Is California’s death ship really haunted?

It’s fitting that the RMS Queen Mary was once known as the Grey Ghost, for tales of the supernatural have been plaguing her ever since World War II. Perhaps plaguing is not the best word, as the ship’s so-called haunted history is one of the only things...
The sad, strange case of Thelma Krull

The sad, strange case of Thelma Krull

I’ve been researching and writing about missing people for a long time. From this experience, I’ve learned that two groups of people are most likely to vanish: Children Young women in their teens to early thirties Thelma Krull, however, was a 57-year-old...
IWSG: The comparison game

IWSG: The comparison game

From an early age, my writing life was all about comparisons. When I was a little kid I said, “I want to write a classic that will be remembered forever, like Charles Dickens.” When I was in grade school, I aspired to be like Gordon Korman, who published...

The curse of Tut’s tomb

An ancient tomb is creepy enough. Add a fatal curse to the mix and you have the makings of a great horror story. Only in this case, the story might turn out to be true. British Lord George Carnarvon was obsessed with Egypt, so when archaeologist Howard Carter...

Too scary? Mattel turns monsters into princesses

I wasn’t a girl who played with dolls. In fact, any doll that fell into my clutches met with a tragic end. When I heard about Monster High as an adult, I was so envious! Imagine being able to play with the daughters of Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Werewolf....
The challenges of writing horror for teens

The challenges of writing horror for teens

I’m proud to welcome a special guest to my blog today. I’ve known JG Faherty since our novellas were chosen for Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection. Since that time, JG has proven to be a gifted writer and an incredibly supportive colleague and...
Can our pets see ghosts?

Can our pets see ghosts?

I once heard a joke about how cats stare at nothing while dogs bark at nothing. I forget the punchline. But about seven years ago, I adopted an adorable, fluffy white kitten who became a beautiful, fluffy white cat. This cat will, on a regular basis, suddenly turn and...
Through the darkness

Through the darkness

I began 2016 with unbridled enthusiasm and optimism, convinced it was going to be a wonderful year. How wrong I was. I can’t remember another year filled with so many challenges and tragedies, both for me personally and for the world at large. And 2016 is barely...
Violated and molested at a Tuscan spa

Violated and molested at a Tuscan spa

This is a horror story of a different kind, and I’m sorry as hell to have to tell it. I always thought that if I was ever sexually assaulted, I would put up a wicked fight. I had all my defences planned: an elbow here, a knee there. But I never in a million...
IWSG: Are writing conferences worth it?

IWSG: Are writing conferences worth it?

If you’d asked me that question a year ago, I would have said “Yes” without hesitation. Now I’m not so sure. My doubts began once I noticed a disturbing trend. I’ve pitched my work dozens of times to editors and agents at conferences....