June Newsletter

I’m within sight of the finish line: Halfway through Chapter 10 and close to 25k words now. More importantly, this chapter is the big finale. There will probably just be an epilogue after this to round off the first draft. Then I’ll shove it in a metaphorical drawer for a couple of months before I start the rewrite. I’ve spent over five months working exclusively on this story, so I’m honestly ready to let it sit for a while.

So, what can you expect in the meantime?

First off,

Scoot

and I have some very interesting ideas for a collaboration. It won’t be Halcyon Horror’s usual fare, but sometimes it’s good to challenge yourself a little.

Beyond that, I’ll see how much time I have. I have several ideas for short stories, but I still want to give myself enough time to start publishing the novella in the first half of 2026.

Thanks as always for sticking around!

What I’m Reading:

• The Ghost Diaries, by

  John Coon

  • I read this short and very funny little book in a single sitting. It reminded me a bit of a modern Canterville Ghost, except from the ghost’s perspective. I especially enjoyed the ending.

• Incidents Around the House, by Josh Malerman

  • This is a very innovative horror novel, being written in first person from a young child’s perspective. However, the quality was somewhat uneven. The beginning was excellent and the end was pretty good, but the middle was somewhat repetitive in places.

• The Last to See Me, by M. Dressler

  • This one is also written from a ghostly perspective, but with a very different tone and style. The prose is beautiful just on its own, but it’s combined with a compelling story and interesting characters. I haven’t finished yet, but hopefully the ending will be just as good.