The Double Shadow: A Clark Ashton Smith Podcast

Episode #32: “The Coming of the White Worm”

We finally present our long-awaited “Coming of the White Worm” episode. Between power failures and illnesses, this was as much a monster to record as it was for Hyperborea. But now we’re recording more and back on track. Our guest is Mike Bukowski, who really does have a fake cult.

The Gaspard Du Nord sketch and Sabine.

Phil’s film Europa Report.

We swear to Tsathoggua that Rumology is a REAL thing.

Join us next time for the final story in Hyperborea “The Theft of the Thirty-Nine Girdles.”

Reader: The Divine Joe Scalora
Music: Kevin MacLeod

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  1. bluecthulhu says:

    There are two versions of the story. The original, longer version was rejected and Clark dramatically abridged it to get it published.

    The Book of Hyperborea by Necronomicon Press has both versions.

  2. Jay Dugger says:

    In the next episode of this podcast please don’t open so much small talk and advertising for side projects. While interesting in moderation, I stopped listening to this episode after eight minutes and twenty-one seconds of white-worm-less-ness.

    • Ruth says:

      You can always skip ahead. But try around minute 10.

      • wrieder66 says:

        As a counter-balancing voice, I enjoy the digressions / small talk / side projects – especially in this instance as it related to the future / past Necronomicon. I would have come up to thank you (Ruth) after the HPL-LP session, but 1) didn’t want to butt into the chat you were having, 2) couldn’t wait to bug Chad and Chris while they were there, and most importantly 3) wasn’t able to figure out how to balance the “I love the work Tim, Phil and you are doing” angle with the more pressing “when does this White Worm podcast come out? It’s been almost two months without my getting fun free stuff from you – frak’n snap to it!” question I _really_ wanted to ask.

        Did love seeing Mike’s stuff up in the Biltmore eyrie – the Collection was stunning.

  3. bluecthulhu says:

    I cannot wait until Mike draws the worm!

  4. Rob says:

    Sorry I’m with Jay on this one…..things finally seemed to get going and then we are off again into,like, Mike’s trip to, like, wherever. And it’s difficult to skip ahead as I usually listen while driving and the car stereo won’t skip!

  5. Gary Dowell says:

    Glad to hear a shout-out to C. L. Moore’s Jirel of Joiry. These stories are some of the best fantasy fiction to come out of the heyday of the pulp era, and are sadly overlooked today. Collected editions of these and other Moore stories are well-worth tracking down.
    And, at the risk of too much small talk, Phil’s flick is quite impressive. Coincidentally, I included in blog post on noteworthy space-disaster flicks earlier this week.

    • I too enjoy hearing the bantering about all subject related and not to the weird. Disregard the naysayers…
      The reference to C.L. Moore got me thinking of the “Tree of Life” with her other great protagonist Northwest Smith. I too love all her works and will reread Black Gods Kiss this weekend. All the Jirel of Joiry stories are great and show how far ahead of her time C.L. More really was.
      While listening to this rendition of “The Coming of the White Worm” in my mind’s eye I was reminded, sound wise, of some old little ditty by Sopor Aeternus: http://youtu.be/JEDfx_N90J0
      Keep up the profound works I personally enjoy all of it. A needed break will pondering this journey and enduring this mortal coil.

  6. JustCallMeLonesome says:

    Tireless self-promotion is the American way!! The 3 podcasters and their peeps are creative, talented, and confident. I think they need to be more self-promoting–doing so could lead to upgraded production and/or a better chance of the free podcast continuing into the future. Steve Austin’s podcast has stellar advertisement spots to “pay the bills.” It can be done right, especially if you believe in the product (aka Steve Austin & Alpha Brain).

    I loved this ep! Thanks to the podcasters! This podcast is the medicine of the soul!

    For the naysayers, the weepers, & the fussers:
    https://www.onnit.com/new-mood/?pid=46

    :o)

    All you need is confidence
    A little thing called confidence
    There’s no job too immense when you’ve got
    Confidence

    I never learned from a man who agreed with me.

    Do not listen to those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious.

  7. Rob says:

    I have no problem with self promotion, yep I agree the 3 podcasters are great and hearing about their other projects is interesting.

    What I am “nay-saying” is 10-20% of a podcast taken up with where someone went on holiday and other personal minutiae. We don’t really get it from Ruth, Tim and Phil, they stay on-track and I enjoy their work immensely.

    FWIW I love Mike’s illustrations too, just not that interested in hearing about his broken finger, at lost in more than passing

    • Tim M. says:

      I’m finding all of this very amusing. This is the most discussion we’ve had about an episode to date…I think.

      It’s kind of heartening that we’re all such Smith fans that we don’t argue interpretation or worthiness, just presentation.

      I spent *a lot* of time editing each episode, and I very carefully choose what goes in and what comes out. There’s a reason for everything that ends up in a final episode–even if that reason is that I, personally, find something interesting.

      Anyway, both dissension and support are noted. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  8. A quick not on the ‘mancys if anyone’s interested. I grew up thinking that Pyromancy was throwing fireballs etc, but if you look up any of them (Aero- Geo- Hydro- ) they’re all just ways to divine the future, unfortunately. Boring.

  9. I thought it was an awesome show, as always!! Can’t wait for the Girdles!!

  10. Chris Jarocha-Ernst says:

    Mike’s Bison copy of LOST WORLDS is a reprint of the original Arkham House edition, which used the versions of the stories as they were originally published. So blame some nameless editor of 50 years ago for the excising of the ‘mancies and things finned with horror.

    On another topic, I hope you will continue and cover the lesser cycles of CAS. The Philip Hastane stories are worth covering (they include both the two “Singing Flame” tales and “The Hunters from Beyond”), and you might, in addition to Mars and Xiccarph, do Capt. Volmer’s tales and the otherwise unrelated Lovecraftian ones like “The Return of the Sorcerer”, “The Nameless Offspring”, and “The Treader of the Dust”.

  11. Here is the problem I have had for over 17+ year now…

    You know the problem with CAS is…
    Once you read CAS, Lovecraft is now somehow lacking.
    Where do I go from here? I feel like I have hit the pinnacle when it comes to weird fiction.
    C.L. Moore and the others barely get close.

    • Chris Jarocha-Ernst says:

      Jeff, can you elaborate on what you find in CAS that’s not in others?

      Vance is a good choice if it’s the language. If it’s the poetical imagery, I’m harder pressed to find an equivalent. Maybe Ligotti?

  12. Rob says:

    Have you tried Jack Vance’s Dying Earth? For me they have a CAS feel

  13. Chad says:

    Thread necro’d!

    Do we think events in the Door to Saturn are mentioned in the Book of Eibon, or was the book finished in its final form and then left behind before he slipped through the door?

  14. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% positive. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you