narration. Featuring works by Mike Resnick, Tim Pratt, Cat Rambo, Holly Black, and more!
- Deception by Philip Roth, a remarkable book composed entirely of dialogue.
- The Great Dismal Swamp.
- What is Trap music?
- What is zazen meditation?
- The Rejectomancy blog.
- The stoic philosophy of Epicurus.
- The works of short story master Guy de Maupassant.
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and his classic Flow.
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