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…
Tag: horror
Introducing Haunted Houses in Writing
I love haunted houses. I love their mystery, their poetry, the way they stand in for how we’re haunted ourselves. One of my favorite moments is when we “meet” the haunted house. Go on, give me mile-long, absurdly detailed descriptions. Use adverbs. Use “too many” adjectives. Tell me exactly what those gutters look like and…
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…
NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED
This January, I launched an author-oddity newsletter! What’s it about? First and foremost, it’s a way to boost other creators, especially small ones still trying to find their audience. If you like the odd and eerie, subscribe! On the 5th each month, you’ll learn what the month’s theme is. On the 25th, I’ll send 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…
CHIRAL MAD 5
My flash fiction “Seeds” is in CHIRAL MAD 5! This illustrated horror and science fiction anthology includes Stephen King, not to mention Josh Malerman, Victor LaValle, Zoje Sage, and multiple other award-winning authors. Michael Bailey, a Bram Stoker Award–winning editor, has made a beautiful product for the fifth and final installment of the series. Seth Brown created…
Ms. Wolownik’s New Assistant
Here’s my entry for the Official Kidlit #FallWritingFrenzy! Writers select one image to inspire a 200-word story. My image is below! Ms. Wolownik’s New Assistant Ms. Wolownik’s house looks like a rotten potato. It’s brown and white, and nobody can tell mold from paint. Its roof sags. Vines from overgrown plants spill out the windows….
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST
The Saturday Evening Post published my short story about a charming (but very dead) accountant! “Four Months After Herbert Died” is a quick, lighthearted read. Leave a comment at the end if you can! Ranked #1! The Saturday Evening Post just posted a list of their top ten most popular stories for 2019. And guess what?…
Five 50-Word Stories
This year, Every Writer’s 50-word horror story contest exploded. Over 4,000 entries. From the website, it looks like the wild popularity brought some drama too: The comments were all still up, last I checked. Eh, coupling a $500 prize with no limit on the number of submissions was… ambitious. But hey, the winners are posted:…
The Fragility of Glass
This October, here’s my entry for the Official Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy! This competition is hosted by the talented Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. Her blog, Math is Everywhere, follows her own writing journey and offers plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow authors. The competition asked writers to select one image (see mine below) to inspire…