Strange Shadows
Hosted by Tim Mendees and Rob Poyton of the Innsmouth Book Club, Strange Shadows is a fortnightly podcast devoted to the weird fiction of Clark Ashton Smith. One of the Trinity of Weird Tales authors, Smith, alongside Lovecraft and Howard, redefined cosmic horror and fantasy fiction.
With his distinct baroque style, Smith's work remains rich, powerful and evocative. Using the five volume Night Shade Press collection of Smith's work as our guide, we will be covering each of his stories in chronological order, as well as screen adaptations and aspects of the author's life.
Occasional guests will be joining us to share their knowledge and opinions about this most poetic of the Weird Tales writers. Episodes are free, with bonus content and other rewards available for patrons - click Subscribe or visit our Patreon page for details. See you in Zothique!
Episodes
84 episodes
SS Bonus 11 CAS and WHP
We read and discuss poems from both Clark Ashton Smith and a writer very influenced by him - WH Pugmire. Twilight of the Gods, Amithaine, The Departed City, The Remorse of the Dead, The Outre Violinist, Destruction, Muse.<...
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1:01:19
SS3 023 The Colossus of Ylourgne Part 2
We are joined by our friends from 30+Minutes with HPL podcast to conclude our look at Smith's classic tale of necromantic vengeance, the Colossus of Ylourgne. We chat Ikea, wicker...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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1:09:03
SS3 022 The Colossus of Ylourgne Part 1
We are joined by our friends from 30+Minutes with HPL podcast for a look at Smith's classic tale of necromantic vengeance, the Colossus of Ylourgne. In Part 1 we chat medieval news, ghoulish ...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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52:23
SS3 021 The Supernumerary Corpse
We delve into Smith's tale of jealousy and poison, The Supernumerary Corpse. We talk poisoners, Margrave, choice insults, bumble bees and Theatre of Blood. Plus listener correspondence.Reader: James ConradFavouri...
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1:07:38
SS3 020 The Plutonian Drug
Join us for a jaunt through space and time with a pinch of Smith's The Plutonian Drug. We talk Farquar, LSD, romantic poets, Pluto, Banshee Chapter, and time travel - and meet Shamanic Basil!Reader: Shelley de ...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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1:25:28
Bonus Episode 10 - The Dark Chateau
We look at one of Smith's poetry anthologies and read and discuss six poems. Song of the Necromancer, Warning, Harlot of the World, The Dark Chateau, Exorcism and Zothique.
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1:11:25
Xmas Reading 7 - Selected Poems
Robert Poyton reads a selection of poems - Nyaghoggua by Robert AW LowndesTo Clark Ashton Smith by HP LovecraftThe Winter Moonlight by Clark Ashton SmithThe Eldritch One by Pauline Brooke...
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9:15
Xmas Reading 6 - Christmas with the Lovecraft Circle
Join Tim in the Ye Olde Innsmouth Bookshop for a delve into the correspondence between the circle at Festival Time and any seasonal works they may have put out. Includes a reading of Christmas poems by H.P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, R.H. Barlo...
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26:38
SS3 019 The Double Shadow
Join us in Poseidonis for Smith’s classic story of creeping terror, The Double Shadow. We chat rituals, King Kull, fart machines, The Double Shadow podcast, fear and loathing, and Rob unleashes his best mummy impression. Plus listener ...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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1:15:44
SS3 18 Ubbo-Sathla
Join us in the primordial ooze as we discuss Smith's mythos classic, Ubbo-Sathla! We talk conspiracy theories, Poe, Mu and Thule, Azathoth and Rob's trip to Averoigne.Reader: Matthew Wood, Edwyrdian...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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1:24:14
SS3 017 The Second Interment
We pay tribute to the late Scott Connors before discussing one of Smith's more gruesome tales, The Second Interment. We chat Poe, premature burial, the SPPBBA, Magbane, yew trees, pallbearers and Tim gives us his best Skeksis impressio...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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1:08:44
SS Bonus Episode 09 - Six Poems
We read and discuss six of Smith's poems - Shadow of Nightmare, Kingdom of Shadows, The Witch with Eyes of Amber, November, To Howard Philips Lovecraft, and HPL. We talk nuns, silent movies, autumn, August Derleth, funer...
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55:44
SS3 16 The Seed from the Sepulcher
Our Auburn correspondent Nils Hedglin joins us to discuss a tale of botanical body horror! We talk sepulchers, the Moody Blues, plant people, occult sign-offs and discover Strange Shadow...
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1:27:13
ILF24 Charles Stross Interview
Tim and Rob chat with the Innmsouth Literary Festival 24 Guest of Honour, Charles StrossCharles Stross
Subscriber Episode
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45:20
SS3 015 The Empire of the Necromancers
Join us in far-future Zothique as we discuss The Empire of the Necromancers! We talk magic circles, cocaine, Benny Hill, D&D, Frankenstein, and give a brief history of necromancy. Plus HPL at the cinema, listener feedback and the a...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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1:16:12
SS3 014 The Immortals of Mercury
We are joined by David D Perlmutter to discuss CAS' Immortals of Mercury. We chat editors, art vs commerce, Smith's vocabulary, alien morality, RPGs, dreams, creative writing and Rop...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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1:47:19
SS Reading 2 Three Poems by CAS
Rob Poyton reads Artemis, The Return of Hyperion, and The Sea-Gods. Download MP3Music by
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4:38
SS Bonus 08 Patron Q&A
Tim and Rob field Patron questions about CAS and about themselves! We talk favourite stories, Smith's saucy verse, vocabulary, inspirations and The Fugs.
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51:35
SS3 013 The Invisible City
Join us for a trek into the desert as we search for The Invisible City. We chat dodgy publishers, Genghis Khan, Aurora monster kits, Star Trek, alien pets, goth cybermen and fountain pens.Guest reader:
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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1:30:30
SS3012 The Weird of Avoosl Wuthoqquan
We plunge back into Hyperborea with one of Smith's most published stories. We talk the word weird, world building, snakes, Venus fly trap and Gibbelins.Favourite words: acidulous, obstreperous, chatoyance, fugacity, retiarii, unctuous, olea...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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48:03
SS3 011 A Vintage From Atlantis
Join us on the high seas for a discussion on Smith's pirate yarn, A Vintage From Atlantis. We talk Captain Kidd, the Jolly Roger, pirate films, heists, beach parties, Atlantean hangovers, plus Smith's saucy letters!Favourite words:...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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58:46
SS Bonus 07 Auburn
CAS enthusiast and Sacramento resident Nils Hedglin joins us for some unique insight into Smith's home town. We chat local history, Auburn tours, landscape, flora and fauna, Smith's sculptures, Howard Days, a...
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52:22
SS3 10 The Boiling Point
Tim delves into Dawnward Spire, Lonely Hill, to bring us the story of an argument that raged in the letters column of The Fantasy Fan fanzine... vintage flame wars!
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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36:37
