K.C. Grifant's Blog, page 5

2022 Year-End Summary

2022 was quite the ride for me, writing-wise! I had my first book deal and a bunch of other “firsts,” highlighted below. These types of year-end posts are helpful for authors to stay accountable and celebrate successes in a path paved with a billion rejections.

My biggest writing milestone this year was announcing my first book deal in May. The book will publish less than a year later: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER will be available in February 2023 from Brigids Gate Press. This adult “Weird Western” adventure features gunslingers, diverse characters and a menagerie of nightmarish monsters, with Bonnie & Clyde + Witcher + Supernatural vibes. Author milestones including seeing the incredible cover by Carrion House; holding the physical ARC in my hand for the first time; and reading early reviews, which have been positive so far. I am so very grateful to Brigids Gate Press, the indie horror writing community, early readers and supporters, and many others for helping to bring this book to life.

I also published more short stories this year than I have any year prior. 13 of my short horror/sci-fi/weird west stories were published in anthologies, magazines and/or podcasts, and I’ve signed contracts for 5 more appearing next year, including an audio version of my gothic horror tribute to Anne Rice, “Unrest,” by the excellent Tales to Terrify podcast.

2022 stories include tales of a sentient circus, a mean-girls creature-feature, a fused dog-and-owner consciousness dealing with the apocalypse, and many more. I’m thankful to Rooster Republic Press, Sley House Publishing, Dark Matter Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, the British Science Fiction Association, Dread Stone Press, Cohesion Press, 34 Orchard Magazine, and others for the opportunities.

“The U Train” appears in Tales of Sley House 2022.

Of particular note this year was winning the Sley House Publishing podcast competition. Sley House Publishing presented its first-ever scripted audio drama, my weird horror short story, “U-Train.” The voice actors and production were phenomenal. There is nothing quite like hearing your story come to life by a talented team.

The year closed with a nice surprise: my horror poem about an obsessive botanist, “A Woman’s Weapon,” received a mention in the summation section in The Best Horror of the Year Vol 14 by Ellen Datlow. This is one of the premiere horror lists of the year, so even a mention in the summation list is a huge achievement. 

I was also featured in several interviews and guest articles this year. My favorites include “5 Tips for Writing a Horror Weird Western” on the Horror Tree (named as one of the “5 Must-Read Horror Articles” in October by This is Horror) and an author interview with Authority Magazine, which you can read here. A final highlight of the year was leading a short story writing workshop for the In Your Write Mind conference at Seton Hill, one of my favorite genre-focused author virtual events.

In terms of actual writing, I wrote 8 new pieces, two of which were around 9,000 words each, and two of which were SFF poems, a form I hope to write more of. In the second half of the year I began the next book in the MELINDA WEST series.

I am so thankful for the means and opportunities to write and share my work. The indie horror writing group is one of the best communities out there, and I find it provides endless inspiration. And if you’re seeing this, thank YOU for reading and for your support!

Here’s to a kind and creative 2023. Hope you stay afloat, find stories you love, and create art if so inclined!

This is not a drill: sale and preorder alert!

I’m thrilled that my debut Weird West novel MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is now available for preorder for Amazon Kindle! Not only that, but publisher Brigids Gate Press is having a holiday promotion where the book is ONLY 99 cents for a few more days. THANK YOU to everyone who has preordered so far, I really appreciate it!

The sale is over on December 20th, so now is a great time to snag a copy if you’re interested in a fast-paced, feminist fantasy-horror adventure.

If you’re more of a print book person like me, the physical version of MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER will be available on February 2, 2023. I’m still figuring out signed copy options but those details will be coming soon. Buy it now or learn more about the book below.

FOR A LIMITED TIME: ORDER AT THE SPECIAL HOLIDAY PRICE OF 99 CENTSEarly Praise for MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER

“Melinda West is the hero I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember. The world and characters are vivid and magical. This story is a delight.“
–Kate Jonez, Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author

“This fast-paced debut is peppered with awesome battle scenes, but the novel is much more than the sum of its action parts. Grifant takes her time to build the world and its characters, imbuing all with a complexity that adds depth to this wildly entertaining story. Verdict: This fun, imaginative, and confident series opener will be a massive crowd pleaser for general audiences, especially for those who enjoy a wide range of popular weird western offerings, from the more historical like Stoker’s Wilde West by Hopstaken and Prusi to those with cosmic elements such as The Last Storm by Lebbon.”
 —Becky Spratford on Goodreads (Read for January 2023 issue of Library Journal; from draft review)

Read more reviews on GoodreadsDescription

In an Old West overrun by monsters, a stoic gunslinger must embark on a dangerous quest to save her friends and stop a supernatural war.

Sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, has encountered more than her share of supernatural creatures after a monster infection killed her mother. Now, Melinda and her charismatic partner, Lance, offer their exterminating services to desperate towns, fighting everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. But when they accidentally release a demon, they must track a dangerous outlaw across treacherous lands and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring monsters descend on Earth.

The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde in a re-imagined Old West full of diverse characters, desolate landscapes, and fast-paced adventure.

Cosmic horror story “The U Train” in Tales of Sley House 2022

My cosmic horror story, “The U Train,” appears in Tales of Sley House 2022, now available! This anthology features lots of unsettling and creepy horror stories divided into three themes.

In “The U Train,” four strangers find themselves on a subway platform, waiting on a train that shouldn’t exist. But as they try to find out why they’re there and how they might escape, they realize that when the train arrives, a fate worse than death might be waiting for them.

The story was also produced as an audio drama, which you can listen to for free at one of the links below.

Listen to “The U Train” for free: Apple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kc-grifants-u-train/id1580649232?i=1000570001918iHeart – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sley-house-publishing-pres-85758270/episode/kc-grifants-u-train-99450379/Podcast App – https://podcast.app/kc-grifants-u-train-e315014645/Or find the episode (36 mins) wherever you listen to podcasts! (Search for “Sley House LitBits.”)Excerpt of “The U Train” in Tales of Sley House:

Read more in Tales of Sley House 2022, which you can order from the publisher or your favorite retailer.

Upcoming horror stories and more December news

Happy December! I hope you had a fulfilling Thanksgiving and are gearing up for a fun and restful holiday season. If you’re stumped on gift ideas, I’ve included some tips on horror and book gift suggestions below.

In personal news, I am beyond thrilled that my poem “A Woman’s Weapon” (published in HWA’s Poetry Showcase Volume VIII) made the recommendations list for the upcoming volume of Ellen Datlow’s esteemed Best Horror of the Year! You can peruse the full list here.

Book news

Early reviews from advanced readers on MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER are starting to post on Goodreads and I’m delighted to see people enjoying this Weird West epic adventure.

If you haven’t already, you can add MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER to your Goodreads list. Preorders will be available later this month.

Digital versions of Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are available for reviewers and early readers! If you’re interested, please message me. 

Book and horror shopping guide tips

If you need some shopping inspiration, check out the excellent Horror for the Holidays shopping guide from author Sara Tantlinger. 

Also I highly recommend Bookshop for great gift ideas for supporting independent bookstores. Better yet, browse your nearby indie bookstore!

Lastly, check out the social media pages of your favorite indie authors. Chances are that they (or their publishers) are having sales this month.

Upcoming short stories

I am thrilled to have another story appear in an upcoming Tales to Terrify episode. “Unrest,” a gothic horror tale about a cemetery taking revenge on a monster, first debuted in the anthology DANCING IN THE SHADOWS: A TRIBUTE TO ANNE RICE.

You can listen to my first Tales to Terrify cosmic scifi horror story, “The Peerlings,” here for free. 

I also have a new Weird West short story debuting in ALONG HARROWED TRAILS from Timber Ghost Press forthcoming in 2023.

Recent stories out nowFREE to read: “All Aboard” in Orchard 34 (HORROR)“The Fall of Denfanas Manor” in WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE (WEIRD WEST)To receive monthly email updates directly into your inbox, sign up here and, as always, happy reading!

Recent guest articles – Horror Tree, Authority Magazine and more

The fall is always a busy and fun time for horror writers. I wanted to share some of the guest interviews and articles I was honored to recently be part of.

→KC Grifant On The 5 Things You Need to Know to Become a Great Author

In this interview with Authority Magazine on Medium.com, I share my path to writing, thoughts on the Weird West genre and writing tips.

→What Scares Horror Authors: Interview with Reader’s Entertainment Magazine

This was a fun, short interview with Reader’s Entertainment Magazine on “what scares horror authors.”

→Guest Post at The Horror Tree

My article, “5 Tips to Writing a Horror Weird Western,” was featured on the Horror Tree. It was also highlighted as one of the “5 Must-Read Horror Articles” in October by This is Horror.

Visit this page for a full list of interviews/guest articles.

Near-future horror story, “All Aboard,” in 34 Orchard Magazine

I’m honored that my horror pandemic story, “All Aboard,” debuts in 34 Orchard Magazine issue #6, a publication described as “a literary journal that takes you dark places.”

In “All Aboard,” a new pandemic forces those people to carry out their quarantine at sea, where strangers are less than charitable. You can download the entire issue as a pdf for free at https://34orchard.com/issues/issue-6/.

https://34orchard.com/issues/issue-6/34 Orchard Magazine

Description from the editor: A shocking occurrence unmasks a professor and a ne’er-do-well covers up the truth. A machine exposes the past and lies linger between a dinner’s courses. A bijou boogeyman unleashes a daughter’s rage while ordinary colors and unusual mattresses strip away the pretense of composure. In Issue 6, seventeen artists brood on the secrets we keep, and what happens when they are exposed.

