And I am two days late due to Spooky Empire. What a blast! Saw some old friends, met some new ones, and had one of the best Halloweens on record.
I wanted to be able to include some costume pics, with images from their inspiration in case some are unfamiliar.

Day 1 was a costume I have not yet seen at a Con: the de-gloving scene from Gerald’s Game (the creature is our mascot here in Florida so we like to take pics with him). Carrying around that bedpost all day became very tiresome!

Day 2 was a fan favorite: Lucy Westenra (with baby “Lunch”). If I weren’t being cremated, I would be buried in that costume. Local friends, prepare to see me swanning about as Lucy at the local Walmart and Aldis.

And Day 3: only one person guessed correctly! (most said “Hells Angel”) but I was the end of St. Maud (but not the very end):

The Godmother also had a bit of a fan club wearing their Godmother merch!

On the Road:

Some folks from our Florida HWA chapter will again be paneling with the “Off the Page” program from the North Port Library on November 18. Last year the experience far exceeded my expectations so I am excited to return! If you are in the area, please join us!

The Ladies of Horror:

Two exciting items from the LoH: 1. Honorary Lady of Horror, Lee Andrew Forman, provided the images for this month and 2. We have some new images in the intro on YouTube! I wrote “A Fresh Start.”

As always, the narrations for this month are on my YouTube channel. If you prefer to read them yourself, they are on theladiesofhorror.com

Pen of the Damned:

Ten of the damned tackled this image to craft some flash pieces. I wrote about my favorite place (outside of Spooky Empire): the “Bottom of the Sea.”

YouTube:

Your Godmother has the consitution of a Victorian waif. As such, I was taken out for weeks in October (starting with my birthday September 30 and leading into spooky season—how serendiptious!) Part of my illness resulted in laryngitis. I was only able to work my day job and narrate for the Ladies of Horror. Alas, I had no extra juice to ramble on about movies as I normally do. That said, prepare for my end of year, best of 2026 movie review where I will be joined by MV reviews again!

For Subscribers Only:

More Godmother Merch! Shields! These are high quality with artisan craftsmanship.

This one was crafted for my garden but there will be a variety of symbols offered.

News from Friends:

Two spooky releases for spooky season that include friends of the Godmother! Even though Halloween is behind us, November provides the perfect backdrop for scary stories!

Highway of Haunts:

West Coast, 1926. Construction begins on a road that will travel the width of the country.

Over the next one hundred years, millions of travelers will drive the road known as Route 50: honeymooners, families on vacation, and people setting out for new lives in new places. But the road is not always a happy place. This road has known more than its fair share of trouble, and that amount of trouble is bound to create something evil.

Unwary and unfortunate travelers find themselves off the real road and on a whole new kind of trip when they inadvertently access the Phantom Highway.

How does it happen? A wrong exit, a momentary drift into sleep, a portal, a state of mind? No one is sure, but once you’re on the Phantom Highway, you’re on it for good.

Along the endless miles of hot asphalt, amid the roadside attractions and the boundless forests and the uncountable miles of corn and wheat fields, horrors lurk. Tragedy and terror, murder and misfortune fills the empty miles. The road is littered with the detritus of the living, with abandoned places and forgotten people.

Come travel with us. Your destination is dead ahead, and the scenery is to die for.

Gore 6 (you should read 1-5, too!):

The latest offering from Poe Boy Publishing, GORE 6 continues the tradition we’ve built — a Halloween anthology that feels like a blood‑slick handshake between urban legend, midnight folklore, and the kind of creeping dread that crawls under the reader’s skin long after the last page.

GORE 6 drags readers back into the October shadows with a collection of new nightmares inspired by the urban legends we grew up fearing — the ones told around campfires, whispered at sleepovers, and repeated as warnings no one ever quite believed… until now.

This year’s collection digs into the stories that cling to every town and city: the figure in the bathroom mirror who answers when you call her name, the phantom hitchhiker who vanishes before sunrise, the killer who hides beneath the bed waiting for the slightest dangling limb. Each tale twists a familiar legend into something feral, modern, and merciless — proving that folklore evolves, adapts, and hungers.

Read more

To kick of all things ghostly, the Florida chapter of the HWA (along with a few brave spouses) joined Paranormal Investigator, Brandy Stark on a ghost tour of St. Petersburg. Some of you may wonder why I included a photo of writer Jack Kerouac…it’s because he haunts a bookstore in St. Pete! I was always under the impression that Jack was a fan of exploration and experimentation, so I was surprised that he has established residence on this side of the veil. Then again, he was anti-establishment so maybe that tells me more about the other side than I really wanted to know.

Here is an image from the ghost tour. Yes, that is a stripper pole amongst red lights. Such was the vibe on the bus.

So what does any of this have to do with fate and fortune? Our chapter meeting at the Hallowbean was an exploration of the ways writers can build plots through Tarot cards. We wrote some stories based on inspiration from the cards; I’m considering turning mine into a submission for Pen of the Damned if I can make it meet the “damned” word count.

I have a habit of pulling a tarot card every morning. I don’t let this act ruin my day, it’s simply part of my ritual. I have been working on a novella dedicated to my father-in-law (who, unlike Kerouac, is firmly installed on the other side of the veil). The setting for the story is a ship and it is about young felons being forced to act as sailors. It has been fun to write, but I always have my doubts. I wonder if it’s a story worth telling; I wonder if I have given the story my very best. When I was just about to cross the finish line of the first draft, my doubts became increasingly loud. Then I pulled this card:

The man sailing away from me, moving from clouds to clarity, convinced me to finish. And I don’t want to spoil it, but there is a sharp object that makes repeated appearances. Now, its off to edits!

And as for fortune, I have wonderful news: Dancing in the Shadows: A Tribute to Anne Rice is available again! After a battle that I was fortunately not a part of, the book can be purchased as of October 4 (Anne’s birthday!). All proceeds will continue to be sent to ARNO.

And what does this have to do with a costume bucket list? Well, when your Godmother thinks of spooky season, her mind wanders to Spooky Empire (see On the Road). Each year, I make three different costumes for the three days of the event. I will be sharing pictures of the costumes in the next newsletter (which means the November newsletter will be a day late!) but I will give you some guesses for this year. Day 1 is from a Stephen King adaptation, Day 3 is from my Top 10 Irish Horror Films list, and Day 2 is a costume I have wanted to wear for years, but I kept pushing it aside for other, more pressing choices. I imagined the costume millions of times and it came out better than I ever dreamed, hence it is my bucket list costume choice.

On the Road:

The Godmother’s favorite event, her home away from home, is almost upon us…Spooky Empire! There will be panels, vendors, tattoo artists, stars of the screen, and…your Godmother! If you are in the Orlando area, drop by for creeptastic fun!

The Ladies of Horror:

Alex Grehy provided the images for this month—they were all natural settings. I wrote “They’ll Never Know”. As always, the narrations for this month are on my YouTube channel. If you prefer to read them yourself, they are on theladiesofhorror.com

Pen of the Damned:

I had a deadline and I was in an end of the world kind of mood.

My story, “The Scrolls” dropped on September 23rd. You can read it for free.

YouTube:

Alas, there is no new video this month, as your Godmother’s attention was diverted elsewhere. Please enjoy my Top 5 Halloween Horror Movies.

