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!