So, about this Podcast

A reflection on the first two months.

Tomorrow will mark two months since I launched The Deceneus Review. The whole project was a spur of the moment decision. Something I have been thinking about doing but never sat down and actually planned. I just got an itch to do it and went for it.

STATE OF THE POD

Now is a good time to do some early reflection. First of all, from all metrics I have from Substack, I’m happy with the interest generated. According to what I can see the podcast has gotten downloaded over 6k times. This includes all episodes and does not include views of the initial post or brief listens. According to Buzzsprout podcast analytics only the top 10% of podcasts get 400+ downloads per episode in the first 7 days. Every episode I’ve put up has gone over 1k in the first few days. So, I’m basically Joe Rogan.

Honestly, I don’t know how accurate these stats are and I don’t particularly care too much but I’m happy to have at least a general idea that what I am putting out is interesting and valuable enough for people to spend close to an hour listening. So far the best metric of success has been the positive feedback I’ve received through messages and emails and the conversations that have started around topics we have discussed on an episode.

FORMAT

So far each episodes starts with a brief introductory monologue, a short segment where I talk about something I’ve been thinking about, followed by a 30 or so minute interview with a writer or artist where we have a free flowing discussion about whatever topic comes across my mind. The goal is for me to steer the interview towards interesting and pertinent topics and so far I’ve been satisfied with my amateur but adequate work. This format isn’t in any way my creation and for listeners of other podcasts you will recognize it as a direct knockoff of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast which is my favorite listen.

For the time being I plan on keeping the format the same, but I am open to adjusting things as time passes and of course trying different variations. One thing I want to do is joint reviews, where I have a guest that is more of a co-host than the subject of an interview, and the two or three of us discuss a novel, movie, or show together. I am also open to doing episodes on topics that listeners are interested in. So if you have any ideas, want me to cover a topic, please send me a Direct Message or comment below.

FREQUENCY

I haven’t decided how often I want to put out episodes. For the first 6 episodes I managed to record, edit, and release an episode each week. I’m not sure that this is a realistic schedule due to my heavy work schedule and responsibilities as a parent and husband. Right now, my goal is to release at least 2 full interview episodes per month and possibly throw in a book review or audio essay if time allows.

My other main focus, and honestly the more important one is my own fiction writing. I’m working on a novel that I want to deliver to my editor this year and if I spend all of my free time producing a podcast I’m never going to finish the damn thing. I also have this Substack to write, and because I use it as a warmup to my fiction it has personal value to me and hopefully generates some interest from readers.

And not to mention reading. I have a pile of unread books that I promised myself I would get through this year. Some of them are books that I promised myself I would get through 3 years ago and have rolled over into 2024.

UPCOMING

• Tomorrow I’m recording an interview I’ve wanted to do since the beginning but had to abort at least three times due to technical malfunction, sickness, and a sudden thunderstorm that I could in no way edit out of the recording. So if everything works out a new episode will drop early next week.

• After that I think one of my favorite Pilum Press writers, and the author of the best independent novel I’ve read will come on. I’m working through his soon to be released novel and it’s fantastic.

• Talking about Pilum Press, I plan on wrangling the best Indy Sword & Sorcery writer, the Prince of Pittsburg himself, to come on the show. I’ll get him on even if I have to drive another 10 hours across the Mason Dixon line.

• I want

  Lisa Kuznak
  back to talk about her new novel. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet but what I’ve scanned through got my interest. I think she was a great guest and I got both written and in person requests to have her back on. I actually want everyone to be repeat episodes because every interview discussion I’ve done could have gone on for a few more hours. Writers are interesting people.

• I want to get more Substack writers on here and other podcasters. I would love to talk shop with people that share a readership and online community with me. After all, like I said in the first episode, the point of all this is to create at least a simulacrum of community.

LISTENERS

Yes, that’s you. If you bothered to read the above, it’s safe to assume that you have listened to the podcast or plan to listen to it soon. So, if you enjoy it, please like, share and discuss every episode. The more listeners I get the more guests I can convince to come on, and one of the unspoken goals of this whole project is to connect independent artists with a like-minded audience. If an episode gets my guest a few extra book sales than I’ve accomplished my goal.

Therefore, it is up to you listener to do a little bit of shilling for us. I believe in you.

The other thing I want is for you guys to send recommendations my way. Who should I invite on, who do you want me to interview, what novels do you want me to talk about, movies, or even esoteric topics. Maybe I’ll do a whole series on Mircea Eliade. Maybe my philosopher friend will come on and we can talk about postmodernism or something.

Allright then, please download, share, and comment.

Until next time. Keep your heads up in the Digital Labyrinth.

---