iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I have an action-packed October! Just the way I like it. Can't wait! Hope to see some familiar faces!! More details at francescamaria.com #spookyseason #authorsigning #horrorauthor #authorevents #losgatos #oakland #santacruz #halloweenevent #halloweenliterary

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

LET THEM COME: FEMME OBSCURA TALES comes out in two months! 🔥https://geni.us/letthemcome🔥 Horror, dark fantasy, erotica, adventure, psychological, thriller, supernatural and paranormal short stories and poems, tackling themes of rage, revenge, grief, obsession, desire and survival. #horror

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I got my proof copies today for LET THEM COME: FEMME OBSCURA TALES and they're gorgeous! I can't wait to see my next book baby out into the world! Pre-order your copy today @ geni.us/letthemcome #bookstagram #booktok #bookopening #bookreveal #horror #horrorbook #horrorstories #horrorshortstories

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

This is the face you get if you call me a grandmother. Two different people this week (women, I might add) assumed I was old enough to have grandkids...😡🤬😡🤬

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Very excited to be a part of this!

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Reposted by Francesca Maria

Todd Keisling @toddkeisling.com · 29/08/2026

Decided it's time to speak up about something that's been bothering me for months now. Sorry for the screenshot & lack of full alt-text; it's a long post.

I wasn't going to say anything, but in light of the recent revelations concerning the HWA's Executive Director, I keep thinking about how I've asked for financial transparency within the HWA for years. It's one of the reasons I left the org at the end of 2024, after seven years of membership.
The HWA's concern with silence and obfuscation of basic information from its membership isn't just troubling; it's a huge red flag for anyone who continues paying their dues. It's your money that's going into one person's pocket; it's your money that should be making the org more accessible to everyone; it's your money that entitles you to see the org's financials beyond just a legally-required tax filing. That tax filing is the *bare minimum* of what the org should provide to its membership.
Today, I think about how certain individuals were always there to accuse me of implying malfeasance when, in reality, I just wanted members to see how their dues are being spent--especially when $10k is being allotted every year for a broken website, volunteers aren't given discounts to attend the con at which they're expected to work, and the publishing teams who work on the con anthologies every year aren't given an opportunity to recuperate their expenses because what the HWA pays them to produce it is a pittance.

The last time I brought transparency up publicly, I found myself engaged in a heated argument with one of the org's trustees. This wasn't the first time with this person; it had happened multiple times before this, with increasing intensity. This was someone I once respected and thought of as a friend, but after several negative interactions, my opinion reversed course and I did not hold back.
During the argument, someone I didn't know interjected and told me to shut up, at which point I blocked them because I don't have to deal with that shit. A few minutes later, I received a DM from the trustee's spouse... (I'm sorry but I ran out of space; there's a bit more to this.)

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

So stoked to be a part of this! Thank you @emzbox.bsky.social for having me on HorrorAddicts.net!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I am so gutted to hear this. So sorry this was your experience Theo, sending you support.

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Hey Emerald City Comic Con! I'm in Artist Alley #F-19. Come by and say howdy! #ECCC26 #eccc2026 #emeraldcitycomiccon #horrorauthor #horrorcomics

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Join us this weekend at the #FANEXPOSANFRANCISCO2025! We'll have a table setup in Artist Alley (upstairs) and will be hosting a lively panel discussion on Black Cat Chronicles, Saturday @ 6 p.m. in Room 2000. We hope to see some familiar faces!! #blackcatcomics #blackcattales #blackcatpublishing

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Reposted by Francesca Maria

Jonathan Fortin @jonathan-fortin.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Photos from the amazing HWA Bay Area chapter's LitQuake reading at Silver Sprocket! I highly recommend checking this comic shop out next time you're in SF. With @morbidloren.bsky.social, @benmonroe.com, @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social, @writerofweird.bsky.social, & @fredwiehe.bsky.social!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I had the pleasure of reading my short story, Dear Janice at this year's AMAZING #LitCrawl2025 in San Francisco with talented members of the HWA Bay Area chapter: @morbidloren, @pronouncedlahra, @demonicfrolic, @fredwiehe and Ben Monroe! youtu.be/Gnrjc9FoFic

youtu.be

LitCrawl 2025 Reading: Dear Janice

YouTube video by Francesca Maria

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Got another #rejection letter today. That makes 3 in the last month. But hey, that meant I finished some work I'm proud of and sent it out into the world. But this one stung a bit... so I treated myself to a lovely walk along the beach and a black cat manicure! Onwards and upwards. #writerlife

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Reposted by Francesca Maria

Jonathan Fortin @jonathan-fortin.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

@realgdt.bsky.social's FRANKENSTEIN is a haunting Gothic masterpiece. I was lucky enough to attend a 35mm screening of the film at Hollywood's Egyptian Theater with @ruthiewrites91.bsky.social, & it was an exquisitely beautiful adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel.