Table of Contents:
Cover Art: Ophelia’s Last Secret – Robert Cedergren
Shrike Song – Zachary Kellian
The Beginning of You – Samantha Bryant
The Gritter – Kurt Newton
The Baron of the Rails – Douglas Ford
The Dusk of Day-shapes – David H. West
And Satyrs Shall Dance There – John Berbrich
The Yakshi Next Door – Hareendran Kallinkeel
Head – Mark Steensland
Memory Foam – Rowan Hill
Her Color – Grace Rolen
Step on a Crack – Jake Jerome
Birthday Dinner, May 28. – Jennifer Judge
All Aboard – KC Grifant
Young People in Love – Sam Lesek
Ugly Cinderella – Molly Greer
Insert Name Here – J. Paul Ross
Get your copy at 34orchard.com today!

Read more in issue #6.

Short Story 2022 Roundup and Awards Eligibility

I’m honored to have 12 new horror, scifi and/or weird west short stories published this year. These are eligible for award nominations, and several of them are free to read. Complimentary copies (PDF) of the others are available upon request. Hope you enjoy!

Horror

“The Color of Friendship”

-Published in Chromophobia: A Strangehouse Anthology by Women in Horror from Rooster Republic Press
-Description: A mean-girls, creature feature about a lake house trip gone sideways, this story is described by the editor as having “major CREEPSHOW vibes.”
-Words: 3,400

“The U Train” (available online as an audio story)

–Winner of the Sley House podcast competition and published in Tales of Sley House 2022
-Description: Four strangers find themselves on a New York subway platform, forced to face their pasts as they wait on a train that shouldn’t exist.
-Words: 5,300
-Note: “The U Train” is available as a free dramatic audio recording here: https://podcast.app/kc-grifants-u-train-e315014645/

“Unrest”

-Published in Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice and forthcoming in a future episode of Tales to Terrify
-Description: An unnatural force at the local cemetery seeks to avenge an act of murderous violence.
-Words: 2,400 

“All Aboard” (available online)

-Published in 34 Orchard magazine, issue #6
-Description: A new pandemic forces those exposed to carry out their quarantine at sea, where strangers are less than charitable.
-Words: 1,200
-Note: “All Aboard” is available to read for free at the magazine’s website (pdf): https://34orchard.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/34-orchard-issue-6-autumn-2022.pdf

“Death Felt Fine“(available online)

-Published in Dose of Dread
-Description: Death takes on a mission to deal with the latest apocalypse even as he yearns for something more.
-Words: 1,000
–Note: “Death Felt Fine” is available to read for free at the Dose of Dread website: https://dreadstonepress.com/2022/08/19/death-felt-fine/

“The Serpent Queen“

-Published in Brigids Gate Press’ Musings of the Muse anthology
-Description: A girl is forced to make an impossible choice in an ancient, snake-centric ritual.
-Words: 1,000

“Crab Man”

-Published in Cosmic Horror Monthly
-Description: A city courier crosses the wrong cult with unfortunate consequences.
-Words: 1,200

“The Circus King” (available online)

-Published in Typehouse Literary Magazine
-Description: After a sentient circus turns Evelyn into the Circus King, she must find a way to escape the psychic hold of the entity that rules the show.
-Words:2,900
–Note: available to read for free at the magazine’s website (pdf): https://typehousemagazine.com/th/content/TypehouseIssue24Jan2022.pdf

Sci-Fi Horror “Odd Colleagues“

-Published in Dark Matter Magazine #10
-Description: An insecure scientist has an unexpected encounter with a new life form.
-Words: 1,400

Sci-Fi“Cynscout“

-Published in the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA)’s Fission Magazine
-Description: A fused owner-and-pet consciousness trying to survive the apocalypse must carry out their grim mission to usher in the end of the world.
-Words: 1,700

Horror Western/Weird West “The Fall of Denafas Manor“

-Published in Cohesion Press‘ SNAFU: Dead or Alive anthology
-Description: Monster-hunting gunslingers Melinda and Lance rescue a kidnapped victim from a relentless supernatural family with a deadly secret.
-Words: 3,800

Weird West action story out in SNAFU: DEAD OR ALIVE anthology

My Weird West monster action story, “The Fall of Denafas Manor,” debuts in this epic Western horror anthology from Cohesion Press. Edited by Amanda J Spedding and Geoff Brown, SNAFU: DEAD OR ALIVE is the latest addition to the SNAFU anthologies, some of which were adapted for the Netflix series LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS.

“The Fall of Denfanas Manor” is an original story featuring gunslingers Melinda and Lance as they rescue a kidnapped victim from a relentless supernatural family. You can read an excerpt below.

