Valentine's Day may be over, but here at Chilling Tales, love's still in the air. Today’s program features three twisted tales of undying devotion. Join us as we explore just how far people are willing to go to show their affection. Today’s tales are the handiwork of independent horror authors Michael Waldrep, Chilling Tales for Dark Nights writing contest runner-up Dan David, and Toronto-based short story writer, the itch.

"The Swing"

Jeff Clement narrates this tale of terror by author Dan David, the 3rd place finisher in our May 2014 Short Writing Contest, about a new homeowner who has just moved into his new residence, and is hopeful his neighbors will take kindly to the all-night parties he has planned. When he discovers that one of his next-door neighbors has a child, however, his hopes are dashed. However, that turns out to be the least of his problems, as he learns why the child never leaves the solitary swing in his backyard, and never moves, except when a woman - presumably his mother - arrives daily to feed him a plethora of mysterious white pills.

Author: Dan David

Narrator: Jeff Clement

Sound Design: Jeff Clement

Post-Production: Jeff Clement

Music Production: Jeff Clement

Artwork: Jeff Clement

"The Proposition"

Todd Farrell narrates this story by author Michael Waldrep, about a woman disillusioned and unhappy in her marriage with her husband, who one day receives a visitation from a mysterious stranger in a fedora, who offers her a chance to change her life. The price tag, however, is quite high.

Author: Michael Waldrep

Narrator: Todd Farrell

Cathy: Melissa Exelberth

Mr. Stix: SungWon Cho

Marty: Jesse Cornett

Sound Design: Jesse Cornett

Post-Production: Jesse Cornett

Story Artwork: Craig Groshek

"Last Kiss"

Something goes horribly wrong and a man is caught inside an industrial machine. As his colleagues scramble to figure out a way to set him free, he shares a quiet moment with his beloved wife.

Author: The Itch

Performed by: Jeff Clement

Audio Production: Jeff Clement

Original Score: Jeff Clement

Video Production: Craig Groshek

Artwork: Jeff Clement

Story © The Itch

Audio production © JC Multimedia

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Author(s): Dan David, Michael Waldrep, and the itch

Performer(s): Jeff Clement, Todd Farrell, Melissa Exelberth, SungWon Cho, and Jesse Cornett

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Artist(s): N/A

Story © Dan David, Michael Waldrep, and The Itch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three terrifying tales follow ordinary people who make monstrous mistakes, with killer consequences. Featuring the work of indie horror authors Anton Scheller, Fangoria writing contest winner Stephanie Thompson, as well as Joshua Hood, who joins us for an interview.

"A Truck Stop Horror"

A dark night at a remote truck stop, and the diners in a small cafe are horrified whhen a body suddenly appears in a nearby parking lot. Their fear turns to shock, and then to terror as they realise that not only is the body moving, but something else, something bug, is out there, lying in wait beyond the rim of light.

Author: Joshua L. Hood

Narration: Peter Bishop

Paul: Jesse Cornett

Greasy Apron: Brendan Hurlbert

Waitress: Sarianna Gregg

Pink Sweater: Rebecca Peason

Dopey Boyfriend (Dougie): Jesse Cornett

Vietnam Vet: Otis Jiry

Trucker: Jonathan Jones

Veteran Cop: Steve Taylor

Rookie Cop: Joseph Gable

Medic: Andrea Rose

Injured Man: Jesse Cornett

Post Production/Production/Sound Design: Jesse Cornett

Original Score and Music: Son of Man

Video Production: Craig Groshek

Artwork: Craig Groshek

Story © Joshua L. Hood

"Know Thy Neighbor"

A woman's strange neighbor and his bizarre behavior begin to freak her out. When she refuses his advances, things take a decidedly sinister turn.

Author: Anton Scheller

Narrator: Lynne Darlington

The Voice of Ken: Jeff Clement

Sound Design: Jeff Clement

Music Production: Jeff Clement

Post-Production: Jeff Clement

"Creeper"

Otis Jiry, with assistance from the talented Kellie Fitzgerald, narrates this tale of love gone wrong by author Stephanie Thompson, originally featured on the website of our good friends over at Fangoria, as part of their 2012 Weird Words Fiction Contest. The story follows a man who, obsessed with a woman he’s been in love with for some time, does anything he can to bring her back to him.

