Posts Tagged ‘short stories’

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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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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Four New Anthologies for Spooky Season

Posted: October 15, 2024 in Announcement, anthology, books, flash fiction, horror, Melinda West, recommendations, short stories, Weird West
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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.

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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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Audio short story, JUST ANOTHER APOCALYPSE, in Pseudopod

Posted: June 30, 2024 in Announcement, horror, podcast, short stories
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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.

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Upcoming short stories and ways to support

Posted: June 26, 2024 in Announcement, anthology, books, horror, Melinda West, short stories, Weird West
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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!)

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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!

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