For Subscribers Only:

I have been blathering on and on about my excitement for all things Halloween. I know that some of you are feeling the opposite of excitement for reasons personal to you. If you need a pick me up, I would love to send you a Halloween postcard. Email elpascale@hotmail.com with your address and your Godmother will attempt to cheer and chill at the same time!

News from Friends:

Sally Darling released The Pipes are Calling: Meowmoirs of a Soldier on September 22nd.

General Tobias and his purrgade of loveable soldiers have been keeping their family safe for years. But when a pair of new recruits show up, a nearby “freak accident” triggers a catastrophic chain of events, forcing the troops to face the most terrifying challenge of their lives—while confronting haunting memories of the past. Desperate to protect their humans at all costs, the team will stop at nothing to rid the world of the evils that bask in the shadows, far beneath our own lines of sight.

Forget everything you thought you knew as you read the real-life account straight from the cat’s meow, by none other than General Tobias himself. Translated for human readers for the very first time, by author Sally Darling, his is a tale so strange, so chilling, it just might make you think twice about ever going to the bathroom alone again.

As always, I am working on too many projects at once. While age should slow me down, my awareness of fleeting time forces me to want to move faster.

The benefit of juggling several stories or books at one time is that when I hit a block with one, I can move to another. This strategy works approximately 54% of the time (and that is a very unscientific estimate). The rest of the time, I find myself trying to “sneak up” on the scenarios and dialogue that will propel a story forward.

By that I mean, I cannot face the story head-on. Stories are like the bunnies that gather in my yard. They (the bunnies, not the stories) are wary of bobcats, panthers, coyotes, and me. But if I don’t make direct eye contact, they will often let me get close enough to enjoy them.

So how do I sneak up on a plot? The trick is to distract my brain by watching TV, playing solitaire (see the image of Louise cosplaying me playing solitaire), and solving crimes that no one asked me to solve. The best strategy is to read. That does not mean I steal someone else’s idea; that means that when I relax my brain and enjoy others’ stories, my stories want to join, too. They’re like a child seeking attention, calling, “I can do that too, watch me!”

The second step of the trick is that I have to always have a notebook and pen handy to capture the snippet of the story I “caught.” Yes, I realize I can use the notes option on my phone, but that is never as satisfying as scribbling ideas down and then frowning at them days later when I try to decipher the chicken scratch that is my handwriting.

What are your tricks for knocking down writing blocks? Please share by commenting…

On the Road:

Yep, it’s time to take the show on the road again. I had a nice break, and a nice family vacation, but there is no rest for the wicked. September 19 I will be returning to Florida Horror Fest. If you are in the hood, drop by and say “hi!”

The Ladies of Horror:

When I received my photo this month, I realized that I write about apples a lot. The frame of If Nothing Else, Eve, We’ve Enjoyed the Fruit is all about apples and apples forward the plot in The Kitchen Witches. I didn’t want to repeat anything I had written in the past, so I wrote about sibling rivalry in “Waldorf Salad.”

You can listen to the Ladies of Horror stories and poems this month on my YouTube channel or read them for yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

Seven of us took on one photo. Our “damned words” are available for free.

YouTube:

This month still counts in the passport game but it veers a bit from the top 10 from an individual country system I have been incorporating. You can view my Top 10 Spanish Language Horror Films on Youtube.

For Subscribers Only:

For my birthday month, two of my books will be free/reduced!

The Blood Lights will be free on Kindle from September 26 to September 30 and Darkness Most Fowl will be on sale from September 23 to September 30. If you haven’t grabbed your copies yet, now would be the time to do it!

News from Friends:

K. H. Vaughan will release This is the Table Where We Wash Our Dead on September 15.

A utility worker is pursued by nightmarish horses in dreams and in life. A monster in hiding develops an uneasy friendship with a neglected child. A sex-worker’s encounters become increasingly bizarre as he seeks entrance to a secret nightclub. Estranged brothers wake to find everyone in the world on fire and embark on a surreal walk from their West Texas home to the Gulf Coast.

Twelve tales of the weird and fantastic from K. H. Vaughan.

Let me back up, which is another thing I am grateful for—mobility. Spring was a stressful season, leading into June, which was a tough month, and July which decided to carry the same tune. My body was betraying me with strange new aches and pains, especially my right hip. My mind was racing with damaging self-talk. I was getting nowhere both literally (as it was hurting to walk) and figuratively (as I was creating nothing).

And yet, I had deadlines. Some came from external sources, others were self-imposed. I was caught in a cycle of lamenting all that I was not accomplishing; I lost of sight of any accomplishments I could be proud of.

Then I was introduced to someone and the person introducing me mentioned I was a writer. This was met with compliments, as it usually is. Following additional positive chatter, I was asked an important question: “Does writing bring you joy?”

In nearly 30 years of being a published author, no one has ever asked me that.

“Yes,” I answered automatically, but also truthfully. “Yes, it does.”

That conversation ended and I had to sit with a revelation: I write because writing brings me joy. Not because it’s a chore, not because it’s a means to an end, and certainly not because it’s a job. When I glance at my calendar and see deadlines, I begin to believe that writing is taking the form of a job. Or, at least, masquerading as one.

I asked myself to touch base with why I began writing in the first place. This took me back to early childhood, to begging my parents to teach me how to write words as I had stories bubbling up inside of me. I remembered a time when there was no internet and no streaming services to tempt me with their buffet of movies. In those days, I would retreat to a corner of the house or a space in the yard with a notebook and a pencil and I would write whatever came to mind. I didn’t think about who might publish it (I had no knowledge of the publishing world at all) or how I might market it. I wrote simply for the joy of writing.

I wanted to reunite with that joy.

I decided (again, this is “woo woo”) that my sacral chokra was blocked and I engaged in meditative practice involving EFT (emotional freedom technique). I had never tried EFT before, but its benefits seemed to match my needs and its reliance on tapping addressed both my inability to sit still and my propensity for dissociation.

During the EFT session, the gentleman leading said something that provided yet another revelation for me. He said, “It doesn’t matter if people don’t enjoy what you create; it doesn’t matter if they do. Just create. But don’t feel guilty about it.”

The second he said that, my hip loosened and the pain melted away. I had been harboring guilt and that guilt was hurting me in many ways. I couldn’t reunite with my writing joy until I let go of the guilt. As a child, I was free to “hide” and write. I didn’t have any other responsibilities. I also didn’t need that horrible thing called money. Current me has a lot of responsibilities and a decades-long habit of putting my responsibilities first. Activities that bring me pleasure are prioritized last—only after all responsibilities have been met and taken care of.

That was why I couldn’t write. I was facing difficult situations and the needs and wants of others were piling up. I couldn’t dare to allow myself to write, not when others needed me, not when I had jobs to do, not when I had bills to pay. Taking time for myself to write would be irresponsible when there were so many problems still to solve. Instead, I supressed the urged to create and ended up in pain.

I am writing again. I am trying to slow down and enjoy the little hits of dopamine that arise when I feel inspiration. And, as the EFT leader suggested, I am writing for me. In fact, I am writing this newsletter as a reminder to myself that writing brings me joy.

I hope that you prioritize whatever it is that brings you joy. I hope that joy is multiplied each day.

