Pete's story continues to expand...! For more on 'Ravenglass', check out our first original Carnacki story: ruclips.net/video/6zU7coDOzps/видео.html And a few other Van Melsen links: Van Melsen Mythos Book 1: USA: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 The Van Melsen Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLeNNKRLWxwoO0VCrw61QeyrZk_DQYZycx
I've been stuck on the sofa for over an hour, putting off going to bed, but then I spotted not only a new Horrorbabble narration, but a new Van Melsen, and I couldn't get to bed quick enough to listen to it.
Awesome, the next chapter in the Van Melsen library. Time to turn off the lights and lay down and experience the inner movie in my mind that's about to start. Thank you Ian for your dedicated work to provide great narration of great stories.
Van Melsen and doppelganger. Put off going to bed until this dropped. I have always found Doppelgangers fascinating, from reading about them as a teen and watching the old Roger Moore film "The Man Who Haunted Himself." So thanks for writing about them.
I only have one complaint: i needed another hour! Excellent story crafting as per usual and i'm looking forward to wherever/whenever the next installment takes us.
Another incredible tale, as always! I need my own doppelganger to go to work so I can stay home and listen to all the Van Melsen stories yet again! I occasionally listen to a paranormal podcast. The hosts have a recurring joke about "spooky honky-tonk pianos." It gave mea chuckle!
Im a self proclaimed and obsessed classic mystery and true victorian crime aficionado and what Gordan has done with Mr.Van Melsen and the cases/stories/tales so far are absolutely top knotch i will be spending the rest of my life holidays of Halloween and Xmas eves listening to the great M.R.James and Poe and Dickens and Doyle and Gordan great work we're all luckily able to get the opportunity to read or listen to your masterpieces Thank You also great narration leaves you gripping your seat and deep in analysis & deduction.. Bravo
Fully caught up. This has been an awesome journey and I feel really lucky to be here for it. Great work to everyone involved. Super excited to see where this goes.
This was an unexpected surprise for Van Melsen stories. Fantastic as usual, excellent narration by Ian and a subject that I have never thought before. Thank you Ian.
Excellent tale and reading! Based on the past few of your original yarns, I can tell the doppelganger has captured your imagination. Just don't let it take over your storytelling. You're the best.
Still haven't been to the hall, though my brother visits pretty often. It's on the list! APEX Cycleworks has become a favourite spot for a good coffee.
I have become a great fan of P.I. Peter Van Melsen. It seems to me that his stories are getting better and better. I hope you have time to write some more of these stories. Except a few, I really enjoy following the Investigations of the paranormal investigator with the Dutch name. Thanks for this little Jewel of a story. As always, all the best from Holland.
Excellent ! Another Van Melsen story ! I've been feeling a bit rough over the last few days and am going to have an early night. And this will be just the thing to listen to in bed. 😃
A bit of a scary story , however , a good short story .. beautiful , art 🎨 work , ian . the cover piece reminds me of dreams & i love to dream 🌬️ 😪🌛✨ thank you , ian & jenney 💗🌼
Enjoyable as always. The one thing that does occur to me, though, is that I don't have a feel for the basis of Van Melsen's tremendous sang froid. An opportunity to explore his younger development?
An excellent story and narration. Trade the tea for coffee/Scotch (sometimes), cigarettes for Zyn, and Fortean Weekly for Fortean Times, and you have my evening! Excellent bit of writing. Good to hear more from Pete!
Dear Ian: I love your Van Melsen stories, and I was curious (being an American cousin of yours) what sort of accent the character "Cain" or "Cane" has. I have often wondered when I have heard it published abroad before.
Hi BE - that one comes up a lot, but as is the case with almost all Derleth stories, it isn’t in the public domain. I’ve tried to contact Arkham House, but I never get a reply. It’s a tough one.
Am I a fool though? I have only your word to take for it and your words are doubtful, although time itself would probably prove your own opening statement partially correct. If this Liverpudlian adjacent tale is to be held as truism then I can only speculate on the fate of a man that disappeared 105 years ago …
I can't speak for Ian, but I don't believe a general LLM could write good horror. In my opinion good horror is like good comedy. It must mix the familiar with the unexpected and wrong. One could easily compose an algorithmic approach to try, but tuning it to produce a 'good' balance would be too resource intensive to be worthwhile. Contrast that with, say, shirtless romance novels, where they seem to be fixed formulaic already. That said, automation makes an excellent first line for assisting with writing. I use ChatGPT as the 'help' function using MS Office. I also increasingly use ChatGPT as an adjunct to Google. For a recent example, I saved a chunk of time by asking Chat GPT to find me USMC formations that had served in the Pacific campaign and then transferred to Europe. It turned out to be hallucinating 'facts' about the 4th marine regiment, but it got me on the right track very fast. It's like having a bright and loquacious hunchback around as an assistant, but one that is inveterately lazy.
