K.C. Grifant's Blog

SPACE HORRORS out today!

I’m thrilled to share Space Horrors is out today, September 20, 2025! This fantastic anthology is edited by sharp-eyed editor extraordinaire, E.S. Magill, and features fabulous writers I have the honor of knowing. The TOC includes jaw-dropping stories by: Vanessa Fogg, Eric J. Guignard, Mike D. McCarty, KC Grifant, Jon Cohn, John Palisano, Kathryn Blanche, Vincent V. Cava, David Agranoff, and E.S. Magill.

My story, “The Eaters Band,” also officially introduces my characters, “The Marys.” I brought these characters to life in a futuristic setting and have built out their legacy well beyond this singular tale.

I created “The Marys” after drawing inspiration from the real-life Stagecoach Mary, who braved rough terrain and dangers aplenty to deliver mail in the Old West. Across my fictional stories, “The Marys” are part of an elite organization dedicated to promoting accurate and timely communications for the benefit and well-being of humanity. The organization persists from its start in the Old West, through present times and into future scenarios (as you’ll see in “The Eaters Band”). Marys are well trained, sent on dangerous missions and are dedicated to their cause.

They will be making an appearance in the next Melinda West Monster Gunslingers book, and will be featured in short stories across timelines.

In the meantime, please enjoy Space Horrors!

About Space HorrorsSPACE DOESN’T CARE IF YOU SCREAM.Ten Stories of Horror Science-Fiction

From derelict ships haunted by madness to alien planets steeped in dread, this chilling anthology of space horror and sci-fi terror takes you on a journey into the deepest, darkest reaches of the cosmos—where no one can hear you beg for mercy and no one cares.

Space Horrors gathers some of the sharpest voices in horror and speculative fiction to explore what happens when the vast unknown becomes a breeding ground for the unimaginable. As humans venture to the stars, humanity must go head-to-head with the mysteries of the cosmos.

Encounter:

Rogue AI and unregulated science gone wrong.Sentient voids that swallow entire ships.Alien ecosystems that react to your every thought.Cosmic viruses and chilling ghost signals.And the evil that lives not in the stars, but in ourselves.

Terrifying or darkly satirical, each tale ventures beyond the familiar into the final frontier—and proves that space isn’t just cold. It’s merciless. 

Buy Space Horrors

Free horror stories to listen to and read for the spooky season

October is fast approaching! To gear up for the Halloween season, I’m offering a handy list of several of my short spooky stories available for free in audio form and print! These stories span sci-fi horror, quiet horror and weird tales in the vein of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt.

Hope you enjoy…

Listen

“Negation” in Simultaneous Times. Space explorers find more than they bargained for in a story that has vibes of Annihilation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:

“Just Another Apocalypse” on Pseudopod. Why do those zombies have balloons? Find out in Episode 920:  https://pseudopod.org/2024/05/20/pseudopod-920-just-another-apocalypse/ 

“The U Train” on Sley House Publishing Presents. Four strangers wait for a subway that never arrives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmuOcEo6eE. 

“Unrest” on Tales To Terrify. A date goes wrong as neither person is what they seem:  https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/633-emily-j-weisenberger-kc-grifant/

“The Peerlings” on Tales to Terrify. An off-world colony encounters an unstoppable entity: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/tales-to-terrify-354-chris-panatier-kc-grifant/

354 | Chris Panatier & KC Grifant

Read

“A Woman’s Weapon” (poem) at Timber Ghost Press. A botanist goes too far in this narrative poem: https://www.timberghostpress.com/blog/a-womans-weapon-by-kc-grifant#/

“What the Storm Brings” in the Lovecraft eZine. Rose is all set for the superstorm about to hit Boston. What she didn’t prepare for was a mysterious stranger who arrives at the same time: https://lovecraftzine.com/magazine/issues/2015-2/issue-34-march-2015/what-the-storm-brings-by-kc-grifant/

What the Storm Brings, by KC Grifant

“The Sighting” in Stupefying Stories. Big Foot Hunters get close to possibly irrefutable evidence of the creature: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-sighting-by-kc-grifant.html

“Lonely Arcade” in Stupefying Stories. An encounter with a ghost at a beach arcade leads to a tough decision: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/06/lonely-arcade-by-kc-grifant.html

If you like these, several of the audio stories appear in my short story collection, alongside many other spooky tales. You can check it out here!

