Open Call for Submissions With OSS13’s Issue #1 winging its way to subscribers and contributors, it’s time to announce the theme of Issue #2: ritual+winter. We’re officially accepting submissions from today through November 25st. What to Know Each approved submission earns $5 + a free contributor’s issue of the magazine ($6 value). Word count is a max of 2,000 words.

Nightingale Press For this installment, we’re talking to Nikki | Nocturnal Narrator , owner of Nightingale Press & Publishing. If you spend any time exploring fiction on Substack, chances are you’re familiar with her. She’s always out there promoting and supporting other writers. She’s also no slouch as an author herself. NP&P’s debut anthology, Les Oiseaux du Mal, is due out soon.

Shiraki Press And just like that, we’re on our third Spec-Fic Small Press Rundown. Today, we’re going to highlight one that, in some ways, is the opposite of Drek Death & Doom Publishing (rundown #2). Shiraki Press fits squarely in the spec-fic category, but their hopepunk ethos sets them apart. Honestly, a lot of their mission resonates with me (and probably will with more than a few of you authors), particularly points 1 and 2 from their…

Edge & Busby Press Hi, folks. Walt here. Since this is the first article in an ongoing series, I thought it might make sense to do an intro before we jump straight into things. What’s This? Spec-Fic Small Press Rundown will be an ongoing series of articles focused on, you guessed it, small presses that specialize in speculative fiction (primarily fantasy, sci-fi, and horror).

Hi, folks, I'll keep this brief. If you hadn't noticed, The Spec-Fic Speakeasy is officially live. We actually have 2 episodes up now! You can listen to them right here on the website if you want. You can also subscribe via: Apple Podcasts Spotify Substack In episode 1, RM Greta and I interview author MA Knight about their book, FEVERCHAIN…

Hey, folks, it's been a minute. Apologies for the mostly radio silence, but it's been kinda busy around here between getting the bookstore ready for our first outing, hammering out the final details for OSS13's first issue, and everything else. So, here's a brief update of what's been happening. First, we're inching closer to finalizing issue #1 of Ossuary 13…

This is a great start to a story, both heartbreaking and intriguing. I really want to know more about the world itself and the history intimated by the characters.

Apologies for the lengthy wait, but I feel like that's going to be the normal moving forward, at least until Strangleroot is up and running. Anyway, here's a new chapter! Chapter 5 “Oh, the poor girl!” Silvia exclaimed. The guests stood in various states of undress in Wulfzhan’s great room. One of the staff had built the fire up, and others were serving late snacks and nightcaps, although Mel didn’t feel the least bit hungry.

Spillwords.com presents: Three Days, flash fiction by R. M. Greta, who writes speculative fiction and personal narratives in the form of ...

Love original fiction? RM Greta is one of my favorite authors and this new story hits! Make sure to check it out.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash Hey, folks. Walt here again to talk about, what else, Strangleroot Books & Games. This time around, I’d like to answer a question that I’m sure some of you’ve been asking, which is: why the hell do you want to open a horror-exclusive bookstore? Given that until a few years ago, most bookstores didn’t even have a dedicated horror section, that reaction makes sense.

Hi, folks. It's been a long time since I posted any fiction. Wolves Among Us is still progressing, albeit slower than I'd expected with everything else going on. I guess better late than never? Anyway, here's Chapter 4. Chapter 4 Mel, Kurt, and Tommy followed Sessions out of the room, up the stairs, and then down a corridor. He stopped before a door and unlocked it, handing the key to Kurt.

I'm 99.9% sure I know who this story revolves around, and it's just brutal. If you love FEVERCHAIN, put this in your eyeholes. If you haven't read FEVERCHAIN, what's wrong with you? There's a link in the post to buy it, and you SHOULD DO THAT. Love, Walt

When I was a kid, there was nowhere more magical than the bookstore (although the toy store was a close second). I have vivid memories of spending hours perusing the shelves at my local used bookshop, credit ticket for my trade-in books clutched in my sweaty hand. I think the first new bookstore I ever went to was at the mall, so it was probably Walden or maybe B.

