The Victorian custom of gathering family and friends to read (and likely reread) ghost stories is a holiday tradition I wholeheartedly embrace. There’s something about winter’s deep darkness that coaxes phantoms both within and without. Each year, I honor this deliciously eerie ritual by reading creepy tales—usually Poe—in my Haunted Library. Here’s the sample if you’d like to take a look.
In that same spirit, I’ve just released a collection of twisted Christmas- and winter-themed short stories—including two brand-new tales you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re craving a mall Santa on a murderous rampage (and plenty more holiday mayhem), check out Nut Cracker and Other Twisted Wintry Tales, now available on Amazon Kindle in both ebook and print!
Starlex, my very first fantasy novel, is officially LIVE on Amazon and across major retailers in both ebook and print!
If you’re craving an action-packed adventure in the classic sword-and-sorcery tradition—complete with dragons, warring factions, and a steamy, high-stakes romance—then you won’t want to miss STARLEX.
Some autumns creep in with cool winds that grow stronger by the day, stirring up dry leaves and wistful memories that sing and crackle like a roaring bonfire. Other autumns, like the one we’re experiencing this year, cling to summer like a desperate lover, unwilling to let go of the heat. To this autumn, I say—it’s time to let go.
Better relationships await—like my new Ralph Lauren tweed blazer (snagged at a recent Nordstrom Rack sale) paired with my Vince wool sweater. Or perhaps a cozy throuple featuring jeans, my penny loafers, and a tartan wool cape? Autumn has been calling me for weeks, yet summer refuses to leave. Still, today’s rainy coolness gives me hope. It may be premature to pull my Filson waxed barn coat from the depths of the closet and tread the grounds with the hounds (do Shih Tzus count?), but I can certainly wear jeans, my short Wellies, and a light jacket. At least give me that!
Longing for my tweeds.
Today, I’m doing my annual closet switch from summer to fall, and I don’t care if I swelter for the next few weeks. At least we had a beautiful Harvest Moon the other night, and my morning bike rides have been shrouded in fog. The autumn vibes are kicking in at last, and I’ve been keeping busy—cleaning house, writing my new book, reading (currently wrapping up Vamptember), and doing some sketching. It’s nice to slow the pace when the days grow shorter.
Comforting foggy mornings.
This morning, I woke early to continue final edits on Starlex (always worth the effort—turns out I’d switched a few character names without realizing it). I was thrilled to find an early review that could only be described as glowing! I try not to let it go to my head, but it’s okay to let a little positivity galvanize the final stretch of bringing this story to life. You can pick up an ARC copy of Starlex on NetGalley or Booksprout if you’d like. It officially releases in print and ebook on November 12 (pre-order ebook now).
Coming soon!
And speaking of creations, the new Book Worms is here—and selling fast! This issue is all about folk horror, perfect for setting the spooky-season mood even if the weather isn’t quite cooperating. Do check it out, and let me know in the comments how you’re spending your autumn so far—hopefully not poolside (unless that’s your thing… in which case, I pity you—just kidding).
The Summer Issue of Book Worms is here—and it’s our biggest, boldest, most jam-packed zine yet! We’ve gone all out this time, with our very first full-color cover to kick off the season in style.
Since summer is all about camping trips, lakeside adventures, and spooky stories by the fire, we thought: why not go full cryptid? From lake monsters to forest beasts, this issue is crawling with strange sightings and spine-tingling tales.
We’re thrilled to welcome back some of our favorite contributors—like Clay McLeod Chapman and Angelique Fawns—along with a new crop of rising horror stars who are bound to blow your mind.
Book Worms has everything you need to unplug and escape: creepy reads, quirky puzzles, eerie games—anything to keep you off your phone and in the moment.
So go ahead, order your copy today. Toss it in your backpack next to the marshmallows and bug spray. You won’t regret it.
Click on the cover to order your Book Worms Horror Zine!
I just returned from my first summer getaway—and it was lovely. I’ve been renting this cabin on Lake Nockamixon for the past few years, sometimes as a solitary retreat in the dead of winter (which is actually one of my favorite times to go). But this year, it was more of a family affair.
I grew up in the country, so it’s in my soul. Coming from a large family that could, at times, feel chaotic, I used the woods—and climbing tall trees—as my emotional escape. Nothing soothes my nerves quite like a deep, quiet forest.
Honestly, I could easily become a hermit. I dream about it constantly. Maybe my dream doesn’t include the insects or the occasional field mouse, but I’d still take that kind of pest over the human kind any day.
Am I confessing to misanthropy? Not at all. I love people—but I love solitude more. It’s just the way I’m built. We all need to honor our natures, and mine craves quiet, natural spaces for comfort and restoration.
My childhood home
Perhaps this is one reason I became an avid reader as a kid—often perched up in a tree. Escaping into fantasy might not be the healthiest coping mechanism, but it’s far less destructive than many others. Writing, self-expression, creating plays and stage personae—none of that’s really changed. They’re all ways of coping, I suppose, if you dig in a bit deeper, but I’ll save that for my therapist.
Naturally, I brought books with me to the cabin, along with my sketchbook to indulge my latent (yet still sadly undeveloped) drawing talent, and my guitar—which I barely strummed the entire time. I have a notebook full of unfinished songs, but since I’m too shy to play around anyone, so finishing them will have to wait for the next solitary retreat.
