Archive for the ‘writing’ Category

Quick Draw: Weird West Flash Fiction Contest

Posted: June 21, 2025 in Announcement, short stories, Tips, Weird West, writing
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I’ll be judging an upcoming weird-west-themed flash fiction contest through Reach Your Apex–with prizes!

The first prize winner will be awarded $100 U.S. and have their story published in Apex Magazine issue 151, coming out in October 2025. The second prize winner will be awarded $50 U.S. and have their story published on the Reach Your Apex website in September 2025. Three third prize winners will each be awarded $25 U.S. and have their story published on the Reach Your Apex website in September 2025.

Submissions will open at 12:00 am Eastern, July 1, 2025. Submissions close July 15, 2025 at midnight Eastern. Anonymous, original submissions only under 1k words. More submission details: https://reachyourapex.com/weird-west-quick-draw-a-flash-fiction-contest/.

I hope you’ll submit to this diverse and growing genre! If you want tips for writing a story, check out some of the resources I have over at Weird West Fiction. If you really want to dive in, I’ll be offering a virtual workshop on June 27 called “Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell” at Reach Your Apex.

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New Class! Learn How to Write a Weird Western

Posted: June 16, 2025 in Announcement, short stories, Tips, Weird West, writing
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I’m thrilled to teach “Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell” at Reach Your Apex later this month.

weird west class

In this live virtual course, writers will learn how to:

✅ Build immersive settings and plots that evoke the Old West without falling into clichés and harmful stereotypes
✅ Flip familiar tropes into fresh and thought-provoking elements
✅ Draw inspiration from historical accounts with empathy and nuance
✅ Develop grounded characters and high-stakes conflicts
✅ Blend horror, fantasy, science fiction and history in unexpected ways

Writers will leave with the foundation of a new weird western, along with tools for revisions and submissions ✍🏼 

Use code wwss10 at checkout for $10 off!

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Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen is out!

Posted: June 8, 2025 in Announcement, books, horror, Melinda West, Weird West, writing
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Book 2 in my supernatural western series is officially out! A book launch is always special, and I am so grateful to everyone who supported this adventure. A huge, huge thanks especially my publisher Brigids Gate Press, my fellow horror peeps, and my ARC readers.

And exciting news—the book hit #1 in New Releases in the Western Horror category!

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New sci-fi horror audio story: Negation

Posted: May 24, 2025 in flash fiction, horror, science fiction, short stories, writing
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I am delighted to have my brand new scifi story, “Negation,” appear on the award-winning Simultaneous Times podcast, presented by Space Cowboy Books.

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New Class! Creating Short Horror Stories that Sizzle and Sell

Posted: May 21, 2025 in Announcement, short stories, Tips, writing
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I’ll be teaching a Reach Your Apex workshop called “Creating Short Horror Stories that Sizzle and Sell” this Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2pm ET/11am PT. This course is for both emerging writers and established authors looking to explore the art of short horror fiction. Whether you’re new to horror or looking to hone your craft, you’ll learn how to create captivating short stories that will stay with the reader long after the final sentence. 

Use code HORROR10 at checkout for $10 off: https://reachyourapex.com/product/creating-horror-short-stories-that-sizzle-and-sell/. Hope to see you there!

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Upcoming events for SHROUDED HORROR

Posted: August 5, 2024 in Announcement, author interview, books, horror, podcast, short stories, writing
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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!

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SHROUDED HORROR is out today!

Posted: July 11, 2024 in Announcement, author interview, books, horror, Weird West, writing
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Happy book birthday to my debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY out today!

Huge thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered or read/reviewed an advance copy; it means the world to an indie author like me. I am so grateful to the readers, reviewers, supporters and my publisher, Dragon’s Roost Press, for bringing this collection of weird, cosmic and monster tales to the world. 

See what people are saying about SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press) at Amazon and Goodreads.

Order Now!
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Book preorder update and news roundup

Posted: July 3, 2024 in Announcement, author interview, books, horror, Weird West, writing
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If you are looking for spooky stories, look no further! My short story collection SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY is now available for preorder! Thank you to everyone who has read an advance copy and reviewed already; it means the world to an indie author like me. 

SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press) is officially available for preorder, with a release date of July 11, 2024. I am so excited to share this collection with the world!

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Cover reveal and ARCs for debut short story collection

Posted: April 29, 2024 in Announcement, books, horror, Lovecraft, short stories, writing
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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!

Gift Guide for Writers and Readers

Posted: December 3, 2023 in books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, Tips, writing
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*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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