The Ladies of Horror:

For the first time in over seven years, I took a vacation from writing for the Ladies of Horror this month (not because of the block I mentioned above, but so I could dedicate time to a pressing project). I continued to lend my voice to the other women’s creations. You can listen to my narrations on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

Pen of the Damned:

My story, “Split Lip,” was released and well-received. Parts of the story are true and parts are my imagination. You may be surprised to find out which parts are true.

YouTube:

This month was my Top 10 Favorite South Korean Horror Films. My husband and I are obsessed with all things Korean; don’t be suprised if you catch me humming some KPop songs. Please play along with the passport game (view prior issues of my newsletter for deets).

For Subscribers Only:

Your Godmother is going to have additional new merch (I have to keep my dashing artist husband busy)! Can you guess what it is from the photo?

News from Friends:

Alex Grehy has a new release: Thoughts, Prayers and Other Curses: A Collection of Dark Futures

Disturbing, clever, and darkly entertaining… Alex Grehy’s Thoughts, Prayers and Other Curses: A Collection of Dark Futures is a wickedly imaginative journey through ten dark fiction stories where time and technology give you the chance to be kind, yet the choice is too often to be beastly. Grehy’s quirky imagination, expressed in vivid prose and thought-provoking poetry, is on full display here, transforming familiar comforts of the modern world into unsettling visions of what may lie ahead.

This is Grehy’s fourth book with Alien Buddha Press, following Last Species Standing (2024), A Listener Speaks (2024), and At Peace with the Night Owls (2025). Drawing on the same sharp insight that has made her dark fiction widely published in anthologies and zines, these stories expose the hidden costs of greed, vanity, convenience, and power. The futures imagined here feel frighteningly plausible because they grow from impulses already woven into everyday life.

I find it challenging to write a linear story. When it comes to short stories, I can manage it, but the creation of the story is episodic. While the final product may be a story in chronological order, my brain “tells me the story” in bits and pieces and then I have to puzzle those pieces together.

For longer pieces (novellas and novels) linear storytelling is out the window.

When working my day job, I often encourage scholarly writers to proceed with a backwards build. There is no world where I can imagine a scholarly writer drafting an introduction first. How can they explain the value of their project or study without really understanding what it is they want to prove or do?

I backwards build my stories by writing the characters first. That is what I know—the who of a story. How can I have a plot if I don’t know who is driving it? As I am developing those fictional people, I am able to see what activites they are engaging in; what their agendas are; what they are thinking, feeling, and holding (I like a good prop that pays off later!). I am most attracted to stories with a scene or scenes told from multiple perspectives (like Weapons or my book The Kitchen Witches) or where we solve a mystery via vignettes (like DTF: St. Louis, Half Man, or my book The Solstice). Please understand, I am not comparing my writing to those high caliber script writers, I am simply saying that this is the kind of story telling my brain most enjoys.

And I bring up those popular television and film examples with pleasure. They prove that there is room for all manner of storytelling. They prove that audiences (show/film watchers and readers) are not slackjawed dunces, but are quite capable of analysis and application. Most importantly, they demonstrate that creators can and should continue to approach art in whatever nontraditional way(s) they see fit.

The Ladies of Horror:

This month I wrote the flashiest of flashes (meaning short) as that seemed fitting. I titled it “Makeup” and it is about that pretty little thing pictured.

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

Pen of the Damned:

My story, “Split Lip” will be available on July 8. Once again, this story was inspired by a conversation I had with a dear friend (the same friend who inspired “The Transfer”—I should probably add him to the payroll!).

YouTube:

This month was my Top 10 Favorite British Horror Films. I always claim to feel like the Queen of England; I finally got the chance to appear as her. Don’t forget to play along with the passport game (view prior issues of my newsletter for deets)

For Subscribers Only:

The Godmother’s merch has gone batty!

That’s right, we have more bat houses for our mosquito-eating friends!

News from Friends:

Marge Simon has a new release with Macabre Ink: Permuted: The Collected Works of Marge Simon

Marge Simon has been writing speculative fiction and poetry for decades. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime award winner, has won the award for poetry twice and been a finalist an impressive fifteen times. She is a Rhysling Award winner. She holds the Dwarf Stars and Strange Horizons reader’s choice awards. She has been an icon of dark, speculative verse spanning generations of creative voices, remaining vibrant and evocative throughout.

This book collects some of her finest work, broken into the categories “Overarching,” “Historical,” “Surreal,” and “Prose Poems.”

Prepare to be challenged, beguiled, and entertained in ways only a poet of her caliber can offer.

N. J. Gallegos released Time of Death: A Collection of Medical Horror.

What’s more terrifying than haunted hospital halls, the horrors of night shift, and being on-call during the zombie apocalypse? Is it working in the ER during a full moon? Twisted, gory medical procedures resulting in bouts of screaming? N.J. Gallegos, aka Dr. Spooky, explores the dark side of medicine in Time of Death, a collection of medical horror stories packed with parasites and pathogens, ghosts, bad humors, and foul miasmas. Don a plague doctor mask and pour a cup of your favorite poison before reading… Doctor’s Orders!

Collaboration has been at the forefront of my mind (and creative endeavors) due to being a part of the wonderful project, Chambered (releases June 17, you can pre-order here). For those new to my newsletter, Chambered contains six novellas written by six different authors (one for each bullet in a revolver). Chambered is about the “life” of a gun as it travels through the stories. In each story, some modification is made to the gun. I had the pleasure of being the closing novella so I got to describe a gun that had been in “five other authors’ hands.” This required “going back to the drawing board” as the other stories were revised and edited. Each separate choice impacted my story and my choices. Long story short (there is a novella pun in there, right?) I recommend writers experience collaborative writing and/or co-authoring at some point in their careers. It can lead you to unexpected places!

I will be hosting a live reading from Chambered. I was able to find a day/time that suited all six authors! (that is a collaborative miracle!). The live reading will be Monday June 22 at 7pmET on Facebook and Youtube (fingers crossed, also Instagram but they have approximately a 60% success rate pairing with Streamyard). If you are unable to join us June 22nd, the session will be recorded and housed on my Youtube channel. Here are the links to join us live:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1312424560309798

YouTube:

Our fearless leader, Wofford Lee Jones, even created music for our novellas. I really like mine as it captures the nature of a storm. See For Subscribers Only for a chance to listen!

On the Road:

SRQ: On June 6 I am returning to SRQ for my fourth time. It is always a lot of fun. The attendees are friendly and curious and the hosts are organized and accomodating. Love this Con!

Stoker in Spirit: your Godmother can never seem to attend Stoker in person. It requires more money than I have and more coordination than I am capable of. This year, I was happy to attend “in spirit” as a member of Douglas Ford’s virtual panel: Sunbleached Gothic. There were representatives from Australia, New Mexico, and (of course) Florida.

You know your Godmother loves a good theme, so I tried to appear as sunbleached as possible.

The Ladies of Horror:

Those of you who have known me for a while and are familiar with my furry family will recognize some of the names and creatures in “Best in Show.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

YouTube:

This month was my Top 10 Favorite Irish Films. A hint for one of the films is my costume in the thumbnail. Don’t forget to play along with the passport game (view prior issues of my newsletter for deets).

For Subscribers Only:

Here is the music that Wofford Lee Jones created to accompany “Three Storms.” I am only sharing it on Substack.

News from Friends:

Theresa Derwin’s God’s Vengeance was released May 22. You can read my review following the synopsis.

