It’s that wonderful time of year when authors share their published works from 2025 as award submission season nears its deadline. I always love to see these roundup posts and a reminder of what my favorite authors and colleagues have been up to this year.
(more…)Archive for the ‘recommendations’ Category
SPACE HORRORS out today!
Posted: September 20, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, short storiesTags: anthology, horror, science fiction, Science Fiction Horror, short stories, speculative
I’m thrilled to share Space Horrors is out today, September 20, 2025! This fantastic anthology is edited by sharp-eyed editor extraordinaire, E.S. Magill, and features fabulous writers I have the honor of knowing. The TOC includes jaw-dropping stories by: Vanessa Fogg, Eric J. Guignard, Mike D. McCarty, KC Grifant, Jon Cohn, John Palisano, Kathryn Blanche, Vincent V. Cava, David Agranoff, and E.S. Magill.
(more…)Monster Gunslingers The Game: Blast into the Weird West This Fall!
Posted: August 8, 2025 in Announcement, art, books, horror, Melinda West, recommendations, Weird WestTags: fiction, game, horror, poker, Weird West
Poker. Powers. Pandemonium.
The stakes are high. The cards are stacked. And the monsters are coming.
I am so excited to share the news of Monster Gunslingers The Game! This fall, the Weird West meets poker in a version of Texas Hold’Em turned supernatural. Every card has a special power and every hand is a showdown.
In Monster Gunslingers The Game, 2-6 players go head-to-head in rapid poker showdowns where winners have to rely on more than luck and bluffing. Get ready to gather your monster-fighting posse, ante up and outwit the supernatural while havoc is unleashed on Main Street.
The monsters are coming, and only the cleverest gunslingers will make it out alive.
(more…)New Fantasy and Horror Anthologies
Posted: July 30, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, short stories, Weird West, writingTags: anthology, books, fiction, horror, new-releases, reading, short stories, speculative, Weird West, writing
I’m proud to be part of not just one, but several upcoming anthologies from Stars and Sabers Publishing, the exciting powerhouse imprint founded by award-winning authors and editors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell.
Stars and Sabers is rolling out an ongoing series of beautifully produced anthologies featuring stunning cover art and stories by some of the most talented names in speculative fiction out there. From horror to fantasy to genre-bending crossovers, these anthologies feature bold, imaginative storytelling.
I’m thrilled that my story “Worship,” about a mysterious goddess-like entity in a Puritan town, will be included in Stars and Sabers’ upcoming horror anthology Of Dread, Decay, and Doom. The anthology is currently in fundraising mode; you can learn more about supporting the book here.
(more…)Four New Anthologies for Spooky Season
Posted: October 15, 2024 in Announcement, anthology, books, flash fiction, horror, Melinda West, recommendations, short stories, Weird WestTags: anthology, fiction, horror, Science Fiction Horror, short stories, Weird West, writing
I have stories out in a few new anthologies this month! If you’re looking for creepy and fantastical reads, check them out:
TALES OF THE SLEY HOUSE 2024
Description: An anthology of horror stories and poems.
Includes my story “Blessed,” about an alien invasion tale with a twist.
At the Edge of Darkness (Shotgun Honey)
Description: Shotgun Honey Presents volume 6 brings together a spooky group of authors for this special Halloween crime/horror anthology. Including contributions by Libby Cudmore, Andy Davidson, KC Grifant, Elizabeth Guilt, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Caden Kalfin, James Kinslingbury, Nick Kolakowski, Ethan K. Lee, Andrew Majors, Luciano Marano, Joey R. Poole, William Steffen, Casey Stegman, Gabriela Stiteler, Thomas Trang, Wendy N. Wagner, Benjamin B. White, Gordon B. White, Grant Wamack, and Paul Tremblay. Guest editor is best selling author Keith Rosson (Fever House, The Devil By Name). All profits from this edition will go to a local Portland, OR charity to benefit foster children.
(more…)Top Weird West Books of 2023
Posted: December 18, 2023 in Announcement, books, recommendations, science fiction, Weird WestTags: fiction, horror, science fiction, Weird West
2023 was a banner year for weird west fiction, particularly horror westerns. This genre–which blends fantasy, horror and/or sci-fi elements in a western story–has been gaining steam for the last few years. It was an honor to have my debut supernatural western book, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger, join a truly epic list of 2023 weird western books.
These are a few of my favorite new releases, as well as ones high on my to-be-read list. There are many new weird westerns beyond this shortlist; check out some of the profiles of amazing authors at Weird West Fiction for additional recommendations.
(more…)Gift Guide for Writers and Readers
Posted: December 3, 2023 in books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, Tips, writingTags: book gifts, books, fantasy, holiday gifts, horror, readers, science fiction, writers, writing
*Updated for 2024*
If you’re like me, you try to outdo yourself each year with unique and fun gifts for the loved ones in your life. For the readers and writers in particular, it can be fun to look for novelty bookish items beyond a book (though a book is *always* a great gift).
Themed bookmarks, candles, tea, reading lights, and specialty furniture are often a go-to for annual bookish gift lists.
I’ve picked a few of my personal favorite book- and writing-themed gifts in this list that have caught my eye. Many of these I have gifted or been gifted in the past so can vouch for them. These items range from clever advent calendars, epic pen holders, eye-catching book ends, and more.
Disclaimer: These are obviously highly subjective and based around my own horror/sci-fi/fantasy interests.
(more…)Free horror books for Halloween – today only!
Posted: October 31, 2023 in Announcement, books, horror, Melinda West, recommendations, Weird WestTags: books, dark fantasy, fiction, free story, gothic western, horror, Kindle, literature, speculative, Weird West, weird western
Happy Halloween! Here’s a treat for you: for today only, the ebook of my debut supernatural western MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Brigids Gate Press) is available for FREE through B&N, Kobo and Apple Books as part of the Terrify Your Tablet book event.
Terrify Your Tablet
The first annual Terrify Your Tablet (previously “Spook Your Kindle Day”) is hosted by Horrorsmith Publishing. Horror and thriller fans can download books from hundreds of participating authors at the link below on Halloween.
(more…)MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER and more popular Weird West books available in special promo at StoryBundle
Posted: March 30, 2023 in Announcement, books, Melinda West, recommendations, Weird WestTags: books, dark fantasy, fantasy western, fiction, gothic western, horror, story bundle, weid western, Weird West
Book promo alert! For a limited time, my supernatural western MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER will be available in a “storybundle” together with some of the biggest fantasy and horror western titles available right now.
StoryBundle offers a very appealing deal for readers: for only $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of four digital books, details below. There is also an upgraded bundle where you can get **11** weird west stories for a deeper discount!
This bundle showcases books by some of the leading authors of Weird West fiction today. These tales of the Old West fused with horror, fantasy and adventure will sweep you away to another time and place.
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KC Grifant 