K.C. Grifant's Blog, page 6
September 15, 2022
September news – recent short stories, book update, and more
Happy September! I hope the pumpkin spice is flowing freely and apple picking is plentiful. Read on for recent updates!
Spotted on the interwebs
Art by Joe KeinbergerFirst off, I have to share this amazing artwork by Massachusetts artist Joe Keinberger. It perfectly captures Fall vibes. You can see more of his work on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joekeinberger_art/) or his Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoekeinbergerArt).
New story out: “Old Habits”
My Weird Western story, “Old Habits,” is available in Queer Weird West Tales (QWRT)! Edited by Julie Bozza, the anthology is a diverse collection of international Weird West adventures. Learn more or order here: https://juliebozza.com/book/queer-weird-west-tales/.
Reminder: FREE story, “Death Felt Fine,” available!
In the mood for a short, unsettling September read? My short story “Death Felt Fine” is in the Dose of Dread series on Dread Stone Press. In it, Death is trying to enjoy his day but has to deal with another apocalypse. You can read it for free here: https://dreadstonepress.com/dose-of-dread/.
Book update: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER
Things are moving fast! The cover is set (I cannot WAIT to share it) and we are going over final proofs now. Looking forward to getting this out in the world!
Book summary: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is a feminist Weird Western horror adventure about a stoic sharpshooter, Melinda, and her easygoing partner, Lance, debuting in February from Brigids Gate Press. Read about the book concept here.
Out now “Old Habits” in Queer Weird West Tales “Death Felt Fine” in Dose of Dread “Cynscout” in the British Science Fiction Association’s Fission issue #2“The Color of Friendship” in CHROMOPHOBIA: A Strangehouse Anthology by Women in Horror “Odd Colleagues” in Dark Matter Magazine issue 010“U Train” audio production in Sley House Publishing (Listen for FREE!)Other upcoming releases“All Aboard” in Orchard 34 (HORROR)“The Fall of Denafas Manor” in SNAFU: Dead or Alive (WEIRD WESTERN)To receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, thank you for reading!
August 31, 2022
Weird West novelette “Old Habits” now available
My Weird Western story, “Old Habits,” is now available in Queer Weird West Tales (QWWT)! Edited by Julie Bozza, the anthology is a diverse collection of international Weird West adventures.
“Old Habits” descriptionTo save her girlfriend from a monster’s infectious venom, Topaz must confront her tumultuous past and ask the last person in the world she wants to see for help—her ex.
Topaz is a side character in my upcoming novel MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER. She was so dynamic and intriguing, she practically demanded a spotlight in her own story. This tale focuses on Topaz’s adventures after the novel, expanding on her newfound love as she faces a reckoning with her past.
Anthology description from the publisherFrontiers have always attracted the Other – where they find that the Other is always already there. These 22 stories explore what happens when queer characters encounter weirdness on the edge of the worlds they know.
Authors include: Julie Bozza, J.A. Bryson, Dannye Chase, S.E. Denton, Miguel Flores, Adele Gardner, Roy Gray, KC Grifant, Peter Hackney, Bryn Hammond, Narrelle M Harris, Justin Warren Jackson, Toshiya Kamei, Catherine Lundoff, Bunny McFadden, Angus McIntyre, Atlin Merrick, Eleanor Musgrove, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Lauren Scharhag, Sara L. Uckelman, and Dawn Vogel.
Early reviews
A bunch of well-constructed stories that deconstruct – and re-construct – the Western! Hugely enjoyable.
Read the full review by Bryn Hammond on Goodreads
Learn More
Bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.
Read the full review by Matt Womble of Liverpool on Runalong The Shelves
Read excerpts: https://juliebozza.com/book/queer-weird-west-tales/.
Read the Weird West Author Spotlight with editor Julie Bozza.
https://weirdwestfiction.com/2022/05/06/weird-west-author-spotlight-julie-bozza/Purchase
August 21, 2022
Free short story, “Death Felt Fine,” in DOSE OF DREAD
My short fantasy flash story “Death Felt Fine” is available to read for free over at Dread Stone Press‘s Dose of Dread series. At 1000 words, it’s a quick tale, and follows Death’s mission to deal with the latest apocalypse even as he yearns for something more.
I love reading various interpretations of the Grim Reaper and Death. Probably one of my favorite depictions is from the Sandman series. In this tale, I pictured Death as a somewhat moody, nostalgic figure stuck in an eternal task along with his fated brothers and sisters.
Here’s a brief excerpt:
Hope you enjoy! For more of Dread Stone Press offerings, my short eco-horror story, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” appears in FIELD NOTES FROM A NIGHTMARE.
