Wednesday Women of Horror Spotlight-Catherine McCarthy

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Catherine McCarthy

Catherine’s bio from her website:

“From deep within the wild Welsh countryside, Catherine McCarthy spins dark yarns that deliver a sting in the tail.

She is the author of the collections Door and other twisted tales, Mists and Megaliths, and also the novella, Immortelle (published by Off Limits Press July 2021): a Gothic tale of grief and revenge, set on the West Wales coast.

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Her short stories and flash fiction have been published in various places online and in anthologies, including The British Fantasy Society Horizons, Flame Tree Press, Kandisha Press and Curiosities.

In 2020 she won the Aberystwyth University Prize for creative writing for her magical realism story, The Queen’s Attendant.

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Having traded the challenges and rewards of teaching for the hurdles and merits of writing, Catherine McCarthy now lives with her illustrator husband in a two hundred year old cottage in West Wales amidst spectacular, story-inspiring countryside.

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When she is not writing she may be found sewing in her ‘Garden Beehive’ or wandering the coast path, complete with picnic, sun-cream and just enough money for ice-cream.“

Catherine McCarthy is well known among women of horror and can be found engaging in many a Twitter conversation. Her books have rave reviews on Amazon and she has an avid following of devoted readers.

Check her out on social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Author Website

Wednesday Women of Horror Spotlight-Alyson Faye

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Alyson Faye

Alyson Faye’s bio from horrortree.com:

“Alyson lives in West Yorkshire, UK with her husband, teen son and four rescue animals. Her fiction has been published widely in print anthologies – DeadCades, Women in Horror Annual 2, Trembling with Fear 1 &2, Coffin Bell Journal 1, Stories from Stone, Ellipsis, Rejected (ed. Erin Crocker)and in many ezines, but most often on the Horror Tree site, in Siren’s Call.

She performs at open mics, teaches, edits and hangs out with her dog on the moor in all weathers.”

Alyson is a prolific writer and most recently wrote a little ditty for:

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

No Shrinking Violets
by Alyson Faye

Her work is also featured in HorrorTree.com‘s, Trembling With Fear: Year 5:

Here’s my review of her anthology, Darkness Calls: Tales From the Shadows

She also has a story in the Kandisha Press anthology, Don’t Break the Oath, where my debut story “The Trial of Jehenne de Brigue” can be found. I’m so honored to be in an anthology which includes a talented writer like her and so many others more talented than me! These Women of Horror, inspire me to continually improve my craft.

Check out Alyson Faye’s Amazon author page for a more complete listing of her work.

Wednesday Women of Horror Blog Share-Janine Pipe

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Janine Pipe

Janine’s bio on Kandisha Press (but she has been up to so much more since):

JANINE PIPE – Press Agent, Author, Red Sox Fan, Best Frightening Fiend.

“Janine Pipe is a Horror lover and writer who was first introduced to the genre by her ghost story telling dad – and she hasn’t looked back since. Citing Glenn Rolfe and Hunter Shea as her favourite current writers and mentors, she likes to shock, and create twists and turns. There is usually a lot of gore and plenty of swearing …  She is very thankful to her biggest cheerleaders, her husband and daughter. She reviews for Scream Magazine and is a friend of Nightworms.

You can find several of her short stories at Kandisha Press, the charity anthology, Diabolica Britannica, 25 Gates of Hell, and Campfire Macabre from Cemetery Gates Media. She is currently writing a splatterpunk vampire hunter novella and an 80’s slasher. You will also find her podcasting with fellow Brit and indie author, Lou Yardley on Cryptids, Crypts and Coffee or buddy read reviewing and interviewing with Ben Long on her YouTube channel.”

She recently posted this on her Facebook author page:

“Hello everyone! I haven’t used this page for updates in *checks watch* 15 years (High Five if you get that reference) but I noticed several new likes over the last couple of weeks so thought I’d do a quick couple of posts.

I released my debut short story collection Twisted: Tainted Tales just over a year ago and it continues to do pretty well so thank you for any and all support with that.

Earlier this year I co-edited Slash-Her for Kandisha Press featuring 21 slasher tales told by women.

And just a couple of weeks ago on Friday 13th May, I released Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers which was an absolute dream come true.”

Janine is a super fan of Dog Soldiers, so of course she was the perfect person to write, Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers!

I have to hold off on reading that book, though because I haven’t seen the movie yet. Epic fail, I know!

I have however read, Twisted: Tainted Tales and loved it! I even wrote a review!

