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The year is 2050. Humans wear metal sleeves and depend on mechanical organ replacements...science and logic drives society, but we discover there is still a touch of humanity of left in our tale today called Skin. Skin was first published in Horror through the Ages anthology.Music: Plan B by Lalo Brickman (Epidemic Music)www.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

Leonard Sale determines to stay awake for six days—when the rescue ship arrives. But, six days is a long time, especially when there are hungry beings waiting to take his body over. Join us in Part Two of Asleep in Armageddon by Ray Bradbury.Asleep in Armageddon was originally published in Planet Stories in 1948. Music: Echoes of Time V2 by Music by Kevin MacLeodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

"Avoid Planetoid 787. Lush and sunny, with fineair and no dangerous beasts, it'll tempt you tocurve in for some nice solid-ground sleep. DON'T!"—Planet Stories, 1948This week we bring you part one of Asleep on Armageddon by Ray Bradbury. If you keep hearing voices in your head during the story...don't worry! It's just the story. However, if you keep hearing them after the story, you may want to get that checked out. Gods battling for your mind is nothing to sneeze at.Asleep in Armageddon was originally published in Planet Stories in 1948. Music: Echoes of Time V2 by Music by Kevin MacLeodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

Guest author, Stephen J Golds, steeps our senses in the minds of psychopaths where anything can and will happen in "A Short Story." There's a time and place for all kinds of love in this world. We soon discover that dark love is best buried deeply "In an Unmarked Place."A Short Story and In an Unmarked Place were both originally published in the wonderful Bristol Noir Magazine. Bristol Noir publishes high quality stories and I suggest you go check them out. Links:Check out Steve's latest release, Always the Dead on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NYYBJ5NTwitter: @SteveGone58 #alwaysthedeadhttps://twitter.com/SteveGone58Music: Catalyst by Alexander Nakarada (I edited the music for this episode) www.darksoftlytalespodcast.www.darksoftlytales.com

A strange sequence of events lands Vi at the sanatorium. Her best friend, Lucy, visits her often and as a best friend will do, dishes out some rather juicy secrets about Vi's husband and his plan to ditch Lucy. Though, after a few stolen drinks of hard liquor, the world is a bit woozy and we learn anything is possible in Vi and Lucy's world.This week's story is Lucy Comes to Stay by the master of psychological suspense, Robert Bloch.Time Stamp: For those who prefer to skip the intro, the story starts at 3:46. <3Music: At the Kitchen Table By Savfkwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

This week we discover that haunted houses and haunting dreams go together like a coffin in a grave. Our protagonist does well to trust his intuition, but his friend who takes a more logical approach, does not fair well. Join me in this week's story, Caterpillars by EF Benson. This story may have been written in 1912, but trust me, it holds the creep factor!Timestamp: Story starts at 2:48Music: Blue Feather by Kevin MacLeodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

It’s 2021, the time of the axe, the time when the blade hacks and hews at sinew and bone, at the moon and stars and the universe that lies between. At Faraday Psychiatric Hospital, Cecilia makes eye contact with herself in the bathroom mirror. She knows today is the anniversary of something very dreadful she has done, but she can't remember what or why. When she applies her favorite lip gloss, Dead Sunset Red, it triggers a floodgate of horrific memories beyond comprehension.This story was originally published in Voluted Tales, and you can also find it in Mav Skye's 3 Tales to Chill Your Bones, Deadly Women. It's free on amazon, feel free to download HERE.Music: Freedom in Fire by Snow Music Studio(I edited the music and added my own vocals.)www.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

The North Pole isn't what it's made up to be, neither is Santa. Kidnapped and forced to be Santa's elf, Henrietta hatches up a plan that's much more naughty than nice. This story is extremely dark and for adults only. Violence and foul language. Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas.Today's story is part of a collection of stories based on the beloved femme fatale, Henrietta. You can find another one her stories in Dark Softly Tales most listened to episode which is Eps: 43 Pillow Talk. Henrietta's origins start in my novellas: Behind the Black Door and Night without Stars (and one day if I ever get a chance to edit the third book in the series: Ghost of a Chance.)We are close to Dark Softly Tales one year anniversary. Phew! What a year! Sincere appreciation for your being on this journey with me.Music: Long Note Three by Kevin MacLeodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