August 17, 2022
August news – recent short stories, book update, and more
With the end of summer comes a rush of news. Here’s a few updates!
FREE story, “Death Felt Fine,” forthcoming on Friday!
My dark fantasy short story “Death Felt Fine” will appear in the Dose of Dread series on Dread Stone Press this Friday! In it, Death is trying to enjoy his day but has to deal with another apocalypse. You will be able to read it for free here on Friday: https://dreadstonepress.com/dose-of-dread/.
OUT NOW
“Cynscout” in the British Science Fiction Association’s Fission issue #2 (SCIFI)“The Color of Friendship” in CHROMOPHOBIA: A Strangehouse Anthology by Women in Horror (HORROR)“Odd Colleagues” in Dark Matter Magazine issue 010“U Train” audio production in Sley House Publishing (Listen for FREE!)
Book Update: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGERThis last month has been busy – I completed a first round of edits on the book and saw the preview for the cover. It is AMAZING! I can’t wait to share it with you, hopefully around November. The artist perfectly captured the vibe and style I was hoping for.
Book summary: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is a feminist Weird Western horror adventure about a stoic sharpshooter, Melinda, and her easygoing partner, Lance, debuting in February from Brigids Gate Press. Read about the book concept here.
Upcoming Releases
“Old Habits” in Queer Weird West Tales – August 31 (WEIRD WESTERN)“Death Felt Fine” in Dose of Dread – August 19“All Aboard” in Orchard 34 (HORROR)“The Fall of Denafas Manor” in SNAFU: Dead or Alive (WEIRD WESTERN)To receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, thank you for reading!
August 10, 2022
CHROMOPHOBIA: Color-themed horror anthology now available in paperback
“…stories featuring delicious twists, eerie creatures, and visceral imagery.”
“…stories that deliver shocks and ghastly plot turns.”
“Extraordinary tales of terror that are as grim as they are delightful.”
Read the full review at Kirkus Reviews
The horror color-themed CHROMOPHOBIA anthology from Rooster Republic Press is now available for paperback order and early reviews are glowing! Edited by Stoker Award-winning author and poet, Sara Tantlinger, the anthology features dozens of spooky and disturbing tales by renowned and up-and-coming women writers.
The anthology includes my mean-girls, creature feature story “The Color of Friendship.”
Reactions to “The Color of Friendship”[This story has] major CREEPSHOW vibes, the kind of story that ought to be introduced by the Cryptkeeper…Grifant’s gnarly ode to fractured friendship is the first story to feel as though it could’ve been ripped out of the pages of an old EC horror comic.”
Editors
KC Grifant’s “The Color of Friendship” conjures impressive atmosphere as a woman continually looks for whatever is swimming in a nearby lake during her friends’ weekend getaway.
Kirkus Reviews
Read an excerpt from “The Color of Friendship” here: https://roosterrepublicpress.com/chromophobias-15th-entry-is-a-full-blown-creature-feature/.
The TOC and excerpts to the other stories are below:
“Hei Xian (The Black Thread)” by Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito
“Eat Your Colors” by Sonora Taylor
“Toxic Shock” by Chelsea Pumpkins
“Red Light/Green Light” by EV Knight
“Golden Hour” by Kathryn E. McGee
“The Dyer and the Dressmakers” by Bindia Persaud
“The Copper Lady” by Jaye Wells
“Gray Rock Method” by Lauren C. Teffeau
August 5, 2022
Scifi story “Cynscout” in the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) magazine
I’m honored to have my scifi story, “Cynscout,” debut in the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA)’s magazine! Edited by Eugen Bacon and Gene Rowe, Fission issue #2 Volume 1 is now available for purchase.
“Fission #2 Vol 1 deftly plays with the evocative and provocative. There are nuanced beats of light and dark, that entertain and exhilarate in perfect harmony. Highly recommended.”
–Andrew Hook, British Fantasy Award-winning editor and author of Frequencies of Existence
“Cynscout” is about a fused owner-and-pet consciousness trying to survive the apocalypse and carry out their grim mission to usher in the end of the world. You can read an excerpt below.
Excerpt
Read more in Fission #2!And if you’re inclined, check out BFSA’s great work and activities at their website: https://www.bsfa.co.uk.
Their official description: The BSFA was created by a group of fans in 1958, and was soon established and run as an official national body by readers, authors, critics, editors, booksellers and publishers with the aim of appreciating and encouraging science fiction in every form. Today, the BSFA is a vibrant and growing national organisation of science fiction writers, readers and scholars. We maintain an active discussion on Facebook and are regularly tweeting and retweeting about science fiction in all its forms.
July 20, 2022
July news – scifi horror stories, book update, submission calls and more
It’s been a busy summer, with lots of updates. Let’s dive in!
