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…

Exploring Dark Short Fiction Series #1: Steve Rasnic Tem

Dark Moon Books, newly acquired and resurrected by Eric J. Guignard, has just released the first in a series of primers and tributes to significant horror writers working in the short fiction genre, called Exploring Dark Short Fiction. I am the current academic consultant, contributing analytical commentaries on every story and a longer essay on the significance of the writer's work. The first book is devoted to the great Steve Rasnic Tem, collecting six of his shorts (one new): "Hungry," "The Last Moments Before Bed," "In These Final Days of Sales," "Rat Catcher," "The Giveaway" and a creepy new original…