Sign up for more free stories and news here!

Dread Coast: SoCal Horror For a Cause

Today’s the day!! DREAD COAST: SoCal Horror Tales (No Bad Books Press), is officially out! This collection of Southern California horror short stories is co-edited by me and Dennis K. Crosby. I am so proud of this project and all of the stories. Plus, proceeds go to support the vital long-term recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Order signed print copies from SoCal local bookstores!Order from Mysterious GalaxyOrder from Artifact BooksOrder from Warwick’s

If you prefer digital copies you can order from the usual suspects here or on Amazon.

About the book

California is more than beaches, sunshine, and vineyards. Two dozen horror authors are about to drag you into their nightmares, taking you on a wild tour behind the sun-soaked glamour, promising chills and thrills that linger long after the last page.

With stories ranging from cosmic to body horror, to the comedic and the strange, Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales, edited by Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant, is a descent into the darkest corners of Southern California. These pages carry the whispers of sinister secrets in the Hollywood Hills, ancient evils stirring beneath the sands, and twisted tales behind San Diego’s sun-soaked streets, making this anthology the perfect read for lovers of the macabre. Twenty-four writers, including New York Times bestselling authors Peter Clines, Jonathan Maberry, and Scott Sigler; and USA Today bestselling author Luke Dumas will be your guides … to the shadowy side of the Golden State. 

The best part? Your terror helps others. Proceeds from sales go to support the vital recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

AuthorsDavid AgranoffKevin David AndersonBrian AsmanPeter ClinesJon CohnRonald ColemanDennis K. CrosbyLuke DumasS. FaxonKC GrifantIndigo HalversonTheresa HalvorsenHenry HerzElle JauffretJames JensenTJ KangLisa KastnerJonathan MaberryGreg MollinC.D. OakesScott SiglerBenjamin SpadaChad StroupRose WinterReview on GoodreadsEvents

Our authors will be at several upcoming events! See below for details.

Warwick’s in La Jolla: Details TBA.

Monster Gunslingers The Game: Blast into the Weird West This Fall!

Poker. Powers. Pandemonium.

The stakes are high. The cards are stacked. And the monsters are coming.

I am so excited to share the news of Monster Gunslingers The Game! This fall, the Weird West meets poker in a version of Texas Hold’Em turned supernatural. Every card has a special power and every hand is a showdown.

In Monster Gunslingers The Game, 2-6 players go head-to-head in rapid poker showdowns where winners have to rely on more than luck and bluffing. Get ready to gather your monster-fighting posse, ante up and outwit the supernatural while havoc is unleashed on Main Street.

The monsters are coming, and only the cleverest gunslingers will make it out alive.

What’s in the Game?54 stunning, beautifully illustrated cards by Jenny ChinIconic characters from my award-winning Monster Gunslingers book seriesQuick-and-rowdy rounds (10–20 minutes) built for 2–6 players, ages 12+Strategy, sabotage and supernatural mayhem!

Based on the gritty, genre-blending world of the Monster Gunslingers series, this game drops you into the saddle alongside monster-hunting legends like Melinda West, Lance Putnam and many others. If you’re a fan of The Witcher, Supernatural, Ghostbusters or Wynonna Earp, you might enjoy this!

Sign up now to get notified when we launch—your signups help us decide how many decks to print before monsters overrun Main Street.

Coming to Kickstarter This Fall!

The shootouts begin with a Kickstarter launch this fall, packed with exclusive perks, limited-edition extras and a tie-in story (or more!) set in the Monster Gunslingers universe.

Sign Up To Get Notified!

