What do I do when the world is "too much with me," to quote The Chameleons? I write. I'd like to invite you to read my latest on learning to dance with myself again. Free on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

Hitting a certain age, I started putting more effort into my appearance, after giving fewer fs. I started dressing aesthetically for me, and began channeling the goth greats like Elvira and Morticia, a childhood role model for me.

It's #WorldGothDay and I don't have anyone to dance with for the first time in a year. But I am celebrating the best I can, with some music and a storm..

Absolutely the case. You see it a lot in people who are taken into psychiatric hospitals, too. You lose autonomy You lose, even, a sense of self. And people who are in these places are considered wrong or crazy. It's demeaning.

She waited in the foyer for the pleasant woman to give her the IV. The more she came, the more terrified she became. The cheery faces of the doctor and his anesthesiologist sharpened the fear of the moment the room would blur and the world turn to nothing. They didn't know. #HorrorWritersChat

I am redoing this as I clearly skimmed the question. I write gothicy little ghost stories. One published. I would not do a trial involving shock therapy/ECT or with repercussions to my memory. I get creepy points because I've already had ECT and I lost a lot of memory. #HorrorWritersChat

"Only minor side effects, I assure you," the nurse tutted as she offered her the consent form. Her eyes widened at the vague outline of a person, blank and impersonal. "What's this?" she asked the nurse. "Oh, that's in case you die. We'll mark it up after you strip." #HorrorWritersChat

Fear often comes from possibilities. You do not have to have a doctor perform a gruesome surgery for this. Footsteps you hear in the hallway when you check yourself into a psych hospital. An unspeakable vision of naked, dirtied feet beneath the partition to the bathroom. #HorrorWritersChat

I'd like to share my latest for The Philosopher's Shirt, after a hiatus. Just war theory is incredibly timely (again), so I talk about one of its biggest names, St. Thomas Aquinas, and how a medieval concept remains relevant today. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Today was my birthday. If you asked me any time in my life, I would have told you, I wasn't going to make it to 40. But here I am at 41, living a life and honestly very grateful I stayed. This birthday was a little sadder than last year's, but is met with quiet gratitude, even still.

I read a heck of a lot of very weird stories in the 90s, when I was a kid. The Flat Man stands out, about a scary dude who is literally flat and can slip through cracks. This kid freaks out about him. A kid myself, I was rooting for the Flat Man and the kid to become besties. #HorrorWritersChat

This might be obvious but I think it works. Explaining things through music is something I love. #HorrorWritersChat www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RN6...

My first published story came from angst from living in a semi-homeless situation in Macon, Georgia. The experience was traumatic but observing institutionalized racism there made it worse. The feelings of anger and frustration became a creative force that was cathartic for me. #HorrorWritersChat

Hi, hi. I write mostly nonfiction, but am emerging as a writer of short form ghost stories. Weird Writing Tip: Time your writing with a playlist. I pick up "vibes" playlists on YouTube and force myself to write until they end. Or listen to NIN's "Burn" on repeat until it's done. #HorrorWritersChat

I made my first corsage, for my birthday dinner tomorrow. I used to be so bummed that I never got a corsage for dances and birthdays. I didn't care about dates, but wanted the hand flowers. I will attach it to a wristlet I will make. I had all materials but the flowers. #goth

Should you find yourself remotely close to Atlanta, consider coming to see me vend at the Monsterama Market Macabre. I will be selling plus sized goth clothing, jewelry, t-shirts from The Philosopher's Shirt, and some of my own writing. :) #horror #goth

I have at least five tabs of things to submit to open. I pass them by as I zoom through my other tabs. But depression and anxiety stop me from making the effort. I had a brief period where I braved these things, but now I feel resigned. #writer

Spooky books must be shared, and this one is for a good cause. <3

I am barely keeping to the surface here. I have an event I will be doing next week, but right now things feel exhausting and sad. It's hard even to reach out. This account isn't dead. I am just barely breathing.

Caspar David Friedrich is one of my turn of the 19th century favorites. He was really great at doing gothic and gloomy. He really transports the viewer. Super happy someone else likes him! #HorrorWritersChat

Rossetti is a huge inspiration of mine. He stylized every single painting and sketch he made, so that all of the women looked incredibly uniform and sensual. I think he'd nod in approval, as a character in a submitted story is based off his paintings. #HorrorWritersChat

It sat there for centuries. Dust never touched it. It never hung askew. The last man who tried to change its place in the chateau-turned-museum was found on the glossy parquet, a curator now blind. Some came out of the room with joy, others with despair. We locked the room. #HorrorWritersChat

