SJ Townend
@sjtownend.bsky.social
๐ค 1250
๐ฅ 720
๐ 330
A writer. A reader. A bit of a daydreamer. Here for the horror. SJTownend.com ๐ฆ>๐ฆ ๐ค
pinned post!
Look! It's finally here! After the longest, most painful labour ever, I birthed a book. It's feeding well and gaining weight, but it sleeps with its eyes open and wails like a banshee if I put it down.
brigidsgatepress.com/product/sick...
over 1 year ago
8
70
12
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
about 23 hours ago
...working on Book 4 of Frost Zone Stories & can't wait to present the 11 new stories from fantastic authors. Book 4 will arrive early autumn, then we'll be open for submissions for books 5 & 6! See books 1 -3 here:
www.frostzonestories.com/p/issuesbook...
0
9
6
Spare 10 mins? Why not check out my strange story, "My God, What Has Happenend?" in this month's Penumbric release? :)
add a skeleton here at some point
2 days ago
1
4
2
Today, I binge-read "I Who Have Not Known Men," (by Jacqueline Harpman) and I am not okay. What a story. Five out of five cracked spines from me.
13 days ago
0
4
0
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
14 days ago
It is Women in Horror Month, a reminder to read work by women all year 'round - we are always here. I once put together an issue to celebrate
#WiHM
and it is still free to read online:
www.frostzonezine.com/p/issue-6.html
loading . . .
Issue 6
Click each title below in the Table of Contents to read in this archive. Table of Contents Blood, Ashes, Wine ย Megan M. Davies-Ostrom T...
https://www.frostzonezine.com/p/issue-6.html
0
5
4
Looking for a weird short read to start off your Wednesday?
www.exposedbonemag.com/pieces/negle...
loading . . .
Neglect Takes the Form of the Recovery Position | My Site
https://www.exposedbonemag.com/pieces/neglect-takes-the-form-of-the-recovery-position
25 days ago
1
9
2
reposted by
SJ Townend
Mark Peters
about 1 month ago
4. This Echo Chamber Life by
@sjtownend.bsky.social
www.penumbric.com/archives/Oct...
loading . . .
Penumbric October 2k23, This Echo Chamber Life
Edgy speculative fiction magazine
https://www.penumbric.com/archives/October2k23/townendEcho.html
1
5
1
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
about 1 month ago
p.s. (because no edit button!) I've read a lot of ghost stories, written some, but I smile when I think of this story - such an original idea for ghosts! ๐ค๐ป
0
2
2
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
about 1 month ago
Happy Pub Day! TY for being part of FZS3: Jay McKenzie,
@andyhumphrey11.bsky.social
Thomas Nicholson, Damir Salkovic, E.F. Ritter,
@improbablerex.bsky.social
,
@mikearhodes.bsky.social
, Alistair Rey, Isabelle Nygren,
@sjtownend.bsky.social
@collyleonard.bsky.social
@melodyemcintyre.bsky.social
2
14
13
reposted by
SJ Townend
Thomas Ha
about 1 month ago
Hey there. Latest story, now out, "Scion." Strangeness. Estrangement. And the history that gets lost in between. A son and father in a moving house. Deranged relatives at cross-purposes. A community fleeing a murderous intruder. A crumbling lunar colony in revolt. Hope folks enjoy. Twisty one.
loading . . .
Scion by Thomas Ha
Clarkesworld Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine and Podcast.
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ha_03_26/
4
173
64
Subbed some stories today. May March bring us all some wonderful acceptances x
about 1 month ago
0
5
0
reposted by
SJ Townend
Steve Rasnic Tem
about 1 month ago
It's Women in Horror month. Remembering Melanie today. Here's a link to all her titles in print.
www.amazon.com/stores/Melan...
1
29
9
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
about 1 month ago
Frost Zone Stories book 3 officially arrives on Tuesday, but you can pre-order/order now (currently at reduced price in some places) The digest-sized paperbacks are the best way to read these short stories by ten talented dark fiction & quiet horror authors.
www.frostzonestories.com/p/issuesbook...
0
5
5
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
about 2 months ago
The closing story in Frost Zone Stories book 3 is "Going Last" by SJ Townend
@sjtownend.bsky.social
books2read.com/u/mvgvoJ
www.frostzonestories.com/p/issuesbook...
0
7
9
reposted by
SJ Townend
Horrific Scribblings
about 2 months ago
Horrific Scribes, Exhibit Five, "They F**k You Up," is now open!
#Horror
about parents f**king up their kids and vice versa.
horrificscribblings.com
@timbrownwrites.bsky.social
@zaryfekete.bsky.social
@matthollingsworth.com
@sjtownend.bsky.social
@pammerdrums.bsky.social
@awhcolumbus.bsky.social
0
8
6
reposted by
SJ Townend
Mark Peters
2 months ago
***Short Story Rec!*** (horror/weird fiction): โI Have Seen Seven Bad Thingsโ by
@sjtownend.bsky.social
. Thoughts gravitating between โthat was so weirdโ and โthat was brilliantโ. Iโve read this one probably half a dozen times, never gets old. You can read it in any one of these three books:
0
4
1
From @BagBonesPress over on X: Dear Bone Bags, Greetings. It's been a while... Our bones are itching to put out another charity horror story call. Is there anybody out there? Are you still writing? We're open to call-theme pitches. Please share your ideas in this thread. Love and darkness, BoB.
