K.C. Grifant's Blog

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Saddle up for a wild, monster-infested ride through the Old West in my action-packed, award-winning debut book, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger—a genre-bending fantasy western hailed as “fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!” (Jonathan Maberry, NYT bestselling author).

Narrator Ash Aarrestad brings to life this first book in the Monster Gunslinger series. In a desolate frontier crawling with supernatural threats, stoic sharpshooter Melinda West and her charismatic partner, Lance, make a living exterminating monsters, from flying scorpions to mind-controlling insects. But when Melinda inadvertently unleashes a demon, she must face vengeful outlaws, ancient evils and an oncoming war between worlds to save her friends. With vibes of The Witcher, Supernatural, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Bonnie and Clyde, this story is ideal for fans of fantastical worlds, supernatural thrillers and complex heroines. 

What people are saying

“This fun, imaginative, and confident series opener will be a massive crowd pleaser for general audiences, especially for those who enjoy a wide range of popular weird western offerings.”
—Library Journal (full review) 

“Grifant writes with a deft hand, giving us compulsive prose and an easy feeling for her storytelling. I found I was utterly shocked at how much book I was devouring and how quickly… Grifant is a powerfully imaginative author who paints cinematic pictures easily with her descriptions and will make you feel the dust and smell the gunpowder time and time again.”

—Steve Stred, Splatterpunk-Nominated author of SACRAMENT, MASTODON and CHURN THE SOIL (full review)

“Powerfully imaginative…[filled] with action and enjoyable monsters. Terrific action scenes ensue as a result and the action ramps up to the end.”-Horror DNA (full review)

“I’ve been absolutely riveted to the story KC weaved, and adored everything about it. Imagine Supernatural’s hunting … combined with the most badass female lead you can imagine, amazing supporting characters, nail-biting suspense, great action, and the grunge and grit you expect in a Western.”-Tasha Reynolds, horror reviewer and host of The Ghoulish Gallery podcast (full review)

“Melinda West is the hero I’ve been waiting for as long as I can remember. The world and characters are vivid and magical. This story is a delight.”
—Kate Jonez, Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author

“KC Grifant’s horror western hits the road at top speed and never takes its foot off the accelerator, making the book a perfect fit for readers who like their horror weird and their action plentiful … [Melinda West] is a delicious amalgamation of Ash Williams in wise-cracking bravado and Ellen Ripley in triumphant fearlessness.”
—Ginger Nuts of Horror

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Also available via your library loaning platforms!

Learn more about the Monster Gunslinger WorldPaperbacks/EbooksCard Game

It can be hard to exactly pinpoint what prevents a story from rising out of the slush pile and eliciting an enthusiastic “yes” from an editor, but there are some pitfalls writers make that happen all too frequently.

I’ve been editing for a long time–for nonfiction for decades, and for short fiction for part of that. During that time, I’ve seen common problems that writers make in their short stories. From an overly ambiguous beginning to an ending that falls flat, many passed-over stories share a few key issues that need addressing.

So, how to improve your short story to get to an editor’s “yes”? Here are a handful of tactics and strategies that can make your story shine brighter and improve the odds of catching an editor’s attention. I offer this as a brief guide to help you review your own work and see if any of these areas can be strengthened.

Quick caveat – these are tips centered around commercial, Western-based storytelling structures. Of course there are many more ways to tell successful and impactful stories, so only use these tactics if they are helpful to you.

Read The Guidelines (Of Course!)

I’m going to talk only briefly about this tip as it is obvious, and yet a huge number of people fail to follow the submission guidelines. They are not suggestions; they are the rules for submitting. I strongly recommend you check the guidelines (word count, deadline, theme, formatting preference, etc.) and double check before submitting. Otherwise you are setting yourself up for an instant rejection.

As submission counts have recently dramatically increased (in part because of AI-generated stories), editors have been overwhelmed with submissions. Like hiring managers sifting through job applications, we often begin with “easy eliminations:” submissions that didn’t follow instructions, don’t match the publication or don’t meet basic requirements.

Minor issues are often OK—one typo, a generic greeting or being a word or two outside the word count (note, this depends on the publisher). Less forgivable mistakes include: ignoring explicit instructions, blowing past a strict word count, failing to follow file specifications or submitting after the deadline.