Grab your cards and gather your fighters, and prepare for a showdown where monsters meet the poker table. In the Weird West, luck is not enough.

Monster Gunslingers: The Game
Coming Fall 2025
Will you survive the hand you’re dealt?

Want a sneak peek behind the game’s creation? Check out the behind-the-scenes story here.

New to the world of Monster Gunslingers? Ride into the universe here.

New Fantasy and Horror Anthologies

I’m proud to be part of not just one, but several upcoming anthologies from Stars and Sabers Publishing, the exciting powerhouse imprint founded by award-winning authors and editors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell.

Stars and Sabers is rolling out an ongoing series of beautifully produced anthologies featuring stunning cover art and stories by some of the most talented names in speculative fiction out there. From horror to fantasy to genre-bending crossovers, these anthologies feature bold, imaginative storytelling.

I’m thrilled that my story “Worship,” about a mysterious goddess-like entity in a Puritan town, will be included in Stars and Sabers’ upcoming horror anthology Of Dread, Decay, and Doom. The anthology is currently in fundraising mode; you can learn more about supporting the book here.

Authors Announced So Far:

Eugen Bacon, Patrick Barb, James Bennett, Renan Bernardo, Sarah Rees Brennan, Katrina Carruth, Vincent Cava, Andrew K. Clark, P.A. Cornell, Dennis K. Crosby, Nicole Field, Alex Grecian, KC Grifant, Stark Holborn, John Hornor Jacobs, Ai Jiang, Helen Glynn Jones, Red Lagoe, Angela Liu, Ruth Frances Long, Jonathan Maberry, Sarah L. Miles, Lee Murray, Eden Royce, Cassandra Newbould, Justine Norton-Kertson, Hailey Piper, David Quantick, Eric Shanower, Riley Silverman, Diogo Silva Ramos, Mark Stay, Casey Stegman, Angela Sylvaine, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Tim Waggoner, Kali Wallace, J.L. Worrad.

Help Bring This Anthology To Life

If you love horror stories and supporting indie authors, you can receive acknowledgement in the book, digital or print copies, exclusive swag, and more when you back the project. Other reasons to back:

You’re helping pay writers a fair rateYou’re supporting a small, author-run press dedicated to supporting fellow authorsYou’re getting a beautiful, professionally produced horror anthology just in time for spooky season! Back Of Dread, Decay, and Doom on Indiegogo

Thank you for helping bring this book to life!

Not Into Horror? There’s Magic Too!

If horror isn’t your thing but you still want to support great storytelling, good news: pre-orders are now open for Of Enchantment, Enigma, and the Infinite. This magical-themed anthology is filled with spellbinding tales, including “Beneath scorching sand, above metal sun,” my story about a desperate railroad worker in the Weird West who turns to forbidden sorcery to save his friend. It’s a gritty surreal story about loyalty, sacrifice and the costs of power.

Pre-order Of Enchantment, Enigma, and the Infinite A Little Bit of Everything in One

Finally, you can still order copies of the popular first anthology in this series, Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers, a cross-genre collection that blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror in bold, unexpected ways.

It includes my monster gunslinger story, “The Dreambug Infestation of Half Moon Oaks,” which features a frontier town plagued by psychic bugs who harbor a secret—and the gunslinging heroes that can stop them.

Other authors include: Adrian Tchaikovsky, Ai Jiang, Alice James, Antony Johnston, Cynthia Pelayo, D.K. Stone, David Quantick, Dennis K. Crosby, Eugen Bacon, Gemma Amor, Greg van Eekhout, Helen Glynn Jones, J.L. Worrad, John Wiswell, Jonathan L. Howard, Kali Wallace, KC Grifant, Khan Wong, Laurel Hightower, Lizbeth Myles, Mya Duong, Paul Cornell, Pedro Iniguez, Peter McLean, Ren Hutchings, Renan Bernardo, Sarah L. Miles, Stark Holborn, and T.L. Huchu.

