Two-Thousand Word Terrors (Rooster Republic Press), edited by author Nicholas Day and featuring art by Don Noble, is a new online horror anthology featuring 45 tales of terror over the next few months.
My short story “Just Another Apocalypse,” an angsty take on a zombie outbreak, is out today in the anthology, free to read. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Today’s the day! My supernatural western MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is officially OUT into the world!
Publishing a book is something I’ve dreamt about for decades. I’m so thankful for my publisher, Brigids Gate Press, for taking a chance on a Western/horror/fantasy mashup, and for the supportive writing and horror communities. The book has been well-received, with reviewers calling it “a fun, fast-paced, monster-filled joy ride,” “genre-blending,” “a story that is fascinating and irresistible,” and a “massive crowd-pleaser.” (See what other readers are saying here: https://scifiwri.com/publications/melinda-west-monster-gunslinger/).
(more…)As January comes to a close, I am thrilled to share news that MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER hit the #1 best-selling rank on Amazon a week ahead of its release! Thank YOU to everyone who supported this weird western horror adventure! It really means the world.
The Kindle pre-sale price of just .99 cents is still ongoing for another week or so! Make sure to snag a copy while it’s at this awesome price.
The reviews for MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER are pouring in! Some highlights:
“KC Grifant comes out guns blazing with MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER –a devious action-packed adventure set in a very weird version of the Old West. Fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!“
-Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of SON OF THE POISON ROSE and RELENTLESS
“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)
“Melinda West is the hero I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember. The world and characters are vivid and magical. This story is a delight.“
–Kate Jonez, Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author
You can peruse more reviews here or on Goodreads.
I joined the excellent Hidden Gems podcast to discuss how to write–and publish–a short story. The discussion includes tips on how to create a strong plot and well-developed characters, the finances of short stories, and much more. You can listen here: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast/episode-54/.
2022 was quite the ride for me, writing-wise! I had my first book deal and a bunch of other “firsts,” highlighted below. These types of year-end posts are helpful for authors to stay accountable and celebrate successes in a path paved with a billion rejections.
My biggest writing milestone this year was announcing my first book deal in May. The book will publish less than a year later: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER will be available in February 2023 from Brigids Gate Press. This adult “Weird Western” adventure features gunslingers, diverse characters and a menagerie of nightmarish monsters, with Bonnie & Clyde + Witcher + Supernatural vibes. Author milestones including seeing the incredible cover by Carrion House; holding the physical ARC in my hand for the first time; and reading early reviews, which have been positive so far. I am so very grateful to Brigids Gate Press, the indie horror writing community, early readers and supporters, and many others for helping to bring this book to life.
I also published more short stories this year than I have any year prior. 13 of my short horror/sci-fi/weird west stories were published in anthologies, magazines and/or podcasts, and I’ve signed contracts for 5 more appearing next year, including an audio version of my gothic horror tribute to Anne Rice, “Unrest,” by the excellent Tales to Terrify podcast.
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I’m thrilled that my debut Weird West novel MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is now available for preorder for Amazon Kindle! Not only that, but publisher Brigids Gate Press is having a holiday promotion where the book is ONLY 99 cents for a few more days. THANK YOU to everyone who has preordered so far, I really appreciate it!
The sale is over on December 20th, so now is a great time to snag a copy if you’re interested in a fast-paced, feminist fantasy-horror adventure.
If you’re more of a print book person like me, the physical version of MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER will be available on February 2, 2023. I’m still figuring out signed copy options but those details will be coming soon. Buy it now or learn more about the book below.
“Melinda West is the hero I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember. The world and characters are vivid and magical. This story is a delight.“
–Kate Jonez, Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author
“This fast-paced debut is peppered with awesome battle scenes, but the novel is much more than the sum of its action parts. Grifant takes her time to build the world and its characters, imbuing all with a complexity that adds depth to this wildly entertaining story. Verdict: 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, from the more historical like Stoker’s Wilde West by Hopstaken and Prusi to those with cosmic elements such as The Last Storm by Lebbon.”
—Becky Spratford on Goodreads (Read for January 2023 issue of Library Journal; from draft review)
The fall is always a busy and fun time for horror writers. I wanted to share some of the guest interviews and articles I was honored to recently be part of.
In this interview with Authority Magazine on Medium.com, I share my path to writing, thoughts on the Weird West genre and writing tips.
This was a fun, short interview with Reader’s Entertainment Magazine on “what scares horror authors.”
My article, “5 Tips to Writing a Horror Weird Western,” was featured on the Horror Tree. It was also highlighted as one of the “5 Must-Read Horror Articles” in October by This is Horror.
I’m honored to have 12 new horror, scifi and/or weird west short stories published this year. These are eligible for award nominations, and several of them are free to read. Complimentary copies (PDF) of the others are available upon request. Hope you enjoy!
-Published in Chromophobia: A Strangehouse Anthology by Women in Horror from Rooster Republic Press
-Description: A mean-girls, creature feature about a lake house trip gone sideways, this story is described by the editor as having “major CREEPSHOW vibes.”
-Words: 3,400
–Winner of the Sley House podcast competition and published in Tales of Sley House 2022
-Description: Four strangers find themselves on a New York subway platform, forced to face their pasts as they wait on a train that shouldn’t exist.
-Words: 5,300
-Note: “The U Train” is available as a free dramatic audio recording here: https://podcast.app/kc-grifants-u-train-e315014645/
-Published in Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice and forthcoming in a future episode of Tales to Terrify
-Description: An unnatural force at the local cemetery seeks to avenge an act of murderous violence.
-Words: 2,400
-Published in 34 Orchard magazine, issue #6
-Description: A new pandemic forces those exposed to carry out their quarantine at sea, where strangers are less than charitable.
-Words: 1,200
-Note: “All Aboard” is available to read for free at the magazine’s website (pdf): https://34orchard.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/34-orchard-issue-6-autumn-2022.pdf
KC Grifant 