Otherlands Editing Podcast

Episode 15 Religion, Cults, and Worldbuilding

The M&Ms talk religion, how it can motivate your character and reflect societal values, the dark side of leadership with cults, and how to world building religions in your fantasy convincingly. TRIGGER WARNING - as we discuss cults, some allusions to physical, financial, and other types of abuse of cult victims is mentioned. Also discussions of the People's Temple of Guyana and mass suicide. Please be aware before listening. 

Episode 14 Horror Has Teeth: Writing Horror

For the first of two Halloween-themed episodes, M&M talk about horror in movies and TV by comparing the works of Mike Flanagan and Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story Series, discuss favorite horror movies like the works of Romero and Jordan Peele, and then look at short fiction and why shorter horror is often more compelling. Finally, we explain why reading widely is good and that there are parts of horror that can help you with writing other genres as well. 

Episode 13 The Writing Gals Conference Preview Minisode

This week, Margaret and Midnight take time to preview workshops they've submitted and will be part of The Writing Gals 2025 Conference. Midnight is presenting on "Writing Your Wildest Romantasy," while Margaret is presenting on "Rescuing Your WIP from being an RIP" and helping writers through their blocks. The Writing Gals and some of their other events and courses can be found at their facebook group here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/170375933609063). If you're interested in the conference and want $50 dollars off, then register through the affiliate link here -
 https://the-writing-gals.teachable.com/p/the-writing-gals-2025-online-conference?coupon_code=GAL2025&affcode=646498_zwzxe6nb
 

Episode 12 Fairy Tale Adaptations

In this episode, the M&Ms cover adaptations, specifically adapting fairy tales. Margaret discusses her own experience adapting "The Golden Stag" into a novella. Then, they dive into Amazon Prime's Cinderella musical and the recent Disney live-action Snow White and explain why both adaptations fail. The M&Ms also discuss how to do better and succeed with any fairy tale retelling you may be planning.

Episode 11 - An Interview with Harry Carpenter - Horror Author and Founder of FrightReads Book Festival

This week, the M&Ms interview Harry Carpenter, horror author, who has run FrightReads Halloween Book Festival for five years. For the fifth year, they'll be bigger and better than ever at the Howard County Fairgrounds on September 13th and 14th. In this ep, we all discuss favorite horror films, how to get into horror writing, and what it takes to run a horror and Halloween extravaganza. 

Episode 10 Superman 2025, Zack Snyder's Justice League, and the Importance of Revision and Double Loading Scenes

SPOILER ALERT - In this episode, Margaret and Midnight talk about James Gunn's Superman (2025) and explain why this is a terrific film and screenplay, what parts of it apply to your writing, and how you can make every part of your work do heavy lifting by not wasting scenes. We also contrast it, especially with how well it sets worldbuilding up efficiently, to the Snyderverse and explain the difference between indulging your characters by having them talk exposition and infodumping at each other as opposed to letting them be real people. Warning, we are talking about Superman 2025 extensively so only listen if you're already spoiled or have seen it!

Episode 9 - A Content Creator Night at Bookshop Queen Takes Book

Last Friday, Midnight and I were invited to cover an amazing night at locally-owned, Columbia MD bookshop Queen Takes Book. There we got to know the owners and staff as well as some creative, passionate book lovers and influencers from all over the area. Special shoutout to the people we met there including, Chloe the Reader, Annabookbestie, tmichellemoore, starrfirebookgirl, lysettemariereads, pretty poisons dark romance, and gennareading. Also, of course, big thanks to Queen Takes Book for initiating this get together!

Episode 8 Adaptations across Media

This week, Midnight and Margaret discuss the failure of the Netflix film The Electric State to adapt from a celebrated graphic novel. We also talk other adaptations like both versions of the Super Mario Brothers movie as well as Max's adaptation of Uzumaki. We help you think about adaptations and what to keep in mind when adapting and changing an aesthetic, archetype, or plot you like from a different medium like a television show or video game into your own written fictional work.

Episode 7 Picking Point of View

Today, Midnight and Margaret look at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person points of view, give advice on how to pick the best one for your book, and how to ensure your point of view choices best serve your story and creating engaging action. Warning, we do talk about some TV shows, so there are also some spoilers for Agatha All Along and the first season of Squid Game.

Episode 6 An Interview with Author Dawn Dugle about Oklahoma Book Ban Bill SB 593

Today, Midnight Voss and Margaret Bates interview spicy rom-com author, Dawn Dugle, about her advocacy online against Oklahoma State Senate Bill 593 that seeks to outlaw CSAM as well as put severe restrictions on what is considered "porn" in the state. We talk about book ban history, the current state of the despotic US government, why it matters to stop book bans even if you feel you live in a "safe" or blue state, and what you can do to help stop this today. If you are interested in what Dawn has to say, you can find her site here https://dawndugle.com/ or even sponsor her via her Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/DawnDugle Also TRIGGER WARNINGS for discussions of true American history, including discussing slavery, Native American genocide, and internment camps during WWII.