Submitting work to presses you’ve never felt good enough to be considered by is like being a kid picked last for a team. Made much worse by a mistake that is so clearly a search and replace done too hastily (and with very tired eyes). And that’s the hope—a chuckle and a “ha! I’ve done that before.”

Working my way through writing something super, super dark. Summarized it for a friend who said, “It’s giving backwoods Soprano vibes.” I’ll take that and run with it.

To everyone who’s dropping a story in the hat for Views from the Overlook, best of luck! It’s been fun reacquainting myself with all the lore swirling around King’s dastardly hotel.

Considering all the absolute absurdities coming out of a certain set of “files” picking now to dive back into Black House by King and Straub is much more stomach turning this time around than it was when I first picked it up 20ish years ago.

One day. Hopefully soon. It’ll happen. And I can’t wait to watch real courts uphold real laws. And the tears! Holy shit my happy tears, their tears of terror when they hear their sentences are read off. Fuckin hell, that’s the hope that keeps me going.

Just wrote a pocket of dialogue that gave me goosebumps reading it out loud in a deep Appalachian drawl.

Spent all day editing old short stories and submitting to open calls. Knocked out some work on the next novel. Stayed off socials, listened to records, completely unplugged so I could create. Can’t wait for the day when I can open an app and not see just the most horrible shit. Naïve, I know.

Spent the morning fine-tooth editing a short story for an open call that could easily upend this writing thing in a good way. Spent some time in a certain Colorado hotel. Chances are slim, but have to take the shot, right? Good luck to everyone who knows what I’m referring to. #horror #author

Just sent off a novel to find an editor. Cover design discussions soon. My little Appalachian creature feature is taking shape. #horror #author

Finding a contract to peruse in my inbox was a win I needed this weekend. When things are in motion there will be more to report, but looks like my first novel will be coming ‘26/27ish. #horrorauthor

Full request from a small press. Great way to kick the afternoon off. Fingers crossed and wood knocked.

Woke up to an acceptance email to be part of a super rad anthology slated for release in late 2026. Yesterday I found exactly what I set out to find at a thrift store. I know “luck” can be debated at length, but I’m hoping to keep it rolling. Knocking wood and crossing fingers.

A short thriller I wrote. open.substack.com/pub/anthonys...

Got my contributor copy of an anthology today and it was a wonderful surprise. Small steps can sometimes feel like leaps. Back to it! Current first draft is nearing the end.

Just wrapped up an appearance on Mix Tapes podcast chatting it up with hosts Eric Stangeland and Mark Moots about Stephen King’s influence on the music world. Should be dropping around Halloween!

Lost my job. Taking the rest of October off to do more things like this before hunting down my next venture.

Polishing up old short stories for new submissions is a form of time traveling. I’ve been cigarette free for a while, but found myself muscle-memoried into the old habit of standing after editing to reward myself because the story I chose to tighten up was one I wrote whilst still a smoker.

Submitted what I consider to be my strongest novel yet to a really really cool small press. Fingers crossed and wood knocked. With a couple short stories being published, I’m hoping to keep this snowball a-rollin’

I don’t think I’ve air-drummed, air-bassed, or air-guitared to any one artist more than I have to Ozzy. His bands were always chalked full of some of the best drummers, bassers, and guitarists the world had to offer. Farewell Prince of Darkness and thanks for one hell of a ride. #ozzy

Excited to be part of this anthology.

Considering all the horrible crap occurring in recent years, I find myself torn on sharing personal news because taking eyes away from things that truly need attention feels wrong. But, that said, a breath of relief on my end thanks to not one but two short stories being accepted to anthologies.

Good day for good news. Not only stoked to see all the protest goers, but also thrilled to find a short story acceptance email in the inbox.

Little explanation of why I am sparce in these parts: In my 20s and 30s social networking happened face to face. I can’t fathom trying to dazzle millions of people digitally. Get me in front of a few people I just met, we’ll likely be buds.