Order Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers

Whether you love horror, fantasy, sci-fi or all of the above, Stars and Sabers Publishing is putting something special into the world and I’m happy to be part of it. They have a ton of upcoming books planned, including the weird west anthology Of Terrors and Tombstones that I’ll be co-editing with Jendia Gammon, and my second collection of cross-genre stories Fantastica Horrifica, both slated for 2027. I can’t wait to get all of these new stories out into the world!

New Book Deal: Fantastica Horrifica

I am so thrilled to have found the perfect home for my second collection of short stories, titled Fantastica Horrifica. Stars and Sabers Publishing, headed up by award-winning authors and publishers Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell, has a fantastic slate of books, anthologies and collections dedicated to speculative fiction and cross-genre storytelling. (You can see several of their anthologies here, which include new stories by me.)

New Fantasy and Horror Anthologies

About Fantastica Horrifica:

These 21 horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories and poems showcase siren songs of desperation, sacrifice, denial, codependency and survival. Mothers, dreamers, and lovers deal with cosmic terrors, some snatching a semblance of vengeance along the way.

Publication is slated for April 2027.

Read the full press release from Stars and Sabers Publishing here: https://www.starsandsabers.com/2025/06/21/stars-and-sabers-publishing-news-book-deal-for-kc-grifant/.

Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get notified of preorders and special giveaways!

Quick Draw: Weird West Flash Fiction Contest

I’ll be judging an upcoming weird-west-themed flash fiction contest through Reach Your Apex–with prizes!

The first prize winner will be awarded $100 U.S. and have their story published in Apex Magazine issue 151, coming out in October 2025. The second prize winner will be awarded $50 U.S. and have their story published on the Reach Your Apex website in September 2025. Three third prize winners will each be awarded $25 U.S. and have their story published on the Reach Your Apex website in September 2025.

Submissions will open at 12:00 am Eastern, July 1, 2025. Submissions close July 15, 2025 at midnight Eastern. Anonymous, original submissions only under 1k words. More submission details: https://reachyourapex.com/weird-west-quick-draw-a-flash-fiction-contest/.

I hope you’ll submit to this diverse and growing genre! If you want tips for writing a story, check out some of the resources I have over at Weird West Fiction. If you really want to dive in, I’ll be offering a virtual workshop on June 27 called “Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell” at Reach Your Apex.

Use code wwss10 at checkout for $10 off!

In this live workshop, we’ll cover how to:

Build immersive settings and plots that evoke the Old West without falling into clichés and harmful stereotypesFlip familiar tropes into fresh and thought-provoking elementsDraw inspiration from historical accounts with empathy and nuanceDevelop grounded characters and high-stakes conflictsAvoid common pitfalls of writers starting out in this genreBlend horror, fantasy, science fiction and history in unexpected ways

Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell

New Class! Learn How to Write a Weird Western

I’m thrilled to teach “Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell” at Reach Your Apex later this month.

In this live virtual course, writers will learn how to:

Build immersive settings and plots that evoke the Old West without falling into clichés and harmful stereotypes
Flip familiar tropes into fresh and thought-provoking elements
Draw inspiration from historical accounts with empathy and nuance
Develop grounded characters and high-stakes conflicts
Blend horror, fantasy, science fiction and history in unexpected ways

Writers will leave with the foundation of a new weird western, along with tools for revisions and submissions  

Use code wwss10 at checkout for $10 off!

Master the art of writing weird westerns! About the Course

The “weird west” genre is riding into the limelight as readers are eager for fresh stories that reimagine the American Old West through a speculative lens. From monsters haunting mining towns to interdimensional train robberies and robotic gunslingers, the weird west spans stories from the pulpy to the horrific. But beyond just cowboys and creatures, the genre offers fertile grounds for genre blending, social commentary and fresh takes on the mythos of the western.

This workshop is for anyone interested in experimenting in a genre that fuses Old West aesthetics with elements of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. Whether you’re a history buff or you’ve never seen a western in your life, this class will help you tap into the spirit of the Weird West and expand your creative range.

