The ganache-dipped cookies behaved much better

Making cookies and pondering the true meaning at the center of my WIP

Taking a break to make cookies. They look hideous but those are candy sprinkles on the edge giving them a strange look

My least favorite step in the publishing process? Final edit. It's always more work than I anticipated, so much nip,tuck, rip out. Frayed ends, new patches to be put in. It's exhausting. Hard to believe this is the favorite step for some authors!

Who doesn't like a good old link round-up of whimsical, delightful things? almakatsu.substack.com/p/all-the-go...

It's been delightful seeing the antho CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HORRORS (edited by @datlow.bsky.social) turning up quite a bit this season www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...

Why writing both spy & horror novels is a crap idea and more on Carter Wilson's podcast, Making It Up. Plus we write a story together, live podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

Nick was not quite as cooperative

Ash wishes you a wonderful holiday season

Pamela Jo Bondi, doing her part to help an administration that calls itself, with a seemingly straight face, "The Most Transparent in American History."

More Lost River holiday decorations

Lost River holiday decoration

So glad you enjoyed Fiend!

f*cking dynamic pricing: I'd like to attend Stokercon in 2026 but I'm being quoted $600-900/night for hotel. VRBO not any better.

Unfortunate lesson that writers don't need to use genAI to steal ideas from other writers

Writing dilemma: Second round of notes came in on WIP. Trying to make a tight turnaround--the book pubs in Sept 2026! Feel like there's a lot of potential discovery in here, maybe not enough time to do it justice? And the holidays are knocking on the door...

Please do not send blurb requests. I'm closed for the next couple months to work on various projects. I'm a bit hesitant to post this because last time I did, I got several more requests that same day 😁

I'm glad y'all are excited for INCARNATE because we should have a cover for you soon

A little taste of holiday decorations in our neck of the woods (no, not mine)

I am such an introvert that being around someone for 24 hours who talks a lot has wiped me out and I am in bed

Honestly, what are you waiting for?

We are having houseguests for the next couple of days, so I (reluctantly) put all writing aside, but I'm curious: writers, when you have company, do you stop working? Or do you steal time here & there?

Ash says good morning

A long time coming: just signed a contract with Thomas & Mercer for my next spy thriller, HAVANA SYNDROME, based on a friend's experiences with this mysterious debilitating illness. Hopefully will pub spring 2027.

When I wrote for the IC, one of the most popular topics was generational differences. The latest newsletter is about the gulf between Gen Z and Boomers (mostly an excuse to use the Buscemi meme) almakatsu.substack.com/p/obsolescence

Why, thank you for the kind words. Hey @bryanfuller.bsky.social, interested?

Thank you Steve! I had a wonderful time on your podcast

ICYMI earlier: Follow the link to learn more about INCARNATE

Emy Manini on Alma Katsu’s new book: "'Fiend' has already earned comparisons to the HBO series 'Succession,' but it feels closer in spirit to the Netflix series 'The Fall of the House of Usher.'" https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-fiendish/

I know some of you will have strong opinions about this one... almakatsu.substack.com/p/obsolescence

Can't wait for you to meet her www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800630...

The bottom line: for cognitive resilience & to slow the enshittification of human intelligence, read long form. I'm a writer so of course I'd say that almakatsu.substack.com/p/thursday-t...

There's been a lot of talk recently on the loss of ability to read books so I thought I'd link to a post I wrote on this a while back, based on a piece I wrote for the intel comm in 2023, a review of Maryanne Wolf's book on the subject, READER COME HOME almakatsu.substack.com/p/thursday-t...

Watched WAKE UP DEAD MAN and enjoyed it but ??? I must’ve misheard but the grandfather priest had a daughter…?

See at a little’emporium’ in Strasburg VA

Delicious review of DUST BUNNY, out now, starring Mads Mikkelsen & directed by @bryanfuller.bsky.social Run, do not walk www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/m...

Hey, just saw this morning that INCARNATE has a publishers page! I suspect some deets may change, including the Sept 1 pub date www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800630...

Uh-oh: now they're gonna get it

Pretty grateful @malloryomeara.bsky.social @breagrant.bsky.social

LA Review of Books asks the question I've been waiting to hear: which one, in this constellation of monsters, is really the fiend? lareviewofbooks.org/article/life...

ICYMI: @sadiehartmann.bsky.social & I discuss the state of horror writing for women in the LA Review of Books lareviewofbooks.org/article/fera...

including mentions @tananarivedue.bsky.social CJ Leede Monika Kim @agustinabazterrica.bsky.social Kylie Lee Baker Virginia Feito Lucy Rose

Women writing horror: @sadiehartmann.bsky.social & I get down & feral in the LA Review of Books lareviewofbooks.org/article/fera...

This Christmas, take no prisoners

You think your family is bad? Meet the worst family in the history of recorded time. FIEND makes a great holiday present for your most annoying family members

So glad to hear this anthology is still spreading seasonal cheer

Revisions--done! Sometimes you just have to get in there with sharp instruments, grit your teeth and do it. A brief respite and then it's on to revisions for book #2

When on deadline to turn in a manuscript, you get weird impulses like eating an entire sleeve of cookies or, in my case, wanting to buy a potholder-making kit

Now at the ‘this is crap’ stage if rewrites