A dark, emotional dystopian thriller about disease, survival, rebellion, and the terrifying cost of hope in a dying world.

In a world plunged into chaos by a devastating disease known as Blanchard Syndrome, the remnants of humanity are confined to a mysterious facility, where teenagers are subjected to horrific experiments under the guise of finding a cure.

Ella has already lost too much. Now trapped inside a crumbling world ruled by fear, cruelty, and impossible choices, she must fight to protect the people she cares about while uncovering the truth about the facility and the man who controls it all.

Dr. Blanchard may claim he is saving humanity, but his methods are brutal, his secrets are monstrous, and the line between science and madness grows thinner by the day. The facility, a microcosm of a crumbling society, is a battleground where morality is tested, alliances are formed, and the will to live is challenged at every turn.

As the fabric of society within the facility begins to unravel, Ella and her friends must confront the harsh realities of their existence and make life-altering decisions.

The narrative explores profound themes such as the value of human life, the consequences of unchecked power, and the human spirit's ability to find light in the darkest of times.

God’s Vengeance could not be more timely in terms of its topic and stance. In the novella, a plague has spread through sexual intercourse. At first, it seems to mostly affect boys and men, but then it then spreads like wildfire. Teenagers are taken to a facility with the goal of repopulating the earth. The facility is more prison than med spa and the teens are basically lab rats.

One thing I love is when ordinary people are thrust together by extraordinary circumstances and we get to see how it all shakes out. Derwin does a great job with this: the teens may not have been in the same social circles in a “normal world,” yet they come to rely on each other in their post-apocalyptic containment. The characters are realistic and the relationships between them kept me engaged and rooting for them.

Derwin also deftly weaves history into this dystopian future, reminding readers of other epidemics and also civil rights injustices. A quick glance at the news demonstrates that Derwin’s imaginary setting is not far afield from our real world.

As an encouragement to read this compelling book, a percentage of profits will be donated to trans support charities in the UK and Planned Parenthood (USA).

Derik Cavignano’s Concentrated Evil: A Collection of Short Horror Fiction will be released June 15.

Flora: Midnight trespassers awaken something ancient and terrifying growing inside an abandoned botanical garden.

Temple of the Righteous Harvest: A hurricane forces a young couple to take refuge inside a roadside church occupied by an unholy congregation.

The Homecoming: A lonely artist rediscovers his forgotten past and wrestles with the deadly consequences of a century-old promise.

Feast of the Crab King: The inhabitants of a remote island strike a sinister bargain to ensure their survival…and it’s the tourists who’ll pay.

All That Was Lost: A tragedy at an amusement park binds the fate of two strangers and proves that Death casts a long shadow.

The Red Room: A malevolent force preys upon the guests of the Beaumont Hotel…and in the Red Room, payment is always taken in blood.

Here is the full quotation from that lovely cross stitch above: "I'm just like any modern woman trying to have it all. Loving husband, a family. It's just, I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade." Those of you familiar with Addams Family Values know that the solution was to hire the iconic Debbie Jelinsky as nanny. Some might consider that an unfortunate choice, while others (myself included) pine for a Debbie Jelinsky of their own.

I don’t have a Debbie Jelinsky, but I do know a group of folks who have a hankering for seeking out dark forces for a Walpurgis celebration. That’s right, the Florida chapter of the HWA would like to make Walpurgis happen. Why should we only have one night a year for hellish crusades? We were kind of on our back foot (or hoof) for this year (see my Walpurgis crown below and check out our readings—if you dare!), but we are hoping to roll out something monumental for Walpurgis 2027.

In design, it will be a group effort. Like the bonfires that symbolize the event, that sparks joy for this solitary writer. For decades I toiled alone. I picked myself up and dusted myself off. I cheered into the blank page, “you can do it.” And I did, I did do it. But I have found that there is a tremendous benefit to having others offer to dust you off, of having more voices chiming in during the cheer. I recommend that you, reader, not only mark Walpurgis 2027 (April 30) on your calendar, but that you also find a support group for whatever it is that you do in the shadows (your Godmother asks that you keep it legal and safe).

If you would like to learn about Walpurgis, here is a good start: Walpurgis Night, The Witches' Sabbath

The Ladies of Horror:

This month took a bit of a nihilistic approach and my offering was “Death of the Schwa.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

Pen of the Damned:

The Transfer was released on April 22nd and it was inspired by a dream that a dear friend of mine had. I am very blessed to have people in my life who allow me to plagiarize their experiences, ideas, and dreams!

YouTube:

This month I shared my Top 10 Japanese Horror Films (the winner in the country poll). Some of you were into the J-horror craze (as I was!), and I think there may be a surprise or two in the list.

For Subscribers Only:

Do not forget about my “passport” offer to those who have watched some of my Top 10 films from other countries. There are key words in the Top 10 Horror Films from Japan and in upcoming videos. If you email me (elpascale@hotmail.com) the keywords (lets say the keywords from 3 different videos), I will send you a gift of a signed book, bookmarks, stickers, and whatever else shiny or sweet I can find. If you already own all of my books, I will find a different gift.

News WITH Friends:

I can finally talk about it! Actually, I am going to let editor Wofford Lee Jones “talk” about it in his own words below:

This is a new novella collection titled CHAMBERED. The tagline is: Six stories revolving around a single revolver. It will be available on June 17th. You can preorder with this link.

Here is the synopsis:

You’ve heard the old adage, “If these walls could talk, the secrets they would tell.” The same goes for this revolver. Ride along on its journey from the grit of the big city to the sprawling wilderness and beyond. Listen to the secrets it will reveal. This revolver has seen some sights and has been altered each time because of them.

One cylinder, six chambered novellas, multiple wounds.

WOFFORD LEE JONES opens with BEHIND THE GLASS

Jill Danforth uncovers a few dark secrets that her husband, Craig, has been keeping from her for years, as well as the horrifying reality of what really happened to their daughter, Haley, who has been missing for two years.

D.A. SCHNEIDER delivers MR. VENGEANCE

After two years in prison, Leo Morrison is finally getting out, and though he expected to go home to his beautiful wife, he was wrong. Rita is missing. Now, Leo embarks on a mission to find her. A mission of blood and vengeance.

N.J. GALLEGOS contributes BACKBONE

After being left for dead, Sam contends with a devastating spinal cord injury, depression, and horrible memories. A chance encounter provides a reason for living: Revenge.

M.S. MATTER presents TAKEN FOR A RIDE

In the crumbling shadow of Dreamscape, a once-beloved amusement park built on obsession and delusions of grandeur, a bloody reckoning is unfolding. A group of ruthless executives—experts at putting profit above safety—find themselves trapped, with targets on their backs and their families caught in the crossfire. For perhaps the first time in their lives, they will be held accountable by any means necessary.

EVAN BOND gives you EXCALIBER

The car accident in the middle of nowhere was the least of Aida’s problems. Stalked by a killer in the woods, she must do everything she can to survive the encounter. Buried in the dirt is something that could help even the odds, if only she can get the chance to use it.

ELAINE PASCALE offers THREE STORMS

On Ibis Island, people disappear in threes following major storms. As Hurricane Iago approaches, Naomi fears she will be one of them.

These stories touch down in numerous genres: psychological thriller, suspense, and horror. Pre-order links will be available soon!