Drafting query letters for my coming-of-age horror novel. Think teens in cars, not kids on bikes. Beta readers both said it is my strongest effort yet. And I agree. Reminding myself that earlier works are still there for me to refine. It’s all part of the journey.

Finished up the first chapter of a new project. “Saving souls is hard to do when the ones you’ve ruined are thrown in your face.” 1.2K words down. Looking forward to digging in and seeing where this one takes me.

First draft of new novel done. Sycamore Tar is off to editor. Phew. Life long friends come back together after a nightmare over two decades old returns to hunt them down.

Framed through the lens of a true crime podcast, The Elkhorn Four chronicles ritualistic murders from 2016. The case unfolds through interviews, leading to a staggering truth. The hosts are faced with their biggest challenge yet. Report or ditch? TRUE DETECTIVE + TWIN PEAKS #MiseryPit #A #CT #Q

Hosts of the popular podcast “Reopening” examine the case of The Elkhorn Four, a series of ritualistic murders from 2016. As the case unfolds through interviews, their perception of reality is shattered and their duty to report the truth is challenged. TRUE DETECTIVE + TWIN PEAKS #MiseryPit #CT #Q

Hosts of a popular podcast examine the case of The Elkhorn Four, a series of ritualistic murders from 2016. As the case unfolds through interviews, they discover an archaic Appalachian faith is alive and well, blurring their sense of reality. TRUE DETECTIVE + TWIN PEAKS #MiseryPit #A #CT #Q

First draft of this current WIP is done. Onto edits. Already have ideas brewing for some minor rewrites. Gotta kill them darlins.

Hosts of a popular podcast examine the case of The Elkhorn Four, a series of ritualistic murders from 2016. As the case unfolds through interviews, they discover an archaic Appalachian faith is alive and well, blurring their sense of reality. TRUE DETECTIVE + TWIN PEAKS #2025Pit #A #H #T

Chef Rhett Hunt processes childhood trauma by burying himself in work. He’s walked away from three Michelin stars and is set to reopen a defunct mountaintop resort. Something ancient lingers there, threatening to take Rhett for itself. THE BEAR + THE SHINING. #2025Pit #A #H

#2025Pit #A #H #SF PREY X DOG SOLDIERS How do you eliminate an invisible predator, which has stormed a military base & killed everyone inside? Send in a Berserker-werewolf,& hold his family at ransom. What could possibly go wrong? ADHD representation. Deaf representation. Apocalyptic World-building.

Hosts of the popular podcast “Reopening” examine the case of The Elkhorn Four, a series of ritualistic murders from 2016. As the case unfolds through interviews, their perception of reality is shattered and their duty to report the truth is challenged. TRUE DETECTIVE + TWIN PEAKS #A #H #T #2025Pit

Looking forward to #2025pit here’s to luck and dreams coming true, folks

More queries sent. Fingers crossed and wood knocked.

Firing up the computer to write today was how I started my morning. Seeing the “Copilot” AI shit in Word and then moments later seeing news of David Lynch crushed me. Today, if I may say, has been a crapshoot.

Backwoods magic and a millennia-old creature? You betcha. Nearing 70k. Feeling good. Working title: “Sycamore Tar”

Started 2025 off with 8k words written. After a rough year and facing whatever oncoming political storm we’re facing, it was nice to spend the day reminiscing about life as a teen in the 90s. Current WIP is sitting cool as cucumber at 54k on top of two shorts submitted for anthologies. Cheers folks

Currently working on a flashback thread in my WIP and having so many fits of nostalgia researching what life was like in the late 90s. Dreamcast. Jumpin Jack Doritos. Accidentally watching “Species” with buddies while mom was in the room.

Crested 20k today. Accountability post. Basing a new book on one of my favorite stories my pawpaw used to tell feels real good.

18k into a new story. Another creature feature? Why not. Spinning new twists on classic monsters is a whole lot of fun.

Slowly getting this up and running. Looking forward to seeing all the new faces and the same faces on this here newfangled platform.