K.C. Grifant's Blog, page 3

SHROUDED HORROR is out today!

Happy book birthday to my debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY out today!

Huge thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered or read/reviewed an advance copy; it means the world to an indie author like me. I am so grateful to the readers, reviewers, supporters and my publisher, Dragon’s Roost Press, for bringing this collection of weird, cosmic and monster tales to the world. 

See what people are saying about SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press) at Amazon and Goodreads.

Order Now!

These stories are inspired from random musings, fragments of dreams, and threads of collective anxieties unspooled and restitched for new consumption. They all center around the questions What if…? What might lie beyond? What unseen terrors lurk just out of reach?

Book description:
From the bowels of NYC to the farthest regions of space, this collection features people encountering the unseen terrors hovering at the edge of everyday life. Whether it’s a glimpse of a malicious creature lurking behind your reflection or an unusual thunderstorm heralding a needy stranger, oddities loom, ready to reveal themselves. 

With hints of The Twilight Zone, Creepshow, and Black Mirror, this collection of short horror stories—the cosmic, the weird, and the fantastical—will settle into the back of your head and under your skin. They will make you wonder what hidden horrors lie there, just beyond the curtain of reality.

AmazonBarnes and Noble PaperbackBarnes and Noble ebookBook Launch Party!

San Diego friends, please save the date for Saturday, August 10 at 2pm, which will be my official book launch party at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore! After the talk, there will be treats, giveaways and a raffle!

I will also be doing an online reading on August 8, 2024 on Galactic Terrors along with authors Maxwell Gold and John Langan—with co-hosts Carol Gyzander and James Chambers. Subscribe to their YouTube channel here for alerts.

I’ve had the pleasure of being on several podcasts lately for the book launch. Keep an eye out for my episode on The Suspense is Killing Me Podcast coming out soon and more to be announced soon.

Testimonials

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ICYMI, “5 Upcoming Horror Books Written by Women that You Should Add to Your TBR” By Gwendolyn Kiste  in The Lineup featured SHROUDED HORROR alongside other fantastic books. Read the full article here: https://the-line-up.com/5-upcoming-horror-books-written-by-women.

SHROUDED HORRORS is out today!

Happy book birthday to my debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY out today!

Huge thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered or read/reviewed an advance copy; it means the world to an indie author like me. I am so grateful to the readers, reviewers, supporters and my publisher, Dragon’s Roost Press, for bringing this collection of weird, cosmic and monster tales to the world. 

See what people are saying about SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press) at Amazon and Goodreads.

Order Now!

These stories are inspired from random musings, fragments of dreams, and threads of collective anxieties unspooled and restitched for new consumption. They all center around the questions What if…? What might lie beyond? What unseen terrors lurk just out of reach?

Book description:
From the bowels of NYC to the farthest regions of space, this collection features people encountering the unseen terrors hovering at the edge of everyday life. Whether it’s a glimpse of a malicious creature lurking behind your reflection or an unusual thunderstorm heralding a needy stranger, oddities loom, ready to reveal themselves. 

With hints of The Twilight Zone, Creepshow, and Black Mirror, this collection of short horror stories—the cosmic, the weird, and the fantastical—will settle into the back of your head and under your skin. They will make you wonder what hidden horrors lie there, just beyond the curtain of reality.

AmazonBarnes and Noble PaperbackBarnes and Noble ebookBook Launch Party!

San Diego friends, please save the date for Saturday, August 10 at 2pm, which will be my official book launch party at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore! After the talk, there will be treats, giveaways and a raffle!

I will also be doing an online reading on August 8, 2024 on Galactic Terrors along with authors Maxwell Gold and John Langan—with co-hosts Carol Gyzander and James Chambers. Subscribe to their YouTube channel here for alerts.

I’ve had the pleasure of being on several podcasts lately for the book launch. Keep an eye out for my episode on The Suspense is Killing Me Podcast coming out soon and more to be announced soon.