The Importance of Openings

Now, let’s take a look at your story itself. The opening of a story is critical, especially in short fiction. Slush readers often won’t get past the opening if it isn’t engaging, entertaining or intriguing in some way.

Note: in this case, “Opening” includes the first line, the first paragraph, or even the first page depending on story length. It’s the moment that launches the narrative and sets the tone for everything that follows. Though single-sentence hooks can be powerful, sometimes an opening needs more space (e.g., a paragraph or two) to establish the first scene (and that is fine!).

What Strong Openings Do

Many strong openings have one of these traits:

They orient the reader enough to keep them grounded without resorting to info-dumping. This can be as simple as a hint of where or when the story begins.They signal that something unusual, foreboding or mysterious is unfolding. Openings don’t need to shock necessarily, but they should raise curiosity without confusing the reader.They set the mood and hint at the conflict. Word choice establishes tone—whether ominous, humorous, reflective or frenetic—so that the opening sounds like the story that follows.

Compelling opening lines may raise a question or introduce an oddity that pulls the reader deeper. I think of this as the intrigue. This is something–a character, circumstance, action or setting–that the reader feels compelled to know more about. As a reader and an editor, I want to be intrigued by any story I begin.

If you are stuck on your opening, try writing or rewriting with one of these goals in mind:

Introduce a strange situation, character or moment that invites curiosityHint at a forthcoming danger or challengeEstablish a mood or atmosphere that matches the story’s emotional direction (e.g., by descriptive scene setting that reflects the protagonist’s state of mind)Spotlight a clash or moral tension front and center

Try writing multiple versions of an opening, focusing on mood, mystery or subversion. Many openings work best when they broadcast, however subtle, the story’s promise and resolution. Make sure your tone, mystery or emotional thread established early carries through the entire piece.

Opening Don’ts

A few common pitfalls in short stories I strongly recommend avoiding:

Overused openings, such as showing a character waking up, dreaming, looking in the mirror or standing in an empty, mysterious room. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve read that start this way. This type of opening should almost always be avoided unless the approach is truly unique.

Leaning on cliches. Likewise, using cliched characters (“damsel in distress,” “final girl,” “chosen one,” etc.) or well-worn tropes without putting your own unique spin on it can lead to a quick rejection.

Intentional vagueness. Sometimes writers are overly vague, with the excuse that they are infusing mystery to their story and don’t want to be too explicit. However, this is often a shortcut to avoid spending time to flesh out the story.

Common Problems With Endings

The beginning’s mirror is the ending. The ending is just as critical as the beginning, as it leaves your reader with the emotional impact of your story. Unfortunately, many excellent stories fall apart at the ending, which will also lead to rejection. As an editor, if an ending can be fixed with a simple copyedit, I will likely accept the story. However, more often than not a weak ending requires a deeper dive into the story from the writer. Sometimes the conclusion is confusing or simply absent, as if the writer wasn’t sure how to finish. Other times the ending feels abrupt or unearned, veering into new territory without adequate setup.

A common issue is a lack of narrative or character transformation. Stories that close with the same tone or emotional state they began with often feel flat (and leave the reader feeling like nothing has changed). Similarly, overly obtuse endings that leave major questions unresolved can create dissatisfaction.

What Makes a Good Ending

Strong endings tend to have at least one of these elements:

Emotional or thematic resonance (often tied to what the opening telegraphed)A transformation for the character or narrative (even a subtle one)A demonstration of the character’s moment of reckoning or changeA feeling that the story is “not over” but complete enough to satisfy the reader and writerA surprise that feels inevitable in retrospect

You don’t necessarily need to tie up everything in a neat bow and resolution at the end (“and they lived happily ever after”), but you do want to evoke an “ooh!” response rather than a “huh?” response. This requires mastering the craft of balance in your ending, where you provide enough resolution to feel like a proper ending, while leaving some mystery or indication of what happens after the story concludes.

Regarding surprise endings: stories don’t need a twist per se, but at least a subtle shift can provide reader satisfaction by the end. Horror stories, for example, often use a surprise “comeuppance” ending, where the character’s flaws or avoidance catch up with them.

Story Structure

Short stories are far more focused than novels. Given their shorter length, they often center on one or two main characters and revolve around a single pivotal event or theme. Because of their length, every word (even more so than novels) should be thoughtful and doing “double duty” in meaning whenever possible.

