iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"The first thing I’d like to say in the time since I published Books of Blood 40 years ago, is that there hasn’t been a lot of short story collections."

static.klipy.com

Man's Hilarious Confused Look

ALT: Man's Hilarious Confused Look

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I think this illustrates what many people think Aickman’s work is like, but not what it actually is. Aickman oneiricism is much closer to absurdism imo. Things border on (if not outright crossing over to) being comedic. That sense is missing from the dream being recounted here.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I know I say this every time, but if you’re not reading BOURBON PENN your head’s not on right.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

All I want to do is stay home and read all of the Richard Stark “Parker” books. Why is that so wrong?

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

In the last seven days I’ve watched PAYBACK: STRAIGHT UP, and POINT BLANK. I’ve also read Richard Stark’s THE HUNTER, and the Darwyn Cooke adaptation of the same. It’s still somehow not enough.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

I’ve been quoting that “hotel window” passage for years, so I’m kinda angry you’re stealing all my thunder. I’m all Samson-post-haircut over here.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

If you’re not reading BP your head’s not on right.

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Undertow Publications 🇨🇦 @undertow.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Weird Horror #12 is alive! Another fab ToC! Thank you to everyone who preordered. I will get your copy out soon. You can grab a copy direct from us (or elsewhere). Our friends @weightlessbooks.bsky.social have the official digital subscription. Thx! undertowpublications.com/shop/weird-h...

Cover of issue 12 of WEIRD HORROR showing a witchy figure floating above the ground and gliding right to left as their hair and robe traisl behind.

Chloe N. Clark, Roy Graham, Rick Kennett, Annika Barranti Klein, Rajiv Moté, Russell Nichols, Rory Say, R.L. Summerling, D. Matthew Urban, and Aliya Whiteley.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Wherein I attempt to explain just what I mean when I contrast “European Horror” with “American Horror”. Let the hate flow through you! www.weirdhorrormagazine.com/on-horror-12

weirdhorrormagazine.com

On Horror 12 — Weird Horror Magazine

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PAUL FINCH @paulfinchauthor.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

The odd couple in the rotting holiday park. The dark side of lacemaking. The twin town and its horrible secret. Wide range of macabre weirdness inspired by the late, great Rob Aickman. Spec writing of the highest order. @strantzas.bsky.social My review: paulfinch-writer.blogspot.com/2019/05/back...

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Nicholas KaufMONSTER @nicholaskaufmann.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

A friendly reminder that my new collection MONUMENTS IN DARKNESS is available in paperback and e-book! I think it contains some of my very best short work, and I'm extremely proud. Its publication also marked my 25th anniversary as a professionally published author. I hope you'll give it a read!

bookshop.org

Monuments in Darkness

Check out Monuments in Darkness - <p>This volume commemorates Nicholas Kaufmann's twenty-five years as a writer of weird fiction, which began with the story "La Bête Est Morte" (2000). In this diverse...

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Undertow Publications 🇨🇦 @undertow.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Reminder you can really help us out by pre-ordering our 2026 titles. Thank you! Weird Horror #12 (Shipping March) Weird Horror #13 (Shipping August) Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 2 (Shipping November) undertowpublications.com/shop/2026-pr...

undertowpublications.com

2026 Pre-Order Bundle — Undertow Publications

Pre-order all 3 of our 2026 titles: Weird Horror #12 (Shipping March) Weird Horror #13 (Shipping August) Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 2 (Shipping November)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Thinking about creating a special email address to give to writers I like and telling them “just email me here and tell me if/when you have a new book coming” because, at this point, I’m nowhere near present enough to see their (no doubt) multitudinous social media posts on the subject.

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Undertow Publications 🇨🇦 @undertow.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I know issue 12 isn't even out yet—soon—but revel in the glory of the cover and contributors of issue 13 (Summer). Art by James Hutton. Design by Vince Haig. I'll be doing a big pre-order push soon on our 2026 titles to try and secure some much-needed operating funds.

Cover for issue 13 of Weird Horror. Art by James Hutton depicts a red figure with tree limbs sprouting from mouth and chest and yellow moon in background.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Holy smokes did I ever sleep on The Gits.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I’m Simon Strantzas. I write horror but also sort of don’t. It's complicated. I wrote the collection Burnt Black Suns and edited the anthology Aickman’s Heirs. Last year I published a new collection called OTHER SIDES that I really think you might like. www.lethepressbooks.com/product-page...

lethepressbooks.com

Other Sides | Lethe Press

In Other Sides, Simon Strantzas invites you to explore the eerie fringes of reality, where the familiar twists into the unexplainable. A hungry house that demands a price from its occupants. A boy who...

