For me, 2023 will always be a special year. When my debut novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER, came out last February, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a book author. It really was a year to remember.
In reviewing 2023, I realize I did well over a dozen major events for my book’s launch, including notable writing and genre conferences (SFWA, Stokercon, Wondercon, San Diego Comic Con), bookstore signings, readings and more. It was a lovely whirlwind and I am incredibly grateful to my family, friends and colleagues for their ongoing support and camaraderie. Here are some of the highlights.
2023 Highlights
I was retweeted by Stephen King. You read that right: Retweeted. By. Stephen King!! I shared this picture of our horror panel at the lovely indie bookstore Verbatim Books in July. We posed next to a cutout of the patron saint of horror himself.
As for in-person encounters, I met legendary writer Joe Lansdale at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival (LATBF) in April. He later gave my debut a shoutout on social media.
Speaking of writing legends, I also met Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series and the weird western Gunnie Rose series, at Bouchercon in September.
As far as cons, I pitched, moderated and/or participated in a number of weird west, horror and writing panels, most notably: the national Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers (SFWA) convention in Anaheim in May; the national Stokercon (Horror Writers Association convention) in Pittsburg in June; the inaugural Twentynine Palms Book Festival near Joshua Tree in October; and…drumroll…San Diego Comic Con! It was a true honor to run a weird western panel at San Diego Comic Con, the world’s largest, longest-running comic con. You can catch highlights from that panel here:
In addition, I sold books at various other conventions, including MidSummer Scream, the Los Angeles Times Book Festival, Wondercon, the Escondido Book Fair and more. I interviewed with dozens of print magazines, blogs and podcasts for my debut book release (you can peruse them all here and here) and wrote a number of guest nonfiction articles. And I had signings at my favorite indie bookstores: Mysterious Galaxy, Verbatim Books, Warwick’s Books, Artifact Books, and others.
Of special note, I was completely delighted to see MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER at the San Diego airport bookstore as well as Barnes & Noble.
Lastly, I served as a short story writing mentor through SFWA and once again gave my short story workshop and weird western workshop for the annual In Your Write Mind virtual conference, hosted by the Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program.
While doing so many events was…busy to say the least, I met so many awesome writers, readers, booksellers, podcasters and genuinely great people that the frenzy of activity was completely worth it.
What’s Coming Up in 2024
So what’s coming up for 2024?
This year promises to be an equally busy one. I am co-chair for Stokercon 2024, the premiere horror literature and fan event hosted annually by the Horror Writers Association (HWA). As part of the local organizing committee, I am so excited to welcome horror authors and fans from around the world to San Diego for the horror-related programming, film festival, Bram Stoker Award Banquet, and much more.
I’ll also be teaching a new Clarion West class class I’m very excited about – Creating Short Stories that Sizzle and Sell. The class will cover the benefits—and pitfalls—of short story writing, how to create an irresistible hook, ways to make a story stand out from the slush pile, practical exercises to get started, and business tips to keep in mind when submitting short stories.
As far as other appearances go, I plan to be at Wondercon, San Diego Comic Con, and the Twentynine Palms Book Festival again, if all goes well. I have a number of short stories slated to be out in audio form (including PseudoPod, the Simultaneous Times and Tales to Terrify) as well as in digital and print form. AND – I’m also in the midst of revisions for a second Melinda West novel. More official details coming soon!
KC Grifant 