One very common pitfall I see in short stories is writing a vignette instead of a story, where the piece is dominated by description or atmosphere but lacks narrative, movement or change. A successful short story often has something happen, a conflict that the protagonist must rise up to face, or fail to face. A vignette usually lacks this movement. It may contain beautiful writing but leaves the reader feeling that nothing happened.

Strengthening Your Story

If a story still feels stuck, think about character desire and transformation. Consider:

What the character wants mostWhat stands in their wayHow they change as a result of confronting that obstacle

Understanding these elements can help you refine your plot.

If a story still isn’t quite working out, I like to try different word count limits—such as rewriting the story at 100, 500, or 1,000 words—to help uncover its ideal length and discover new aspects of the story and character along the way.

Rejection Will Happen

My most important piece of advice for new writers is to expect to get rejected but persevere anyway. Most top markets have a success rate of one percent or less (the majority of pro markets are less than 5 percent). While this can be daunting, the takeaway is not to stop trying. It’s to do everything you can to make your story the best. And while your story may be excellent, there are a lot of factors outside your control that can lead to a rejection (editor’s personal preferences and taste, for example).

Don’t spend too much time licking your wounds when get a rejection–get the story back out there on the market as quickly as you can. I think of it as “aggressively submitting.” Like dating or job searching, in many respects getting a “yes” in publishing is a numbers game. Maximizing the number of dates/applications/submissions to reasonably matching people/jobs/open calls will help you eventually find a good fit. In this vein, write, write, write as much as you can. The more completed stories you have under your belt will help increase your odds of publication.

In the end all you can control is your own writing and your constant quest to improve your craft, experiment with your style and dig deep into your truths as a storyteller.

About me

Thanks for reading this far! If you find this advice helpful, check out my Appearances page for any upcoming workshops or classes where I do a much deeper dive and writing exercises for short fiction and speculative fiction. You can also learn more about my work on the About page.

It’s that wonderful time of year when authors share their published works from 2025 as award submission season nears its deadline. I always love to see these roundup posts and a reminder of what my favorite authors and colleagues have been up to this year.

For me, 2025 was a whirlwind with a lot of professional opportunities I am very grateful for. In addition to attending or organizing a bunch of writing events and panels, I also taught several fun workshops for Reach Your Apex and signed on to teach at University of California San Diego’s extension program, where I will be offering a class on speculative fiction writing next year. Another milestone was signing on as associate editor for the wonderful Stars and Sabers Publishing, being interviewed by my local NPR affiliate radio station, and having my first audiobook come out in November!

This past year, I had nine pieces of work come out. Without further ado, here are my published works from 2025. If you are a voting member of a professional organization and would like a copy of any of these works, please let me know! And if you are curious about what award nominations are out there, check out A.C. Wise’s running list here.

2025 Works For Award ConsiderationNovel

Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen (second place winner of a 2025 BookFest award!)

“A dazzling, delightfully entertaining fusion of a horror tale and a Western.” —Kirkus Reviews

Fast-paced, gritty, and packed with supernatural thrills, Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen blends the rebellious charm of Bonnie and Clyde with the high-stakes action of Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is book two in a standalone interconnected series—ideal for both new readers and returning fans looking for dark fantastical westerns with a twist. 

Anthology

Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales

Dread Coast (No Bad Books Press, August 2025), is a charity anthology featuring Southern California horror short stories co-edited by me and Dennis K. Crosby. The anthology spans new writers and bestsellers, and captures a range of horror stories based in SoCal. Proceeds go to support the vital long-term recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Short Stories

“Negation”(Sci-fi horror)

My story, “Negation,” appeared on the award-winning Simultaneous Times podcast. Space explorers find more than they bargained for in a story that has undertones of Annihilation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Listen for free.

“The Eaters Band”(Sci-fi horror)

My story, “The Eaters Band,” appeared in Space Horrors (September 20, 2025), edited by E.S. Magill. It features the tale of two elite space couriers encountering alien beings with a mission of their own.

“Beneath Scorching Sand, Above Metal Sun” (Western fantasy horror)

My western dark fantasy story, “Beneath Scorching Sand, Above Metal Sun,” is about a desperate railroad worker in the Weird West who turns to forbidden sorcery to save his friend. It’s a gritty surreal story about loyalty, sacrifice and the costs of power appearing in Of Enchantment, Enigma, and the Infinite.

