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…)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.
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I am so thrilled to have found the perfect home for my second collection of short stories, titled Fantastica Horrifica. Stars and Sabers Publishing, headed up by award-winning authors and publishers Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell, has a fantastic slate of books, anthologies and collections dedicated to speculative fiction and cross-genre storytelling. (You can see several of their anthologies here, which include new stories by me.)
These 21 horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories and poems showcase siren songs of desperation, sacrifice, denial, codependency and survival. Mothers, dreamers, and lovers deal with cosmic terrors, some snatching a semblance of vengeance along the way.
Publication is slated for April 2027.
Read the full press release from Stars and Sabers Publishing here: https://www.starsandsabers.com/2025/06/21/stars-and-sabers-publishing-news-book-deal-for-kc-grifant/.
I am thrilled to share the cover of Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen, which will be out on May 29, 2025 from Brigids Gate Press! Carrion House is the artist behind this stunning cover. Along with the cover reveal, I’m happy to share that Brigids Gate Press is offering the book for a preorder sale of only .99! If you preorder before May 29, 2025, you can get it at this low price.
In an alternate Old West, monsters rule the land—but one deadly duo is humanity’s last hope.
Melinda West is a sharpshooter with a steady hand, a cool head and a no-nonsense attitude. Her partner, Lance, brings the charm—and the firepower. Together, they’ve made a living hunting supernatural threats. But when a strange illness leaves a trail of corpses in its wake, they realize they’re about to face their greatest challenge yet.
As the bodies pile up, a swarm of gremlins—smarter, faster and deadlier than anything they’ve encountered before—are hellbent on destruction. Unless Melinda and Lance can uncover the truth behind these mysterious creatures, everything they know will be torn apart.
Fast-paced, gritty, and packed with supernatural thrills, Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen blends the rebellious charm of Bonnie and Clyde with the high-stakes action of Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
LIMITED DEAL! Preorder Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen for only .99!
This is book two in a standalone interconnected series—ideal for both new readers and returning fans looking for dark fantastical westerns with a twist.
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…)*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.
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My bite-sized ghost story, “Lonely Arcade,” has published in Stupefying Stories (4-minute read). It’s a ghost story, but also a homage to the many summers I spent in boardwalk arcades.
You can read it for free, along with other short tales, here: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/06/lonely-arcade-by-kc-grifant.html
If you enjoyed that one, make sure to check out “The Sighting,” my short tale about Big Foot hunters, also in Stupefying Stories.
Stupefying Stories is an online magazine founded by Bruce and Karen Bethke. Bruce Bethke is the award-winning science fiction writer known for his 1980 short story, “Cyberpunk,” and his 1995 Philip K. Dick Award-winning novel, Headcrash.
Happy April! I’m excited to share new book promos, interviews, events and more.
For a limited time, my supernatural western MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Brigids Gate Press) will be available in a “storybundle” together with some of the biggest fantasy and horror western titles available right now.
StoryBundle offers a jaw-dropping deal for readers: for only $5, you’ll receive the four featured digital books:
There is also an upgraded bundle where you can get all 11 weird west stories shown for a deeper discount. This is a fabulous option if you’re looking for new books and want to explore more of the “weird west” (these are westerns with speculative elements, usually combined with fantasy and horror).
Get the bundle, or learn more about it, here: https://storybundle.com/weird. And consider signing up for Storybundle notifications for future scifi, fantasy and horror-themed book deal bundles.
I was delighted to join the excellent Sley House Presents podcast to talk books, X-Men, short stories, serial adventure and more. Ways to listen:
I spoke with the Let Fear Bounce last month. Tune in to hear tidbits on imposter syndrome, writing as a side gig, and more. Make sure to check out the other episodes for more uplifting stories about #writing and #publishing: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/PQ9Pk5RHbyb
I was also delighted to be a guest on D.C. Gomez’s The Book Corner Amazon show to talk about MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER. You can watch a recording of the live show here.
Events:
For details on appearances, please visit https://scifiwri.com/appearances/.
This last month I’ve visited several local bookstores to sign copies of Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger and On social media the book as popped up in bookstore locations ranging Ontario to Kentucky to South Dakota. The book also made its first con appearance (Wondercon), with hopefully many more to come!
You can read my article “How to Create Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories” in Authority Magazine. This piece includes 5 critical tips for new writers in the genres.
For Women in Horror Month 2023, I shared supernatural western book recommendations from some of my favorite fellow weird western authors. Read more at The Horror Tree: https://horrortree.com/wihm-2023-saddle-up-5-supernatural-westerns-by-women-for-your-tbr/
Bonus article: Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger was featured in a piece for The Line-Up’s celebration of Women in Horror month.
“Welcome to the Weird West” covers an introduction to the genre and why I love to write in it. You can read it for free at the March/April issue of Uncaged Magazine: https://issuu.com/cyreneolson/docs/uncaged_book_reviews-_marchapril23-final/100.
If you’re looking for a quick hit of monster fiction, I’ve had 2 short stories out in the last month that you can read for free:
“Just Another Apocalypse” at Two Thousand Word Terrors (Rooster Republic Press) https://roosterrepublicpress.com/just-another-apocalypse-by-kc-grifant/
“The Sighting” at Stupefying Stories: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-sighting-by-kc-grifant.html
KC Grifant 