As I’m sure you guys know from my posts on social media, there has not been a lot of productive time spent writing this summer. I’m really trying to strike a balance between relaxation and procrastination, and allowing myself some space to decompress from the school year. I’m a chronic, anxiety-ridden over-achiever, though, so easier said than done.

Lately, I have managed to work on my *SUPER SECRET PROJECT!!!!* which I decided not to give up on. Hint — it’s a historical paranormal romance, but no more information shall be released until I have a draft finished and I’m begging around for beta readers. I also knocked out a chapter of Harvest of Ash, and sent in Alayna and the Beast to Big World Network, though I have received no response whatsoever. I’m a bit concerned. Though there have been some efforts to save the company and turn it into a non-profit, I’m not sure how much movement toward that goal has taken place… should probably investigate.

Today I finished a 3,000 word short story originally titled “Full Moon” (another check mark on the list of 52 short story prompts!) but I’m also playing around with “Motherhood of the Wolf” — a play on the movie titled Brotherhood of the Wolf.

(which apparently I need to watch again, because I don’t remember it being very good, but now I’m reading the reviews…)

But, friends, the big news (again, which I have already posted and tweeted about, but hey) is that another of my short stories will be appearing in an anthology called My American Nightmare. 

The story featured will be “We Kill the Skull Man” which was a piece I was having trouble finding a home for. I’m elated it’ll have a place an an audience!

Very pleased, very excited! It’s so rewarding to get an acceptance. This has really fueled me to keep going.

So, here’s the nitty gritty on My American Nightmare: “We will be creating an anthology titled My American Nightmare. It will be a collection of fictional short stories in which the protagonist will be between the ages of 13-19 (we’re aiming for the YA horror genre), the setting MUST take place in the United States (hence the title of the anthology), AND the author submitting MUST BE FEMALE…

…The short stories must also be inspired by horror stories drawn from literature, television, film, or music, to create a unique spin on classic tales of terror.”

The editor asked me to include a list of tales that inspired “We Kill the Skull Man.” It was propelled out of me, in truth, by Stranger Things mixed with my own small-town Iowa upbringing with a dose of The Virgin Suicides. The main character, Elliott, and his sister Mira embark on a quest to discover what happened to one of the most beloved high school girls in town, Jessica Lee. I wanted to write something that had a little flavor of Stephen King’s IT as well, the idea of horror through a child’s eyes, in a child’s world, where monsters easily exist and the real world can be scarier than the legends ever were. Oh, and there’s a goth involved 🙂

I’ll be sure to post immediately when the anthology is available. The release date is Halloween! It will only be available in e-book format, so bust out that Kindle or Amazon Fire!

And don’t forget about Humans Wanted! Books available at the end of July!