Happy World Goth Day - and happy birthday to me! What a fitting coincidence. I thought I’d bring down the mood by writing this slightly sad little story. Don’t worry, it’s still Gothic, and yes, bodies still mingle in it, too. open.substack.com/pub/brontero... #Horror #QueerFiction #ShortStory

Happy IDAHOBIT. Now more than ever. If this upsets you, kindly unfollow me and, should I ever manage to publish anything at all, I recommend not buying it, 'cause everything I do as queer af. Love to all on the right side of history. P.S. Next month, I'll be extra gay. Just because I can. #queer

Thank you, @britfantasysoc.bsky.social , for letting my combine two of by greatest passions - being gay, and writing about books! Read my introduction to queer speculative fiction on the BFS blog, and get ready to admire some beautiful prose with me! First up: Orlando by Virginia Woolf (1928)

Part of today's vinyl haul (=writing soundtrack). That Fleetwood Mac single has seen better times for sure, but I love knowing that something I'm listening to has it's very own history. Also, I needed my "eternal rose" for myself because I effin' love what I'm doing.

I present …. Yours truly ! And a pic of my cat. Thank you, @britfantasysoc.bsky.social

Writing this made me more uncomfortable than I am able to put into words. Let the spectre inhale the last breath you’ll ever take as his lips gently brush across yours. He doesn’t shrink from the rancid smell that emanates from your rotting teeth. Read on here: bronterowan.substack.com/p/unbecoming

I wasn’t gonna put any romance in my novel, but some smut just snuck into the opening lines. I need to start dating again - for research purposes.

My heart just broke a little for this book.

Vampires again, but different in style and theme. Antique bedframe. Made from wood sacrificed by an oak that has witnessed the deterioration of sin. Black leather pillows on sheets of purple velvet. An aria sung by decay and dust. bronterowan.substack.com/p/passion #Horror #ShortStory #Gothic

Every full moon night, I gaze into the waterfall breaking through the mountain outside of my hidden cave and select one lost soul. Tonight, the hands of destiny choose to fall on you. bronterowan.substack.com/p/death-take... #UKHorror #PurpleProse #Othering #Grotesque #ShortStory #SecondPerson

Reworking an old short story in order to publish it on my Substack this weekend. A few brutal truths like the scars on my body and my soul add some extra depth and beauty are needed.

Once there stood a castle high up on the moor On its grounds, wild heather grew that was the lure Open your mouth, inhale in wonder Omens of the end for you to ponder Read on here: bronterowan.substack.com/p/lured-by-h... #poetry #gothic #horror #rhyme #verse #themoorsarecallingyourname

It was eighty years ago, In a cabin on an Appalachian mountain, That a maiden there was born whom you may know By the name of Dolly Parton; And this maiden only wished to give us all her love, She still spreads it in the world, on the wings of a dove. Happy 80th, Dolly, and happy 217th, Poe)

“Once upon a time, night fell, and with it, the stars descended, shattering like glass when they hit the mountains, lands, and the sea, leaving the Queendom in a darkness so thick that not even the vampires could see.” #gothicfiction #horror #shortstory #fairytale #lgbtq #queer #substack #dark

Happy heavenly birthday, Betty White. The world could do with your love and laughter right now.

These arrived earlier than expected... Can't wait to dig into them! #Gothic #Horror #NonFiction

Shattering ICE - A Poem in 3 Haikus Frozen hearts must thaw Invite your neighbor in and We shall melt the ICE Gaze up at the stars Shards of hope rain and aim to Pierce the core of ICE No hate - I know that Out of darkness, love will rise When we shatter ICE. www.bronterowan.com

Next up in my #Gothic reading marathon… the @ssag.bsky.social has some amazing recommendations on their #InternationalGothicReadingMonth list! Off to Victorian England now.

HWA Members! Didn't get a chance to put a fave 2025-pubbed read on the Bram Stoker Awards Recommended Reading List? You have until Jan. 15! Loved something that's already on the list? Your rec could put it on the Preliminary Ballot! Please don't repost asking for recs, as that's against the rules.

I finished my first short story of the year. Who is Luella, and why is she being visited by a mysterious Shadow shortly before the hour of her death? Give her some love and the Shadow might just spare you #Horror #Gothic #Substack #ShortStory #Literature #DryJanuary open.substack.com/pub/brontero...

I finished my first short story of the year - who's Luella, and why is she being visited by a mysterious Shadow? Give Luella some love and the Shadow might spare you and haunt someone else in a new story instead! #Horror #Literature #UKHorror #Gothic #Substack #ShortStory

Gothic literature, tea, and Dolly Parton on vinyl - this shall be my plan for the whole month. #Gothic #Tea #CountryMusic #DryJanuary #WritingLIfe #GothicLiterature

First thing I read every year. Already finished this this morning - this gets better every time I read it. #2026 #DollyParton #NewYear #Books #NewYearsTradition

Halloween People: Y'all know LOCUS covers horror, yes? But did you know it's published by a nonprofit? And also that today's the last day of its annual fund drive? And that Stephen King (yes, @stephenking.bsky.social) is matching donations? Let's do this! locus.betterworld.org/campaigns/20...

May 2026 be your best one yet. Stay true to yourself - unapologetically. Whatever happens, we’re in this together. I believe that there is hope for a better world. Read widely, speak wisely, and treat each other nicely. Here’s a wee poem I wrote today. bronterowan.substack.com/p/2026-fears...