But I did read. I’m currently indulging in a Richard Laymon read-a-thon I’m hosting on my YouTube channel with some BookTube pals. Extreme horror/splatterpunk is a genre I only dip into occasionally—for obvious reasons. It’s often gross, absurd, and, yes, frequently misogynistic. So, why was I the one to suggest this read-a-thon in the first place? LOL! Who knows. Go with it. I love a good gory drive-in movie in the summer, so Laymon it is. I’m on my fourth novel this month. I’d love a dollar for every “rump” and “turgid nipple” I’ve come across, but hey—I’m having fun. I may need to cleanse my palate with a cozy mystery when it’s all over.
Long summer days tend to bring out more focused writing in me. As a lifelong early riser, I try to knock out at least a thousand words each morning on my current work-in-progress. I recently released two YA romance novellas, and I’m now finishing up Book Two of an epic fantasy series that I still can’t believe I challenged myself to write. But here we are.
That’s my summer so far—and my summer plans. But as we know, life can change in an instant. All we can do is enjoy the day we’re blessed with.
It’s curtain time for FINAL DRESS, my latest adult horror novel set in my favorite world- the theater! Having worked in the theater my entire life and continuing to work part-time at my local regional theater, it was a thrill to explore this environment in a slasher story. I’ve been thinking about writing a horror story set in the theater since the 80’s when I was a young Thespian experiencing the thrill of my first starring role. The play was Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and I played the role of Miss Casewell to the hilt, complete with a man’s suit and tie and fedora, a cigarette dangling from my lip. I’m sure my English accent was dreadful, but I know I gave it my all and had a blast doing it.
The author as a young Thespian, making the most of her role.
The theater was in an old barn on a country road; as far as I know, it’s still standing. As a young Thespian, I recall navigating the backstage environs, including the costume stock stored in the old hayloft, and thinking it would be a perfect location for a horror movie. My older sister, a fellow Thespian, and I discussed, over many clove cigarettes, writing a screenplay called Horror at Summer Stock. The story had some hilarious scenes, including a runaway killer forklift as the ultimate Deus ex machina.
Our fantasy screenplay vanished with the summer winds, and the forklift didn’t make it into Final Dress, but a backstage Genie lift did, along with some other theater “inside jokes” that my theater friends will giggle at, but which any reader can hopefully appreciate. Final Dress, along with my hillbilly vampire romp, CODE RED, definitely lands under the category of “fun” horror, in the same way those old 80s slasher classics are good for a laugh but never fail to give a thrill.
So, buy a ticket to FINAL DRESS, and try to survive till the curtain falls!
Halloween has turned into a holiday as bustling as Christmas, which is probably why I’m finally getting around to sharing my thoughts on the new collection I launched at the beginning of October. At least I managed to release it just in time for Halloween! I’m thrilled to share that the collection, which includes five short stories and a novella, hit the number one new release spot on Amazon in its category. That’s definitely encouraging! This collection is designed for teens and young adults, focusing on all the fun chills without diving into anything too gory. If you’re on the lookout for some cozy companion stories for those chilly October nights, I’d love for you to check out Halloween Haunts, only 99 cents for the ebook during the month of October!
Too Much Exposure?
If you’re an artist or a creative individual, you won’t want to miss the latest episode of The Right Brain Café podcast, produced by my Book Worms partner, James DeFeo, and me. This week, we dive into a crucial topic: the ongoing pressure artists face when deciding between working for exposure versus earning money. Is exposure truly beneficial, or does it undermine the value of your craft? Join us for an insightful discussion that could change your perspective on the choices you make in your creative journey.
While you’re busy with your Halloween shopping, don’t forget to pick up our Halloween issue of Book Worms Horror Zine! It features stories by Grady Hendrix, author of “Paperbacks From Hell,” and popular horror writer Clay McLeod Chapman. Issues are selling out quickly, so be sure to get your copy today!
Finally, please leave a message about how you plan to spend Halloween. Do you dress up, attend parties, or turn off the lights and hope to avoid any mischievous tricks? Whether you celebrate (or not), please have a haunted good time!
Our Halloween issue of Book Worms is now on sale! Our mail-only zine with a limited print run continues to impress with stories by Grady Hendrix, Clay McLeod Chapman, and more! The zine is available at Big Cartel and select indie bookstores.
My new novel CARNI is out and available on Amazon in print and ebook. Here’s the premise:
Meet Carni, your master of ceremonies in a carnival of terror!
In the grip of public disgrace and desperate to resurrect his career, journalist Dag Altan stumbles upon a compelling lead that could be his ticket to redemption. A captivating encounter with a bewitching young woman, consumed by an eerie fascination with a once-thriving amusement park now desolate island, ignites Dag’s journalistic instincts. Drawn to the enigma of the abandoned location and the unnerving series of deaths surrounding it, Dag plunges headfirst into the heart of the story, utterly unaware of the peril awaiting him.
As his investigation intensifies, Dag becomes entangled in a treacherous web of dark secrets, where the line between reality and nightmare blurs. At the center of it all stands the elusive figure known only as Carni. Initially perceived as a mere legend, Carni soon sheds his mythical cloak, morphing into a living, breathing embodiment of terror. With each step Dag takes closer to the truth, Carni’s presence grows more palpable, and the menacing game he plays becomes grimmer.
As the carousel of confusion spins ever faster, Dag finds himself ensnared in a captivating yet chilling spectacle. Can he outmaneuver the sinister forces at play, or will he join the ranks of those consumed by the sinister grip of Carni? In this heart-stopping tale of suspense and terror, Dag Altan races against time to expose the true nature of Carni before he becomes the latest victim in this nightmare realm.
My new horror novel, CARNI, is now available for pre-order. Get your ebook today, or become a library member on Patreon and get a FREE copy along with all my new releases.
R. Saint Claire 