For me, it's little things. Like a small dissonance. Just tweaking something mundane. Wallpaper, patterned with arabesques, turns into the entirety of a woman's psychosis in The Yellow Wall-paper. You come back to this detail and you cast your eyes its way again and again. #HorrorWritersChat

Name is in profile. I write in the gothic tradition, but write more nonfiction than fiction. My favorite artist is probably Dante Gabriel Rossetti, but don't quote me there, as I find meaning in most art. #HorrorWritersChat

14 We count the years religiously Like our own birthdays Can't believe it's been a year Can't believe it's been a decade You were my first wobbly steps into life And my first sight of death I thought you would grow cold, But you never did, even though You always were. Fourteen years, Mom. #poem

I do not struggle at all with this. Every time I look at something on the side of the road, see a news story, listen to a conversation, I have new ideas for stories. I am just afraid to write them down. #HorrorWritersChat

I struggle with energy to produce, greater energy to find an audience to market to, and courage to put out more of my work. Last year I published my first short story at 40. I've been afraid of trying my entire life, even though I have an advanced degree in professional writing. #HorrorWritersChat

I like to write about things that have some basis in history, then twist it a bit. Often the antagonist, however, is something beyond an entity. It is often an idea, an ideology. I guess I am wearing my philosophy degree on my sleeve. #HorrorWritersChat

Hi there, #HorrorWritersChat, I usually write nonfiction, but have published a short ghost story. I like when the perception of scary is not exactly accurate. I have a fondness for Manfred of Otranto of Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. He's over the top.

I am still working through this book, but man can Barker write. I'd not read anything so beautiful and disgusting before. Also, spooky books must be shared.

Wish your library workers a happy day, because way more goes into it than just checking out books for you. Library workers help people learn how to use computers, apply for benefits, run programs for children, get resources for people struggling, plan programs for the community, and so much more.

Spooky books must be shared and R.L. Stine was formative for me. Yessss.

Give a shout out to your favorite library!

This is a great post with some really fine insights. I frankly still struggle doing the logistics of finding an audience. In the world of social media, it can feel impossible, especially when you are starting off older.

In line at Michaels. Only man there turns to me and remarks that he prefers New Order. I remember I am wearing a Joy Division shirt. I said my preference depends on my mood; they are like Wednesday and Enid. New Order, while the music is far more upbeat, still has some of that same sadness. #goth

How cool! If you are in Canada and want to write something creepy, consider submitting here! :)

I made this piece as an edit of a friend's design. The centerpiece is a glass suncatcher charm I proudly bought on a school trip in the 3rd grade. The two black beads are Czech glass from a choker my aunt gave my sister a long time ago. It ended up a memory piece and I couldn't be happier.

I honestly can't convey how accurate and funny this is.

I never knew Type O existed growing up, but my friend shared them with me a few years ago. I instantly fell in love with how OTT they are. I was sad to hear Steele passed, because I would have loved to see them live.

Reposting for myself and also, Spooky Books Must Be Shared. (You thought I stopped reposting them, didn't you?) If you have an interest, you should submit!

🩸📚💙 Strange Vibes Anthology Vol 2 call for short stories of the uncanny, bizarre, macabre, darkly comedic or just plain weird til May 15 2026. I'm thrilled with the great response so far! ▶️ sylviakayrose.wixsite.com/scribevibes/submissions #writingcommunity #writesky #writingcontests #anthologies

Did you know I have a Pango bookshop? If you are at all interested in helping out a starving writer who is going through a lot, please don't hesitate to buy a book. I offer discounts and you can send bundle offers. A photo from a trip to the Root House in Marietta. pangobooks.com/bookstore/go...

I think I am showing my age. First person present tense is so jarring to me that if a book is set in this, I immediately set it down. What are your preferences? #booksky #writing

My favorite thing to do is find interesting posts with cool thoughts, and comment in conversation. It's almost always gotten me kind words and good conversation.

Creepy books must be shared. <3

Not to hurt anyone's feelings, but am I the only one who finds the baffling "y'allternative" trend offputting and weird? I do not want country anywhere near my goth. Ever.

I am working on a zine about styling for goth fashion. I intend to print it out and have it at events, but will offer a digital copy for a small price at my Ko-Fi or Patreon accounts. I'm looking forward to this, because styling for goth is both more and less than people think.

I am curious if anyone would have any interest in styling tips for #goth fashion? I've found a lot of younger people ask for "How do I goth?" or "What do I wear?" The answer lies not in brands but creativity. I'd like to write a helpful article.

I would like to start actively writing my book on goth. That would be great. #goth #writer #procrastination

I'd like to invite you to read my latest article for The Philosopher's Shirt, with Frantz Fanon and decolonialism. I'd also like to offer you a 20% discount on product as we close out Marx Madness, with the code THANKYOU20. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...