One lonely rest stop. Two sisters. Their secrets so grim, even the reaper would kill to know. Join me in dark story for the darkest nights of the year: Hollow SecretsLooking back through my notes, I realized this was one of my very first published stories! So much love to Yellow Mama magazine for publishing it. <3Music: Through the Shadows by Camilo Castillowww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskyehttps://twitter.com/DarkSoftlyTales

It started with a tap on the ceiling, then it grew a heartbeat and a pulse. The beast calls to Cassie nightly in a world beyond her own—the great abyss. Her husband, Brian, insists medication will make it go away, but when Cassie discovers he has found another love...she questions where she truly belongs. This week's story is called Strings.You can find Strings in Abyss, 3 Tales to Chill Your Bones, Volume Five.Music: Ritual by Kevin MacleodTenebrous Brothers Carnival-Act Three by Kevin Mac Leodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.amazon.com/author/mavskye

Today is our conclusion of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper.I am once more experiencing technical difficulties, this time with the new mac update. Please hang in there with me while I figure it out. Thanks!Music: Misty Lights by Rafael Kruxwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.com

Creeping crawling women in a caged attic... The 1800's produced horror that is just as chilling today as it was back then. Join me in part two of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper.To read Charlotte's reasoning behind the story, click on the link. https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/18-industrial-america/charlotte-perkins-gilman-why-i-wrote-the-yellow-wallpaper-1913/Music: Misty Lights by Rafael Kruxwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.com

Jane is enthralled with the Victorian house and garden that she is to spend a few months resting at. Her husband John, the good doctor, has decided that Jane has a temporary nervous depression, or in other words, a slight hysterical tendency. There are many beautiful rooms in the house, but he decides that Jane’s imagination is too easily exercised and insists that she rests in the attic room—a miserable playroom for children in past times. There are bars on the windows and the doctor won’t even let her be with her child. Her mind wanders to the yellow wallpaper—its horribleness, secrets and wonder. She has sneaked her journal into the room and writes her thoughts. As time passes by, the room becomes more and more alive…. This story may be old but, as all old stories are, still so pertinent to our times. For the next few weeks, we will be reading The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.Music: Misty Lights by Rafael Krux

Congratulations, Nancy! Message me for your prize. Thank you to all the participants. I was surprised at how many names I received in my email. We will do another giveaway soon! Thanks for playing along everyone!To catch the next giveaway, you can sign up for the newsletter, go to www.darksoftlytalespodcast.com, scroll down until you see the sign up form.Music: Spacial Wind by Kevin MacleodVisit Mav's empire site where you can learn more about her her books, haunt her soon to be updated blog, and one day in the near future a jewelry shop will magically appear. www.darksoftlytales.com

What's Halloween without Halloween games? Jackie invites her boyfriend over for a little game of guess that feel... He shows up as a clown, and we soon discover there is no clowning around for what he has in store! *This story is not for the faint of heart or for children. Adults only!*This is our Monday episode—released a little early in the spirit of Samhain... enjoy!(For those who are looking for it. The Name My Scarecrow Contest announcement will be released in a day or two!)This story was originally published years ago in a 13 Days of Halloween ...read-along...thing.Music: Alice in Dark Wonderland by Lexin MusicClown Noise Honk attribution: Mutatorscotch at freesound.orgHack: Axe_Barrel by EverHeat at Freesound.org2nd hack: wood chopping by wavecal22 at freesound.orgScream: “MaderaDelEste Films” by Sironboy at freesound.orgwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.darksoftlytales.com

