Dreams are a huge source of inspiration for me. (That includes nightmares.) Every morning, I try to spend a few minutes in that in-between place, half awake, reviewing the night’s new material. I sift through what I remember, hunting for potential stories, any good imagery. If there’s something good, I’ll chew on it until I get to my laptop for the…
Category: Newsletter
Why Human Collabs Are Crucial to Creativity: My New Logo
In January 2025, I launched the Author-Oddity Newsletter. After about eight months, as things started to gel, I decided to invest in a logo. Is branding crucial for a good author newsletter? Nope. But I figured, would it feel cool? Would it boost my confidence for a reasonable price? Would it be a whole bunch…
EYES: Horror & Sci-fi Books, Art, and Other Strange Content
I see you . . . Okay, no I don’t. But who knows what might be watching? I like to think we’d sense something if there were watchers. Eyes have a way of touching without touching, raising goosebumps and tickling the back of your neck. But then again, maybe we’d sense nothing at all. I…
CATS: Oddball Books, Unsettling Art, and Strange Facts
Nothing moves quite like cats. That liquid slink when they’re on the prowl. True, I’m a dog person. But I love how cats walk the windowsill between life and death, wild and domesticated. And I love how, whatever you feel about cats, you’re going to damn well respect them. Book Recs Catriona Ward’s book is a clear…
SUBMERGED: Underwater Horror Books and Other Strange Content
Welcome to the depths. The mud is soft and dark. The blue-gray tones are cool and soothing. Don’t kick too hard. Just relax and pick your way through these fragments of underwater horror. If you like what you find here, subscribe to the Author-Oddity Newsletter! I always include a little extra for subscribers. And if you’ve got…
APPLES: Scary Books and Other Strange Content
This May, we’re focused on APPLES. What a weird, tempting fruit. Shiny skin. Juicy flesh. Reliant on a period of icy dormancy. Did you know planting an apple seed won’t yield a tree with the same apples? The seeds of an apple are a combination of its parent tree’s genetics and a different apple tree’s…
HOUSES: Scary Books and Other Strange Content
I’m picky about my haunted house books. It’s not enough just to have “house” in the title. I want the house to be a character. Without this particular haunted house, there’s no way the story could happen. Grady Hendrix’s How to Sell a Haunted House, for example, is a great read—but it’s not about a…
CAVES: Scary Books and Old Art in Dark, Deep Places
Another month, another themed list! Thanks in particular this month to the “Spooky Book Club” and “Horror Books” Facebook groups for caves-themed book recs. If you like what you find here, sign up for my newsletter! I always include a little extra for subscribers. Got any theme-related stories? Books or games set far underground? Music that…
MUSHROOMS: Fungi in Scary Books, Art, and Weird History
Every month, for my newsletter subscribers, I do a themed list of book recs, art, music, video games, etc. The newsletter always includes a little extra, but here are some highlights! Do you have any mushroom-oriented books you’ve loved? Any games or music steeped in shroomy goodness? Just a favorite mushroom? If so, drop a…
SNOW: Scary Books, Art, and Mysteries in Snowy Settings
Every month, for my newsletter subscribers, I do a themed list of oddball items: books, indie games, art, weird facts, creepy internet rabbit holes… If you like what you see here, sign up! The newsletters always include little extra. If you’ve got more chilling theme-related oddities or recommendations, don’t hold out. Drop ’em in the…