I’ve been eyeing Ghost Girl Greetings merch for awhile now. I’ve been desperately trying to purchase the mug with the cute Annabelle/Chucky/Jason/Ghostface/Pinhead faces on it, but due to high demand, I always get to the site when it’s already “Out of Stock” (West Coast woes, yo). So, when the makeup bag with the same cute horror face combo became available I decided to snag it asap, and while I was at it, I decided to pick up the Freddy Krueger inspired lip balm I’m Your Chapstick Now in Coffee, because, why not?
Now, I’m very picky when it comes to lip balms because I need them to be a certain type of softness and consistency (meaning not sticky nor pulling a Houdini and disappearing in 20 minutes either). The good news is, that this lip balm surpassed my expectations. The moment I applied it, I felt as though my lips were embraced by a soft cloud of coffee sweetness. It was comforting, smoothing, and just plain blissful. To say that I’m in love with it is an understatement, to say that I wish to replace ALL of my lip balms with this one would be accurate.
It was such a pleasant surprise to be so pleased with the lip balm since my whole reason to purchase from their online store was for me to get the makeup bag (which is utterly adorable and I recommend any horror fan who wishes to carry their makeup or essentials in style to buy it!).
Overall, these won’t be my last purchases from this shop and I’m still holding out hope to some day own the ever elusive mug I pine for. A girl can only dream.
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After focusing my attention on multi-author anthologies for the past few years, I’ve decided to take a break from that and release a collection of my own short stories.
Most of the stories are new, although there may be a couple that have been previously published in other anthologies.
The stories you’ll find in this collection range from various degrees of dark, twisted, and speculative horror.
If you love vampire, witches, ghosts, and werewolves with a new fresh twist on old tropes, then you might enjoy the stories in Vicious Traditions.
VICIOUS TRADITIONS is due February 1, 2022.
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Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Meadowfoam, Jojoba, and Watermelon oils
Verdict: Nothing kicks off the start of summer like transitioning from a matte lipstick to a shiny glossy one – and now with mask mandates being lifted at most places, you can finally show off your newly minted glossy lips. What I adore about this Glossier formula is that it’s incredibly shiny but without the sticky ickiness that comes from traditional lip glosses – not to mention that the colour selection is PHENOMENAL. The majority of of the hues are universally flattering meaning that you can’t go wrong with any of them! This formula doesn’t bleed at the edges and leaves your lips feeling pillowy soft and nourished while also looking incredibly beautiful. So go ahead and kick your matte liquid lipsticks to the curb – summer is officially here and Glossier’s Ultralip is what should be on everyone’s lips.
Beautiful glossy soft lips (Glossier Ultralip in Portrait).
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A whirlpool of darkness churns at the heart of a macabre ballet between two lonely young women in an internet chat room in the early 2000s—a darkness that threatens to forever transform them once they finally succumb to their most horrific desires.
What have you done today to deserve your eyes?
Grade: A-
Review:
This dark tale begins with Agnes looking to sell an antique apple peeler and Zoe contacting her to buy said peeler. I know, I found the way the two protagonists virtually met strange for a horror novella, but it was very intriguing how their bond slowly grows. As the days go by the two women forge a tight relationship which slowly descends to sadomasochism and careens to absolute horrific madness.
The writing is very engaging and very vivid, creating a visceral rollercoaster that will leave you wondering WTF did you experience. It’s told in epistolary format of email exchanges and IM’s, making the reader feel that extra layer of voyeurism that ramps up the creepiness factor. I recommend reading this book in one sitting – it’s much more impactful that way as the tension and dread increases with each passing page.
The ending is a masterclass of true horror and one that readers won’t easily forget. Read this novella for a violent, wild ride full of debauchery and horror.
*Thank you so much to the author for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
SHORT Q & A WITH AUTHOR
What inspired you to write the novella in the format that you did?
I’ve always been fascinated by books with unconventional formatting. I admire any opportunity to tell a story in a way that might be unique for the reader. The reason I chose this particular format for the novella was because I wanted the reader to feel voyeuristic in their reading, as if they were reading something they knew they shouldn’t be reading. That’s profoundly unsettling to me as a highly desensitized lover of horror. I shudder when I think of accidentally stumbling upon something that wasn’t meant for me to see—something horrible, something truly disturbing. I’ve been dabbling in unconventional formatting for many years now and this novella seemed like a natural progression for me and my work.