I also did my first and only author interview (so far) with Janine. She was a trooper about being my first victim!

Janine is a super cool lady and can be found the following places on social media:

Twitter

Facebook

WordPress

Amazon

Patreon

YouTube

Wednesday Women of Horror Blog Share-Jill Girardi

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Jill Girardi

Jill Girardi of Kandisha Press is very special to me because she was the first person to consider a story of mine worth publishing. She is the chief cook and bottle washer at Kandisha Press where she along with her crew, publish horror anthologies written entirely by women. She is currently taking a break from that though so she can focus on her own writing. Jill has earned a break since she has already published five anthologies through her press.

Here’s her bio from the Kandisha Press website:

JILL GIRARDI – Editor-In-Chief, Author, Declawed Subcreature.

Jill is the author of Hantu Macabre, (Published by Fixi Novo) the best-selling novel featuring punk rock paranormal detective Suzanna Sim and Tokek the toyol. The book was shortlisted for the 2019 Popular/The Star Readers’ Choice Awards. Suzanna and Tokek will also be taken to the big screen, as a full-length film based on the characters is set to start shooting in 2021, with former MMA Fighter Ann Osman starring as Suzanna.

Jill has several short horror stories published (many of which feature various small, wicked creatures) and will soon begin working on the next volume in the Hantu Macabre series. She currently lives in New York where she is the editor of the Kandisha Press Women of Horror Anthology books.

Twitter: @jill_girardi
Instagram: @jill_girardi
Amazon: amazon.com/Various/e/B07JJQZSSK
Good Reads: Jill_Girardi
IMDB: Jill Girardi

My review of Hantu Macabre!

My first published story which can be found in the fourth Kandisha Press anthology, Don’t Break the Oath!

And lastly, a link for a list of all the Women of Horror anthologies: Kandisha Press Books

Wednesday Women of Horror Blog Share-Lydia Prime

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I’m going to try to share something every Wednesday (because that’s my off day from thankless/soul-sucking job) that represents a fellow woman horror writer. Women of Horror, let me know if you have a blog or website so I can follow and share. 🙂

First up: Lydia Prime:

“Lydia is that friendly monster under your bed waiting for you to stick a limb out from beneath the covers. When she’s not trying to shred scraps of humanity from the unsuspecting, she writes stories and poems of the horror and dark fiction variety. Her work can be found on Pen of the Damned, as well as The Ladies of Horror Picture-prompt Challenge on Spreading the Writers Word. Additionally, she has had several pieces published in issues of The Sirens Call eZine.

Lydia has also had short stories published in: Under Her Black Wings: A 2020 Women of Horror Anthology, Graveyard Smash: Women of Horror Anthology Volume 2, The One That Got Away: Women of Horror Anthology Volume 3 from Kandisha Press.

Take a walk through her mind and check out some of her creatures.

Above all, the most important thing to remember is that the fruity beverages can be found on the left. Don’t be afraid, you couldn’t possibly get lost in here, could you?” (Copied from her website about page.)

Here’s the link to her website, Lapsed Reality.

Don’t Break the Oath-Kandisha Press

On By CarlitaIn Don't Break the Oath, Jehenne de Brigue, Kandisha Press, Women of HorrorLeave a comment

Don’t Break the Oath is the fourth women of horror anthology put forth by Kandisha Press. Look no further for your summer read, guys! There is a lot of awesome horror within these pages written by many seasoned authors along with a few debuts, including yours truly. My little ol’ witch story is included and is the origin story for my most favorite character I’ve ever created, Jehenne de Brigue. Okay, I didn’t totally create her, she can be found amongst the wealth of historical knowledge regarding the witch trials in Europe which persecuted innocent women so many centuries ago.

“The Trial of Jehenne de Brigue” synopsis: (Spoiler Alert!)

The “Trial of Jehenne de Brigue” is the origin story of an herbalist healer who is destined to become a powerful leader among the Italian witches, known as Strega. She would have been lost in obscurity if it weren’t for the ruthless persecution of women by the Catholic church in 14th century France, but with a little help from a son of perdition, she would not only survive those dark times, but eventually become The Last Strega.

Revised ending to “The Trial of Jehenne de Brigue”:

   “Stop crying,” Jehenne cooed, smiling at the hysterical woman.

     Haus then appeared between them just as the executioner began lighting the pyre. Macette screamed. Haus ignored her and placed his hands on Jehenne’s shoulders. Haus smiled down at Jehenne. She looked up at the demon and returned his smile.