“The Dreambug Infestation of Half Moon Oaks”

My western horror adventure story, “The Dreambug Infestation of Half Moon Oaks,” features a frontier town plagued by psychic bugs who harbor a secret—and the gunslinging heroes that can stop them. It appeared in Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers (February 2025) a cross-genre collection that blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror in bold, unexpected ways.

Poems

“A Woman’s Weapon”

A botanist goes too far in my horror poem “A Woman’s Weapon,” available to read for free at Timber Ghost Press: https://www.timberghostpress.com/blog/a-womans-weapon-by-kc-grifant#/

“Unwanted Advances”

My zombie poem “Unwanted Advances” debuted in Tales of Sley House 2025.

Audiobook

Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger

The audiobook of my award-winning debut horror western MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER is brought to life by narrator Ash Aarrestad. Fans of The Witcher, Buffy and Bonnie & Clyde will enjoy this monster-infested ride!

On the Horizon

What will 2026 and beyond bring? So far, here’s what’s lined up for the future:

Women of the Weird West – an anthology I conceived of and am now editing, this one is slated to come out in June 2026 from Brigids Gate Press and has a truly stellar TOC.Of Tombstones and Terrors – I’m coediting this western horror anthology with Jendia Gammon, with a tentative publication date of 2027.Fantastic Horrifica – my second short story collection will be coming out in 2027 from Stars and Sabers.“Worship” – my short story about a mysterious goddess-like entity in a Puritan town will be in Stars and Sabers’ upcoming horror anthology  Of Dread, Decay, and Doom . Monster Gunslingers The Game – my first card game will be coming out in 2026. Tariffs and other challenges have had our publisher pivoting on their strategy, but I think we’re in a good place now. I’m so excited to get this game out in the world!

I’ll be teaching a Reach Your Apex workshop called “Sellable Short Stories: What Editors Want (and What to Avoid)” on Friday, November 14, 2025. This course is for both emerging writers and established authors who want to know: out of hundreds of stories in the slush pile, what makes an editor say “yes” to just a few?

Learn what elements you can control (and which you can’t) to maximize your chances of publication. Ideal for writers of horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres, this workshop offers insights on how to rise above the slush pile and grab an editor’s attention while staying true to your story. You’ll learn what red flags can garner instant rejections from editors, practical techniques for honing your tales, and efficient strategies for submitting to markets. 

I’ll cover:

A behind-the-scenes, detailed look at the selection process from slush pile to publication from an editor’s point of viewCommon and not-so-common pitfalls in openings and endings, and how to fix themHow to use—and subvert—familiar genre tropes to make your work stand outEfficient techniques for self-editingA deep dive into trending markets and industry best practices 

You’ll walk away with practical tools to elevate your short fiction, as well as a roadmap for getting your work into magazines, anthologies, podcasts and more. 

Sign up here to level up your writing!

DATE: November 14, 2025 – Friday

TIME: 2PM ET | 1PM CT | 12PM MT | 11AM PT | 18:00 UTC

Use code WEWKCG at checkout for $10 off. Hope you can join us!

DATE: Friday, November 11, 2025 TIME: 2PM ET | 11AM PT

About Your Instructor

KC Grifant is an award-winning Southern Californian author who writes speculative stories in the horror, fantasy, sci-fi and weird west genres. She authored the award-winning supernatural western Monster Gunslinger series and Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny.

She is editor of Women of the Weird West, and co-editor of Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales and Of Terrors and Tombstones, as well as creator of Weird West Fiction, a website that showcases diverse weird west authors.

In addition, she is a published short story writer, with dozens of tales appearing in podcasts, magazines and Stoker-nominated anthologies, including: PseudoPod, Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Sley House Presents, the British SF Association’s Fission Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine; Musings of the Muse; Dancing in the Shadows—A Tribute to Anne Rice; the Stoker-nominated Chromophobia; the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror, and many others.

KoboAppleSpotifyLibro.FMOut November 18, 2025!

Saddle up for a wild, monster-infested ride through the Old West in my action-packed debut, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger—a genre-bending fantasy western hailed as “fast, furious, and a hell of a lot of fun!” (Jonathan Maberry, NYT bestselling author).