2 months ago
1
8
5
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
2 months ago
Second story in the TOC spotlight: "Good Jeans" by Andrew Humphrey
@andyhumphrey11.bsky.social
Frost Zone Stories 3 eBook may be ordered, releasing March 3. Paperback will be available around the same time.
books2read.com/u/mvgvoJ
1
13
9
reposted by
SJ Townend
Tenebrous Press
2 months ago
๐ฅSALE๐ฅ In honor of announcing the Table of Contents for BRAVE NEW WEIRD: The Best New Weird Horror Volume Four, Volume THREE is on sale now for 20% off at our webstore for a limited time๐คโ ๏ธ
store.tenebrouspress.com/products/bra...
loading . . .
BRAVE NEW WEIRD Volume Three (softcover; includes eBook)
The Most Important Meal of the Dayโฆis Weird. Why so glum, friend? Are you feeling fatigued? Logy? Knackered? Do you require sustenance? A boost of energy to reinvigorate your existence? We have good n...
https://store.tenebrouspress.com/products/brave-new-weird-volume-three-print
0
10
7
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
2 months ago
Spring's coming early to the Frost Zone, with book 3 tentatively planned to release on March 3rd. TABLE of CONTENTS and COVER:
0
8
5
reposted by
SJ Townend
Tenebrous Press
3 months ago
Alex & I have 1 last cage match before we announce the final BRAVE NEW WEIRD ToC later this week. As usual the hard partโs the fun part: thereโs SO MUCH AMAZING WEIRD to choose from. This sceneโs amazing. Meantime: why donโt yโall check out our winners from years past?
store.tenebrouspress.com
2
39
13
It is never not exciting to see your own story-words in print, on paper, in an actual book. AN ACTUAL BOOK! (Tales of Sley House 2025, Sley House Publishing.)
@sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social
3 months ago
0
12
1
Jim writes great horror. Highly recommend his Changes collection.
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
2
3
1
@markpeters.bsky.social
Thanks for all your editorial support with this anthology. You're a star x And thanks to all the wonderfully creative authors who submitted stories to us at Bag of Bones Press for our Skin call in 2024.
3 months ago
2
7
2
reposted by
SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories
3 months ago
Frost Zone Stories Book 3 is out this spring with 10 awesome stories by the authors: (order subject to change) Jay McKenzie Andrew Humphrey Thomas Nicholson Damir Salkovic E.F. Ritter Rex Burrows Mike A. Rhodes Alistair Rey Isabelle Nygren SJ Townend
0
6
5
I've just discovered a new cupboard in my classroom that I swear wasn't there last term. Should I open the cupboard door? I'm going to open the cupboard door. If you don't hear from me again, please tell someone to check the cupboard.
3 months ago
5
28
8
Mission accomplished.
3 months ago
0
5
0
reposted by
SJ Townend
JP Relph - TWO NEW COLLECTIONS OUT
3 months ago
Stunned to find my horror story on Ellen Datlow's Best Horror Recommendations list ๐ Scratch is one of my favourite pieces, published in Bag of Bones Press (
@sjtownend.bsky.social
) SKIN anthology and my horror collection, Sick Ink (links in thread) To see it highlighted in this list is amazing ๐ค
3
12
1
Congrats to all of the wonderful Skin authors (Bag of Bones Press, edited by me and Mark Peters) who got a mention in Ellen Datlow's Best Horror of the year recommended list! JP Relph, Rob Shearman, Jim Horlock, to name a few! SKIN, a charity anthology, is available to buy here:
amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
loading . . .
SKIN: An Anthology of Dark Fiction
Buy SKIN: An Anthology of Dark Fiction by Townend, Sarah (ISBN: 9781068679001) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
https://amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
3 months ago
1
17
3
reposted by
SJ Townend
From Beyond Press
3 months ago
Nobody was around to tell me not to start a new online horror and sci-fi magazine, so. Stay tuned.
10
94
11
reposted by
SJ Townend
Catherine McCarthy
3 months ago
A selection of great indie books I read this year. I highly recommend all of these!๐๐ (See list below, left to right)
5
65
21
reposted by
SJ Townend
Catherine McCarthy
3 months ago
The Lion of the Desert by MatthewJBenecke Sick Girl Screams by
@sjtownend.bsky.social
The World of Vile Wonder (antho), edited by
@coyhall.bsky.social
Harrowfield by
@stephellis.bsky.social
Mad Days by
@elfordalley.bsky.social
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In by
@craigwallwork.bsky.social
1
11
6
My story, YELLOW CAR, is now available to read, along with many other horrifying journey-themed tales, in this anthology from Hell Bound Books:
www.amazon.com/HellBound-Hi...
