Erik Arneson

“Customer” by S.W. Lauden & “Election Day” by Erik Arneson

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“Customer” by S.W. Lauden and “Election Day” by Erik Arneson (S3E5)

On this special episode of the Title 18: Word Crimes podcast — and not special like ABC Afterschool Specials from the ’70s and ’80s or that episode of Diff’rent Strokes with First Lady Nancy Reagan — we have two stories.

Both stories — “Customer” by S.W. Lauden and “Election Day” by Erik Arneson can be found on the brand new anthology WAITING TO BE FORGOTTEN: Stories of Crime and Heartbreak Inspired by The Replacements.

Published by Gutter Books and edited by Jay Stringer, WAITING TO BE FORGOTTEN also features stories by includes 25 stories by David Accampo, Hailey Ardell, Gorman Bechard, Eric Beetner, Kristi Belcamino, Jerry Bloomfield, William Boyle, Angel Luis Colón, Jen Conley, Rory Costello, Josh Flanagan, Ed Kurtz, Tom Leins, Mike McCrary, Franz Nicolay, Rick Ollerman, Eyre Price, Manuel Royal, Alex Segura, Johnny Shaw, Josh Stallings, Jay Stringer, and Liam Sweeney.

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“Customer” by S.W. Lauden and “Election Day” by Erik Arneson on the Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast

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“Three Cases Only a Desperate, Below-Average Private Investigator Would Take” by Erik Arneson

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“Three Cases Only a Desperate, Below-Average Private Investigator Would Take” by Erik Arneson (S3E4)

On this episode, Erik Storey reads “Three Cases Only a Desperate, Below-Average Private Investigator Would Take” by me.

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“Three Cases Only a Desperate, Below-Average Private Investigator Would Take” by Erik Arneson on the Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast

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“Bleeding Out” by Eric Beetner

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“Bleeding Out” by Eric Beetner (S3E3)

On this episode, I read “Bleeding Out” by Eric Beetner.

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“Bleeding Out” by Eric Beetner on the Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast

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The Throes of Crime – Available Now

the-throes-of-crime-finalThe paperback version of my short story collection THE THROES OF CRIME is now available. (The ebook is coming soon.)

It includes 26 short stories (several of which have been featured on the Title 18: Word Crimes podcast) and six true-crime essays. The stories collected here have been published by places like Thuglit, Needle, Otto Penzler’s Kwik Krimes, Akashic Books’ Mondays Are Murder, and Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine. There are also seven brand new stories.

Here’s what some great folks have said about THE THROES OF CRIME:

“Dark, depraved and wickedly funny, THE THROES OF CRIME is a showcase for Erik Arneson’s remarkable versatility. Equally at home in dusty western saloons and gritty Cold War Leningrad as he is among crooked present-day politicians, hapless cons, and the occasional murderous orangutan, Arneson’s snappy, clever tales are enriched immeasurably by his keen eye for detail and atmosphere. A thoroughly enjoyable read.” ~OWEN LAUKKANEN, author of THE WATCHER IN THE WALL

“These stories are bite-sized, delicious, and full of surprises. Bitter, sweet, sometimes even salty, you never know what you’re going to get. But unlike life, this anthology never disappoints. And unlike a box of chocolates, there are no jellies.” ~JON McGORAN, author of DEAD OUT

“These stories cover the gamut from subtle and thought-provoking to action-packed and jaw-breaking, but all are told with elegance and served with Arneson’s signature satisfying, often disturbing twists. If you have a wickedly dark sense of humor and an appreciation for the deeply ironic, these stories are for you.” ~MERRY JONES, author of THE TROUBLE WITH CHARLIE

“It’s not a crime I care if my friend falls. Blow out the candle so I won’t have to look at this thing at all. Who would’ve guessed when my partner Harry Evans penned this lyric, that 25 years later our friend Erik Arneson would inject titles of some of our tunes into his mini masterpieces. We are humbled. Sun shines over cloudy worlds.” ~BILL CAMPBELL, lead singer of THE THROES

“I play drums. I write songs. I consider myself to be a hack at best. But somehow I have inspired Erik to write truly good stories. This collection is impressive and compelling and I am honored that I had some small part in its creation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.” ~HARRY EVANS, drummer for THE THROES

All proceeds from THE THROES OF CRIME benefit the James & Jeanne Arneson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to graduates of Wilmot High School in Wilmot, South Dakota, who display an aptitude in creative writing by authoring a short story. The goal of the scholarship is to encourage students from Wilmot to continue writing fiction well beyond high school, to tell the stories that only they can tell. Powerful stories and funny stories and magical stories – stories the world is waiting for, even if it doesn’t realize it just yet.