In a desolate frontier crawling with supernatural threats, sharpshooter Melinda West and her charming partner, Lance, make a living exterminating monsters—from flying scorpions to mind-controlling insects. But when a demon is accidentally unleashed, Melinda must face down vengeful outlaws, ancient evils and an oncoming war between worlds to stop the apocalypse.

Narrator Ash Aarrestad brings Melinda’s grit, heart and humor to life with a vivid performance that pulls you straight into the dust and danger of the Weird West.

With vibes of The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde, this story is ideal for fans of fantastical worlds, supernatural thrillers and complex heroines. 

Pre-Order

Audible link coming soon!

Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798349126604-melinda-west-monster-gunslinger

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/melinda-west-monster-gunslinger-1?sId=b1b8ab96-67f1-432e-94cf-118c9b79bb6b&ssId=yCXEo5ChwWO0eCPDsLGm-&cPos=2

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/melinda-west-monster-gunslinger/id1846116982

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cvgPXscrgzTLMiZTDRhSU

Learn more about the Monster Gunslinger world!PaperbacksCard Game

I’m thrilled to share Space Horrors is out today, September 20, 2025! This fantastic anthology is edited by sharp-eyed editor extraordinaire, E.S. Magill, and features fabulous writers I have the honor of knowing. The TOC includes jaw-dropping stories by: Vanessa Fogg, Eric J. Guignard, Mike D. McCarty, KC Grifant, Jon Cohn, John Palisano, Kathryn Blanche, Vincent V. Cava, David Agranoff, and E.S. Magill.

My story, “The Eaters Band,” also officially introduces my characters, “The Marys.” I brought these characters to life in a futuristic setting and have built out their legacy well beyond this singular tale.

I created “The Marys” after drawing inspiration from the real-life Stagecoach Mary, who braved rough terrain and dangers aplenty to deliver mail in the Old West. Across my fictional stories, “The Marys” are part of an elite organization dedicated to promoting accurate and timely communications for the benefit and well-being of humanity. The organization persists from its start in the Old West, through present times and into future scenarios (as you’ll see in “The Eaters Band”). Marys are well trained, sent on dangerous missions and are dedicated to their cause.

They will be making an appearance in the next Melinda West Monster Gunslingers book, and will be featured in short stories across timelines.

In the meantime, please enjoy Space Horrors!

About Space HorrorsSPACE DOESN’T CARE IF YOU SCREAM.Ten Stories of Horror Science-Fiction

From derelict ships haunted by madness to alien planets steeped in dread, this chilling anthology of space horror and sci-fi terror takes you on a journey into the deepest, darkest reaches of the cosmos—where no one can hear you beg for mercy and no one cares.

Space Horrors gathers some of the sharpest voices in horror and speculative fiction to explore what happens when the vast unknown becomes a breeding ground for the unimaginable. As humans venture to the stars, humanity must go head-to-head with the mysteries of the cosmos.

Encounter:

Rogue AI and unregulated science gone wrong.Sentient voids that swallow entire ships.Alien ecosystems that react to your every thought.Cosmic viruses and chilling ghost signals.And the evil that lives not in the stars, but in ourselves.

Terrifying or darkly satirical, each tale ventures beyond the familiar into the final frontier—and proves that space isn’t just cold. It’s merciless. 

Buy Space Horrors

October is fast approaching! To gear up for the Halloween season, I’m offering a handy list of several of my short spooky stories available for free in audio form and print! These stories span sci-fi horror, quiet horror and weird tales in the vein of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt.

Hope you enjoy…

Listen

“Negation” in Simultaneous Times. Space explorers find more than they bargained for in a story that has vibes of Annihilation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:

“Just Another Apocalypse” on Pseudopod. Why do those zombies have balloons? Find out in Episode 920:  https://pseudopod.org/2024/05/20/pseudopod-920-just-another-apocalypse/ 

“The U Train” on Sley House Publishing Presents. Four strangers wait for a subway that never arrives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmuOcEo6eE. 

