Hey everybody, M. here,

Just a quick note to announce that the From Beyond The Threshold cosmic horror anthology is out now from Eerie River Publishing. It contains my cosmic horror comedy A Roommate Named Lazarus Black and is available in print and e-book from Amazon, and the e-book is also available directly through Eerie River (and currently available as part of a launch sale for only $2.99 CAD, until September 7!).

Get ready to laugh until you scream, then scream until you laugh (then maybe barf if you’re easily grossed out) at my tale of two goofballs taking on the most frightening, sanity-rattling task that one can face–a roommate search–and the maddening horror that ensues when the guy they find is a bit too perfect!

Super excited to be appearing in this anthology, the first one from Eerie River that I have been in, alongside 11 other top-notch authors of weird and terrifying tales, including the always excellent, prolific, and hilarious Tim Mendees, who curated the anthology.

Time for me to get my day started! Follow me on Facebook for more up-to-the-minute developments and shenanigans. Take care everyone!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

Just a quick update to share some news, in case you’ve been on the other side of the wall of sleep and missed the big announcement. Over the weekend (on the birthday of H.P. Lovecraft, no less) Eerie River Publishing announced the official title, table of contents and release date for From Beyond The Threshold, the cosmic horror anthology curated by Tim Mendees coming at the end of the month.

The anthology will contain my cosmic horror-comedy A Roommate Named Lazarus Black, a story about the howling abyssal void that is the search for a roommate. In it, goofballs Victor and Adrian need someone to move into the weird-shaped third room in their apartment as soon as possible. But could the roommate they end up finding be a little too perfect?

I’m super excited to be making my first appearance in an Eerie River anthology, and as I knew would be the case, this is shaping up to be one amazing looking book as you can see from the mind-warping, reality-bending promotional graphics. It has a hell of a lineup of authors including the prolific and hilarious Mr. Mendees himself. Very excited both to appear in this one and to read it!

Just a few more days, so turn up your Resonator and get ready. And don’t forget to follow me over on Facebook for other semi-regular updates and shenanigans.  More to come soon, take care everybody!

-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

I was out of town for a bit and had some other stuff come up over the past few days so I just finally managed to get my hands on a copy of the latest issue of Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror. The Lammas Eve 2023 issue, which came out in print and e-book at the end of July, is one of the best looking issues of the magazine yet. I’m excited to say that it contains my story Something Missing right up there in the front of the magazine.

I think you could say this story is one of my more high-concept ones. It’s a story about a kid working in a restaurant in a small town suburb who develops an interest in the exegesis of biblical apocrypha, esoteric ritual, etc. through an online forum while he’s trying to figure out what to do with his life.

I guess on some level it’s about what drives people to believe things, the sense of belonging people get from niche online communities, the power and the perils of brute-force philosophizing, metaphysics happening whether anyone nails the interpretation or not, and I threw in some stuff about mirror universes as well. The story also let me dig into some of the thought from an era in the history of ideas I find particularly interesting — I think there’s a tremendous amount to be observed and understood about the nature of human belief, human behavior, and how belief systems are arrived at in the massive proliferation of early-Christian metaphysics and gnostic sects in the first few centuries AD. While it’s probably not usually the stuff of romantic horror comedy-dramas, I think it all came together nicely in this rather idiosyncratic and experimental story.

So grab yourself a copy if that sounds like your type of thing. It’s got all sorts of other new fiction from frequent contributors and new authors alike, and has a bunch of in-depth reviews of recent Mythos fiction as well.

Last but not least, check out that table of contents! Beginning with the Candlemas 2023 issue  (which paid homage to the 100-year anniversary of Weird Tales, and which contains my weird science Cthulhu Mythos tale The Study of Worms), Lovecraftiana started adding in taglines done up in classic pulp style, and it is one of my favorite features of any fiction publication these days.

Quick note on misprinted bio
Real quick in case anyone noticed, it looks like in at least some editions of this magazine, my author bio was accidentally replaced with the bio of the author who had the first story in a previous issue. While it should be somewhat clear to anyone reading it that it’s a misprint (it features another author’s writing credits and a link to an Instagram that does not have my name in the URL), I just wanted to make a note here for anyone who is not already familiar with my work, and I suppose for contemporary archivists and/or future historians, that it is not my bio. You can always find my list of published stories here and check out interviews with me for more about who I am and what my deal is.

