About


About this blog:

 
The primary focus of this blog is storytelling. I am a writer, and I have always been fascinated by how stories work. I will explore this idea through book reviews, posts about writing, television, other authors, ideas, and much more. I have a special interest in mythology, horror, and martial arts.
 
Years ago, I started a tiny blog because I set myself a challenge: to actually read all the books I own before buying any new ones. Well I failed at that miserably because I can't resist new and interesting books even when I'm already in the middle of five others. You can still read some of my old reviews kicking around Goodreads, and I will be cherry-picking some of those to update and republish here. 
 
I made a few other false-starts over the years before stepping back from blogging altogether for a few years. I missed having this outlet for my writing and have decided to return to my blogging roots with Blogger, where my original blog used to live. I have been back here since 2020 and I have fallen even more in love with story-blogging than ever before.
 

About me:

As a Writer:

I am a writer of dark fiction, particularly horror, dark fantasy, mystery/thriller. I have published a few short fiction pieces with more on the way. My debut collection, Thin Slices: A Collection of Horror Flash Fiction came out January 12, 2025. I'm a contributor at The Horror Tree and Ginger Nuts of Horror. I also slush read for Frost Zone Stories and Shoreline of Infinity.
 
I am an Affiliate Member of the Horror Writer's Association and the secretary for the Ontario Chapter. I am also a member of SINC 2024.
 

Outside of Writing:

I studied Anthropology and Classics in University and then taught Ancient Greek Myth/History part-time for a few years. I currently work as a Legal Assistant. My interests include embroidery, cross-stitch, reading, video games, and martial arts. I trained in Taekwondo for several years and am currently training in Meibukan Goju-Ryu Karate. I've also dabbled in Fencing, Wing-Chun, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Tai Chi, and Muay Thai.

AI Statement


I do not use generative "AI" to write my work. I develop my own ideas, titles, and writing. Sometimes I will use a random word generator/name generator such as this site to help inspire me to name people/places. And I will use basic grammar functions that come with all writing software, but all the words I write are my own.
 
For me the purpose of writing is TO WRITE. If I'm not writing, then I'm not a writer. 

For my self-publishing, I will never knowingly use AI-generated art for my covers or an AI-generated narrator. I support my fellow human creators.
 
Unless otherwise labelled, all site pictures/graphics are made by me (not including book covers for reviews). I do use stock imagery, but I do not use AI-generated images with my knowledge. If you notice any, please let me know right away.

Other places you can find me: Link Tree

Interviews: 

Popular posts from this blog

Monthly Microfiction - December 2021 - Billy's Special Blanket

Image
Billy's Special Blanket             Billy tightened the blanket his mother made him around his head. She promised no monsters could hurt him through his special blanket.        The closet door creaked open and all of the monster’s legs spilled out. It crawled across the floor and up onto the bed. A multitude of legs prodded Billy. The monster roared when it could not breach the blanket’s power. In fury, the monster flailed about, destroying Billy’s room.        His parents charged down the hall and through the door. Then screamed in terror when the creature attacked.        Billy was safe under the blanket, but his parents were not.     Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash       Originally published in Beneath from Ghost Orchid Press on May 5, 2021  Included in Thin Slices: A Collection of Horror Flash Fiction coming January 12, 2025 ...
Read more

Announcement: Publication: Debut Collection - Thin Slices

Image
  For years, I have been writing, submitting, and publishing my flash fiction all over the place. I am thrilled to announce that I have compiled all of my dark flash fiction written to date into my debut collection, Thin Slices. Thin Slices, launching January 12, 2025, contains 92 dark tales, all less than 1000 words apiece, 15 of which are exclusive to this collection.  Now available for pre-order on Amazon !   Want a Sneak Peek? You can read some of my stories in my (now defunct) Monthly Microfiction section of my blog, but if you sign up for my newsletter (link below), you will receive a free story in the welcome email as well as one more story each month (end of October, November, December) until the launch date. With each story, I'll also offer behind-the-scenes information. The sneak peeks are exclusive to my free newsletter, but stay tuned to this space for various updates including a cover reveal coming later this month.   Calling all Reviewers! ARCs are n...
Read more

Ten Short Stories I Read in 2024 That Stayed With Me

Image
Photo by Courtney Baucom on Unsplash     This year, I tried to shift my focus from novels to short stories and journal about them, with mixed results. I read more short stories, but fell off of the journaling. I found it was slowing me down, and if my journal wasn’t handy, I would put off reading the stories. Eventually, I decided to just enjoy the short stories as they came and not worry so much about journaling. That said, I do want to highlight ten of my favourite stories this year. I am limiting this selection to magazines, newsletters, and free online, not anthologies. This is also by no means an exhaustive list of my favourites, just ten that stayed with me. Listed roughly in the order I read them, I think. 1.  The Grit Born by Frances Ogamba - January 2024 - The Dark A lonely woman, Egoabia, learns about a company called Rebirth which will send special powder that can be moulded into a child. This story was unsettling the whole way through with a brillian...
Read more