I’m sorry to disappoint anyone who wants a review of Undertone. There are many good reviews that you can Google or watch on YouTube or you can grab some sort of consensus from the Undertone subReddit (spoiler, there really isn’t a consensus, the film is pretty polarizing). Instead, I’m going to talk about how far we have come in accomodating the hearing impaired who want to enjoy the theater experience.

I started losing my hearing during childhood. At some point (probably in my 20s?) I became profoundly deaf. Because I was born hearing, I did not struggle with language learning and this has been a genuine benefit as I am able to speak clearly, read lips, and engage with a very broad part of our world. Hearing loss has impacted me when it comes to things like going to a concert or a play or trying to converse with a group of people in a crowded restaurant. All this to say, when they started promoting Undertone and calling it “the scariest film you will ever hear” (clever), I really wanted to participate but was afraid that it would be another experience that was “not for me.”

Don’t break out the tissues yet (as if anyone is truly heartbroken that the Godmother has to skip one horror movie when she watches millions of them…) as technology has truly become my friend as it allows me to remain involved in the world. Like most of you, I am not a fan of AI, but I do feel grateful when our computer overlords provide me with on-time/accurate captions for work meetings. And I was especially grateful when I was able to auracast Undertone directly into my hearing aids. This is a new technology and it is a game changer. I can remember the first time I was able to use a phone with my hearing aids. I remarked, “I feel like the Bionic Woman.” If I could go back in time and show the young Godmother what she is able to do now…mind would be blown (I would also tell the young Godmother to never try salted caramels as that would prevent a costly addiction).

So, Undertone was a movie and that is all I am going to say about it in terms of a review. The fact that I was able to participate in watching it and not feel as if I were “missing something” made it “a satisfying film to hear.”

The Ladies of Horror:

We have some new photos in our intro and outro for you to see!

Our mission this month was to write about “empowered women in their realm.” If you go to my channel or to the blog you will find retellings of fairy tales, legends, and myths, along with purely fictional characters. I wrote “To Build a Wife” as I was assigned this image:

The first line about singing and dancing came about because my first impression was that she looked like Tina Turner in Thunderdome! You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

Pen of the Damned:

Nine writers take on one photo

YouTube:

This month I shared my Top 10 Canadian Horror Films. Grab your poutine and let me know where we agree or disagree on Canuck horror.

For Subscribers Only:

I am offering a “passport” to those who have watched some of my Top 10 films from other countries. I will be adding keywords to upcoming videos. If you email me (elpascale@hotmail.com) the keywords (lets say the keywords from 3 different videos), I will send you a gift of a signed book, bookmarks, stickers, and whatever else shiny or sweet I can find.

News From Friends:

In The Dollhouse We All Wait by Amanda M. Blake will be released April 10th.

An extreme horror novel of privilege, cruelty, and survival—splatterpunk at its most unflinching.

“In the dollhouse, if you don’t play with Annie…she plays with you.”

Sam Frain thinks she’s found the perfect escape: a live-in nanny position in a sprawling mansion owned by one of the wealthiest families in the country.

The job seems simple: take care of Annie Lange.

Annie may look like a grown woman, but she lives inside a world built for a little girl—frilly dresses, scripted games, rigid rules, and what seems like every doll in the world.

As Sam learns the true nature of Annie’s games, she’s forced into a waking nightmare of psychological domination, grotesque excess, and carefully curated cruelty. In this gilded cage where money erases morality, survival means choosing whether to resist—or become part of the performance.

Blending the social unease of The Nanny Diaries with the ruthless brutality of Hostel II, In the Dollhouse We All Wait is a harrowing work of extreme horror that explores power, complicity, and the terrifying truth that the rich really are different.

Preorder here

And read my review below:

Before I accepted the assignment of reading In The Dollhouse We All Wait, I encountered a very long list of trigger warnings. Having read Blake’s Question Not My Salt, I knew what to expect in terms of violence and sex of a graphic nature. Having read Blake’s Question Not My Salt, I was eager to begin this new novel.

And I was not disappointed. Blake’s writing, while not for the faint of heart, is top notch. Her descriptions are admirably vivid and they place you smack in the center of the action. Like Question Not My Salt, In the Dollhouse We All Wait is a page turner and one that casts a dubious eye on the upper class.

Hired Nanny Sam learns quickly that the rich are not like us once she is brought to the “Dream House” where she meets her ward Annie. Annie dresses like a child, speaks like a child, but is very much not a child and with dark desires befitting the most evil of adults. Sam soon realizes that the Dream House is truly a house of horrors.

This book could not be more timely with its focus on the horrific acts the elite perform in the shadows (and get away with precisely because they are the elite).

I am a fan of Blake’s work and look forward to reading more from her catalogue.

For Women in Horror Month, the Godmother decided to do something she enjoys more than anything…get geeky over horror movies!

I chatted with two friends who also happen to have a scholarly interest in horror films. My discussion with Douglas Ford on The Monstrous Feminine will be available on March 8 and my discussion with Ygraine Hackett-Cantabrana on The Monstrous Mother will be available March 15 (which coincides with Mother’s Day in Ireland—Happy Mother’s Day Ygraine!).

I have had a long history with both topics starting back in college where I had a wonderful professor who allowed me to do an independent study on gothic literature, despite the literature department chair deriding such fiction as “formulaic.” I focused my master’s thesis on the role of mothers in fairy tales and from there I have sat on many panels and contributed to scholarly articles on feminist horror.

These discussions tie into the spirit of WiHM, not only be being feminist in nature, but by providing insight into the work of many female directors and actors.

I had so much fun doing this deep dive; I hope you enjoy the discussions as much as I did!

Art for Arts Sake:

The artist I have been having a tawdry affair with for 33 years (aka my husband) has begun experimenting with epoxy (charcuterie boards, tables, etc.). I encouraged him to not put any parameters on his art—to simply create for the enjoyment of creating. If he sells some, that’s icing on the cake. The real joy is in the journey.

As I piled more and more affirmations (and cliches) on him, I realized that I need to take my own advice. I have a project I have been working on for ages. I believe that I block myself from completing by focusing on the business end: How will I market it? What publisher may want it? What competition already exists in the market? I have decided to grant myself the space to work on the project simply for the experience of it. I can worry about those business questions (or choose to ignore them) later.

The Godmother’s wish for all of you is that you spend time doing something simply for the enjoyment of it. Not because it helps someone else, not because someone asked you to, simply because it brings you pleasure.

The Ladies of Horror:

In January, we had a very interesting guest at our Florida HWA chapter meeting: Brendan Harris Strauss. Brendan is a forensic entomologist and he helps all of those amazing crime shows get their facts straight. He also is called upon to uncover details for real crimes. We learned so much about creepy crawlies (and saw some gnarly corpse images). Serendipitously, I was given this image for my LoH February story “Tremble,” so I had plenty of material to play with.

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself

YouTube:

This month I shared my top 10 Australian horror films with a shout out to Aly Rhodes who gave us one of her favorite Australian horror movies: “Long Weekend.” Thank you, Aly! Grab your Tim Tams and let me know where we agree or disagree on Aussie horror.

For Subscribers Only:

Next month, I will be discussing my favorite Canadian horror movies; this means I have covered France, Australia, and Canada. I have lots of favorites to cover (Korea, Japan, Ireland, etc.). Where should I “travel to” next? Let me know which country’s top 10 horror film list you’d like to see.

