Cheat Code: An Anthology of Queer LITRPG
In this episode of Slashic's bloglife:
Some news from me
Cheat Code Update
You may have seen a few posts going around about Cheat Code. If not... where have you been??? TT Madden approached me about an anthology of video game horror and what was I supposed to do? Say no??
So now there is an anthology call that I am super excited about!
One of the key things I want to stress about this anthology—and Slashic as a whole—is that I don't care if you are a horror vet with 1000 publications or a newbie with nil credits.
I care about the stories.
If you've got a good one, and it fits the theme, please please please submit it for consideration. I hear a lot from newer authors saying they think they won't get in because they don't have a following. I've felt the same way, and I don't want that for anyone else.
You've got until the end of the year (don't stress about timezones!), so there's plenty of time. The submissions are streaming in already, which is great, and TT and I are sooooo excited to bring this to life!
One of the key things I want to stress about this anthology—and Slashic as a whole—is that I don't care if you are a horror vet with 1000 publications or a newbie with nil credits. I care about the stories.
The Familialists on Audio
Haruspex Audio, run by the incredible Rain Corbyn, has just released The Familialists on audio!!! Read by Natasha Lettner—literally the perfect voice to bring TT Madden's characters to life—you will be drawn into a mysterious and dangerous town where nobody is who they seem and nothing can be trusted.
If you have read or listened to the book, please feel free to leave a review on Goodreads. And, of course, if you've not picked up a copy yet, click the image above for the audio, or grab an ebook/paperback below:
Ally Shoutout
Eric Woods has long been a supporter of Slashic Horror Press, and of mine, including Raven's Creek in his first inaugural EW Awards. He's a generous person and passionate about indie horror.
He's also a super talented author himself, so I wanted to highlight his upcoming novel, How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp. Synopsis below:
Oh…you thought it was safe to go back to camp?
In 1996, a killer struck at Camp Gentle Bear forcing the camp to shut down. Dubbed “Murder Bear” by the locals, the killer was never caught. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 as 80s slasher junkie and struggling author Mike Wentworth hopes to tackle a new book while the world is shut down. When Mike discovers a true crime documentary on Camp Gentle Bear, a brilliant idea surfaces–write the quintessential playbook on how to survive if an actual serial killer crashes a summer camp.
Now, thirty years after the murders, Camp Gentle Bear announces a surprise reopening, and Mike Wentworth, best-selling author of How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp, is invited to speak. A few concerns linger, though. Murder Bear was never apprehended. A motive was never established. Townsfolk aren’t fond of Mike Wentworth. And people at the camp are disappearing.
Is a thirty-year hibernation of death coming to an end? Has Murder Bear returned? And does Camp Gentle Bear’s only hope ride on the author who wrote the quintessential manual on how to survive if a serial killer strikes at summer camp?
I recommend following Eric on socials!
The Boy At Whitlock #9
I recently had the pleasure of reading The Boy at Whitlock #9 by L. Stephenson. And let me just say—WOW! This guy can tell a story. Published by Truborn Press, the novella doesn't pack a punch; it smashed you in the face with a sack of bricks until you beg for death.
No spoilers, but fuck. Go read it.
Also, how epic is this cover!!! Created, of course, by the founder of Truborn, Kristina Osborn!
Synopsis:
How many pieces of our soul can we live without before it disintegrates completely?
After the loss of his mother, Matthew Rose is close to breaking point as he suffers each day under the cruel hand of his father, Gordon.
With only the company of his best friends Heather and Ricky for comfort, Matthew braves a long summer of bullying and abuse, until unexpected tragedy strikes.
Abandoning all hope, young Matthew is ready to reunite with his dearly departed mother when a friend convinces him to make contact with her on the other side.
But something else hears him……something that wasn’t supposed to…
Some news from me
Lucky last, a bit of news from me. As you may or may not be aware, I am not only the publisher at Slashic, but I'm also an author 😱 I sometimes publish through Slashic, but I also like to diversify and try to get some reach outside my own little bubble, so I occasionally try submitting elsewhere.
The wordsmith overlords favour me at times, and one of those times was with Horrorsmith Publishing, who have generously signed 2 of my novels! The first, Umbilical, is due for release November 17!!
Synopsis:
A doll. A presence. A body count.
Harry Byrne has already lost everything. Both his parents are dead, and the man responsible is finally facing charges. Now the only family he has left, his grandmother, Greta, no longer remembers that any of it happened.
When an anonymous gift arrives at Greta's care home—a "dementia doll," a therapeutic toy meant to soothe patients like her—it seems like exactly what she needs. Greta cradles it, sings to it, and for the first time in months, she is calm.
She also believes it's her son.
When a man is found bludgeoned to death down the hall, Greta becomes the nursing home's prime suspect. Harry knows his grandmother isn't a killer. He also knows dementia doesn't exactly explain what's happening to her...or what she's capable of when she believes her son is under threat.
The doll was supposed to bring her peace. Instead, it has convinced her that death isn't the end after all. What lengths will a mother go through to protect her child?
Paperback preorders should be available soon; Lyndsey is just doing the final touches on some things. In the meantime, add it to your "Want to Read" list on Goodreads here.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE YOU GO!
In the coming months, I will be making my next novel, Re/Awaken, available for preorders and arcs, too. It will be published through Slashic in April 2027, and I am soooooo excited. No spoilers yet, but early readers, including the editor, have been really favourable of the story!
I will be sharing the cover with you all soon, done by the incredible Matt Seff Barnes.
Until next time—keep reading!
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