News

July 12: In Conversation with AC Wise for the launch of HOOKED

I’m exciting to join AC Wise in conversation as she launches her new novel, Hooked, set in the same world as last year’s fantastic Wendy, Darling. Celebrate with us at Main Point Books (Wayne, PA) on Tuesday, July 12, at 7pm. (As of today, masks required.) We’ll talk about feminist retelllings, grief and survivor guilt, and of course, monsters and the enduring allure of Peter Pan.

Register for free at Eventbrite and order your copy of Hooked from Main Point.

Once invited, always welcome.
Once invited, never free.

Captain James Hook, the immortal pirate of Neverland, has died a thousand times. Drowned, stabbed by Peter Pan’s sword, eaten by the beast swimming below the depths, yet James was resurrected every time by one boy’s dark imagination. Until he found a door in the sky, an escape. And he took the chance no matter the cost.

Now in London twenty-two years later, Peter Pan’s monster has found Captain Hook again, intent on revenge. But a chance encounter leads James to another survivor of Neverland. Wendy Darling, now a grown woman, is the only one who knows how dark a shadow Neverland casts, no matter how far you run. To vanquish Pan’s monster once and for all, Hook must play the villain one last time…

Structure Your Novel Bootcamp, July-August

This summer, I’m excited to bring back my four-week boot camp on structuring the  novel!

This course—open to those who have yet to start writing, and those who are revising full-length drafts—guides you in developing a complete story structure for your novel. It provides tools for outlining new projects and finding fresh insight into stalled projects.

In this course, we will use written guides, writing exercises, assigned stories, and discussions to move from premise to detailed synopsis, identifying universal principles that will make your distinct story a satisfying read. Writers will leave with outlines for their works-in-progress and a toolkit of strategies for future projects.

Join us for readings, exercises, workshops, and zoom discussions on Thursday evenings, 8:30-10pm EST, from July 28-August 15. Read more and register here and feel free to be in touch with any questions.

May 12-15: StokerCon Appearance

I’m excited to attend my first StokerCon in Denver on May12-15. Here’s my schedule:

Thurs., 4pm:
Fiction Reading
with David Rose and Sam Rebelein

Sat., 3pm:
“Ghost Stories: They Haunt Your Dreams”
with Heather Graham, Usman Malik, Karley Pardue, and AC Wise

SATURNALIA Cover Reveal!

Well, if you’re on this site, you’ve now seen it–and yet, still happy to thank Tor.com for being the first to share the beautiful cover for my new novel Saturnalia, designed by Jaya Nicely.

Tonight, Nina will put on a dress of blackest black, and attend the biggest party of the year. Before it’s over, she will discover secret societies battling for power in an increasingly precarious world…

Saturnalia is also now available for pre-order! You can order from your favorite local indie bookstore as well as from Unnamed Press, Barnes & Noble, and the other usual suspects.

Read “The Annual Conference of the Ladies in White”

I’ve been driving for six hours when a hotel appears on an otherwise empty stretch of road. It has turrets and a fussy gazebo, like an antique wedding cake preserved by moonlight, and a red sign promising “vacancy.” Whatever it costs, my emergency stash will have to cover it.

My flash ghost story “The Annual Conference of the Ladies in White” is now online at Flash Fiction Online. This one was so fun to write–you can learn more about my process via FFO’s Patreon interview series.

The story is free to read online and the complete issue is available as an e-book for purchase.

March 24: The CLAW Reading

It’s happening! My first in-person Philadelphia reading since… you know when.

March 24, 6pm
with Piyalia Bhattacharya, Ariel Delgado Dixon, Carmen Maria Machado, Sara Nović, and Asali Solomon
Kelly Writers House
3805 Locust Walk, Philadelphia (UPenn campus)

In-person attendance is free and open to the public. Proof of vaccination required.
Register here.

Or stream live via YouTube.

March 16-20: ICFA 43 Events

I’m excited to return to the International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts, March 16-20 in Orlando. Here’s my schedule:

Weds., 3/16, 4:30 pm:
I’m hosting a reading for Valya Dudycz Lupescu, Gregory Frost, Jacob Weisman, and Rick Wilbur
Vista A

Thurs., 3/17, 10:30am:
Creative Panel: Is there a Craft?
with Eileen Gunn, Joe Haldeman, and Marge Simon
Vista B

Thurs., 3/17, 2:30 pm:
Author Reading with Dennis Danvers, Micah Dean Hicks, Elle E. Ire (host), and Alethea Kontis
Vista A

New Short Story: “The Boyfriend Trap”

I’m thrilled to start of 2022 with a new short story. “The Boyfriend Trap” is now available in the January/February issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.  Order the print or digital issue via the Asimov’s shop.

In the story, a young woman and her boyfriend visit a cabin to hash out their plans for the future. Instead, they discover the dark heart of their relationship–and their own secret desires.

“I felt guilty for reaching for him out of anxiety, not affection. Though they’re not so separate, maybe. Like reaching for your date when the monster appears on the screen. Who do you want to be close to when you’re feeling afraid?”

Read the full story.

Update: Read my reflection on the writing of this story on the Asimov’s blog.

“The Genius and the Devil” Now Online

This was what I agreed to: For exactly one night and one day, I would sit by her corpse, refusing entry to all visitors except Karla and the sister. In exchange, I would inherit enough money to buy a year of time, time all to myself, to paint. To—maybe, finally—paint my own masterwork.

“The Genius and the Devil,” my new story about friendship and envy, creativity and commerce, and the genius of wanting the right things is now online at Catapult Magazine.

woman paints birds

First 2022 Book Preview

It’s not news to horror fans that we’re living through a horror renaissance right now. The past few years have given us an embarrassment of riches when it comes to horror and gothic lit, and this particular train shows no sign of slowing down. 2022 is right around the corner, and with it, a huge and exciting slate of new books.

Tor/Nightfire included Saturnalia on their preview of “All the Horror Books We’re Excited about in 2022.” So excited to see all the great company I’m in for fall of next year.