Should have more to come soon, time for me get my day started. Take care everyone!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

It’s been another hectic few weeks over here so I have gotten distracted from making this post a number of times, but I’ve got a couple of new developments to share now:

Independent Author Spotlight interview on the DMR website
Last month I had the privilege of appearing in DMR Books’ Independent Author Spotlight in conjunction with my story The Tears of Blood coming out in the inaugural Die By The Sword anthology. I got a chance to get into my background as a writer starting with my very earliest efforts, my influences within and outside of genre fiction, and what it all adds up to, or might add up to, both in my fiction in contemporary settings and in secondary-world dark fantasy. As I mentioned in the interview, I always enjoy reading the DMR Independent Author Spotlight and I was happy to make an appearance. I hope it is an entertaining read for those who want a little bit of insight into why and how I do what I do.

DBTS as a whole has been very well received so far, getting a nice review in Grimdark Magazine and generating some positive commentary on Goodreads. Grab yourself a copy if you have yet to, and get knee-deep or deeper in blood-soaked, sword-swinging supernatural action and adventure!

Eerie River Cosmic Horror anthology on the way in July
I got word not more than a few minutes ago that the cosmic horror anthology from Eerie River Publishing is now scheduled for a mid-late July release, so keep on the look out for more news on that one coming soon, and get ready for my story of urban apartment dwelling and the search for the perfect roommate, A Roommate Named Lazarus Black. It will make you laugh! It will make you scream! It just might even make you barf!

Time for me to try to get some stuff done, take care everyone and stay cool if you’re in a place that is currently hot!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

I’m pretty sure just from seeing the huge response over on Facebook last week that a whole lot of sword & sorcery fans are already well aware of this news, but if you are just happening by my website and have yet to hear the battle cry echoing through the hills — I am thrilled to report that the inaugural Die By The Sword anthology from DMR Books has arrived in print and e-book.

I received my contributor copy of the book the other day and I have to say that the anthology looks even more impressive in real life than even seeing the excellent cover illustration alone (by legendary Garbage Pail Kids creator John Pound) a few weeks ago had prepared me for. The book contains 11 new action-packed, blood-soaked, thrilling tales by both long-timers and new masters of the genre, and I am excited to have my story The Tears of Blood appear among them. As today’s sword & sorcery devotees know, DMR represents the gold standard for fiction being published in the genre these days and I consider it nothing short of an honor to be appearing in this anthology.

As for what you can anticipate from the story, first off you can check out a little teaser from the first page there to get your adrenaline pumping. Introduce yourself to Ulxedomus, Prince of K’Zal, and join him on his action-packed quest for vengeance through a war-torn world filled with: Bizarre creatures! Weird, otherworldly threats! Intricately rendered intrigues! Cryptic forces! And more!

So brace yourself for unexpected twists and turns, death-defying feats of swordsmanship, brutal conflict, and all-around madcap thrill-a-page mayhem. And on top of my story you’ve got another 10 tales to dig into and immerse yourself in–stories brimming with steel clashing against steel, barbarians going to battle, magical, mystical escapades and even heroes in enchanted armor going sword-to-fang with vampyres.

As you can see from the copy on the back cover from publisher/editor/author D.M. Ritzlin, big things are in the offing for this one! If Die By The Sword sells well, word has it there will be a follow up in what is currently being envisioned as a yearly anthology series–so if you can’t get enough of killer new sword & sorcery and have yet to grab one of these, wield thy credit card and order now!

If you read it and dig it, don’t forget to spread the word and put up a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog/website. It cannot be overstated how much thoughtful reviews and public enthusiasm mean to indie authors and publishers! And if indeed you enjoy this first adventure of Prince Ulxedomus, be certain that I have every intention of revisiting the fallen kingdom of K’Zal and the weird world it inhabits. Keep an eye out!

Take care everyone, more news coming soon!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

The other day DMR Books released the cover and table of contents for the soon-to-be released first installment in the Die By The Sword anthology series, so get ready sword & sorcery fans! DMR is one of the premier forces driving the world of contemporary sword & sorcery today and I consider it a true honor to have my story The Tears of Blood appearing among the 11 new tales in this volume. As you can see from the absolutely amazing cover art right there by John Pound, you’re in for the real deal with this one!

As a side note, Pound was the creative force and main artist behind Garbage Pail Kids back in the day. That series undoubtedly played a role in my developing sense of aesthetics and sense of humor when I was very, very young. As if this anthology wasn’t already exciting enough! I must admit I looked a bit like Adam Bomb (or perhaps his twin Blasted Billy) when I found this out.