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Let's go #Monterey! Sacred Hallows Halloween Con Here til 5 pm at the Red Lion Inn. #horrorcon #halloweencon

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Black Cat Chronicles Vol 1 available for pre-order! True tales of terror narrated by a mystical black cat: The Greyfriars Cemetery, Alaska's Port Chatham, Invasion Antarctica, Portland's Underground ... proving that truth is indeed, scarier than fiction. a.co/d/i4to1De Out October 13th!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Thank you so much for including Black Cat Tales!!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

We're so thrilled Black Cat Tales made the Halloween Chills and Thrills list by IngramSpark! You can order now at a discount at bookshop.org. #curatedindie #ingramsparkauthor #ingramspark #horroranthology #blackcattales #blackcatsrule #halloweenpicks #halloweenbooks #halloweenreads #halloween

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Reposted by Francesca Maria

Jonathan Fortin @jonathan-fortin.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Bay area horror fans! Join me, @writerofweird.bsky.social, @morbidloren.bsky.social, @benmonroe.com, @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social, and @fredwiehe.bsky.social for a spooky story hour at @silversprocket.net during #LITCRAWL on Sat October 25th, 8pm! Spookiness shall ensue!

Litcrawl event: THIS AINT YOUR DADDY'S HORROR. Happening Saturday 10/25 8pm - 9pm at Silver Sprocket: 1018 Valencia ST, San Francisco, CA

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

My creepy listicle flash piece is now up on @crystal_lake_publishing Patreon page. It's about a little girl giving advice or more aptly, warnings about growing up in a haunted house to her unborn sister....I might know a little about that... www.patreon.com/posts/134396... #creepy #flashfiction

patreon.com

Mystical Listicles Entry 13 of 17: “To Baby Samantha from your Big Sissy Cara, Age 6 1/2” by Francesca Maria | Crystal Lake

Get more from Crystal Lake on Patreon

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Thank you Barnes & Noble Gilroy for hosting our Black Cat Tales book signing yesterday with author A.H. Plotts and editor Mark Causey! We had a blast! 🐈‍⬛🖤🐈‍⬛🖤

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Wait - what is happening right now?? 🎇🎉🐈

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Love seeing those orange tags!!! HAPPY BOOK LAUNCH DAY!! To all the authors, ARC readers, Kickstarter supporters, THANK YOU! You made this dream possible. 🐈‍⬛🖤🐈‍⬛🖤🐈‍⬛🖤🐈‍⬛🖤 #booklaunch #bookdebut #horroranthology #horrorcollection #darkfantasy #darkfiction #horrorcommnuity #horror #blackcats #blackcat

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

We just got this phenomenal review from GoodReads reader Aliya Ariani!!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

🐈🎉🎇🔥 geni.us/blackcattales

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Order your copy at: geni.us/blackcattales Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...

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Reposted by Francesca Maria

Loren Rhoads @morbidloren.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

I have a story coming out next week in this amazing anthology. Editors @writerofweird.bsky.social and Mark Causey invited me to come talk with them about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpsN...

youtube.com

Black Cat Tales / Meet The Authors / Loren Rhoads and Joanie Brittingham Interview

YouTube video by Black Cat Publishing

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Please join us for our book launch party at the legendary Dark Carnival Books in Berkeley, CA! Saturday, June 14th, from 2 - 4 p.m. Join us...meow

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

BIG STINKIN' NEWS!!👀 We just scored a signing at the legendary Dark Carnival books in Berkeley, CA for Black Cat Tales, Saturday, June 14th from 2 - 4 p.m. This is a horror/sci-fi mecca and I've been fortunate enough to meet Anne Rice, Clive Barker and a few other iconic authors here over the years.

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

I've heard the Dark Watchers described with similar characteristics: Tall, dark shadows, hats - they supposedly haunt the Santa Lucia Mountains in Central California where I live .... I wonder if there's a connection

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

I have a friend whose daughter has several times. Absolutely frightening.

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

The proof copy has arrived! And it is GORGEOUS! We need to make a few minor tweaks and then it will be PURRRFECT!! Black Cat Tales: An Anthology of Black Cats releases on Friday the 13th, June 2025. Pre-order links at: www.black-cat-publishing.com #horror #horroranthology #blackcatanthology

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Thank you Uncomfortably Dark for this awesome review of Black Cat Tales out Friday the 13th, June 2025! “Each story and poem has something to offer the reader and I highly recommend this anthology of black cat tales!” — Uncomfortably Dark 4.5 out of 5 Stars www.uncomfortablydark.com/post/sweet-r...

uncomfortablydark.com

Sweet Reviews: Black Cat Tales: An Anthology of Black Cats edited by Francesca Maria and Mark Causey

I love all cats. They are cute and furry but mostly independent (even the really big ones). They don't have time for shenanigans, unless they are the ones causing the ruckus themselves. Cats are known...

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Two years ago today, my first book, They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark was released, April 7, 2023 and it's been an incredible whirlwind ever since. And to celebrate, They Hide is only $0.99 on #Kindle today! Get your copy here; a.co/d/hpSYQfH Thank you for all your support!

a.co

They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark

Amazon.com: They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark eBook : Maria, Francesca, Burke, Kealan Patrick, Turpitt, Elle: Books

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Hot ticket item! Get 'em now on the cheap!

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Francesca Maria @writerofweird.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

#HorrorWritersChat A children kidnapping/devouring Santa Claus because his appetites are insatiable.

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