New Seasons and New Stories

This newsletter going forward...

Greetings! I’m so excited to bring this news to you so there will be no introduction. Let’s get right into business.

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The Future of this Newsletter

Stoney Hollow is reaching about the middle point and as I prepare its climax and conclusion, it is time to reflect on how to improve. Juggling many stories at once is not the way to continue. Instead, this newsletter will be writing a single story a season (winter/spring/summer/autumn) with short stories as buffers (i.e. Eldritch Tales, Big Bad Emiliano de la Renta, or Flowers from Exodus).

“What about Shades of Night Anthology?” you ask.

Fear not! Or maybe do.

A new upload may appear without warning.

Shades of Night is my baby. You might tell from the quality compared to my other stories; it is over a year of labour poured into its pages. For that reason, I will be very careful with what I post and when.

We will close out autumn and Stoney Hollow around November before beginning the winter season. If you enjoy a frigid gothic western with a modern twist (think Wind River), get ready for what’s to come!

I will also be limiting my posts (stories) to once a week. Meanwhile, updates on my novel (Shades of Night) or writing reflections will appear in your inbox once a month. These essays may be posted directly onto the website without notification. This is for my peace of mind and yours. No one likes their email to be overloaded. In summary, you should be receiving Stoney Hollow episodes once a week and a reflection/an update once a month.

The World of SubStack

For lovers of horror, there is a newsletter called

Macabre Monday

by

Jeff Kinnard

. You will find all sorts of talented writers engaged in conversations ranging from indie horror games to musings on monsters. Upcoming is a horror writers’ contest judged by yours truly. This month’s theme is liminal space.

If you’d like to participate or if you are curious to see what other dark fiction writers are up to, I highly encourage you to check it out.

I especially would like to recommend

Honeygloom

. They have a unique take on the horror genre and hosts a horror haiku club on their page. Genuinely, I never miss a post.

Thank You

In other news, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone. I am ~five subscribers away from 100. I am shocked. Even if I never reach Tolkien levels of success, I am grateful for the wonderful people who took the time to read my work and expressed (in various ways) their appreciation.

I never need to beg for people to read my stories and that is because of you 💕. My growth, no matter how small, feels organic and authentic. Every time you comment, like, or simply open the email; it is more than I could ever ask. Thank you.

I have mentioned this author before, but

Author Michele Bardsley

was the very first newsletter to recommend me on her own website. At the time, I likely only had 10 subscribers. I don’t want to forget how thankful I am for her kindness.

Second, is

Goatfury Writes

. We have completely different styles and content, however, I received a welcome to the writing community through him. He is also the genius that helped make Macabre Monday a reality (check out his Sci-Fi Fridays, for great recommendations and conversations).

I want to also thank

Daniel W. Davison

,

Jessica Maison

,

Dan Blakely

,

The Casual Writer

, and

A.C. Cargill, Author

for reading, commenting on, and/or recommending my work. They are also absolutely fantastic writers themselves. If you have time, please go and check out their pages.

In addition, a thank you to Plastiboo, a Barcelona-based artist who granted me permission to post their amazing artwork on my page. So much their art was inspirational while writing Shades of Night.You should look at their newest art book, Vermis II: Mist and Mirrors. I’m contemplating buying it, I love it so much.

Plastiboo from Mist and Mirrors

Finally, I want to give thanks to my family, my first subscribers. My father recommended SubStack to me and remains my top reader (hi, dad!).

I am not at 100 subs yet, but in the spirit of only posting these essays once a month; I thought I might count my chickens before they hatch.

Much love,

Maya

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For more of the Chronicler, click here

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