Read Descent Into Darkness today!

Cast out by her family and having fled across the sea, a young dark elf seeks refuge on the island of Asy’mitha to study under the renowned sorcerer Master Anar. But after establishing a home for herself and pledging devotion to the Goddess of Life, her world is upended as a civil war erupts. When her island is invaded, she’s faced with an impossible choice: remain steadfast in her beliefs or save those around her from annihilation by embracing the darkness she always reviled.

Hi all.
Another week and… some progress! Made a few more small fixes to the new layout and came across a few more to make. The anthologies are coming along for print editions; more on that soon, I hope.

On a personal note, I had a short story accepted, I was able to see a cover of a new anthology that I’m in, which I’ll be able to share soon, and a novella was rejected. So, a mix of good and bad news.

And now, I will return you to your regularly scheduled newsletter!

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This week, I’m sharing articles from General and Craft. Firstly, FoxPrint Editorial explores rejection and how to handle it. With a personal anecdote on her dating life, Tiffany Yates Martin presses how important it is to remain objective in the publishing industry. I particularly was entertained by the end of the article with the sub-heading of ‘Tolerate Pain’. Next, Writers in the Storm has author and workshop tutor, Laurie Schnebly Campbell, examine the pros and cons of turning a novel into a series. With the industry and readers pressing a demand for more and more, it will have surely crossed your mind whether to turn your novel into a series. An informative article to help you reach a decision. Lastly, in craft, Mythcreants explores what they call ‘black hat storytelling’ which is tactics that audiences/readers detest but some storytellers seem to take pride in. There’s some interesting eight types, from the obvious ones you are likely to have heard of, such as the cliffhanger, to ones you may not have heard of, like Literary Hazing. 

General:

FoxPrint Editorial: “You Can Handle Rejection (And That’s Good Because You’ll Have To)”

Writers in the Storm: “Should You Write a Series? How Much is Enough?”

Craft: 

Mythcreants: “Eight Types of Black Hat Storytelling to Avoid”

From Horror Tree:

MonsterVision and Horror Nostalgia

Bombyx by R.C. Matheson Book Review

Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart Review

This week’s free fiction explores our watery landscapes across the speculative realm, from a mermaid-infested ocean to a legendary river. Firstly, “The Unrequited Love of the Ocean” is a flash story about the narrator who discovers a mermaid, which they can only see through a hagstone, and both characters desire to be taken home, to the ocean. It is a dark fantasy with a dark mermaid. Next, “Grandfather’s Pond” is another flash story about two contract killers. One of them decides to show the other the location, a pond, where they hide their bodies that are never found. This is a dark fantasy story with something lurking in this pond. Next, “Gaia’s Lot” is a flash story about a hut on the shoreline and its occupant. This is an eerie and strange story about a total eclipse and the man who spends his last day. This is a story where the reader decides what happens, read between the lines, and let their imagination contribute. Lastly, “The River That Remembers” is a fantasy story about women who are chosen by the river and are ‘sacrificed’ to keep the river alive and therefore their home. It is a story of myth and legend where the river speaks, and memory is sacred. Enjoy reading!

“The Unrequited Love of the Ocean” by Ray Chanteur at 34 Orchard (Issue 13 Spring 2026, pages 66-68).

“Grandfather’s Pond" by Aeryn Rudel at Flash Point SF (Issue 2, scroll down).

“Gaia’s Lot” by JJ Stewart at Crow & Cross Keys.

“The River That Remembers” by P. N. Udochi at Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores.

Writing Exercise: Have You Seen This Person?

Your protagonist receives a phone call in the dead of night. Their cousin is missing.

They travel to their aunt’s and uncle’s, determined to find her younger cousin. They join the search parties, hang up posters and wander the streets, asking everyone they see. 

Then a week later, the home phone rings. They answer with the hall’s phone at the same time as their aunt and uncle do in the living room. 

It’s the cousin. She’s crying and not making much sense.

The aunt starts crying too and says “How can you be calling us? We buried you.”

What happens next is up to you…Let your imagination run wild!

If you post any writing content during the week and think it would be a good fit for us to feature, do reach out and let us know at [email protected]

Read Trembling With Fear Volume 7 Today!