News From Friends:

Stephanie E. Jensen released Acetamine.

In 2020, Ace thought he created the perfect drug, acetamine. And he knew popular drug dealer Dax had the connections to circulate acetamine throughout the Sunshine State.

But Ace noticed acetamine came with one side effect: it causes users to engage in depraved, unspeakable acts of violence.

As more drug users indulge in acetamine, Ace can’t help but notice the escalating violence. Could it be stemming from acetamine? Florida’s political climate? Or does Dax have more to do with the mass murders than most people think?

What can you expect? Change! You will break old patterns and gallop forward toward ambitious goals. There will be a surge of creativity, energy, and passion. Don’t let the red horse frighten you—it’s not one of the apocalyptic riders from Revelations. The last time we had a fire horse was 1966 which was a year of cultural, political, and technological advancements.

One other thing about your Godmother—she is annoyingly optimistic. My father taught me that death was the only thing you can’t fix and I still fully believe that. This fire horse is going to be a catalyst—which we need.

Darkness Most Fowl

I was thrilled to learn that Darkness Most Fowl made the preliminary ballot for the Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement in an Anthology. In addition, L. E. Daniel’s story, “Stomata” was included for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction. I am so proud of this book and so happy that the amazing authors are receiving the recognition they deserve!

On the road…

On February 21, we will be at the Punta Gorda Library for “Dragons, Druids, and Dungeons. Oh my!” and we will participate in a panel on world building.

The Ladies of Horror:

I wrote about a devlish grandmother in “Nonna.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

My story, “Black Friday,” which might just be the elixer needed for post-holiday shopping ennui, is available February 4.

YouTube:

Since your Godmother is self-imprisoned in Florida, she decided to travel virtually via horror movies. This month was my Top 10 French Horror films. Zut alors! Caveat: I’m prone to sprinkling in French words and phrases in an accent that makes Inspector Clouseau sound like he’s not even trying…

andddd…a very exciting thing happened for me on Youtube! My favorite podcast/Youtube channel is The Final Guys.

I follow them religiously. Your Godmother was thrilled when The Solstice was reviewed (and enjoyed!). I am posting a link to the episode where it is reviewed (timestampt 35:15) but I urge you watch or listen to other episodes. If you are a horror fan, this channel is required.

For Subscribers Only:

Next month, I will be discussing my favorite Australian horror movies. If you have a favorite, let me know. If you’d like me to shout out the movie (and you) during my top ten, also let me know!

News From Friends:

Douglas Ford’s latest, The Bloody Bucket, is available February 10. I have read it and I highly endorse it!

Nat’s dream job comes calling when a college needs someone to take charge of an annual haunt. One year before, Nat’s predecessor went inside the haunt—but he never came out. Soon, Nat finds herself confronting the ghosts of her own past as well as curses bubbling forth from the land itself.

1. I wish that in the next two to three weeks, you try a new meal and it knocks your socks off.

2. I wish that in the next month, you see something spectacular like a sunset or a beautiful garden or majestic waves crashing on the beach.

3. I wish that something that is worrying you (health, finances, employment) turns out to be completely trivial.

4. I wish that each day you feel love from a friend, a family member, or a pet and that something makes you laugh.

5. I wish that each day you take a moment to love yourself and remind yourself of something wonderful that only you are capable of doing!

When things are sad, and you are feeling lonely, remember your Godmother loves you! You can reach out to me for a virtual hug at any time!

On the road…

On January 10, we will be at the Bookdragon’s Lair signing books, chatting about all things books, and probably buying more books than we sell! Drop by if you are in the area.

The Ladies of Horror:

I wrote about Jenny Greenteeth. If you don’t know about Jenny Greenteeth, I encourage you to engage with Uncle Google. I took some liberties with her description, but I tried to stay true to the mythology.

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

Stay tuned for my story, “Black Friday,” which might just be the elixer needed for post-holiday shopping ennui.

YouTube:

I had a special guest visit the studio and we discussed our top 5 horror movies from 2025. We had some snubs, some surprises, and some honorable mentions. Let me know your top 5 horror movies from 2025!

For Subscribers Only:

I am struggling with a lengthy project and my momentum is waning. What sustains me is my involvement with The Ladies of Horror and Pen of the Damned. Those quick deadlines allow me to feel productive and help to hone my craft. Your Godmother is requesting your help with keeping the drive alive. If you would like for me to name a character after you for either project, please comment on this post or email me (elpascale@hotmail.com). You can let me know if you want first name, last name or both!

I have already begun next year’s costumes. Two of my choices I have not seen at a Con yet so looking forward to unleashing them on the world!

If you missed the virtual readings from Darkness Most Fowl, they are housed on my Youtube channel. Click on the date to view the video.

November 12: Authors include: Kiyomi Appleton Gaines, Lee Andrew Forman, Hideki Nakazono, Holley Cornetto, Niki Kallio, and C. O. Davidson.

November 14: Authors include: Nicola Kapron, Robert Mayette, Ernest O. Ògúnyẹmí, V. Castro, Geneve Flynn, and L. E. Daniels.

November 23: Authors include: Die Booth, Zachary Kellian, Leen Raats, Selah Janel, Kristy Park Kulski, and Rob Francis.

On the road…

It felt like the entire month of November was spent traveling from event to event, so things are slowing a little just in time for the holidays.

December 13 is Fandom Fest in Ft. Myers. Stop by to grab some stocking stuffers and see some amazing costumes!

The Ladies of Horror:

Because I came back from Spooky Empire with a bad case of the Con Crud, I focused my writing on uncomfortable conditions. My story this month was “Allergen.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

My story, “Pick Me Island” dropped November 19th.

News from Friends:

C. F. Page has a new release: Born of Blood: A Cosmic Murder Mystery

A perfect black… a famished abyss… an apotheotic beauty… a consecrated void. Born of Blood is a cosmic murder mystery in the same literary vein as H. P. Lovecraft, Thomas Ligotti, and Laird Barron. Originally appearing in Orphans of the Atercosm (a collection), this novella has been revised and is available exclusively in paperback. It also ties into C. F. Page’s forthcoming novel The Swallowed Town, which will be released by Truborn Press on January 20th, 2026.

For Subscribers Only:

I am rounding out my top 10 horror movies of 2025. Rumor has it, there may be a special guest joining me in the studio to discuss horror and 2025! There will be a few snubs and even more surprises. That said, there were many horror films to choose from this year; let me know what your favorites were.

Wednesday November 12 at 8pmET will be Kiyomi Appleton Gaines “Flight and Fawn,” Lee Andrew Forman “Old Ways,” Hideki Nakazono “The Heavens Demand,” Holley Cornetto “Guilded Cage,” Nikki Kallio “The Cardinal,” and C. O. Davidson “A Parliament in the Woods.”

Friday November 14 at 7pmET will be Nicola Kapron “Dirt and Ashes,” Robert Mayette “To Even Look at Me,” Ernest Ògúnyẹmí “Christmas Chicken, V. Castro ““The Witches of Winchester,” Geneve Flynn “I Am Not Myself Today,” and L. E. Daniels “Stomata.”