I've been drafting an article on the subject for a while now, but things are changing so quickly that I'm struggling to maintain a 'stance' on the matter. I still use AI-generated imagery for some videos, so I can't dismiss the technology, though I *can* say that using it has increased my appreciation for the work of human beings. I'll be hiring artists whenever I can afford it, and I'll still use public domain imagery if I can be sure it isn't AI-generated (this is one of the reasons I'm still using MS Designer). As for writing stories though, I enjoy the process far too much to hand over portions of the creative process to AI.
I know. Just wondered if it was a serious type magazine or a tell all conspiracy type thing. Good addition to the stories though either way. Consistency in the stories.
Pete's story continues to expand...! For more on 'Ravenglass', check out our first original Carnacki story: ruclips.net/video/6zU7coDOzps/видео.html
And a few other Van Melsen links:
Van Melsen Mythos Book 1:
USA: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGXFZCH5
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGXFZCH5
The Van Melsen Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLeNNKRLWxwoO0VCrw61QeyrZk_DQYZycx
I've been stuck on the sofa for over an hour, putting off going to bed, but then I spotted not only a new Horrorbabble narration, but a new Van Melsen, and I couldn't get to bed quick enough to listen to it.
Thank you as always for joining us! Pete appreciates it...
"...the pervasive smell of old wool, and the organic whiff of bleeding dye..." is one of your best lines.
Is this the first time Peter Van Melsen references Carnacki? That was so cool!
He's referenced in Hammer & Nails: ruclips.net/video/HcRXJyEt_T8/видео.html
Awesome, the next chapter in the Van Melsen library. Time to turn off the lights and lay down and experience the inner movie in my mind that's about to start. Thank you Ian for your dedicated work to provide great narration of great stories.
Thanks as always, Scyphe!
New van Melsen? Put that right into my veins please.
I love these stories. they have such character.
Thanks, William!
Van Melsen and doppelganger. Put off going to bed until this dropped. I have always found Doppelgangers fascinating, from reading about them as a teen and watching the old Roger Moore film "The Man Who Haunted Himself." So thanks for writing about them.
A classic film, indeed!
I only have one complaint: i needed another hour! Excellent story crafting as per usual and i'm looking forward to wherever/whenever the next installment takes us.
Thanks Richard!
just what I needed this Monday evening - thanks Ian and Jen
Cheers, Paul!
Another incredible tale, as always! I need my own doppelganger to go to work so I can stay home and listen to all the Van Melsen stories yet again!
I occasionally listen to a paranormal podcast. The hosts have a recurring joke about "spooky honky-tonk pianos." It gave mea chuckle!
45 minutes til my D&D game...let's do this!
Im a self proclaimed and obsessed classic mystery and true victorian crime aficionado and what Gordan has done with Mr.Van Melsen and the cases/stories/tales so far are absolutely top knotch i will be spending the rest of my life holidays of Halloween and Xmas eves listening to the great M.R.James and Poe and Dickens and Doyle and Gordan great work we're all luckily able to get the opportunity to read or listen to your masterpieces Thank You also great narration leaves you gripping your seat and deep in analysis & deduction.. Bravo
Thank you, Don.
Fully caught up. This has been an awesome journey and I feel really lucky to be here for it. Great work to everyone involved. Super excited to see where this goes.
I truly enjoy all your work, but the original Van Melsen stories always feel special 😊 thanks for sharing!
You never disappoint Mr. Gordon and Horror Babble. Excellent. Very good. I look forward to the next installment of this story. Until next time.
This was an unexpected surprise for Van Melsen stories. Fantastic as usual, excellent narration by Ian and a subject that I have never thought before. Thank you Ian.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@HorrorBabble I usually enjoy everything you post.
Let us drink tea talk doppelgangers!
Love the link back to A Haunting At Ravenglass.
To be continued obviously; but that said I haven't enjoyed a Peter Van Melsen story as much as this one for quite a while.
Well done.
Cheers, Eris!
Excellent tale and reading! Based on the past few of your original yarns, I can tell the doppelganger has captured your imagination. Just don't let it take over your storytelling. You're the best.