Testimonials

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KC Grifant | Author (@kcgrifant)

ICYMI, “5 Upcoming Horror Books Written by Women that You Should Add to Your TBR” By Gwendolyn Kiste  in The Lineup featured SHROUDED HORROR alongside other fantastic books. Read the full article here: https://the-line-up.com/5-upcoming-horror-books-written-by-women.

Book preorder update and news roundup

If you are looking for spooky stories, look no further! My short story collection SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY is now available for preorder! Thank you to everyone who has read an advance copy and reviewed already; it means the world to an indie author like me. 

SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press) is officially available for preorder, with a release date of July 11, 2024. I am so excited to share this collection with the world!

Book description:
From the bowels of NYC to the farthest regions of space, this collection features people encountering the unseen terrors hovering at the edge of everyday life. Whether it’s a glimpse of a malicious creature lurking behind your reflection or an unusual thunderstorm heralding a needy stranger, oddities loom, ready to reveal themselves. 

With hints of The Twilight Zone, Creepshow, and Black Mirror, this collection of short horror stories—the cosmic, the weird, and the fantastical—will settle into the back of your head and under your skin. They will make you wonder what hidden horrors lie there, just beyond the curtain of reality.

Pre-Order Now!KindleBarnes and Noble PaperbackBarnes and Noble ebook

You can also purchase a print copy starting July 11 from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

I was thrilled to see Shrouded Horror in “5 Upcoming Horror Books Written by Women that You Should Add to Your TBR” By Gwendolyn Kiste  in The Lineup last month alongside of fantastic authors. Read the full article here: https://the-line-up.com/5-upcoming-horror-books-written-by-women.

Interviews

In other news, I am finally catching up after StokerCon last month, which, as co-organizer, took over a year of planning. I shared background on StokerCon and my journey as a writer in the San Diego Union Tribune‘s Local Notable People profile.

Screaming Eye Press also did an in-depth interview discussing all things weird west, writing inspirations and my new collection. Read it here: https://www.screamingeyepress.com/interviews/kc-grifant/. 

On book launch day, I will be doing an online reading on July 11 at Galactic Terrors. Stay tuned to my social for details or subscribe to their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijjNjdfKdeekoXo3FN_8MA for alerts. I’ve had the pleasure of being on several podcasts lately for the book launch as well. Keep an eye out for my episode on The Suspense is Killing Me Podcast coming out next month and news on more.

Connect with me on social for upcoming news and events:

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Audio short story, JUST ANOTHER APOCALYPSE, in Pseudopod

Last month, the premiere horror podcast show Pseudopod did a fabulous audio production of my short story, “Just Another Apocalypse.” The team did a wonderful job with the audio production and elevating the angst and creepiness factor. It was an absolute joy hearing it come to life. As an extra bonus, Pseudopod did a shout-out to my work co-organizing StokerCon 2024 and also to my upcoming debut collection, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY.

“Just Another Apocalypse,” an angsty take on a zombie outbreak, was originally published by Red Rooster Republic for the online anthology, Two-Thousand Word Terrors, edited by author Nicholas Day and featuring art by Don Noble.

If you’re in the mood for a 20-minute creepy tale, tune into Episode 920 here:    https://pseudopod.org/2024/05/20/pseudopod-920-just-another-apocalypse/ 

And if you enjoy this story, check out SHROUDED HORROR for a dozen more of my creepy tales. Preorder is available now!

PseudoPod 920: Just Another Apocalypse

Upcoming short stories and ways to support

In addition to my debut short story horror collection SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (vibes of Tales From the Crypt + Twilight Zone + adult Goosebumps) I’m thrilled to share several short stories coming up soon in exciting anthologies.

Legend of the Spiderwalker (Weird West)

“Sometimes it’s easier to persuade them away or distract them with something. Especially if they ain’t the dying type.” “Most are the dying type.” Melinda unholstered her revolver…

”Legend of the Spiderwalker,” an original Melinda West story, will appear in ZEHLREG A. GRINDSTONE’S SPECTACULAR WESTERN ODDITY EMPORIUM. This anthology of Weird West short stories, flash fiction, & poems blend Wild West tropes with themes from across the Fantasy spectrum. The Kickstarter is ongoing until Sunday – support it here on Kickstarter (and check out those awesome rewards!)