Well, I just officially filed articles of incorporation. As long as I didn't screw something up, Strangleroot Books & Games, LLC will be official in a few days! The GoFundMe has already raised just over $500 (in less than a week). Y'all blow me away! ❤️ You can still help us bring killer books to North Central Florida. Hit the link to donate. If you can't, sharing it with other people is SO helpful. Thanks so much, your support is incredible. Love, Walt

Unbreaking the Publishing Industry The publishing industry is fucking broken. Depending on your source, only 1% to .6% of the books submitted to trad publishers actually get published (with or without an agent). However, even if you’re one of the blessed few to land a deal, you’re not out of the woods. Most books sell fewer than 2,000 copies in their lifetimes.

I'll keep this super short: Strangleroot Books & Games has officially launched our GoFundMe! You can find it here: If you can donate, you're amazing. If you can only share it with others, that's great, too! Any help getting this project off the ground is appreciated. Thanks,Walt

Once upon a time, most communities had at least one small, independent bookseller. I have very fond memories of the used bookstore where I grew up, a little hole-in-the-wall place called Potluck Books & Things, and the huge BUY/SELL/TRADE emblazoned on the glass entry door (and the incredible smell of the place). We had multiple bookstores in most malls (B. Dalton, Walden Books, etc.).

2026 looks to be a pretty crazy year. I turned 50. I signed up to run my first marathon. I published some books and started a print-only zine. And now I'm starting a podcast and a mobile bookstore! Yes, you read that right. I haven't really talked about either of them here, mostly because they're still in the pre-production stages. …

M.A. Knight's FEVERCHAIN is up for pre-order! Make sure you can get your lesbian werewolf fix.

Today's the day, y'all! Ossuary 13 is officially accepting submissions for our first issue. The soft open was super successful, so spots are scarce already. Get all the details here:

This was so uncomfortable (in the best way). Visceral and nonstop. It will make you squirm, so reader be aware.

Chapter 3 At Gangulf’s insistence, Kurt led Mel and Tommy to seats amongst the other guests. Mel felt everyone’s eyes on them as they stepped over and around limbs and feet to reach the last empty places. Kurt’s glare told her that he felt the attention, too, and she said a silent prayer that he would contain his anger at least until they could retreat to their rooms.

TikTok video by RM Greta

Hey, folks, just a quick announcement: If you've been waiting for the perfect time to pick up one of my books, that time is now! All four are on sale for just .99 each (ebook versions only). The Summer Reading Sale will last until June 15, so get in while you can 🙂 Check them out here.

What happens when someone with the means to do so decides to burn society to the ground? I met Ian on Substack, where he was sharing rough draft chapters of his in-progress novel, COG (keep your eyes peeled for that, because it's going to be GOOD). When Ian suggested swapping books (ADTR for Transference), I jumped at the chance (I'm always down for good sci-fi, and holy shit I wanted that gorgeous cover in my grubby mitts).

Till death do us part.

Posts about Hashtag Probed written by RM Greta

The Game Leg Beast Slayer Objective: Shoot off the Beast’s legs and then take its head! OR defend the beast by demolishing your opponent! Load your shooter with metal BBs: the Beast Slayer’s BBs are engraved with words of power. Knock off a leg with a single shot and take another (skip your opponent). Once you’ve knocked off all the legs, blast the Beast’s head with power words until it erupts!

Posts about Hashtag Probed written by RM Greta

I thought this week I’d take a little break from sharing a ton of links to write a little bit about what I’ve been working on this year. Blood Opal Bloom (previously Eyes of Opal) is a …

The Fable Leg Once, there was a man named Jack. Jack’s fondest desire was to own a ranch, with cattle, horses, and gardens. However, Jack knew nothing of ranching and even less about gardening. He did not even own any land on which to build his ranch. All around him, he saw other people achieving success - other ranches, farms, bakeries, and clothiers flourished.

This is in response to the 31-leg FICTIONWOCKY challenge, by Mac Sitko. Leg 22 Leg 23 Leg 24 Leg 25 Leg 26 Leg 27 Leg 22 – The Proverb Leg: Write a microfiction constructed entirely out of pro…

The Philosophy Leg A Treatise on the Destruction of the Hell Mouth and the Mechanics of Soul Manipulation It has been claimed that the Hell Mouth, the great Deathgate, has not always been open. Once, when legends tell us that the world was green and blue, and water flowed aboveground, and humans did not live in fear and subservience to Hell, it was shut.