We’ll break down what makes a story a true weird western (hint: The Mandalorian and Firefly count), and how to strike the right balance between historical flavor and speculative strangeness. You’ll learn how to:

Build immersive settings and plots that evoke the Old West without falling into clichés and harmful stereotypesFlip familiar tropes into fresh and thought-provoking elementsDraw inspiration from historical accounts with empathy and nuanceDevelop grounded characters and high-stakes conflictsAvoid common pitfalls of writers starting out in this genreBlend horror, fantasy, science fiction and history in unexpected ways

Through guided writing exercises and expert feedback, you’ll harness vivid sensory details and create powerful emotional arcs to make your story sing.

We’ll also cover the publishing landscape for Weird Westerns—what editors are looking for, where to submit, and how to steer clear of tired tropes and cultural pitfalls that can undermine your story.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with the foundation of your own weird western, along with tools for revisions and submissions. Whether you’re breaking into the genre or expanding your creative frontier, this course will equip you to ride confidently into the weird west.

DATE: June 27, 2025 at 2pm ET / 11 am PT

Creating Weird West Stories That Sizzle And Sell

About Your Instructor

KC Grifant is an award-winning Southern Californian author who writes speculative stories in the horror, fantasy, sci-fi and weird west genres. She authored the award-winning supernatural western Monster Gunslinger series and Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny.

She is editor of Women of the Weird West, and co-editor of Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales and Of Terrors and Tombstones, as well as creator of Weird West Fiction, a website that showcases diverse weird west authors.

In addition, she is a published short story writer, with dozens of tales appearing in podcasts, magazines and Stoker-nominated anthologies, including: PseudoPod, Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Sley House Presents, the British SF Association’s Fission Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine; Musings of the Muse; Dancing in the Shadows—A Tribute to Anne Rice; the Stoker-nominated Chromophobia; the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror, and many others.

She teaches genre and short story workshops and has been a moderator, panelist or speaker at dozens of conferences and events. In 2016, she co-founded the Horror Writers Association San Diego Chapter, an organization that helps to promote the horror genre and co-chaired its flagship international event, StokerCon, in 2024. She is also a member of numerous writing organizations and a Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association mentor. Aside from constructing imaginary worlds, she works as an award-winning science communicator and tries to keep up with two small wildlings.

Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen is out!

Book 2 in my supernatural western series is officially out! A book launch is always special, and I am so grateful to everyone who supported this adventure. A huge, huge thanks especially my publisher Brigids Gate Press, my fellow horror peeps, and my ARC readers.

And exciting news—the book hit #1 in New Releases in the Western Horror category!

Purchase anywhere you buy books or order signed copies from Mysterious Galaxy and Artifact Books. If you like the book…

If you enjoy either book in the series, I’d be so grateful if you’d consider posting a review on one or both of the platforms below:

Review on AmazonReview on GoodreadsAbout Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen

 In an alternate Old West, monsters rule the land—but one deadly duo is humanity’s last hope. 

Melinda West is a sharpshooter with a steady hand, a cool head and a no-nonsense attitude. Her partner, Lance, brings the charm—and the firepower. Together, they’ve made a living hunting supernatural threats. But when a strange illness leaves a trail of corpses in its wake, they realize they’re about to face their greatest challenge yet.

As the bodies pile up, a swarm of gremlins—smarter, faster and deadlier than anything they’ve encountered before—are hellbent on destruction. Unless Melinda and Lance can uncover the truth behind these mysterious creatures, everything they know will be torn apart.

This is book two in a standalone interconnected series—ideal for both new readers and returning fans looking for dark fantastical westerns with a twist.

Read ReviewsOrder the Book!Learn More

New sci-fi horror audio story: Negation

I am delighted to have my brand new scifi story, “Negation,” appear on the award-winning Simultaneous Times podcast, presented by Space Cowboy Books.

It’s about an 18-minute listen (free), with hints of Annihilation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The voice acting and production sound fantastic! I am so happy with how it turned out.

Give it a listen below!