You're right -- I've been mad on the subject as of late. I reckon I'm done with it for now. Thanks for listening!
Another great Van Melsen story! Can’t wait for the next!
Another excellent Van Melsen story - I very much enjoy these!
That's always great to hear. :)
I'm so excited
I love the new narrative voice for Van Melsen - very creative, Ian!
Thanks, Nathan! In truth, it follows the same format as a previous story in the series: ruclips.net/video/LprGPvXpE2w/видео.html
Oh, yeah - that's right. That's a good one, too.
Excellent!
Looking forward to the next installment 👍
He'll be back soon!
Been waiting all day to listen to this....I can see Southport from where i live...brilliant work thank you
Are you above or below it?
@@HorrorBabble Above it in Lytham looking across the river Ribble...
Nice! We visit Lytham fairly often.
@@HorrorBabble It is a lovely place to live, Lytham Hall is very haunted so is the the ship and royal pub...so I am totally in my element!
Still haven't been to the hall, though my brother visits pretty often. It's on the list! APEX Cycleworks has become a favourite spot for a good coffee.
So good, I listened to the whole thing three times
Yes! A new Van Melson story!
Van Melsen's just the ticket for this evening. :)
I appreciate the nod at Charles Fort.
I absolutely love the PVM stories!
That's great to hear!
Another very good story and always nice to hear stories set in Merseyside
Southport has always been a favourite haunt of mine.
Cool. A new van melson story. 🎉
Woo hoo!
Perfect for tonight's listen.
Cheers, Steve!
Very enjoyable! Thank you!
Just got off work. Gonna enjoy this on my drive home!!
I have become a great fan of P.I. Peter Van Melsen. It seems to me that his stories are getting better and better. I hope you have time to write some more of these stories. Except a few, I really enjoy following the Investigations of the paranormal investigator with the Dutch name.
Thanks for this little Jewel of a story. As always, all the best from Holland.
Thanks, Roland -- I'm trying to make more time to write at the moment. It's tough! All the best.
Always looking forward to Peter's next appearance! Thank you!
Thanks, Thomas!
Quite good. Thank you!
Wonderful
The only thing I look forward to on Mondays are your uploads! Thanks, Horror Babble ❤❤❤
Thank you for coming back every week!
Love these stories, thank you
Thanks, Xabaya! (Great name, btw)
I got the reference at the end! That made my whole day!
By any chance was this planned or after I suggested it a few weeks back? Thank also for the amazing work you guys are doing
VM references Carnacki in Hammer & Nails -- there's more to come!
Excellent ! Another Van Melsen story ! I've been feeling a bit rough over the last few days and am going to have an early night. And this will be just the thing to listen to in bed. 😃
Get well soon, Zed!
@@HorrorBabble Thanks you. I'm feeling a bit better today. Strong coffee and a few cigarettes today have no doubt helped ! 😁
Wait a minute... Peter?!
@@HorrorBabble Shhh, not so loud. I'm incognito.... 😉
A bit of a scary story , however , a good short story .. beautiful , art 🎨 work , ian . the cover piece reminds me of dreams & i love to dream 🌬️ 😪🌛✨
thank you , ian & jenney 💗🌼
Thanks, Joanne -- I suppose it isn't a million miles away from what you might see in a dream.
@@HorrorBabble beautifully put .
Ah yes perfect thing to listen to rn!!!
Thanks, Shanna -- hope you've recovered, btw!
Brilliant
"Warren of Wares" nice turn of phrase
Enjoyable as always. The one thing that does occur to me, though, is that I don't have a feel for the basis of Van Melsen's tremendous sang froid. An opportunity to explore his younger development?
I touched on his earlier years in 'Owlman', but there is certainly more to come.
Ooo, thank you for this creepy tale, dear Ian. Cheers!
Thanks again, Corinne!
Magnificent many thanks Ian!😎👍👍
Thank you, sir!
@@HorrorBabble My pleasure good sir.
Pete’s back from the dreamscape!
A Van Melsen story and a Max Carrados story over at Bite-Sized Audio in the same week? Talk about winning
Ah! I do very much enjoy the Carrados tales -- I'd better go see what Simon has been up to...
NEW VAN MELSEN!? AWESOME :D
I'm under the weather, but that's a perfect place to visit PVM.
An excellent story and narration.
Trade the tea for coffee/Scotch (sometimes), cigarettes for Zyn, and Fortean Weekly for Fortean Times, and you have my evening!
