The Journal
Thoughts, writings, and inspiration for the journey.
The Last Raven: Gustave Doré's Haunting Illustrations of Poe
Gustave Doré's illustrated Raven appeared after his death in an edition dated 1884. Explore its haunting images and Poe's enduring influence on artists.
2026-10-24Who Is Krampus? The Alpine Legend Behind the Christmas Devil
Before he was a movie monster, Krampus was Saint Nicholas's horned partner in Alpine folklore. Krampusnacht, the birch switch, the chains, and why he's back.
2026-10-23Some Souls Never Leave: Why We Press Stories to Wax
A file can vanish with a server. A record can sit on a shelf for a hundred years. Why The Raven's Crypt makes spoken-word stories you can hold.
2026-10-22The Literary Goth Gift Guide: From $11 to the Whole Crypt
Gothic gifts for Poe lovers, vinyl collectors and horror readers, sorted by budget. Spoken-word records, red cassettes, zines, slipmats and more.
2026-10-21Annabel Lee: The Poem Published After Poe Died
Annabel Lee reached readers after Poe's death, in an obituary signed Ludwig. Explore its publication history, possible inspiration and haunting sound.
2026-10-20The Raven Went Viral in 1845. Here's What That Looked Like.
Before the internet, a poem could still spread around the world. Follow The Raven from a New York newspaper in 1845 to Honolulu and Virginia in 1849.
2026-10-19How to Host a Candlelit Poe Listening Party This Halloween
Skip the costume party. Here's how to host a Halloween night of Poe read aloud: the setlist, the lighting, a fitting drink, and the one house rule that makes it work.
2026-10-18First Time With The Call of Cthulhu? A Spoiler-Light Listening Guide
Lovecraft's most famous story is a detective case told in three parts. Here's what to know before you drop the needle on side A, without ruining the ending.
2026-10-17Bells in the Dark: Five Details You Miss in The Cask of Amontillado
Poe's perfect revenge story hides its best clues in plain sight: a jester's bells, a family motto, a trowel. Five details to listen for before Halloween.
2026-10-16How Poe Built The Raven (According to Poe)
In 1846 Poe claimed he wrote The Raven like a math problem: length first, then tone, then one perfect word. Here's his method, and why it still works aloud.
2026-10-08Nevermore, Unmarked: The Lonely Burial of Edgar Allan Poe
A brief funeral, an unmarked grave, a headstone lost to a train — and the long campaign to give Edgar Allan Poe a memorial.
2026-10-07Six Tales for the Candlelit Hour: A Listener’s Guide to Poe
A listener’s guide to the six tales and poems on Echoes from the Crypt — what each is about, and the moment to listen for.
2026-09-08Still Coming: An Honest Word on Pre-Orders
An honest word on the outstanding pre-orders — where they stand, why they ran late, and why we won't be doing pre-orders going forward.