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

The last time I spoke to Terry was probably around 2014, and at that point he was living in Amsterdam. I choose to believe he is still there, sitting on patios and drinking beers. I don't expect he thinks much about writing any longer.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

I’d just like to say it was an immense honor to be part of this omnibus. If you can afford a copy, you should buy a copy. www.centipedepress.com/horror/thing...

centipedepress.com

Things Seen and Unseen

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Caught this play a few days ago in Toronto. Not sure how much it reminded me of either Poe or Jackson, but it was a fun experience. www.crowstheatre.com/shows-events...

crowstheatre.com

The Veil | Crow's Theatre

SAVE UP TO 40% FOR A LIMITED TIME The Veil is part of the Complete Crowsnest subscription. Also, it may be included in any 4-ticket or 6-ticket Design ...

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

I’ve received a lot of pushback on this thread.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Why does it happen? Because it happens. Roll the bones.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Do you like them better in the high school halls, or in the shopping malls?

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

My dudes and dudettes and all those between: it wasn’t my intention to harsh your mellows today. I wish you all long and successful short story writing careers from the bottom of my blacked heart.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

I honestly believe if this thread discourages someone from writing, they were never going to make it anyway. My musing on collection oversaturation is more nuanced than Bsky makes room for. (I mean, I’m 7 in, so obv it’s not stopping me.)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

"Strantzas is one of the masters of modern weird fiction, able to mine the common materials of everyday life for unmistakable signs of dread." — Steve Rasnic Tem www.lethepressbooks.com/product-page...

lethepressbooks.com

Other Sides | Lethe Press

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

This is probably why there’s motivation for so many short story writers to write a novel. Even if it’s just to experiment with something different after so long, it gives them a chance to toe the waters of a different, more tempting and lucrative pond. (9/9)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to only publish 2 or 3 short story collections at most over a career. Once you get past 5, who really wants to keep reading them? Isn’t around fifty short stories enough to get the gist of what a writer’s all about? With 2 or 3, you leave them wanting more. (8/9)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

There’s a heavy mental load buying a book of ten short stories, much heavier than buying a novel where there’s only one story. And the more books of stories you write, the more daunting that mental load becomes. (7/9)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Why would anyone buy ANOTHER book you wrote when they already bought the last two? (6/9)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

And, if that doesn’t kill your short story writing dream, what follows is a slow decline into the firmament of the genre. People take your presence for granted. Reviews of your work dry up, readers mention you less often. (5/9)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

What no one tells you is being a fresh new kid on the block has a short lifespan. People want the high of discovering a new thing, so as soon as you’re the thing, you’re out the door in favor of the next fresh new thing. Readers… they don’t care who they hurt. (4/8)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

If you fight through all that—if you get through the constant rejection and overcome life’s obstacles and continue writing—you may be one of the lucky ones who develops a bit of a buzz. You may even become a bit of a thing. Congratulations! You’re a fresh new kid on the block! (3/8)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

You work a lot for next to no money. It burns out almost everyone. I’d wager over 90% of the writers I was published alongside when I started stopped writing short stories years ago. Life probably got in the way. (2/8)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Here’s the thing about being a short story writer: there are a lot of you. A lot who started writing before you, and a lot who will start after. And depending on when you begin to send your work out, there may be a plethora of places to publish, or a paucity. (1/8)

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Wanted: Short Story Writer. Must love: long hours for little pay; minimal book sales; multitudinous rejections; working in anonymity. Perks: doing what you want because no one is reading anyway. Misplaced self-importance an asset but not required. Apply within.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Atticus standing around while Trent sings is giving real Pet Shop Boys vibes.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Let's see how she feels after THE EXORCIST III.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

I hope it’s not lost on you just how angry this makes me.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

We should judge our success not by our few times of triumph, but by our perseverance during multiple times of failure.

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Simon Strantzas @strantzas.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

PHANTASMAGORIA, issue 27, is now on the newsstands and includes a reprint of my story, "Thea Was First", and a brand-new interview with me. I feel I'm getting better at these interviews as I slouch toward decrepitude, but I'll let you be the judge. www.amazon.com/Phantasmagor...

amazon.com

Phantasmagoria Magazine Issue 27

Phantasmagoria Magazine Issue 27 [Kennedy, Trevor] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Phantasmagoria Magazine Issue 27

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