Now that Comic Con is over, I am continuing to celebrate the release of my debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY, with several virtual and in-person events this week. I hope you will join in!
(more…)Archive for the ‘short stories’ Category
Audio short story, JUST ANOTHER APOCALYPSE, in Pseudopod
Posted: June 30, 2024 in Announcement, horror, podcast, short storiesTags: fiction, horror, short stories
Last month, the premiere horror podcast show Pseudopod did a fabulous audio production of my short story, “Just Another Apocalypse.” The team did a wonderful job with the audio production and elevating the angst and creepiness factor. It was an absolute joy hearing it come to life. As an extra bonus, Pseudopod did a shout-out to my work co-organizing StokerCon 2024 and also to my upcoming debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY.
(more…)Upcoming short stories and ways to support
Posted: June 26, 2024 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, Melinda West, short stories, Weird WestTags: anthology, fiction, horror, science fiction, Science Fiction Horror, short stories, speculative, Weird West, writing
In addition to my debut short story horror collection SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (vibes of Tales From the Crypt + Twilight Zone + adult Goosebumps) I’m thrilled to share several short stories coming up soon in exciting anthologies.
Legend of the Spiderwalker (Weird West)
“Sometimes it’s easier to persuade them away or distract them with something. Especially if they ain’t the dying type.” “Most are the dying type.” Melinda unholstered her revolver…
”Legend of the Spiderwalker,” an original Melinda West story, will appear in ZEHLREG A. GRINDSTONE’S SPECTACULAR WESTERN ODDITY EMPORIUM. This anthology of Weird West short stories, flash fiction, & poems blend Wild West tropes with themes from across the Fantasy spectrum. The Kickstarter is ongoing until Sunday – support it here on Kickstarter (and check out those awesome rewards!)
(more…)Cover reveal and ARCs for debut short story collection
Posted: April 29, 2024 in Announcement, books, horror, Lovecraft, short stories, writingTags: fiction, horror, Science Fiction Horror, short stories, speculative, writing
I am thrilled to share the stunning cover for my debut collection of short stories, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press).
Carrion House, a UK-based artist, did an amazing job capturing the monsters that haunt these pages!
SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY, is a mix of my previously published short stories as well as new ones. These cosmic and weird stories are about horrors that lie below the surface, ready to bubble up and disturb the veil of our everyday lives.
Vibes = CREEPSHOW, TWILIGHT ZONE, BLACK MIRROR
Preorder begins June 1!
In the meantime, you can add to your Goodreads page here. Reviewers can also get ARC review copies on Netgalley here.
There is nothing quite like holding a physical copy of a book baby! I shared my unboxing video on social media below:
Stay tuned for preorder information coming soon!
New free story in Tales to Terrify horror podcast
Posted: March 24, 2024 in Announcement, horror, podcast, short storiesTags: fiction, horror, short stories
My heartbreak cemetery story, “Unrest,” recently appeared in the excellent audio horror show Tales to Terrify. This slow burn tale originally published in Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice, edited by Rebecca Rowland. The story is a result of drawing inspiration from Rice’s unique goth style as well as wanting to impart a twist on the typical final-girl-in-a-graveyard scenario.
Voice actor Amanda Stribling did an amazing job bringing this tale to life and adding a new dimension of creepiness.
If you’re in the mood for a 20-minute creepy tale, tune in at the 23:10 time mark here: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/633-emily-j-weisenberger-kc-grifant/.
Debut Short Story Collection Publishing in July
Posted: March 8, 2024 in Announcement, books, horror, short storiesTags: fiction, horror, short stories, writing
I’m delighted to share that my debut collection of short stories will be forthcoming from Dragon’s Roost Press this summer!
The collection, called SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY is a mix of my previously published short stories as well as new ones. These cosmic and weird stories are about horrors that lie below the surface, ready to bubble up and disturb the veil of our everyday lives. From the bowels of NYC to the mind-warping outer reaches of space, SHROUDED HORROR shows what happens when ordinary people bump against the hidden terrors that sit at the boundaries of reality.
You can sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive early updates, as well as a chance to win a free copy: https://mailchi.mp/a9f0d76bba28/welcome
New weird west story in ALONG HARROWED TRAILS
Posted: August 31, 2023 in Announcement, anthology, flash fiction, horror, Melinda West, short stories, Weird WestTags: fiction, horror, short stories, Weird West, western, writing
ALONG HARROWED TRAILS (Timber Ghost Press) is a horror western anthology containing my story “Candelaria and the Red-Eyed Bunch Gang.” This is a prequel, origins story for one of the side characters in MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER. In it, Candelaria must contend with a gang set on double-crossing her as something monstrous approaches.
(more…)Free short ghost story, LONELY ARCADE, in Stupefying Magazine
Posted: July 11, 2023 in Announcement, flash fiction, horror, science fiction, short storiesTags: fiction, horror, short stories, writing
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.
About 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.
April news – book promo, appearances, free short stories and more
Posted: April 3, 2023 in Announcement, anthology, audio, author interview, books, horror, Melinda West, podcast, science fiction, short stories, submissions, Tips, Weird West, writingTags: anthology, author, free story, gothic western, horror, magazine, podcast, science fiction, Science Fiction Horror, short stories, speculative, Weird West, writing
Happy April! I’m excited to share new book promos, interviews, events and more.
Limited time: popular Weird West books available in special promo for readers at StoryBundle
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:
- The Devil’s Revolver by V.S. McGrath
- Gnome on the Range by Tammy Salyer
- Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger by KC Grifant
- Bodacious Creed by Jonathan Fesmire
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.
Recent appearances
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.
Upcoming events and appearances
Events:
- Book Signing: LAT Festival of Books – Sat, April 22, 1-3pm
- Panels: Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Nebula Conference – May 13 & 14
- Book Signing and Discussion: Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore – Sat, May 20, 3pm
- Book Signing: Warwick’s Books – Sun, May 21, 12pm
- Book Reading and Interview (VIRTUAL): Space Cowboy Books – June 13, 6pm PT Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/547947083477
Podcast interviews:
- A Podcast Without A Name
- Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality
- Grim and Bloody Podcast
- The Con Hour Podcast
- E-Reads Podcast
- Inside the Minds of Authors Amazon Podcast
For details on appearances, please visit https://scifiwri.com/appearances/.
Book sightings!
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!
Guest articles
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.
For your reading pleasure: two recent free short stories
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
To receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, happy reading!
Free sci-fi horror short story on Big Foot – THE SIGHTING in Stupefying Magazine
Posted: March 28, 2023 in Announcement, flash fiction, horror, science fiction, short stories
My bite-sized, sci-fi horror story, “The Sighting,” has published in Stupefying Stories. This short tale follows the exploits of determined Big Foot hunters and their promising approach to ID’ing the monster.
You can read it for free, along with other short tales, here: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-sighting-by-kc-grifant.html
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KC Grifant 