Back the Anthology! “Blessed” (Scifi horror)

”Blessed,” a sci-fi horror about a pregnant, former cult member facing an alien invasion, will appear in TALES OF SLEY HOUSE with some amazing contributors. Preorder at the Sley House website here: https://www.sleyhouse.com/product-page/tales-of-sley-house-2024.

Dream Bugs (Weird West)

”Dream Bugs,” another Melinda West story, will appear in a new cross-genre anthology from Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell. Look at that amazing contributor list!

More information about the project:
Authors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell have formed a publishing imprint, for sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery stories! We’re gathering exciting writers in these genres to launch the imprint with a debut anthology, publishing in 2025. To ensure we can fund for our authors, human-made cover design, and publishing expenses, we’re crowdfunding to make this happen. Help us get there! Tiers: https://ko-fi.com/post/Publishing-Imprint-News-and-Opportunity-H2H2XH2SN

Support the anthology here!

Upcoming

“All Aboard,” my near-future post-pandemic story, will be reprinted in Shadowed Realms: Indie Horror Anthology. I will be announcing two additional stories in horror anthologies soon. And there is more exciting news on the way, stay tuned!

If you’re looking for a quick horror fix in the meantime, you can always peruse free short stories of mine here or preorder SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY.

Cover reveal and ARCs for debut short story collection

I am thrilled to share the stunning cover for my debut collection of short stories, SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY (Dragon’s Roost Press).

Carrion House, a UK-based artist, did an amazing job capturing the monsters that haunt these pages!

SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY, is a mix of my previously published short stories as well as new ones. These cosmic and weird stories are about horrors that lie below the surface, ready to bubble up and disturb the veil of our everyday lives.

Vibes = CREEPSHOW, TWILIGHT ZONE, BLACK MIRROR 

Preorder begins June 1!

In the meantime, you can add to your Goodreads page here. Reviewers can also get ARC review copies on Netgalley here.

There is nothing quite like holding a physical copy of a book baby! I shared my unboxing video on social media below:

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Stay tuned for preorder information coming soon!

New free story in Tales to Terrify horror podcast

My heartbreak cemetery story, “Unrest,” recently appeared in the excellent audio horror show Tales to Terrify. This slow burn tale originally published in Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice, edited by Rebecca Rowland. The story is a result of drawing inspiration from Rice’s unique goth style as well as wanting to impart a twist on the typical final-girl-in-a-graveyard scenario.

Voice actor Amanda Stribling did an amazing job bringing this tale to life and adding a new dimension of creepiness.

If you’re in the mood for a 20-minute creepy tale, tune in at the 23:10 time mark here: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/633-emily-j-weisenberger-kc-grifant/. 

633 | Emily J Weisenberger & KC Grifant

Debut Short Story Collection Publishing in July

I’m delighted to share that my debut collection of short stories will be forthcoming from Dragon’s Roost Press this summer!

The collection, called SHROUDED HORROR: TALES OF THE UNCANNY is a mix of my previously published short stories as well as new ones. These cosmic and weird stories are about horrors that lie below the surface, ready to bubble up and disturb the veil of our everyday lives. From the bowels of NYC to the mind-warping outer reaches of space, SHROUDED HORROR shows what happens when ordinary people bump against the hidden terrors that sit at the boundaries of reality.

You can sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive early updates, as well as a chance to win a free copy: https://mailchi.mp/a9f0d76bba28/welcome

New Book Deal Announcement: Second Weird West Horror Adventure!

On the one-year anniversary of my debut book, I am thrilled to announce that my second novel, MELINDA WEST AND THE GREMLIN QUEEN, will be coming out in May 2025 from Brigids Gate Press!

This action-adventure supernatural western is part of the Melinda West series, in which a stoic monster hunter and her partner encounter a brutal gremlin species set on spreading a psychic disease and taking over the Old West. 

MELINDA WEST AND THE GREMLIN QUEEN is an adult “Weird Western” featuring gunslingers, diverse characters and monsters galore, with Bonnie & Clyde + Buffy + The Witcher + Supernatural vibes.