“Unrest” on Tales To Terrify. A date goes wrong as neither person is what they seem:  https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/633-emily-j-weisenberger-kc-grifant/

“The Peerlings” on Tales to Terrify. An off-world colony encounters an unstoppable entity: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/tales-to-terrify-354-chris-panatier-kc-grifant/

354 | Chris Panatier & KC Grifant

Read

“A Woman’s Weapon” (poem) at Timber Ghost Press. A botanist goes too far in this narrative poem: https://www.timberghostpress.com/blog/a-womans-weapon-by-kc-grifant#/

“What the Storm Brings” in the Lovecraft eZine. Rose is all set for the superstorm about to hit Boston. What she didn’t prepare for was a mysterious stranger who arrives at the same time: https://lovecraftzine.com/magazine/issues/2015-2/issue-34-march-2015/what-the-storm-brings-by-kc-grifant/

What the Storm Brings, by KC Grifant

“The Sighting” in Stupefying Stories. Big Foot Hunters get close to possibly irrefutable evidence of the creature: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-sighting-by-kc-grifant.html

“Lonely Arcade” in Stupefying Stories. An encounter with a ghost at a beach arcade leads to a tough decision: https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/06/lonely-arcade-by-kc-grifant.html

If you like these, several of the audio stories appear in my short story collection, alongside many other spooky tales. You can check it out here!

Sign up for more free stories and news here!

Today’s the day!! DREAD COAST: SoCal Horror Tales (No Bad Books Press), is officially out! This collection of Southern California horror short stories is co-edited by me and Dennis K. Crosby. I am so proud of this project and all of the stories. Plus, proceeds go to support the vital long-term recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Order signed print copies from SoCal local bookstores!Order from Mysterious GalaxyOrder from Artifact BooksOrder from Warwick’s

If you prefer digital copies you can order from the usual suspects here or on Amazon.

About the book

California is more than beaches, sunshine, and vineyards. Two dozen horror authors are about to drag you into their nightmares, taking you on a wild tour behind the sun-soaked glamour, promising chills and thrills that linger long after the last page.

With stories ranging from cosmic to body horror, to the comedic and the strange, Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales, edited by Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant, is a descent into the darkest corners of Southern California. These pages carry the whispers of sinister secrets in the Hollywood Hills, ancient evils stirring beneath the sands, and twisted tales behind San Diego’s sun-soaked streets, making this anthology the perfect read for lovers of the macabre. Twenty-four writers, including New York Times bestselling authors Peter Clines, Jonathan Maberry, and Scott Sigler; and USA Today bestselling author Luke Dumas will be your guides … to the shadowy side of the Golden State. 

The best part? Your terror helps others. Proceeds from sales go to support the vital recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.

AuthorsDavid AgranoffKevin David AndersonBrian AsmanPeter ClinesJon CohnRonald ColemanDennis K. CrosbyLuke DumasS. FaxonKC GrifantIndigo HalversonTheresa HalvorsenHenry HerzElle JauffretJames JensenTJ KangLisa KastnerJonathan MaberryGreg MollinC.D. OakesScott SiglerBenjamin SpadaChad StroupRose WinterReview on GoodreadsEvents

Our authors will be at several upcoming events! See below for details.

Warwick’s in La Jolla: Details TBA.

Poker. Powers. Pandemonium.

The stakes are high. The cards are stacked. And the monsters are coming.

I am so excited to share the news of Monster Gunslingers The Game! This fall, the Weird West meets poker in a version of Texas Hold’Em turned supernatural. Every card has a special power and every hand is a showdown.

In Monster Gunslingers The Game, 2-6 players go head-to-head in rapid poker showdowns where winners have to rely on more than luck and bluffing. Get ready to gather your monster-fighting posse, ante up and outwit the supernatural while havoc is unleashed on Main Street.

The monsters are coming, and only the cleverest gunslingers will make it out alive.

What’s in the Game?54 stunning, beautifully illustrated cards by Jenny ChinIconic characters from my award-winning Monster Gunslingers book seriesQuick-and-rowdy rounds (10–20 minutes) built for 2–6 players, ages 12+Strategy, sabotage and supernatural mayhem!

Based on the gritty, genre-blending world of the Monster Gunslingers series, this game drops you into the saddle alongside monster-hunting legends like Melinda West, Lance Putnam and many others. If you’re a fan of The Witcher, Supernatural, Ghostbusters or Wynonna Earp, you might enjoy this!

Sign up now to get notified when we launch—your signups help us decide how many decks to print before monsters overrun Main Street.

Coming to Kickstarter This Fall!

The shootouts begin with a Kickstarter launch this fall, packed with exclusive perks, limited-edition extras and a tie-in story (or more!) set in the Monster Gunslingers universe.

Sign Up To Get Notified!

