Gwendolyn Kiste & Rebecca Baum, the HWA controversies, & Will Murray
Summary
Hosts Mike Davis and guests Gwendolyn Keist and Rebecca Baum discuss their upcoming horror novels, "In These Gilded Ghostly Hearts" and "The Brood." The conversation explores themes of identity reinvention, body horror, and the enduring legacy of "The Great Gatsby," while also touching on the history of mummies and the movie "The Man from Earth."
Topics discussed
Intro banter and alcohol jokes
Whiskey River and mummy parties
Welcome and guest introduction
Will Murray interview announcement
Movie Night review: The Sacred Spirit
Prize book: Parasite Rex
Guest introductions and recovery jokes
Rebecca Baum and The Brood overview
Plot summary: Girl and the cicadas
Gwendolyn Keist and Gilded Ghostly Hearts
Great Gatsby history and public domain
Identity construction in Gatsby
Researching 1920s New York
Cicada symbolism and horror
Imposter syndrome and writing horror
Cicada life cycles and nature
Body horror and metamorphosis
Cosmetic work and control
The American Dream and identity
Human hive and subconscious identity
Reinventing personas and pasts
Modern reinventions and politics
Creepy houses and story structure
Dr. X and public domain films
Value of public domain works
Early horror writing experiences
Why write horror novels
Challenges for women in horror
Debut author struggles
Upcoming releases and projects
Imposter syndrome and gender
Publishing industry dynamics
Exhaustion in the industry
Book promotions and pre-orders
Audiobook production feedback
Voice acting and character voices
Release dates and zodiac signs
Anniversaries and dates
HWA social media issues
HWA leadership revelations
Complicity and vocal support
Stress and organizational facts
HWA dues and leadership failure
Angel/Buffy casting and Joss Whedon
Safety in telling stories
Columbine and survivor perspectives
Internal HWA changes
Rooting out organizational problems
Patreon sensitivity and finances
Local chapters and controversy
Pittsburgh chapter and connection
Mentorship structure ideas
HWA insurance benefits
Executive director salaries
Health benefits and costs
Talking about HWA in person
Manatee program joke and HPLC
Closing remarks and blessings
HPLC hotel advice
Will Murray and Lester Dent
Will Murray interview re-upload
Posterity and digital noise
Will Murray's death and stock
Cicada short story recording
New books and Ghost Train
Batman and Superman jokes
Ghost Train origin story
Ghost Train novella details
New book characters and tone
Buying books and wives
Jeremiah Dillon Cook release
Sales predictions and Patreon
Necronomicon convention feelings
Convention scheduling and volunteers
Weekly meetings proposal
Parkinson's law and time
Conspiracy theories and misogyny
Mark Rainey call and Silver Lining
Parasite Rex prize details
Closing song and next week
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