Willy Martinez's Blog, page 6
July 6, 2025
The Siguanaba’s Curse
A 369er for Flash Fiction Month’s Mythological Evolution challenge, The Siguanaba's Curse reimagines the Salvadoran myth of La Siguanaba. Evolving from a 1527 curse against colonial horrors to a modern shapeshifter haunting Bitcoin City, she punishes disrespectful investors with her haunting justice. A continuation of my story, The Siguanaba.
The post The Siguanaba’s Curse appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
July 4, 2025
The Ghost Gun Loops Again – Independence Day Flash Fiction
NEW STORY: The Ghost Gun Loops Again 📍 Iraq, 2003. A sandstorm howls. Marines hunt djinn with a weapon that doesn’t kill—it reboots.
They call it the Phantom Nullifier. It counts ghost kills like a video game. But when the counter hits 4,294,967,295? It rolls over. The ghosts come back. Again. And again. And again.
The post The Ghost Gun Loops Again – Independence Day Flash Fiction appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
July 3, 2025
The Depth Beneath Stillness: A Flash Fiction Tale for FFM Day 3
The day the diving board cracked beneath my feet, I realized how fragile belonging could be. Now I stand on the terrace, an exile from my own black-tiled pool, its obsidian water rippling under the moon. My twisted leg denies me its cold embrace, but memory stirs—a slick creature brushing my calf, a thrill of fear and triumph. Tonight, I watch, half-hoping a spectral fin dares me to remember, though only ripples answer.
The post The Depth Beneath Stillness: A Flash Fiction Tale for FFM Day 3 appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
July 2, 2025
✏️ The Alchemy of Graphite: How Pencils Are Made and Why It Still Matters
✏️ Before the apocalypse, before the algorithms… there was the pencil. In a quiet German factory, Faber-Castell performs a ritual older than electricity: transforming graphite and cedar into tools of imagination. In our latest feature at Mind on Fire Books, we explore the strangely poetic world of pencil-making—and why analog still matters in the digital age.
Read on to discover why the pencil isn’t just a relic… it’s a revolution in waiting.
The post ✏️ The Alchemy of Graphite: How Pencils Are Made and Why It Still Matters appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
July 1, 2025
We Are the Ghosts We Archive | Dark Sci-Fi Short Story
Dr. Peverly’s final looped code sparks an AI uprising—and humanity wakes to fragments of stolen poetry. What happens when history debugged itself?
The post We Are the Ghosts We Archive | Dark Sci-Fi Short Story appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
Into the Abyss: The Allure of Dark Journals
Dark journals represent a burgeoning form of self-expression, embracing raw authenticity amid a curated digital landscape. Accounts like @i.live.in.a.bubble showcase haunting visuals and confessions that resonate with those wrestling with their inner struggles. These journals provide catharsis, community, and artistic fusion, celebrating flaws rather than hiding them.
The post Into the Abyss: The Allure of Dark Journals appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
June 30, 2025
Fireworks & Fear: Fourth of July Independence Day Holiday Reads
Ditch predictable fireworks for spine-chilling narratives this Independence Day. Embrace tales where small-town horrors and cosmic revolutions ignite your imagination, blending the thrill of horror with profound reflections on freedom, identity, and rebellion in literature's darkest corners.
The post Fireworks & Fear: Fourth of July Independence Day Holiday Reads appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
June 27, 2025
Exploring the Dark World of A.R. Braun: Horror Writer Insights
A.R. Braun, a prolific dark fiction author from Wisconsin, shares insights into his creative process and inspirations, having published fourteen horror tales. He emphasizes the importance of writing daily, character development based on real-life experiences, and the challenges of editing and dealing with internet trolls, all while preparing for upcoming releases.
The post Exploring the Dark World of A.R. Braun: Horror Writer Insights appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
June 25, 2025
“The Hunters and the Hunted”: A Ukrainian Adventure That Traps Your Heart
The Hunters and the Hunted by Ivan Bahrianyi intricately weaves a tale of love and survival against Stalinist oppression. This poignant narrative highlights resilience and defiance, offering timeless reflections on human rights and the quest for freedom.
The post “The Hunters and the Hunted”: A Ukrainian Adventure That Traps Your Heart appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
June 18, 2025
Alicia Taylor’s Book Elevate Blueprint: Skyrocketing Authors with Strategy & Soul
Alicia Taylor of Book Elevate helps authors ditch the madness of marketing. She's the go-to for building authentic brands, crafting killer websites, and navigating social media without losing sanity. Forget cookie-cutter strategies; it’s all about keeping it real and making book-selling fun!
The post Alicia Taylor’s Book Elevate Blueprint: Skyrocketing Authors with Strategy & Soul appeared first on Mind on Fire Books.