4 months ago
1
8
1
Fancy a Bristol-based Christmas horror story from me? Check out WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES published by Horrific Scribes here:
horrificscribblings.com/when-one-doo...
You can read more horrifying tales by other authors too at
horrificscribblings.com
loading . . .
When One Door Closes
A man has an issue with the doors in his house. Even the doors on his advent calendar are playing up. But are the doors his only issue?
https://horrificscribblings.com/when-one-door-closes
4 months ago
0
3
1
My nine-year-old son, unprompted, just broke into the robot dance for the entire of his one hour long school carol service performance. No other kid was dancing. Made my Christmas! ๐คฃ
4 months ago
0
9
1
reposted by
SJ Townend
Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
4 months ago
Writing the Occult's 2026 season is now officially on sale! Explore the events:
www.eventbrite.com/cc/writing-t...
๐งตโฌ๏ธ
1
2
2
reposted by
SJ Townend
Trash Cat Lit - Prompted Story Challenge Open
4 months ago
On the 13th of December, your Trash Cat gave to you... a reduced price on our charity anthology until Christmas Eve ๐ฆ Grab one, gift one, read one for less of your penny-monies. All proceeds to The Wildlife Trusts for the badgers and stuffs.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
0
2
4
reposted by
SJ Townend
Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
4 months ago
Massive thanks to
@sjtownend.bsky.social
for reviewing this anthology and singling out my story as the reason for picking it up in the first place! Hiding Under the Leaves is still available from
@theslabpress.bsky.social
as a great Chrissy pressie for the folk horror fan in your life...
add a skeleton here at some point
0
9
3
A short review of HIDING UNDER THE LEAVES (an anthology of folk horror from The Slab Press) here, from me:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
loading . . .
S.J. Townend's review of Hiding Under the Leaves
5/5: I'm a big fan of short folk horror, so I picked up this book of 22 short stories (The Slab Press) after hearing it discussed at World Fantasy Con in Brighton this year. I was very keen to read ...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8137964312
4 months ago
0
2
1
reposted by
SJ Townend
Robert Nazar Arjoyan
4 months ago
I have no idea if these award eligibility posts actually DO anything other than lay bare the good and silly work I've been lucky to achieve in 2025. 11 short stories published (on top of finishing my first novel)! I'm very grateful to all the editors and publications who've given my words a go!
6
28
15
reposted by
SJ Townend
Thomas Ha
4 months ago
last couple weeks of december when things slow down is usually when i try to catch up on short spec fic (try, being the operative word, always behind). if you've got recs for strange stuff in semi-pro mags that stuck out to you and that you think flew under the radar would def be interested to know.
3
40
14
TWO blocks of cheese in the fridge? Well played, Past Me, well played.
4 months ago
0
5
1
Show me your pets! But balanced on your arm.
4 months ago
0
6
0
reposted by
SJ Townend
MatGost
4 months ago
Like
#writing
? Love quiet horror? My interview with
@storyradio.bsky.social
is out today, featuring an incredible reading by
@terryholland.bsky.social
. We talk about the Silent Screams charity anthology and whether horror can ever be literature. Listen here:
pca.st/episode/bb24...
#writingcommunity
1
17
14
reposted by
SJ Townend
Strange Wilds Press - BOREAL is here!
4 months ago
I'm incredibly proud of every author Strange Wilds Press has published in our debut anthology. This is the first year we've nominated stories for the Pushcart Prize. Congratulations Akis Linardos Nicole Lynn,
@neilwilliamson.bsky.social
,
@marisca.bsky.social
,
@sjtownend.bsky.social
, and Kuzma Mac.
1
13
8
reposted by
SJ Townend
Tananarive Due - The Reformatory
5 months ago
Hubby
@kundalinisteve.bsky.social
and I have collected donations to a charity fund for those in need at the holidays. Reach out if you need a little extra money via PayPal to get by. It's not enough for rent or a car payment, but it's enough for groceries and smaller gaps.
8
69
33
reposted by
SJ Townend
๐ฌ
5 months ago
Nineteen Little Stab Wounds will be available 11.26-11.30 to raise money for Transgender Law Center. Paperbacks $10 (shipping included) ebooks $5. Every cent goes toward TLC. Link goes live tomorrow so keep your eyes openโthere are limited quantities of paperbacks. More info in alt text.
0
10
12
Woke to a sweet acceptance for a ghost story in my haunted inbox this morning from Frost Zone Press! Thank you for taking on my work,
@frostzonestories.bsky.social
:)
5 months ago
2
14
1
A Goodreads review by me of Blood in the Bricks from New Con Press (ed. Neil Williamson). City Folk Horror done well!
5 months ago
0
4
0
Unquiet Guests - 10 smashing stories. From Dead Ink Press, edited by
@dancoxon.bsky.social
5 months ago
0
6
2
My review of This Way Lies Madness from Flame Tree Press ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ค๐ค๐ค๐ค๐ค
5 months ago
0
2
0
Load more
feeds!
log in