OUT NOW
My scifi horror story, “Odd Colleagues,” debuted this month in Dark Matter Magazine issue 010, featuring an insecure scientist and her encounter with an alien. I highly recommend this magazine for fans of dark scifi. They offer both a digital and print version and a truly unique cover! Details here: https://darkmattermagazine.shop.
FREE Audio Horror Story: U TrainBIG news: my cosmic weird horror short story, “U-Train,” won the Sley House Publishing podcast competition! It was produced into a dramatic podcast production and will appear in their Halloween anthology this fall. The 36-minute audio piece is available now, and I could not be more pleased with how actors brought the characters came to life. Listen for free at one of the links:
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/
Book Update: MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGERMELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is a feminist Weird Western horror adventure about a stoic sharpshooter, Melinda, and her easygoing partner, Lance, debuting in February from Brigids Gate Press. I’m diving into book edits this week and it still feels unreal. This is my first book, so I’m learning about (and enjoying!) each step of the production process. Read about the book concept here.
In the meantime, I have an epic short story featuring the post-book adventures of one of the side characters debuting in QUEER WEIRD WEST TALES. The anthology is available to preorder now and will be available at the end of August. There’s also other one-off adventures featuring Melinda and Lance currently under review in other anthologies.
Early Praise For “The Color of Friendship” in CHROMOPHOBIA
KC Grifant’s “The Color of Friendship” conjures impressive atmosphere as a woman continually looks for whatever is swimming in a nearby lake during her friends’ weekend getaway.
Kirkus Review
“The Color of Friendship,” a mean-girls type of creature feature, debuts in the color-themed horror anthology CHROMOPHOBIA later this summer. So far, the stories are getting stellar early reviews.
Select Open Calls for Horror, Scifi, Speculative Short Stories – July 2022 Along Harrowed Trails (Weird West) Augur – Fiction Aurealis Dose of Drea d Les Petites Morts Tales of the Sley House Under Her Eye (horror poetry) Do You BookBub?I recently discovered BookBub as a great site for finding discount books and reading recommendations. If you’re on it, I would love to connect with you at KC Grifant!
To receive monthly email updates, sign up here and, as always, happy reading!July 15, 2022
Listen for free to short story “U TRAIN,” winner of horror podcast competition
Sley House Publishing presents its first-ever scripted audio drama, my weird horror short story, “U-Train.” I could not be more pleased with the voice actors and production. Big thanks to Sley House and the team! Read below for links to listen for free and a story description.
Listen for free: Apple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kc-grifants-u-train/id1580649232?i=1000570001918 iHeart – 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.”)“U Train” description:Four strangers find themselves on a New York 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 inspired by far too many hellish city commutes and what felt like eternal waiting for transfers!
“U Train” will also be available in Halloween Tales of Sley House 2022 later this fall along with other spooky stories. You can also listen to more of Sley House’s podcast, Sley Bits, on all things horror and fantasy – https://sleyhousepublishing.podbean.com.
If you are interested in discovering more weird horror stories, including receiving FREE short stories, sign up for my monthly newsletter: https://kcgrifant.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe
Listen for free to short story “U TRAIN,” which won horror podcast competition
Sley House Publishing presents its first-ever scripted audio drama, my weird horror short story, “U-Train.” I could not be more pleased with the voice actors and production. Big thanks to Sley House and the team! Read below for links to listen for free and a story description.
Listen for free: Apple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kc-grifants-u-train/id1580649232?i=1000570001918 iHeart – 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.”)“U Train” description:Four strangers find themselves on a New York 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 inspired by far too many hellish city commutes and what felt like eternal waiting for transfers!
“U Train” will also be available in Halloween Tales of Sley House 2022 later this fall along with other spooky stories.
Listen to more of Sley House’s podcast, Sley Bits, on all things horror and fantasy – https://sleyhousepublishing.podbean.com or become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/sley-house-publishing-presents-litbits.
Listen to FREE weird cosmic horror story “U TRAIN,” winner of Sley House podcast competition
Sley House Publishing presents its first-ever scripted audio drama, my cosmic weird horror short story, “U-Train.” I could not be more pleased with the voice actors and production. Big thanks to Sley House and the team!
“U Train” description:
Four strangers find themselves on a New York 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 inspired by far too many hellish city commutes and what felt like eternal waiting for transfers. You can listen to it for FREE, as well as the other episodes of Sley House’s podcast, Sley Bits.
“U Train” will also be available in Halloween Tales of Sley House 2022 later this fall along with other spooky stories.
Listen to more of Sley House’s podcast on all things horror and fantasy – https://sleyhousepublishing.podbean.com or become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/sley-house-publishing-presents-litbits.