Sunday November 23 at 1pmET will be Kristy Park Kulski “Magpie Teeth,” Leen Raats “Flock,” Selah Janel “Invasive,” Rob Francis “Skinflint’s Flock,” Die Booth “Little Gibbet,” and Zachary Kellian “Predators of Paradise.”

We would love to have you join us; there will be time for discussion and questions.

On the road…

The month of November began at Spooky Empire! There was nothing more exciting for this lady than celebrating my favorite holiday with thousands of people (most of whom adore Halloween, as well!).

November 8 is a November to Dis-Member (told you I would mention it!) at the Thirsty Buffalo in Odessa, FL. There will be many authors there, so drop by, browse, and buy!

November 17 is a return to the North Port Library to discuss all things scary!

November 22 is the Hallowbean for our third coffee-fueled event!

The Ladies of Horror:

My story this month was “The Choirmaster.” This guy may look cute, but don’t let looks deceive you!

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

My story, “Pick Me Island” will be available November 19th.

For Subscribers Only:

You can order an autographed copy (only my signature is available, sorry!) of Darkness Most Fowl and I will send along a nifty bookmark, too. $25.00 will cover book and shipping (within the US—international folks, we can figure something out).

Just email elpascale@hotmail.com

The first costume I can remember wearing was a mask of Frankenstein’s monster. It was probably the Halloween I had just turned three and there was nothing I loved more than donning that mask. I felt invincible, peering at the world through cut out eye holes. I also felt invisible…in a good way. No one could see if I was sad or scared; the monster’s expression never changed and it became my surrogate expression: I looked menacing. Being small in a big world, I wanted to be strong. And I was, as long as I wore that mask.

That mask stayed with me for years after, and I would put it on from time to time, until it finally disintegrated from use.

What childhood costumes do you remember fondly?

On the road…

October 31-November 2 is Spooky Empire! This is a jam packed weekend with lots of interesting panels and time at the table. If all goes according to plan, I will have copies of Darkness Most Fowl with me along with Michael’s bird feeders.

The Ladies of Horror:

This month, we have some new images in the intro—be sure to check them out. I wrote “Uncle’s Room.” I recommend you read the other takes on this same photo as they were quite creative!

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

YouTube:

As many of you know, I cram in more horror films than usual during the month of October. Meaning, I try to watch one a day. In this video, I listed my top 5 that take place during Halloween.

Let me know which of your favorite films I missed!

For Subscribers Only:

You can pre-order Darkness Most Fowl! (Kindle only)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRM13W2L

Paperbacks will be available October 31, 2025 (or from me directly at Spooky Empire!)

If anyone is willing to write a review of the book, I can send you an ARC (PDF). Reviews are like gold to authors and publishers and they don’t have to be particularly long or comprehensive.

News From Friends:

Just in time for Spooky Season!

Kandisha Press has a new chiller: Pretend You Don’t See Her: The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman: You barely notice her, sitting alone in the corner of the smoky bar. She walks through the streets at night, undetected until the moment she reveals her true self underneath that unremarkable form. We are your shapeshifters, your werewolves, your witchy women, your wicked little creatures and demonic entities, all hiding in plain sight as harried housewives, college students, bartenders, business execs, Instagram influencers–ordinary, often forgotten ladies with dark secrets. We're ready to show ourselves!

and here is my review of the book:

Pretend You Don't See Her is a classic sampling of feminist or pink horror. The title refers to "her": you know her--the woman in the office whose name you fail to remember, the waitress busting her ass who you can't bother to make eye contact with, the housewife who blends into the background, the black sheep of the family who you hope skips the next holiday..."Her" even refers to the long forgotten she-monsters who no longer scare you, despite their ability to rip you to shreds.

Next time you encounter "her" you should pay more attention, as that invisible woman is not hiding, she is raging.

The anthology contains a diverse group of stories both in terms of content and author voices. Years ago, Girardi and Prime carved out places for themselves in the pantheon of savvy editors. They have a good eye for story telling and are able to strongly showcase both seasoned and novice writers.

Some standouts for me were Sally Darling's "Mantra," Lauren Lee Smith's "Selkie's Stew," Anne Wilkins' "The Scream,"Nora B. Peevy's "Carla's Curiosities," and Valerie B. Williams' "Home to Roost." That said, all of the stories were enjoyable and Pretend You Don't See Her is a fantastic edition to the Kandisha Press catalogue.

Valerie B. Williams will release “Penfold's Menu of Magic and Malice : A Collection of Dark Tales” on October 17.

A multi-course meal deserves to be consumed slowly, taking the time to appreciate each course. A short story collection is very much like such a meal. In her first collection of dark fiction, Valerie B. Williams has collaborated with one of her characters, Bartley Penfold, to construct an elegant repast that will leave the reader satiated, with a lingering sense of unease.

I have also been furiously finishing formatting (that’s some beautiful alliteration) Darkness Most Fowl. The Godmother is not a publisher, so this has been a tremendous learning curve.

I am hoping you will enjoy Darkness Most Fowl and forgive me for slacking on my newsletter duties. I fall in love with the book a little more each day.

On the Road:

I will be reading from The Solstice for Strong Women, Strange Worlds on Friday September 5 at 12pm ET. Attendance is free via Eventbrite

Sunday September 28 is Horror Fest Florida in Ft. Myers. Pop on by if you are in the area—the cosplay was great last year.

The Ladies of Horror:

This month, I wrote “The Gravedigger and the Dancer.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

My short story, “Reindeer Antlers” will be available September 3rd.

It was inspired by a true story provided by dear friend, Ruth Collins.

For Subscribers Only:

A friend offered to send me a post card and that cheered me greatly. I would like to spread the cheer. If you want me to send you a postcard, send your name and address to elpascale@hotmail.com with the subject “postcard.” I will try to find some spooky ones!!!

News From Friends:

Here are two juicy releases to sink your teeth into:

Jaime Johnesee has released Within: A Samantha Reece Mystery Book 5

As Sam deals with a massive betrayal and the deaths of not one but two beloved friends, she gets closer to the woman who started all this: the one who sent murderers to kill her, who bit and turned Ben (Sam's sire) and others.

Dealing with the grief and anger is made more difficult as further attempts on Sam's life wreak havoc, all made worse by her painful past being resurrected to haunt her. Will she be able to find the strength within to get through it all?

Joshua Ginsberg has released Tales from the Dusty Tiger

Looking for something speical, are you? Here at the Dusty Tiger you’ll find many such objects, some of which come with a little something extra in the way of an usettling history or the sort of magic that might be either a blessing or a curse. Just remember, caveat emptor and all sales are final.

Many of you have names that you are constantly asked to spell (and pronounce) for the uninitiated. You are the readers who know where I am going with this. People are often very creative with my last name (I have seen Pasquale and Paschal, among others). That said, 76.78% of the humans on this planet forget (and in some baffling cases, refuse) to add an “e” to my last name.

And along comes the charismatic and captivating Pedro Pascal.

He is not making my life any easier.

If he were truly a gentleman, he would add an “e” and help me out.

On the Road:

The Godmother is on vacation from events until September. I am so superstitious (the topic of a prior newsletter) that as I type this, I fear I am provoking the Universe to add more cons and readings to my plate.

The Ladies of Horror:

This month I took a yokai and made her a Florida cryptid in “The Wet Woman.” I have been pondering internal and external conflicts for horror characters and I tried to create a nice balance in this flash piece.