Season 1 on YouTube

The first season of the Word Crimes podcast is now available on YouTube! Here’s episode 8, which featured Jen Conley’s “Kick.”

The entire season is available at my YouTube channel. Enjoy!

Season 3 of the Word Crimes podcast is coming soon — it will start with a four-episode series featuring stories by Erik Storey, Eric Beetner, Eryk Pruitt, and me.

Season 2 on YouTube

Season 2 of the Word Crimes podcast is now available on YouTube! Here’s episode 1, which featured Johnny Shaw’s “Luck.”

The entire season is available at my YouTube channel. Enjoy!

And… we know it’s been a while since there have been any new episodes. Hang in there. Scott’s been covering the U.S. presidential election for NPR and I’ve been busy with a variety of projects (not to mention my day job), but we haven’t forgotten the podcast!

Top 10 Episodes of 2015

Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast LogoThe Title 18: Word Crimes podcast had a great 2015.

We produced 11 episodes this year, season two of Word Crimes. Scott Detrow voiced stories by the likes of Paul Brazill, Rob Hart, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Todd Robinson, Johnny Shaw, and Duane Swierczynski — one hell of a great lineup.

And in December, we crossed the 5,000 download mark. Scott and I are thrilled by that. Our sincere thanks to everyone who’s listening.

Here’s a look back at the Top 10 episodes of Word Crimes in 2015 (which includes some episodes originally produced in 2014). Enjoy!

#1: Live at Bouchercon 2014
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#2: Live at NoirCon: Three Minutes of Terror Part 1
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#3: “Appetite” by Jon McGoran
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#4: Live at NoirCon: Three Minutes of Terror Part 2
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#5: “Bliss” by Merry Jones
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#6: “Luck” by Johnny Shaw
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#7: Noir at the Bar Philadelphia: Part 1
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#8: Noir at the Bar Philadelphia: Part 3
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#9: “For the Honesty” by Erik Arneson
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#10: “How to Make the Perfect New York Bagel” by Rob Hart
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We’ll be back with Season 3 of Word Crimes in 2016. Happy New Year!

You can listen to more Title 18: Word Crimes podcasts here.

Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know by posting a comment here, on Twitter or Facebook — or, best of all, rate the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

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Live at NoirCon: Three Minutes of Terror, Part 2

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Live at NoirCon: Three Minutes of Terror, Part 2 (S2E4)

This episode of Word Crimes was recorded live at NoirCon 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a panel called THREE MINUTES OF TERROR.

It features readings by ten authors: Kevin Catalano, Matt Cook, Keith Gilman, Rob Hart, William Hastings, Nik Korpon, Peter Rozovsky, Wallace Stroby, Graham Wynd, and me.

THREE MINUTES OF TERROR was organized and hosted by Joe Samuel Starnes. It was great fun for the readers and audience alike — the fast pace works very well. Enjoy!

This is part 2 of 2. Part 1 is available here.

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Live at NoirCon: Three Minutes of Terror, Part 2 on the Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast

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Noir at the Bar Philadelphia: Part 3 – Jonathan Woods, Erik Arneson, Duane Swierczynski & Jon McGoran

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Noir at the Bar Philadelphia: Part 3 (S1E20)

This episode of Word Crimes was recorded live at Misconduct Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at a terrific Noir at the Bar event. It features readings by Jonathan Woods, me, Duane Swierczynski, and Jon McGoran.

Hosted by Peter Rozovsky, Noir at the Bar kicked off the great NoirCon, which takes place every two years in Philadelphia. All told, a dozen authors read their work in front of an enthusiastic, standing-room-only audience. This episode is part three of three. Part one can be found here, and part two can be found here.

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Noir at the Bar Philadelphia, Part 3 on the Title 18: Word Crimes Podcast

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Noir at the Bar Philly 2014

Live at Bouchercon 2014 – Seth Harwood, Jess Lourey, Erik Arneson & Rob Hart

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Live at Bouchercon 2014 (S1E16)

This episode of Word Crimes was recorded live in Long Beach, California, at Bouchercon 2014, where Jess Lourey, Seth Harwood, Rob Hart and I all read our work in front of a live audience.

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Title 18: Word Crimes Episode 16 – Live from Bouchercon 2014

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Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know by posting a comment here, on Twitter or Facebook — or, best of all, rate the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks!

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