EVENT: Defy Your Demons (10/25, Denver)

/ joshsworstnightmare / Leave a comment

527px-Dictionnaire_Infernal_-_UkobachThere are those who don’t simply hunt their demons down, but gleefully grab them by the throats, squeeze the life out of them, and dip their pens in the blood to chronicle the tale—we call them horror fiction writers.

This October, celebrate Halloween season by confronting the demon on your chest with Atlas Obscura and six horror authors. Gathered together at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, authors will unveil their psyches, recount the battles they’ve waged against their own personal demons, and share the stories these clashes inspired.

TICKETS (Drinking tickets include a selection of white and red wine.)

AUTHORS
Award-winning author Stephen Graham Jones (Mongrels, Mapping the Interior)

Novelist, short-story writer and two-time honorable mention in Ellen Datlow’s Year’s Best Horror, DeAnna Knippling (Alice’s Adventures in Underland, A Murder of Crows)

Horror Writers Association and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America member Chris Phillips (IGMS, Apex Magazine, Penumbra eMag, Sci Phi Journal)

Thomas C. Mavroudis, MFA (Turn to Ash, Terror in 16-Bits, Year’s Best Body Horror, Weirdbook)

Dark fantasy writer Linnea Linton (Denver Horror Writers)

Ghost story aficionado Effie Rose (Denver Horror Writers)

A Q&A panel will follow the reading wherein you’ll be granted full creative license to poke and prod our dark scribes to your heart’s content, followed by an opportunity to purchase signed copies of their works, as well as plenty of time to mingle with your fellow guests over a glass of wine.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Alcohol is available for attendees with a valid 21+ ID.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to check-in. Follow signs downstairs to the “grotto.”
Event will run rain or shine.
This event is suitable for ages 12+.

ADA: This event is taking place in an old home that is not wheelchair accessible. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact james.oneill@atlasobscura.com for additional accessibility information/questions.

A small lot is adjacent to the building and street parking is available. Please read signs carefully and carpool when possible.

QUESTIONS?
Email James O’Neill at james.oneill@atlasobscura.com.

Stay connected! Check out our other events; join our Facebook Group for discussions, photos, and likeminded adventurers; subscribe to the Atlas Obscura Society Denver Newsletter for a first glimpse at upcoming events.

Advance tickets only. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges.

“The Cat’s Meow” Published in Disturbed Digest

/ joshsworstnightmare / Leave a comment

disturbed-digest_june-2018
I’m purring with excitement to announce that my short story, “The Cat’s Meow,” is featured in the June 2018 issue of Disturbed Digest by Alban Lake Publishing.

You can purchase the print edition for $10 and the e-book for $3.99 at the Infinite Realms Bookstore.

I love both cats and dogs, but you’ve got to admit there’s something sinister about cats, what with their piercing eyes,  clutching claws, and barely-contained wildness. My mingled respect and suspicion of cats inspired this story–I promise no felines were harmed in the writing of it.

Here’s a short excerpt:

Felicia headed straight to Candice, while Bobbie scooped up one of the kittens, and Geoffroy the other.

In an act of diplomacy, Candice patted Felicia on her fuzzy head, V-shaped like a pit viper, but pushed her away when she tried to crawl on her lap.

“You know why she bugs you all the time?” Margo asked, trying to perch the kitten on her shoulder, which kept slipping.

Because she’s taunting me, Candice almost said, but shrugged instead.

“It’s that angry face you make every time she comes into the room,” said Margo.

Everyone laughed, including Lenny, who wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Margo set the kitten down on her lap and picked up Felicia, holding the fatso under her armpits.

“Watch this.” Margo narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her nose at Felicia. After a few seconds, the cat squinted back. “That’s a smile in cat language. When you scrunch up your face like that, she thinks you like her.” Margo plopped Felicia back on the floor.

“I don’t have a problem with Felicia,” said Candice, her face hot, knowing how much everyone else adored the creature. “But five cats is too many.”

SUBSCRIBE to Enter My Nightmare

/ joshsworstnightmare / 2 Comments

SUBSCRIBE to free, monthly email newsletters from Josh’s Worst Nightmare and allow me–author Josh Schlossberg–to be your guide through the weird and wonderful world of horror fiction!

Enjoy my infamous Haiku Horror Reviews of independent horror fiction, vote in BeastBout where monsters battle it out for alpha status, and stay updated on my latest scribblings and media appearances!

Darkest Regards,

Josh Schlossberg

JWN header website