Melinda and Lance are two characters I featured in several published short stories before the first book. They were very well received in MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (see reader reviews here). Aside from creating an escapist adventure, my overarching goal for this speculative world is to reframe some of the typical depictions of the Old West.

Interested readers can sign up here to request receiving an Advanced Reader Copy: https://forms.gle/BMZhBLRtJMfZzVDh7. You can also sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive early updates, as well as a chance to win a free copy next year: https://mailchi.mp/a9f0d76bba28/welcome

2023 in review and what’s next for 2024

For me, 2023 will always be a special year. When my debut novel, MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER, came out last February, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a book author. It really was a year to remember.

In reviewing 2023, I realize I did well over a dozen major events for my book’s launch, including notable writing and genre conferences (SFWA, Stokercon, Wondercon, San Diego Comic Con), bookstore signings, readings and more. It was a lovely whirlwind and I am incredibly grateful to my family, friends and colleagues for their ongoing support and camaraderie. Here are some of the highlights.

2023 Highlights

I was retweeted by Stephen King. You read that right: Retweeted. By. Stephen King!! I shared this picture of our horror panel at the lovely indie bookstore Verbatim Books in July. We posed next to a cutout of the patron saint of horror himself.

An epic tweet

As for in-person encounters, I met legendary writer Joe Lansdale at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival (LATBF) in April. He later gave my debut a shoutout on social media.

Speaking of writing legends, I also met Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series and the weird western Gunnie Rose series, at Bouchercon in September.

As far as cons, I pitched, moderated and/or participated in a number of weird west, horror and writing panels, most notably: the national Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers (SFWA) convention in Anaheim in May; the national Stokercon (Horror Writers Association convention) in Pittsburg in June; the inaugural Twentynine Palms Book Festival near Joshua Tree in October; and…drumroll…San Diego Comic Con! It was a true honor to run a weird western panel at San Diego Comic Con, the world’s largest, longest-running comic con. You can catch highlights from that panel here:

 

In addition, I sold books at various other conventions, including MidSummer Scream, the Los Angeles Times Book Festival, Wondercon, the Escondido Book Fair and more. I interviewed with dozens of print magazines, blogs and podcasts for my debut book release (you can peruse them all here and here) and wrote a number of guest nonfiction articles. And I had signings at my favorite indie bookstores: Mysterious Galaxy, Verbatim Books, Warwick’s Books, Artifact Books, and others.

Of special note, I was completely delighted to see MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER at the San Diego airport bookstore as well as Barnes & Noble.

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A post shared by KC Grifant | Author (@kcgrifant)

Lastly, I served as a short story writing mentor through SFWA and once again gave my short story workshop and weird western workshop for the annual In Your Write Mind virtual conference, hosted by the Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program.

While doing so many events was…busy to say the least, I met so many awesome writers, readers, booksellers, podcasters and genuinely great people that the frenzy of activity was completely worth it.

What’s Coming Up in 2024

So what’s coming up for 2024?

This year promises to be an equally busy one. I am co-chair for Stokercon 2024, the premiere horror literature and fan event hosted annually by the Horror Writers Association (HWA). As part of the local organizing committee, I am so excited to welcome horror authors and fans from around the world to San Diego for the horror-related programming, film festival, Bram Stoker Award Banquet, and much more.

I’ll also be teaching a new Clarion West class class I’m very excited about – Creating Short Stories that Sizzle and Sell. The class will cover the benefits—and pitfalls—of short story writing, how to create an irresistible hook, ways to make a story stand out from the slush pile, practical exercises to get started, and business tips to keep in mind when submitting short stories.

As far as other appearances go, I plan to be at Wondercon, San Diego Comic Con, and the Twentynine Palms Book Festival again, if all goes well. I have a number of short stories slated to be out in audio form (including PseudoPod, the Simultaneous Times and Tales to Terrify) as well as in digital and print form. AND – I’m also in the midst of revisions for a second Melinda West novel. More official details coming soon!

Sign up for my newsletter here, or join me on social for more updates!