A goth punk witch goes on a killing spree on her favorite night of the year. When she comes across ghostly children whom she can’t catch, she follows them to a deserted house where she meets The Reaper. Dark Softly Tales brings, Smashing Roxy. Happy Halloween!Smashing Roxy was originally published in Pulp Modern back in 2013, and later republished in Witches, 3 Tales to Chill Your Bones, Volume 2. Episode music: Spooky Halloween Night by AG MusicThere's still time to enter names for the Name my Scarecrow Contest and Giveaway! Join the podcast newsletter Here and head on over to my Facebook page, Tweet at me or simply email me (darksoftlytales@gmail.com) your three name suggestions! Name will be chosen on Halloween night under the light of the full moon!Story subs are still open! Check out the guidelines HERE. www.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.darksoftlytales.com

A history teacher, trying to find a way to connect with his teen daughter, discovers a local urban legend on Reddit about a haunted bridge. He offers to take his daughter to this bridge to see if the legend is true, but decides to check it out himself first. He makes a harrowing discovery that will haunt him for the rest of his life. Dark Softly Tales presents The Bridge by guest author Alec Cizak.Author Bio: Alec Cizak is a writer and filmmaker from Indianapolis. His fiction has appeared in several journals and anthologies. He is also the editor of the fiction journal Pulp Modern.Swing on over to amazon to find The Bridge and other stories in Alec Cizak's horror anthology, Lake County Incidents. Follow Alec on Twitter and Youtube. Head on over to his website http://nomoralcenter.blogspot.com to discover more. Music: Very Low Note by Kevin MacLeod Long Note One by Kevin Macleodwww.darksoftlytales.comwww.darksoftlytalespodcast.com

This week’s tale is one of horror and madness. Edgar Allan Poe takes us deep inside the mind of a madman, who, even in the midst of a crime, cannot escape the prison bars of his own conscience. This week’s story is, of course, The Tale Tell Heart.Music: Uneasy Imagination by Erick McNernyHeartbeat attribution: Moulaythami and freesound.org Sign up for the newsletter: https://www.darksoftlytales.com/podcast-subscribeSend me your dark, suspenseful story:https://www.darksoftlytales.com/submission-guidelinesPick up 98 Ways to Skin a Clown onAmazon: https://geni.us/gchssbk1or Audiobook (coupon code: october) https://www.darksoftlytales.com/product-page/98-ways-to-skin-a-clown-audio

This week's tale is the first chapter of my first audiobook! In this riveting tale, we find a young Thomas Slade choosing a dark path after being kidnapped and inducted into the Night Devils biker gang. He quickly gains the leader’s trust and is given a task: go undercover as a kiddie clown entertainer at Carnival Circus and extract information from a man named Elvis. The job is simple, until Thomas meets the lovely Gerda, who is pregnant with Elvis’ child. Furthermore, Thomas realizes he actually enjoys entertaining as a clown for children and sees a future where he could settle down with a woman he cares about, but as always in life…things aren’t that simple. He has a job to do and will soon discover…there really are 98 Ways to Skin a Clown. This a dark story, but not one without innocence, first love, and of course, clowns.Purchase the audiobook here: https://www.darksoftlytales.com/product-page/98-ways-to-skin-a-clown-audioEnter the Promo Coupon code for a discount!: OctoberPick up the book on amazon: https://geni.us/gchssbk1Girl Clown Hatchet Series Boxset: https://geni.us/GCHB1234We are open to story submissions! Check out the guidelines here www.darksoftlytales.com/submission-guidelinesMusic: Nervous by Kevin MacLeodJoin the podcast newsletter and get a free audio-story by signing up HERE.Amazon: amazon.com/author/mavskye

This is a short gothic experimental piece that is metaphorical and intended for the reader/listener to feel. Regular Dark Softly Tales program resumes in two weeks! Fall is almost here. YAY. Dross was first published at Altered States.Welcome to the Dark Softly Summer Bites series. These stories are bite sizes, shorter than usual—about 5-10 minutes long. I hope you dig the Summer Bites opening/closing! The regular program will resume in late September.Opening & Closing music: Mav SkyeEpisode Music: Created by my Mav SkyeJoin the podcast newsletter and get a free audio book by signing up HERE.www.darksoftlytalespodcast.comwww.darksoftlytales.comFind Mav Skye’s books on amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/mavskye