Hi everyone. Are you all still there?

I know it’s been a long time since we last talked but I really hope at least some of you are around.

I won’t try to find excuses or give reasons for my “disappearance”, but there were a few factors that caused me to get off track with this newsletter.

The first was that October of last year was exhausting. I took on the challenge of writing a story every day and that took a lot out of me even if the stories sometimes were really short. If you ever want to know how that month went for me I’d be happy to tell you. I plan on translating the stories - or at least some - into English as this challenge was supposed to be in Portuguese.

So, because of this, November was terrible in terms of writing and I don’t think I even get in front of the computer to write a single day. Or if I did it was really for short periods and mostly to do some rewriting or editing.

Then, December and the holidays came, and I ended up doing a short story on Christmas Eve, but apart from that I didn’t write anything of note. I’ll publish the story on Substack soon, in case anyone wants to read it!

The only thing that I did of note during this time was to create an updated sampler for Nightmare Ink. There are two new stories, excerpts of both “The Scarecrow Man” and “School’s Night Out” and a sneak peek illustration for an upcoming project. I have to say that the cover for it is one of my favorite pieces of art by Daniel da Silva Lopes and I know there’s a project that I will want to use the cover for. Just look at it:

And you can find the digital version of the sampler for you to download here:

With this out of the way, let’s move to what else has been going on.

As I said I’ve been mostly editing. One of the stories I edited was one written almost two years ago and that was supposed to be part of an anthology that, unfortunately, and by no fault of the person organizing it never came to be (If the person has any fault is to have wanted to pay fairly to the people involved even if all said they didn’t want to get paid.) It’s a story that I really like and I think it might be one of the best pieces I ever wrote. I’ve been calling it PROJECT: House and I plan on publishing it later this year. Still not sure about what format I’ll use for it, though. I’m going to start looking for an artist to do the cover work, and maybe some interior art, soon. If you know someone that you think is interested just send them my way.

Another thing I’ve been working on is my first comic book. It will be comprised of three short stories in comic format, all of which were written (in prose) and just waiting for the right media and moment. It was interesting adapting them to comic format and seeing what the artist is doing with my words. One of the stories is already complete and sent for editing and lettering, another is almost finished with just one page to be drawn, and the third story is beginning to take form. The artist will be the same throughout the comic and I will reveal the name and some pages soon.

I also wrote some stuff for Daniel and his Solar Sailors universe and I got to use a different kind of approach to the way I told the story. It has the working title of PROJECT: Log but let’s see what I can do in terms of title with Daniel’s help. Daniel also has some fun ideas on how to present the project and I’m very excited to see how this will turn out.

I’ve read a lot of really good stuff.

“You Can’t Take It With You” by Marcus Hawke is an amazing short tale, as is “Favorite Kind of Truth” by Michael R. Goodwin.

“Obsessions of the Unseen” and “Candle Horror”, both by Robert Weaver are proof that horror and suspense can also be lyrical and are not just for quick consumption. By the way “Candle Horror” will be out on March 7. Don’t miss it.

I also started rereading Brandon Sanderson’s “Way of Kings” and from there I’ll head into the rest of The Stormlight Archive series. I had forgotten how fantastic this book was.

During this time away, I read a lot (and I mean a lot) of comics. And I read really amazing things, too! I won’t get into detail about all of them, but I will mention a couple of them.

First of all, I want to mention Damaged People by Damian Connelly. This series of four stand-alone issues is simply one of the best I’ve read recently. Not only is the artwork stunning—each panel is crafted with haunting precision—but Connelly takes us on an unforgettable journey through the psyches of individuals who are, in some way, damaged (as the title suggests).

Each story feels deeply personal, yet universal, forcing us to confront a question: what does it truly mean to be "damaged"? And isn’t that a label we all carry in one way or another? Connelly’s blend of horror, suspense, and raw emotion lingers long after you’ve finished reading, making this a must-have for fans of the genre.

Another standout comic I recently read is The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May. I’ve only had the chance to dive into the first issue, but what a debut it is! The way the story is constructed immediately pulled me in—blending supernatural horror with slice-of-life moments and even a touch of teen drama. It’s a mix that could feel chaotic in less capable hands, but here it feels seamless and natural.

And then there’s the art. Vanesa Del Rey’s illustrations don’t just complement the story—they elevate it. The eerie, atmospheric style brings the tension and emotion of each scene to life, making the White House setting feel both grand and unsettling. It’s a fascinating start, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here.