More on my story later, and you won’t have to wait much longer–the anthology is on the way in May. That means this May will be a month for magic and mayhem like no other! Keep your weapons sharp, your eyes wide open, and prepare for adventure!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

Hot on the tail of the other day’s official announcement about my horror-comedy A Roommate Named Lazarus Black being slated to appear in the cosmic horror anthology that Eerie River Publishing is putting out later this year, I’ve got some more exciting news. Those familiar with editor/author C.M. Muller‘s acclaimed yearly anthology Nightscript may have seen that he has recently launched a new publication called Chthonic Material Quarterly. I am happy to say that my weird horror story Sticky has been accepted to appear in CMQ in one of the 2024 issues.

Since it’s still a ways out I’m not going to say too much about the story, just rest assured that you can look forward to: Exhaustive paranoia! Gloppy weirdness! Distressing imagery! Mysterious fluids! Not to mention a little love (or something like it), a few madcap laughs, and a bunch of other surprises.

So keep your pineal gland primed and pointed at this frequency for more updates on this one as it gets closer to go-time (and follow me over on Facebook while you’re at it for even more shenanigans).

And if you’re looking for some of my other recently published stuff to read while you’re waiting for the new stuff to hit the shelves, don’t forget to pick up the latest issue of Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror featuring my tale of weird science and Mythos mayhem, The Study of Worms. Have I mentioned that story contains a scene featuring a five-gallon glass carboy filled with blood? I certainly have, but I can’t repeat it often enough! Get into it!

Take care everyone!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

I’m running out the door right now but I realized that I’ve got a couple of things worth mentioning real quick, first of all I’ve got a…

New Story Forthcoming in an Eerie River Anthology!
I’ve been alluding to this one being on the way for a while, so I am happy as a shoggoth splashing around in its own syrup (and I think we all know how much they love that) to announce that I signed a contract the other day and my new story, A Roommate Named Lazarus Black, will be appearing in the upcoming cosmic horror anthology from Eerie River Publishing and will mark my first appearance in one of their collections. If you have somehow missed them, Eerie River is a Canadian indie horror press and the brainchild of author/editor/publisher Michelle River. Eerie River has been putting out all sorts of excellent and acclaimed books over the past few years and I am stoked to have a story slated to appear in one of them.

I’m also as happy as Nyarlethotep noshing on a Nutty Buddy Bar (well established as that particular Elder God’s favorite snack) to say that this anthology is curated by none other than Tim Mendees one of the most prolific authors and foremost humorists in today’s weird horror world. If you’re not familiar with his work, you should most definitely check out his two short story collections, his goth/industrial radio show (on which yours truly recently appeared as a guest), the festival he just organized in the UK and any of his gazillion other projects. And then get ready for this anthology, which I anticipate being a truly madcap romp of fear and fun! Of grotesquerie and levity! Seriously I can only imagine it’s going to be a doozy.

What can you expect from my story in particular? It’s a cosmic horror-comedy that is, I guess you could say, about dealing with the trials and tribulations of urban renting and the need to find a roommate in a pinch, or at least that’s where things begin–that’s as close to a spoiler as you’re getting. The anthology is slated for a June release, so keep an eye out here and over on Facebook for more information as things develop.

A Dazzling World now available (free) in audiobook form!
Early last month I got an amazing surprise from my buddy Rob, who you may be familiar with as the bassist of prog band Hedgehog and the Fox and the host of the Apocalypse Cinema podcast, that he had done an audiobook reading of my short story A Dazzling World. The story is an odd little sci-fi/horror tale of green goo, aesthetics, and entomological obsessions that initially appeared in print in JayHenge Publishing‘s Professor Feiff’s Compleat Guide to Xenobiology… anthology (which is, by the way, quite good cover-to-cover). The audiobook rendition of it sounds absolutely amazing, so give it a listen here.

Don’t Forget to Grab the Latest Lovecraftiana!
If you’re looking for some new Cthulhu and Cthulhu-adjacent fiction to wrap your tentacles around and you have yet to pick up a copy of the Candlemas 2023 issue of Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror, you can still quite easily and economically grab that monstrous volume in print or on Kindle and commence to reading yourself screamingly, frothingly nuts! Featuring a bunch of brand new, weird fiction, a piece of non-fiction by John DeLaughter about the first run of Weird Tales a century ago, and of course my new novelette of odd gods, weird bugs, and mad science, The Study of Worms.