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

A group of deeply disturbed individuals wrote about the image below. My flash piece was called “The Cybermind That Broke the World.”

Also, keep your peeps out for a story of mine that will be posted in Pen of the Damned called “Reindeer Antlers.” It was inspired by a true story.

YouTube:

I shared the Horror Movie I LOVE but would never recommend.

I am the only person I know who has watched this film more than once. I find the dread in it oddly comforting and the acting is phenomenal. It is so awkward, so uncomfortable, that I keep going back to it. I completely understand if you never want to speak to me again after finding out what it is.

For Subscribers Only:

Drumroll please….

Here is the table of contents of the soon to be released Darkness Most Fowl. Feast your eyes on this lineup!

News From Friends:

A. F. Stewart has a new release! (and she had me at fudge—and the little cat!).

One witch. One dead body. Bakeries shouldn’t deliver murder.

After leaving her old life and coven politics behind, Bridget Redwood relishes small town life and the joys of running a bakery. Now witchcraft means never burning her caramel until the day her landlord ends up dead on the floor of her shop.
It’s a recipe for trouble, and Bridget must muster all her magic to deal with a community of suspects. Confronted with a ghost and a decades old mystery, the clues lead her to a hidden room and a lost grimoire, before pointing straight at her arrogant rival. But are the clues leading to the truth? Or is another sinister force at work?

Can Bridget unravel deadly secrets in time to save her sleepy little town of Easthaven Bay and avoid becoming the next victim?

The birdfeeders were inspired by a book that will be released on Halloween 2025 (more on that below). It is difficult to find gothic birdfeeders so we got that covered. We have had so much fun making up stories about the cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, and black birds that congregate around ours.

On the Road:

June was fun with trips to SRQ Con, the Hallowbean, and Grindhaus. Met many wonderful readers and chatted with creative authors! More Godmother merch can be seen in the picture of my mother at the Hallowbean.

The Ladies of Horror:

Art and the origins of art were on my mind so I wrote “Anything for Art.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

YouTube:

July was “Horror Movies that are so Bad They’re Good.” I didn’t speak in this one and am interested to see if folks prefer the lists with me out of them (no offense will be taken, it is creator’s curiosity).

For Subscribers Only:

I mentioned a book to be released on Halloween. It is Darkness Most Fowl and I wish I could say that it came from my imagination, but I give that honor to Kristi Petersen Schoonover. It has stories by an amazing group of authors, each writing about diabolical birds, and will be published by The Godmother of Horror Press. I am sharing the cover, created by the talented Michael Takeda, as a “sneak peek.”

News From Friends:

Dwight L. MacPherson has a kickstarter for Pip’s Monster House.

A husband and wife move into a historic home with their pugnacious French Bulldog, Pip. There's only one problem: it's full of monsters. What ensues is a battle royale as Pip fights to protect his family... one bite at a time.

From Dwight: This is the first issue of a 4-issue limited series. The art for issue 1 is complete, and we are currently working on the second issue. Your support will help compensate our team, as well as printing and shipping the book to our supporters. We have big plans for our monster Frenchie, but this is step one in making those plans come true. We hope you will join us on this journey.

On the Road:

Siesta Con was a blast and we were able to meet the cover artist of Conthology (more on that anthology later).

If you missed the discussion of The Language of Crows with Tampa Bay Terror, you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16XRYN7uYm/

Come see us June 7 at SRQ Con in Sarasota. This is such a great event, full of rabid readers! We will have a panel entitled, “Don’t Worry, You Die Quickly in My Book,” about incorporating true events into fiction without offending friends and family who may recognize an experience, or themselves, on the pages.

We are returning to the Hallowbean on June 21st for a Scary Solstice reading event! Come get some coffee and pastries and listen to terrifying tales.

The Ladies of Horror:

I guess “The Motorcycle” made me nostalgic for my old stomping grounds, so I wrote about Antietam in “Reap What You Sow.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

YouTube:

I have been writing about cults a bit lately, so decided to do my top 10 horror movies about cults. I also wax nostalgic about my home turf on my number 5 pick.

For Subscribers Only:

I have a very special offer for you. Conthology is only availalable in person, at cons. That said, the Godmother has “an in” and can give you a copy of this little book. All you have to do is purchase a signed copy of the Solstice from me, and I will add a copy of Conthology (free) along with it. For $20.00 (that includes shipping), you can have both books (signed by me and with a Solstice-themed bookmark and sticker) at your door. Just reach out to elpascale@hotmail.com with the subject line “Solstice.”

ANNNDDD the first five people to respond will receive a copy of Conthology that is also signed by Douglas Ford and Joshua Ginsberg!

News From Friends:

Greta T. Bates has a new release, scheduled for June 24, 2025! You can pre-order it now.

“I wouldn’t become one of The Horrifying Women in my line. I know I had the genes for it. No princess life for me, no queen would emerge. No trying to be the star. I had to learn to let people in. I had to…”

With the events of the summer behind her, Elia was off to a good start, a new beginning for her last year of high school. Senior year was a time for dances, final projects, and full-moon gatherings. She was 18 now, had the house to herself, and the ghosts of her past were behaving.

For Elia and Trudy, T for short, everything seemed to be in place, life moving along as it should. But hurricane season was approaching, and the air would shift. And with those other girls—The Satanic Six—literally blocking their path, trouble was not far away. Life in this small, southern town was about to change.

Change. Yes, change would knock Elia down, circumstances beyond her control would take over, her grasp on reality slipping away. Would she be able to keep on the straight and narrow, or would the temptation to disappear into the dark be too great? Maybe she was just like the other women in her family.

Ancestral sins—it only takes one bad apple to ruin the whole bunch.

Some of you have been asking for all sorts of merch involving the cover of The Solstice (by the truly amazing artist, Mikio Murakami). I have to look into the legalities of it, but your Godmother has heard you and expects to have a few totes, coffee mugs, etc. in her possession.

On the Road:

The second annual Siesta Con will be Saturday May 10th in Sarasota. This will be my first time attending. I like their tagline, “Come for the Con, Stay for the Beach.” Looking forward to some good cosplay and I will have copies of Conthology on hand.

SRQCon was such a blast last year, that I am returning this year. It will be held June 7 in Sarasota. This is such a great event, full of rabid readers! We will have a panel entitled, “Don’t Worry, You Die Quickly in My Book,” about incorporating true events into fiction without offending friends and family who may recognize an experience, or themselves, on the pages.

The Ladies of Horror:

I have been on a true crime binge so my offering this month was “Safe as Houses.”

You can listen to it and other stories on my YouTube channel or read them yourself.

Pen of the Damned:

Mark your calendars: a group of writers tackle this photo on May 7th.

YouTube:

I jumped into the wayback machine this month for my Top 10 Black and White Horror Films. These are old school cool. Let me know which ones I missed!

For Subscribers Only:

I have a very special offer for you, sweet friends, but I have to wait until I actually have copies of The Solstice in my claws. I am chomping at the bit, not only to hold the book, but to offer you a special prize…stay tuned.

News from Friends:

Suzanne Madron has a new release!

The night shift should have been boring, but as two DJs discover, there's a reason it pays better than getting into the station's mascot costume.
So begins an eerie and occasionally humorous collection of short stories, long stories, and flash fiction from 2013 to today. Stories range from existential horror to Lovecraftian and all points in between.