As a side note: Melinda and Lance have their own novel-length adventure forthcoming in MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER (Feb 2023, Brigids Gate Press).

Description from the publisher:

The West has always been the wild borderlands of civilization. The new frontier, where laws often fall far by the wayside.

Where the unknown ranges through the desert, and myth is shown as reality in the dense wooded areas and the plains.

Enter the gunslinger, the soldier, the bounty hunter, all out to make their name or their fortune while marching to the beat of their own drum.

Follow the stories of the hunter and the hunted, action all the way, as 18 writers unleash their own twisted versions of what can happen when humans enter the realm of legends and monsters, armed with whatever weapons they bring to the battle.

Welcome to SNAFU: Dead or Alive. Welcome to Western Hell.

Read more in SNAFU: DEAD OR ALIVE ( Amazon)

October News – upcoming stories and book updates

It’s October, the best month! When when the “Halloween People” come out to play and when the pumpkin spice flows freely. I hope you’re finding fun and spooky ways to celebrate.

Read on for book updates, my first reading of the season and a new article on Weird West writing tips. As always, I hope your bookshelves have been full and your reading time uninterrupted!

New article! 5 Tips For Writing a Horror Weird Western

My article, “5 Tips for Writing a Horror Weird Western,” is now live on The Horror Tree! You can read it here: https://horrortree.com/5-tips-for-writing-a-horror-weird-western/.

There’s no doubt about it: there has been a recent surge in historical horror fiction, especially in the “Weird West” category. Maybe you’ve read a recent anthology featuring horror tales that take place in the Old West or come across “splatter westerns.” Whatever the case, the Weird West genre is making a comeback. Read on for more about this fascinating genre as well as tips for writing your own weird western.

Read more at the Horror Tree

Book Update: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGERCover reveal

In case you missed it, the cover reveal for MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER came out a few weeks ago! I have been a huge fan of UK-based Carrion House, so I was thrilled he was able to do the cover (check out more of his amazing artwork here). Luke perfectly captured the vibe and style I was hoping for. The book will be coming out from Brigids Gate Press in Feb 2023. You can stay updated on the preorder date by signing up for newsletter alerts.

ARCs available

Digital versions of Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are now available for professional reviewers! If you qualify and would like a pdf, please message me here or learn more about the book here.

Sneak peek reading

I also had the honor of participating in a “sneak peek” reading of MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER with several other authors from this publisher at the Buzz Books Expo 2022. Buzz Book Expo is a free live virtual event that focuses on upcoming horror books. You can watching the entire Expo video here for free: https://youtu.be/HL24dMRM3R0. The Brigids Gate Press section starts right before the third hour (~2:58).

Upcoming Story Releases“All Aboard” in Orchard 34 – Fall (horror)“The Fall of Denfanas Manor” in WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE – Fall 2022 (weird west)SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED! New Weird West story, 2023SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED! Holiday horror story, anthology date TBDFree Reads

Here’s a recap of recent free short horror story reads:

“U Train” (weird cosmic horror) – Sleyhouse Publishing Podcast https://podcast.app/kc-grifants-u-train-e315014645/“Death Felt Fine” (fantasy horror) – Dose of Dread https://dreadstonepress.com/2022/08/19/death-felt-fine/NEW! “Odd Colleagues” (scifi horror) – Available for a limited time for a free read on Dark Matter Magazine https://darkmattermagazine.shop/pages/dark-matter-jukeboxTo receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, happy reading!

Introducing the cover for MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER

I’m beyond excited to reveal the cover of MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER, coming in February 2023 from Brigids Gate Press. I have always been a fan of UK-based Carrion House’s artwork, so I was thrilled to see how Luke would interpret the vibe and story (check out more of his amazing artwork here). Aside from the compelling, creepy imagery, the intriguing font also immediately drew me in. Needless to say, I couldn’t have imagined a better cover for this story!

Sign up to be notified of preorders and other updates!

MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is an adult monster fantasy adventure set in an alternative Old West featuring gunslingers, diverse characters and a menagerie of nightmarish critters, with Bonnie & Clyde + Witcher + Supernatural vibes. Aside from creating a fun horror fantasy adventure, I aimed to reframe some of the typical depictions of the Old West and build a world where women and diverse characters take center stage.

When monsters roam the Old West, there is one gunslinging couple who can tilt the odds in favor of humanity. Stoic sharpshooter Melinda and her easygoing partner Lance are pros at fighting everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs. But when they accidentally release a demon that steals souls, they find themselves caught in a supernatural war. Melinda and Lance must battle a menagerie of monsters and hunt a notorious outlaw to save their friends and stop hell on Earth.  If you’re intrigued, sign up here for updates. Pre-orders will around the end of December.