Anyway, I am now officially running late so if there are any typos or poorly constructed sentences/jokes, that’s my excuse. Take care everyone!
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

It’s been another beast of a week over here so I am a few days later than I planned to be in posting this and it’s going to be a quick one, but for those who have not yet heard, I am excited to say that the new issue of Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror is officially out in print and e-book formats. Among the terrifying tales therein, you will find my story The Study of Worms.  And I’ve got the pictures to prove it! As you can see right there from the cover of the print edition, this issue it is one mind-meltingly amazing looking collection of Mythos madness and mayhem, and it’s got the weird stories inside to match!

So if you did not pre-order one the other day, you definitely should grab yourself one of these at your earliest possible convenience and dig into it — whether you get a physical copy and drive your Amazon delivery guy into frothing madness (assuming he’s not there already), or roast the circuits of your Kindle with an overload of horrors from the abyss (note: the magazine does not actually damage your Kindle).

In case you have missed my posting of these pictures over on Facebook, the following images of the magazine’s ominously pulsating innards should get you in the zone:

Right there you have a teaser from the first page of my novelette, and down below there is a snippet of the TOC.

And as I mentioned the other day this issue is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the release of the first issue of Weird Tales. So make your sacrifices to the germane Elder Gods accordingly.

I should have some more news coming about other weird developments soon, stay tuned! Take care everyone.
-M.

Hey everybody, M. here,

January has been sort of a blur over here. I ended up doing the first real traveling I’ve undertaken since the pandemic and have continued to try to wrestle myself out of the doldrums of distraction and get back onto an appreciable reading and movie viewing schedule, lest my mind begin to sputter and run out of gas. And that automotive metaphor is as good a segue as any to the first of a few announcements I’ve got lined up today:

The Road Trip God anthology, now available in print
First off I’m happy to share the news that right on schedule, The Road Trip God, which is the first themed anthology from new indie-horror publisher PsychoToxin Press, is out now and available in print. This one contains my flash-horror story Leap of Faith alongside 10 other stories of dark deities out on the road, delivered at a breakneck pace.

I am finding it hard to discuss what the story is about without running the risk of dropping spoilers, as can be the case with a story that clocks in around 1,000 words. Suffice it to say that I meant to make it a tense one. If this story leaves you reaching for a phantom grab handle or slamming your foot down on an invisible brake, then I’ve done my job.

Pick one up today right here and while you’re at you can check out everything else PsychoToxin has been up to lately, they’ve really gotten things off the ground fast for having just launched last year.

Pre-order Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror Candlemas 2023 Issue
It’s the one you’ve been waiting for! The official date has nearly arrived for the release of the Candlemas 2023 issue of Lovecraftiana: The Magazine of Eldritch Horror, and as I have mentioned once or twice or a couple more times than that, this issue contains my novelette The Study of Worms, a story steeped in the Lovecraft Mythos, and packed full of weird science, weird gods, weird adventure, plus a bunch of other good stuff, like generational dysfunction and blood by the five-gallon glass carboy.

As you can see from that image right there, the cover looks completely amazing, and this issue is celebrating a full century since the 1923 launch of the original Weird Tales. I am certainly neither the first nor the thousandth person to observe that what that pulp mag started a century ago really has made horror what it is today as a genre. And I don’t mean just Cthulhu Mythos stuff, but a big chunk of the other horror that has appeared on the page and in the theater since then. So it’s a centennial I’m quite excited to have my work included in.

Pre-order your copy today in either print or e-book and get ready! More on what you can expect from the story coming very, very soon.

Startling Stories 2021 reviewed in SFcrowsnest (alongside the other Startling Stories #1s)
I got a pleasant surprise the other day when I saw Mike Chinn share a link over on Facebook from SFcrowsnest containing an in-depth review of not just the 2021 issue of Startling Stories, but the other two inaugural editions of the publication — the 1939 original published by Ned Pines‘ Better Publishing and edited by Mort Weisinger, and the 2006 relaunch from Ron Hanna and Wild Cat Books.

Reviewer Dave Brzeski had some very nice things to say about a number of the stories in the 2021 issue, including my story Payload, Check out the full review here.

And if you haven’t picked either of them up yet, you can still get both the first issue of the new Startling and the 2022 issue. The latter contains my upbeat, off-planet sci-fi detective adventure story Pharmakon, Pharmakon, which is accompanied by an amazing illustration from the legendary Vincent Di Fate (links to get both issues here).

More to come soon, take care everyone!
-M.