Grab your cards and gather your fighters, and prepare for a showdown where monsters meet the poker table. In the Weird West, luck is not enough.

Monster Gunslingers: The Game
Coming Fall 2025
Will you survive the hand you’re dealt?

Want a sneak peek behind the game’s creation? Check out the behind-the-scenes story here.

New to the world of Monster Gunslingers? Ride into the universe here.

I’m proud to be part of not just one, but several upcoming anthologies from Stars and Sabers Publishing, the exciting powerhouse imprint founded by award-winning authors and editors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell.

Stars and Sabers is rolling out an ongoing series of beautifully produced anthologies featuring stunning cover art and stories by some of the most talented names in speculative fiction out there. From horror to fantasy to genre-bending crossovers, these anthologies feature bold, imaginative storytelling.

I’m thrilled that my story “Worship,” about a mysterious goddess-like entity in a Puritan town, will be included in Stars and Sabers’ upcoming horror anthology Of Dread, Decay, and Doom. The anthology is currently in fundraising mode; you can learn more about supporting the book here.

Authors Announced So Far:

Eugen Bacon, Patrick Barb, James Bennett, Renan Bernardo, Sarah Rees Brennan, Katrina Carruth, Vincent Cava, Andrew K. Clark, P.A. Cornell, Dennis K. Crosby, Nicole Field, Alex Grecian, KC Grifant, Stark Holborn, John Hornor Jacobs, Ai Jiang, Helen Glynn Jones, Red Lagoe, Angela Liu, Ruth Frances Long, Jonathan Maberry, Sarah L. Miles, Lee Murray, Eden Royce, Cassandra Newbould, Justine Norton-Kertson, Hailey Piper, David Quantick, Eric Shanower, Riley Silverman, Diogo Silva Ramos, Mark Stay, Casey Stegman, Angela Sylvaine, Eugenia Triantafyllou, Tim Waggoner, Kali Wallace, J.L. Worrad.

Help Bring This Anthology To Life

If you love horror stories and supporting indie authors, you can receive acknowledgement in the book, digital or print copies, exclusive swag, and more when you back the project. Other reasons to back:

You’re helping pay writers a fair rateYou’re supporting a small, author-run press dedicated to supporting fellow authorsYou’re getting a beautiful, professionally produced horror anthology just in time for spooky season! Back Of Dread, Decay, and Doom on Indiegogo

Thank you for helping bring this book to life!

Not Into Horror? There’s Magic Too!

If horror isn’t your thing but you still want to support great storytelling, good news: pre-orders are now open for Of Enchantment, Enigma, and the Infinite. This magical-themed anthology is filled with spellbinding tales, including “Beneath scorching sand, above metal sun,” my story about a desperate railroad worker in the Weird West who turns to forbidden sorcery to save his friend. It’s a gritty surreal story about loyalty, sacrifice and the costs of power.

Pre-order Of Enchantment, Enigma, and the Infinite A Little Bit of Everything in One

Finally, you can still order copies of the popular first anthology in this series, Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers, a cross-genre collection that blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror in bold, unexpected ways.

It includes my monster gunslinger story, “The Dreambug Infestation of Half Moon Oaks,” which features a frontier town plagued by psychic bugs who harbor a secret—and the gunslinging heroes that can stop them.

Other authors include: Adrian Tchaikovsky, Ai Jiang, Alice James, Antony Johnston, Cynthia Pelayo, D.K. Stone, David Quantick, Dennis K. Crosby, Eugen Bacon, Gemma Amor, Greg van Eekhout, Helen Glynn Jones, J.L. Worrad, John Wiswell, Jonathan L. Howard, Kali Wallace, KC Grifant, Khan Wong, Laurel Hightower, Lizbeth Myles, Mya Duong, Paul Cornell, Pedro Iniguez, Peter McLean, Ren Hutchings, Renan Bernardo, Sarah L. Miles, Stark Holborn, and T.L. Huchu.

Order Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers

Whether you love horror, fantasy, sci-fi or all of the above, Stars and Sabers Publishing is putting something special into the world and I’m happy to be part of it. They have a ton of upcoming books planned, including the weird west anthology Of Terrors and Tombstones that I’ll be co-editing with Jendia Gammon, and my second collection of cross-genre stories Fantastica Horrifica, both slated for 2027. I can’t wait to get all of these new stories out into the world!