They call it “freakshow” But to me it’s a safe place Gay bars are my home #Gay #queer #haiku #pubpoetry #loveislove

After two nights of being blatantly queer in Birmingham, and a peaceful evening tonight, I'm feeling inspired again - 10/10 would recommend being true to yourself. Off to Newcastle tomorrow to find some Gothic inspiration. Thanks for the lovely memories, strangers who quickly became friends!

Thunderstorm on my birthday. Bliss. Life is good.

My first short story is on Substack . #HeavyBreathing #Gothic #queerfiction #talesoftheothered If you even remotely enjoyed it , subscribe / gift me a like / maybe even share ! #Author #firststeps #feminism #ukhorror #horror It’s quite experimental,but it’ll introduce you to my soul!

Sometimes, I leave the comforts of my Gothic mind and let emotions take over. We'll remember you, that's my promise to you, Margot Friedländer. bronterowan.substack.com/p/my-promise... #rip #margotfriedländer #neveragain #margot #margotfriedlander #keephermemory #brave #herstory #lovetrumpshate

Head on over to our Substack for your monthly roundup of the best in UK Horror! Our second newsletter is out NOW and @newtonwebb.bsky.social has compiled a list of new releases as well as exciting chapter news for you! open.substack.com/pub/hwauk/p/... #UKhorror #britishhorror #literature #books

Support UK horror by reading @simonbleaken.bsky.social's new short story in this new folk horror collection! #ukhorror #folkhorror #blueskybooks

On this day, more than 130 years ago, Jonathan Harker began his journey to Transylvania! Time for a (re)read! What’s your favourite #Dracula quote? Join us on Discord for a discussion of this brilliant novel: discord.gg/gf2NFSDYke #horrorfiction #literature #horror #gothic #books #BramStoker

Happy #Beltane/ May Day! We’re less than 6 months away from our first official meeting on October 31st ! In the meantime, join us on discord.gg/gf2NFSDYke for lively discussions and online events, and subscribe to substack.com/@hwauk where we post about anything #ukhorror! #horror #gothic #books

working on a new story - this one's for my Substack specifically. Writing something that I know I'll send out into this world soon weirdly feels like taking pictures for your dating profile - you wanna look your best even though you know you're a mess.

Have you checked out our new podcast episode yet? Our co-chair Newton Webb talks about all things horror - and we mean ALL things - to @matahb.bsky.social - anything from writing advice to how to write for different media has been covered! hwauk.substack.com/p/author-int... Make sure to subscribe!

I do a little happy dance for every single new follower we get!

The new HWA UK newsletter is live! Thanks for making me seem smart in this , @newtonwebb.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/hwauk/p/...

HORROR'S BACK ! A NEW CHAPTER AWAKENS FROM THE CRYPT! Weee did it! @newtonwebb.bsky.social and Terri Brown! Can't wait to meet all of you lovely haunted souls online and in person soon. Join us, dear creature of the night. Let the darkness be shared. Links to all our socials are in our bio!

A New Chapter Awakens from the Crypt! By candlelight and creeping shadow, the HWA UK Chapter rises from the depths. Welcome to your new home of everything horror in the UK! You’ll find interviews, competitions, a book club, and secret tidings yet to be announced here. Socials to be found in our bio!

Something EXCITING is creeping your way.... ! Can't wait to announce the details soon.

Trying to deport People on land you stole. Cry out for the silenced #HaikuOfTheDay #EqualRights #FuckThePatriarchy #FuckTheSupremacy #FuckHateLoveIsEasier

“Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need / For this bright morning dawning for you / The horizon leans forward / Offering you space to place new steps of change.” - Maya Angelou May 2025 be your best year yet. Keep reading, keep believing in a better future, and keep loving others and yourself.

I hope everyone can feel the spirit of the season today. This time of year used to be about love long before modern times, regardless of religion. Unfortunately, there's more war, greed, + prejudice than ever. Take some time to breathe + to just love others, and my Yuletide wish will have come true.

Currently, the UK doesn't have its own HWA chapter – let's try and change that. We need to be five+ people who show interest in this. If you're an HWA member + wanna join, let me know! We'd start out online + take it from there. All welcome. In hopes of connecting with like-minded people, Bronte

Finally managed to write the first sentence of my new project. The Gods know that it'll be rewritten or even cut, but this feels amazing! Credit goes to the white tea I'm having for helping me focus, and to Stevie Nicks for providing the soundtrackt to the beginning of this writing night.

Despite what happened 10 years ago and the odds being that I either die or remain severely impaired, I am still here and going strong. I owe that to my mom fighting like a wildcat against doctors who effed up big time. 1 like = thanks and cheer for the best mom ever. #mom #gratitude #amotherslove

People often forget how much friends + (found) family contribute to wellbeing. 10 years ago, tragedy struck. 10 years of severe PTSD followed, but 10 years later, I'm still here, and tonight, I healed. I'm okay again. I promise myself to be ME again from now on. Love+hope ARE stronger after all.

I ADORED today's Firedance zoom w/ @tananarivedue.bsky.social&@kundalinisteve.bsky.social. First time I attended -hoping to find that safe space + positive vibe here too (+ lots of pet pics please!). Might try and be brave enough to share my feelings too next week. Anyone looking for feedback: dm me