To incorporate the genre, we can mention it while describing the atmosphere or themes of the comic. Here’s how you could adjust the paragraph to include that:

After being captivated by The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, I decided to explore Hannah Rose May’s debut comic series, Rogues' Gallery, and it completely blew me away. This gripping psychological thriller blends elements of horror and suspense with a sharp commentary on fandom culture. The story follows Maisie Wade, an actress known for portraying an iconic comic book character. Despite her fame, she’s largely reviled by fans, blamed for "ruining" their favorite character and being the scapegoat for some of the show’s controversial decisions. When she decides to leave the role, causing the show’s abrupt cancellation, a group of angry fans, feeling she’s the reason they can’t see their favorite character on screen, take matters into their own hands.

Rogues' Gallery dives deep into the complexities of fandom culture, exposing how passion can spiral into obsession, especially when creators and adaptations stray from fan expectations. Hannah Rose May crafts a gripping and timely narrative that feels all too real in today’s world of heightened fan entitlement. The art by Justin Mason brilliantly brings the intensity of the story to life, capturing both the glamour of Hollywood and the unsettling darkness that lurks beneath.

As someone who loves Maria Llovet's work and has a soft spot for vampire stories, I was immediately sold when I heard she was working on Violent Flowers. This dark fantasy miniseries explores themes of vengeance, self-discovery, and the complexities of identity within the vampire mythos. The first issue had me hooked from the start, as Llovet’s signature art and storytelling drew me deeper into the world of Carnelia, a member of an ancient vampire clan who is struggling with her blood addiction and the consequences of her family's obsession with youth and beauty.

The lush, sensual art style paired with a story that’s both emotionally and psychologically charged makes Violent Flowers an unforgettable read. By the time I finished the first issue, I knew Llovet had me in her hands. If you're a fan of vampires and dark fantasy, this series is one you won't want to miss.

Last but definitely not least, we have Ice Cream Man #42. And yes, I’m singling out this issue for various reasons. As much as I love Ice Cream Man and W. Maxwell Prince's writing, I don’t think there’s ever been a comic (in this series or another) that resonated with me on such a personal level in quite some time. The issue is framed through the perspective of a comic book writer talking about his own work—a clever move that places Mr. Prince himself within the narrative. From the very first page, when the writer says, “This is a horror comic book,” and follows it up by questioning the concept of horror, it immediately struck a chord with me. He discusses how labeling something as "horror" can feel like putting it in a straightjacket, especially when the horror in the book may not fulfill what horror is to the reader. And as a horror writer myself, I’ve asked that question many times—“Is what I write really horror?”

This issue does an amazing job of tackling such questions, blending dark comedy, horror, and thought-provoking social commentary in a way that feels both unsettling and deeply meaningful. The exploration of societal fears through the Gladman family's inheritance of a house with three horrifying doors is chilling, but it also mirrors real-world anxieties in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar.

Beyond its thought-provoking themes, it’s just an outstanding issue, the artwork by Martin Morazzo brings, as always, all those nightmarish elements to life in a way that’s both surreal and unnerving. This issue is not just a great piece of horror; it’s an introspective look at what horror truly means—and I think it’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good, thought-provoking story.

Since last time I went to a couple of events and I really had a good time. I won’t go into detail about them as some time has passed so instead i will just share some photos!

Motel X 2024 saw the release of my second short story in a Portuguese anthology and Fórum Fantástico marked the first time I was on stage to present one of my stories, “Schools Night Out”, and then again when another of my short stories was announced as one of the stories that will be made into a short film for a Portuguese short film anthology.

This is a new section that I decided to include although it might be the one that will suffer the least of change in the newsletter. It’s nothing more than a list of my releases and I don’t think I’ll add much except for some title changes or the occasional surprise release. Do you think I should head a “work in progress” list here too or would you like to have that as a separate newsletter?

PROJECT: Comic - Planned for May 2025

PROJECT: House - Planned for September 2025

PROJECT: Log - Planned for second half of 2025

I know I can’t ask you to stick around or promise that this time I’ll be keeping this newsletter going. What I’m going to promise is that I’ll do everything to at least keep new things coming your way the best I can. I think I can promise a monthly round-up of everything I’m up to.

So, with that said, I hope to hear from you and to know what you all have been up to.

See you soon and, until then, let the ink of nightmares flow.

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