Now available! Audiobook of Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger

Posted: November 18, 2025 in Announcement, audio, books, horror, Melinda West, podcast, Weird West, writing
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Dive into the action!

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Audiobooks Now

Saddle up for a wild, monster-infested ride through the Old West in my action-packed, award-winning debut book, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger—a genre-bending fantasy western hailed as “fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!” (Jonathan Maberry, NYT bestselling author).

Narrator Ash Aarrestad brings to life this first book in the Monster Gunslinger series. In a desolate frontier crawling with supernatural threats, stoic sharpshooter Melinda West and her charismatic partner, Lance, make a living exterminating monsters, from flying scorpions to mind-controlling insects. But when Melinda inadvertently unleashes a demon, she must face vengeful outlaws, ancient evils and an oncoming war between worlds to save her friends. With vibes of The Witcher, Supernatural, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Bonnie and Clyde, this story is ideal for fans of fantastical worlds, supernatural thrillers and complex heroines. 

What people are saying

“This fun, imaginative, and confident series opener will be a massive crowd pleaser for general audiences, especially for those who enjoy a wide range of popular weird western offerings.”
—Library Journal (full review) 

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How To Make Your Short Story Shine (From An Editor’s Point of View)

Posted: November 15, 2025 in Tips, writing
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It can be hard to exactly pinpoint what prevents a story from rising out of the slush pile and eliciting an enthusiastic “yes” from an editor, but there are some pitfalls writers make that happen all too frequently.

I’ve been editing for a long time–for nonfiction for decades, and for short fiction for part of that. During that time, I’ve seen common problems that writers make in their short stories. From an overly ambiguous beginning to an ending that falls flat, many passed-over stories share a few key issues that need addressing.

So, how to improve your short story to get to an editor’s “yes”? Here are a handful of tactics and strategies that can make your story shine brighter and improve the odds of catching an editor’s attention. I offer this as a brief guide to help you review your own work and see if any of these areas can be strengthened.

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2025 Eligibility Roundup

Posted: November 11, 2025 in Announcement, recommendations, writing
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  • book cover of MELINDA WEST AND THE GREMLIN QUEEN (Brigids Gate Press)

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.

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New Class! What Editors Want

Posted: November 3, 2025 in Announcement, short stories, Tips, writing
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I’ll be teaching a Reach Your Apex workshop called “Sellable Short Stories: What Editors Want (and What to Avoid)” on Friday, November 14, 2025. This course is for both emerging writers and established authors who want to know: out of hundreds of stories in the slush pile, what makes an editor say “yes” to just a few?

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New Audio Book – Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger

Posted: October 17, 2025 in Announcement, audio, books, horror, Melinda West, podcast, Weird West, writing
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Out November 18, 2025!

Kobo
Audible
Apple
Libro.FM

Saddle up for a wild, monster-infested ride through the Old West in my action-packed debut, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger—a genre-bending fantasy western hailed as “fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!” (Jonathan Maberry, NYT bestselling author).

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SPACE HORRORS out today!

Posted: September 20, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, short stories
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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.

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Free horror stories to listen to and read for the spooky season

Posted: September 16, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, flash fiction, horror, recommendations, science fiction, short stories, writing
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October is fast approaching! To gear up for the Halloween season, I’m offering a handy list of several of my short spooky stories available for free in audio form and print! These stories span sci-fi horror, quiet horror and weird tales in the vein of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt.

Hope you enjoy…

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Dread Coast: SoCal Horror For a Cause

Posted: August 22, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, writing
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Today’s the day!! DREAD COAST: SoCal Horror Tales (No Bad Books Press), is officially out! This collection of Southern California horror short stories is co-edited by me and Dennis K. Crosby. I am so proud of this project and all of the stories. Plus, proceeds go to support the vital long-term recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Order signed print copies from SoCal local bookstores!

Order from Mysterious Galaxy
Order from Artifact Books
Order from Warwick’s

If you prefer digital copies you can order from the usual suspects here or on Amazon.

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Monster Gunslingers The Game: Blast into the Weird West This Fall!

Posted: August 8, 2025 in Announcement, art, books, horror, Melinda West, recommendations, Weird West
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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.

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New Fantasy and Horror Anthologies

Posted: July 30, 2025 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, recommendations, science fiction, short stories, Weird West, writing
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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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