     Macette screeched, “But Haussibut, my lord, my love, why do you only take her?! Why have you forsaken me?!”

     “She has proved her loyalty to me.”

     “But she betrayed us by confessing!”

     “No, you set the wheels in motion by betraying Jehenne to your husband! You sealed your fate!” And with that, Haus vanished, taking Jehenne with him as the pyre burned.

Buy Don’t Break the Oath on Amazon!

Darkness Calls: Tales From the Shadows-by Alyson Faye

On By CarlitaIn Book Reviews2 Comments

This anthology was my first excursion into the wonderful and brilliant mind of Alyson Faye! I will definitely be looking for more from her! It was right up my alley, with deadly angels and ghost children and the like. I especially love ghost children!

I was reading, “All the Lost Children” (in broad daylight on my patio) and then heard children laughing outside in the distance and nearly jumped out of my skin! 😱 Horror writing at its best!!!

All the stories are awesome in this anthology and she hits the ground running with everyone’s favorite anti-Santa, Krampus.

I loved every story but shoutout to, “All the Lost Children” and “Shadow Children” because, well, ghost kids, and “Fallen Angel” because angels aren’t supposed to be nice! I also loved “Dream Catcher” and would love to see a whole novel spring from that one!

Buy it here for your Kindle on Amazon, guys!

Darkness Calls: Tales From the Shadows

OPEN Call for Anthology SUBMISSIONS: Deep in the Woods | #Horror #DarkFiction #anthology #OpenCall #fiction #submission #story @Sirens_Call

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Hard at work on a story for this! I couldn’t think of anything at first, but then an idea sprung into my head one night sitting on my patio as I gazed into the bleak, leafless trees behind my house. Gotta make the January 31st deadline!

Sirens Call Publications's avatarThe Sirens Song

DITW_Cover_01_promo_med

Deep in the Woods

SUBMISSIONS OPEN December 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022

Be it day or night, the forest hides its secrets from our eyes. Whether you find yourself alone or with others, its innocence can be deceiving, and its inhabitants deadly. What horrors await within the wooded land where nature reigns supreme?

Be creative! Your story can be supernatural, otherworldly, creature-horror, or down-right evil.Deep in the Woodshides a playground for your imagination!

Required theme:
All stories must take place in the woods/forest and must be horror or dark fiction.

Word count & Compensation:
Stories between 4,000 – 8,000 words will be considered for payment of $25.00 USD, an ebook contributor copy, and the right to purchase an unlimited number of print books at discount.

Stories between 2,000 – 3,000 words will be considered for payment of $10.00 USD, an ebook contributor copy, and the right to…

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RELEASE: The Sirens Call eZine Winter 2021 Edition – Issue 56 | FREE Online #Horror and #DarkFic #eZine #magazine @Sirens_Call

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My old school ghost story, “The Other Side of the Tracks”, made it into this edition! Click on the pic for a free download. Lots of great stories!

Sirens Call Publications's avatarThe Sirens Song

The Sirens Call

The 56th issue of The Sirens Call weighs in at 190 pages containing 139 pieces of dark fiction and horror in the form of short stories, flash fiction, and dark poetry! This issue also features artist Dave Dick who has shared 12 pieces of his artwork with us, including Sky Monster, which is featured on the cover. This issue also spotlights our first glimpse from cartoonist D.S. Ullery, his article A Cartoon Saved My Life, and 12 of his satirical and humorous Goulash panels. Our featured author, Mike Salt, has a bit of advice for budding or struggling authors, and has graciously offered an excerpt from his novella, The House on Harlan.

Come grab a copy! No sign-up required, no tricks when you get there, just a free Zine packed full of incredibly talented writers and artists!

Click on the cover for your #

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Hantu Macabre by Jill Girardi

On By CarlitaIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Hantu Macabre is a thrill ride from start to finish! Jill Girardi takes us on an awesome trip through the landscape and ancient mythology of Malaysia. The main character, Suzanna Sim, is a tough, but down on her luck private investigator of black magic and occult crimes. She’s had a rough life after being abandoned at a very young age, but she never lost her heart. Her assistant is a toyol, which is a supernatural creature capable of sneaking in and out of places unseen by the inhabitants. A very useful skill when investigating other worldly crimes!

There are so many twists and turns in the novel and surprises right up until the end. The book leaves the reader wanting so much more and I can’t wait til Jill give us another glimpse into the life of Suzanna Sim!

This is for sure a 5 star read because it’s story telling at it’s best, with no dull moments.

Buy it here!