Joltober 2018

I often intermittently post dark poetry and sick "very short stories" (sometimes called #vss) on social media, but to celebrate Halloween season this year, I've decided to post a new "jolt" each day to my twitter account throughout October 2018. Since my friends at Raw Dog Screaming Press helped instigate me, I thought it would be fitting to call it "Joltober" in tribute to 100 Jolts, which they published originally 14 years ago! Keep your eyes on this for a new horror story posted daily throughout this October ⚡️ “#Joltober: A Horror Story a Day for October (2018)”https://t.co/J3R4IpjcXr— Michael Arnzen…

HWA Poetry Showcase V

[NOTE: Submissions are now closed and the book is being edited now published in Fall 2018!  Preview the TOC. Read my Goodreads review. ] April is National Poetry (& Poetry Writing) Month -- and the Horror Writers Association is celebrating with a call for submissions of poetry to their next anthology, the HWA Poetry Showcase V! Deadline is end of April 2018. Guidelines appear down below. I'm on the jury vetting the entries alongside Mercedes Yardley and editor Stephanie Wytovich. You do need to be member of the HWA to be accepted, sure -- but...If you're a pro horror writer,…

Monstrosity by Tim Curran – an Overlooked Gem

Monstrosity by Tim Curran My rating: 4 of 5 stars Review posted originally to goodreads.com I recently taught Tim Curran's MONSTROSITY in a college-level introductory lit course -- literally titled "Monstrosities." The book exhibits Curran's wildly playful imagination when set free and allowed to take inventive extremes. I don't want to spoil any surprises, because this is a book where you begin to turn the pages dying to see what crazy creature will be unleashed next, and whether or not the author will be able to top the one you just read about, with your jaw on the floor. There…

Can’t Fight This Feeding

I can't fight this feeding any longer And yet I'm still afraid to let it show What started out as small waist, has grown larger I only wish they made much bigger burritos I belt myself but I can't hold out forever I said there is no reason for my fear 'Cause I feel so secure when I'm eating It gives my gut direction It makes everything so clear And even as I hunger I'm keeping you in sight You're like a candy store window On a cold, dark winter's night And I've ate more helpings than I ever thought…

Goreletter 12.1 Mailed

The Goreletter Vol. 12, #1 was delivered to mailing list subscribers on 7/24/17 @ 1:30am est. If you didn't get yours, check your spam folder -- or re-enter your email address in the subscription page, or contact me. You also can always find a text-only version at The Repository archives! This issue features extra material not available here on the weblog, including an excerpt from a flash series in progress, "body moving" Instigation prompts, a new gorelets poem, information about my latest book appearances, news about upcoming appearances and events and a discount code for subscribers only on the full…