Excellent bit of writing. Good to hear more from Pete!
Ha! Thanks again, Donald!
Curious!
Excellent! A possible "team up" in the making? 😮
...
Dear god! Cold tea! The horror!!! THE HORROR!!!!!! 🤢🤯
When the music memorabilia section came up, I almost expected this to go into Elvis sightings.
Dear Ian: I love your Van Melsen stories, and I was curious (being an American cousin of yours) what sort of accent the character "Cain" or "Cane" has. I have often wondered when I have heard it published abroad before.
Hi Bobby! He has a Lancastrian accent - Cane hails from Preston.
Love he Fortean Times reference.
7:09 Warren spotted. He's still alive. There is hope.
Ha!
this has been the 3rd doppelganger work I have listen to by you. Are... are you ok Gordon? Something you are trying to tell us?
I think I've been replaced. Twice.
@@HorrorBabble lol
I want crossover stories with Peter Van Melsen and Dr. Van Nostrand
I looked him up and I'm still non the wiser; then we don't own a television.
From Seinfeld?
Is that H.P. Seinfeld, Clark Ashton-Seinfeld or Robert E. Seinfeld ?
As I say we don't own a television.
Ha!
❤️🔥
Ian, why not take a crack at "The Lurker in the Threshold" - H.P. Lovecraft & August Derelith. It's part of the Cthulhu Mythos.
Hi BE - that one comes up a lot, but as is the case with almost all Derleth stories, it isn’t in the public domain. I’ve tried to contact Arkham House, but I never get a reply. It’s a tough one.
Astral, vibes
👊🏿
Always a pleasure, Veronica!
Am I a fool though? I have only your word to take for it and your words are doubtful, although time itself would probably prove your own opening statement partially correct.
If this Liverpudlian adjacent tale is to be held as truism then I can only speculate on the fate of a man that disappeared 105 years ago …
what do you think of chat-gpt or similar AI used for writing horror stories?
I can't speak for Ian, but I don't believe a general LLM could write good horror. In my opinion good horror is like good comedy. It must mix the familiar with the unexpected and wrong. One could easily compose an algorithmic approach to try, but tuning it to produce a 'good' balance would be too resource intensive to be worthwhile. Contrast that with, say, shirtless romance novels, where they seem to be fixed formulaic already.
That said, automation makes an excellent first line for assisting with writing. I use ChatGPT as the 'help' function using MS Office. I also increasingly use ChatGPT as an adjunct to Google. For a recent example, I saved a chunk of time by asking Chat GPT to find me USMC formations that had served in the Pacific campaign and then transferred to Europe. It turned out to be hallucinating 'facts' about the 4th marine regiment, but it got me on the right track very fast. It's like having a bright and loquacious hunchback around as an assistant, but one that is inveterately lazy.
I've been drafting an article on the subject for a while now, but things are changing so quickly that I'm struggling to maintain a 'stance' on the matter. I still use AI-generated imagery for some videos, so I can't dismiss the technology, though I *can* say that using it has increased my appreciation for the work of human beings. I'll be hiring artists whenever I can afford it, and I'll still use public domain imagery if I can be sure it isn't AI-generated (this is one of the reasons I'm still using MS Designer). As for writing stories though, I enjoy the process far too much to hand over portions of the creative process to AI.
I think Ive seen two shows, one western one, Eastern, about doppelgangers. I think in both if you saw your double you'd die. Its a fun idea.
Got a question. What'd fortrain weekly in your stories that van melson writes for.
Hi Dennis -- it's a fictional magazine.
I know. Just wondered if it was a serious type magazine or a tell all conspiracy type thing. Good addition to the stories though either way. Consistency in the stories.
Isn't there a twilight zone episode like this?
More than likely! I'd like to see it.
why, at the beginning of a new chapter, are your recordings cut off for a few fractions of a second?
Hmm… That doesn’t happen at this end. What’s your setup for listening?
good to see peter is a high functioning smoker
Those things plague him!
A gang of doplegangers, p,v,m best be on point in Southport.
😢…. It’s not long enough!!!!!!!! 😂. Your Van Melsen stories are great. Always really enjoyable.
It should just keep continuing non stop 😂 Warren is in the cupboard with the spice rack so he smells good😂
We were due a slightly shorter one I think! The next one at least will be quite a bit longer. :)
Woo hoo, another original ! Always my favorite stories on HB.
Thanks for listening!