Author: Stephanie Thompson

Narrator: Otis Jiry

The Voice of Leslie: Kellie Fitzgerald

Sound Design: Jesse Cornett

Post-Production: Jesse Cornett

Story Artwork: Craig Groshek

Story © Stephanie Thompson

Music Credits:

“Krush”: Son of Man

“Bent and Broken”: Kevin McLeod

Author: Anton Scheller

Narrator: Lynne Darlington

The Voice of Ken: Jeff Clement

Sound Design: Jeff Clement

Music Production: Jeff Clement

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Story © Joshua L. Hood, Stephanie Thompson, and Anton Scheller

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, our equal-opportunity nightmare machine focuses on the women behind the mic and behind the screen, with a thrilling female-driven narrative and an interview with two independent female horror authors, with us to discuss what it's like to write and publish in a male-dominated genre.

"The Mourner"

Photographer Katie thinks she has reached a career-defining moment when she sells a photograph of a widowed television star grieving at her husband's funeral to a national tabloid magazine. Katie's picture-perfect moment is marred, however, when a mysterious, disturbingly thin man, appears in her otherwise pristine image. The mystery surrounding the unidentified mourner deepens when she discovers just how much the stranger knows… about her.

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Author(s): Gareth Shore

Performer(s): Alicia Pavlis, Peter Bishop, and David Lewis Richardson

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Artist(s): N/A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight, we celebrate Edgar Allan Poe with performances of two of his classics, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat, along with an interview with a Poe expert. Think you know Poe? Think again!

"The Tell-Tale Heart"

In this classic tale by Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849), first published in 1843, just six years prior to Poe's death, is the story of an unnamed gentleman who endeavors to convince the reader of his sanity, while describing an evil deed which he has already committed, in an effort to rid himself not of his victim, but of the victim's disconcerting "vulture eye." Follow along as we here at Chilling Tales for Dark Nights bring this oft-told tale to life in our usual immersive style.

"The Black Cat"

A man succumbs to bottle, and at his lowest point murders his cat in a drunken rage. When another black cat shows up, bearing a striking resemblance to his former companion, the consequences of his actions come full circle.

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Author(s): Edgar Allan Poe

Performer(s): Jeff Clement & David Alnwick

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Artist(s): N/A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, we take you into the deep, dark woods, for an original tale about a summer camp that isn't exactly what it seems. Featuring the work of independent author Jeffrey Ebright, and an exclusive interview with YouTube horror phenomenon Spike "Mr. Creepypasta" Edmond!

"Home"

Otis Jiry, with support from Spike "Mr. Creepypasta" Edmond and Rebecca Peason, tell this tale of terror by author Jeffrey Ebright, about Camp Winnoka, a nature reserve playing weekend host to the boys of the nearby St. Michael's Orphanage. At the start of the weekend, everything about Camp Winnoka and its long-time counselors, Mountain Man Jackson (Jiry) and Roger Lovec (Mr. Creepypasta) seems perfectly typical. However, there is more than meets the eye behind the trails, bonfires and ghost stories marking the annual retreat. As counselor Jackson tells a younger camper, there are "no such things as ghosts," but there are some things far worse in the woods of Camp Winnoka.

Author: Jeffrey Ebright

Narrator (Mountain Man Jackson): Otis Jiry

The Voice of Roger Lovec: Mr. Creepypasta

Additional Vocals: Rebecca Peason

Sound Design: Jeff Clement

Post-Production: Jeff Clement

Music Production: Jeff Clement

Final Mix: Jeff Clement

In-Video Artwork: Craig Groshek

Video Production: Craig Groshek

Thumbnail Artwork: Craig Groshek

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Author(s): Jeffrey Ebright

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Artist(s): N/A

Story © Jeffrey Ebright

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this inaugural edition of Chilling Tales: The Podcast, we feature two riveting tales of terror - one modern, and one a lesser-known classic - both involving horrors that lurk just outside your bedroom windows, in your backyard. Featuring the work of (and an exclusive interview with) independent author William Dalphin.

"The Window"

One summer night, a woman watches from bed as a creature climbs the nearby cemetery fence and approaches her bedroom window. Then, it tries to get in... and succeeds.

"A Game Of Flashlight Tag"

In the world of a child, innocence overrides fear, and a parent's worst nightmare is about to unfold. A story of a horror that lurks right outside your backdoor. In an instant, a child's harmless game unleashes events that will haunt this small town for years to come. They say light conquers the darkness, but sometimes it only illuminates your worst fears …Tag. You're It.

Host(s): Steve Taylor

Author(s): William Dalphin & Augustus Hare

Performer(s): Jeff Clement, Luke Fischer, Steve Taylor, Peter Bishop, and Alicia Pavlis

Executive Producer: Craig Groshek

Scriptwriter(s): Craig Groshek & Jeff Clement

Producer(s): Jeff Clement

Composer(s): Jeff Clement

Artist(s): N/A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.