The novella establishes that the two protagonists are women – but the internet being the internet I was suspicious whether one of them or both were being truthful about their identities and their genders since it was commonplace in the 2000s to find men trying to pass off as women in lesbian chatrooms. The fact that the two protagonists never see each other through webcam nor exchange photos kind of makes you wonder if one of them is being catfished. Was it a conscious decision to create that suspicion in the reader?
That’s a fascinating reaction to the work. I actually had never considered that before and I’m quite disappointed in myself for not thinking of it first. I approached this concept quite literally when I first wrote it. In my head, they were always two women interacting with one another across the infinite gulf of the internet. As I was working on this piece, I definitely wanted there to be a sense of suspicion—a sense of distrust in the reader when considering the two main characters. Who can you trust? Who is telling the truth? Which one of them is the real monster? Of course, Zoe is less than savory for asking Agnes to perform such horrible acts. However, is Agnes a monster as well for being so agreeable?
What are your current fave horror books that you recommend?
Oh, so many to list. I’ll try to be brief. Lately I’ve been recommending Hauntedby Chuck Palahniuk quite a bit to fellow readers. I’ve read that book several times and it always unsettles me. I also heartily recommend Gwendolyn Kiste’s phenomenal The Rust Maidensif you’re looking for truly poignant body horror. Lastly, I usually recommend I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Ian Reid. Such an inspiring tale of existential dread.
Do you have any other projects that you’re currently working on and are going to be released soon?
I’m currently at work on a bunch of different writing projects. Most of them involve contracts, so unfortunately I’m unable to share full details until the publisher makes the official announcement on social media. I’m so happy to report that I’ll have work being consistently published over the course of the next few years and I certainly hope my readers stick with me as I continue to release new material.
Honestly, this is too good not to ask but what have you done today to deserve your eyes?
Nice try, Zoe . . . Just kidding. But seriously. Kindness. The answer is always kindness. Whether it’s showing kindness to another living thing or receiving kindness gracefully, that should be our priority as human beings every day we’re on this planet.
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Due to circumstances out of my control I’ll be going on a short hiatus due to travel, deadlines, and all around having a ton to do. But don’t fret! The Inkblotters will be back JUNE 22!
In the meantime, celebrate Pride by supporting queer authors and artists (you can purchase Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fiction here).
June is Pride Month and this year one of my short stories, “Some Kind of Monster” will appear in the Queer Anthology, Unburied. Proceeds from book sales will be going to a LGBTQ charity, so what better way to read some cool stories AND help out for a good cause!
I could never see the monster, I just knew that it was large because anytime I found myself in his viscid stomach, I was swallowed whole. Never chomped up in little pieces.
Last night, once again I had the same nightmare. I was in the monster’s belly, the acrid scent of his stomach acid made me gag as I floundered in it, blind. I can’t ever see the inside of it because of how cavernous it is. All I can feel is the stifling sense of being wrapped in an unwanted hug.
The nightmare usually laves me feeling unsettled. No amount of hot tea and buttered biscuits can comfort me back to normalcy. After one those nightmares, I tend to spend the rest of the day jumpy and tense, my shoulders sore from my inability to relax. Another side-effect of this reoccurring nightmare was that whenever I woke up, drenched to the bone and shaking, it would leave me so wound up that attempting to fall back to sleep was futile, even if I had three hours to spare before my alarm would sound off.
There I was, sitting my cubicle both in dire need of sleep and also very afraid of being met with the same feeling of dread and anguish that the nightmare always delivered. My eyelids felt heavy, like keeping them open was a task in itself, and one that I was certain I’d fall victim to if I didn’t get my ass out of the chair and mainline some caffeine into me stat.
I hurried to the break room not caring that I had already taken a break twenty minutes ago. My sanity depended on staying awake. I felt like those scream queens on A Nightmare on Elm Street where they conjured up inventive ways to keep themselves awake, lest they become savory kebabs for Freddy’s expert razor claws.
“Another coffee? Tough morning, huh?” My co-worker Jack asked with an easy shiteating grin that made the other girls in the office swoon but that I despised. His dockers were perfectly pressed and the button down shirt impeccably ironed. He ran a hand through his sandy blond hair.
I knew I looked as much as disaster as I felt. My curls still tangled and pinned to the top of my head in a messy bun, yesterday’s eyeliner smeared under my eyes, and a gel manicure outgrown its natural stay that my half-moons where visible. I just shrugged not wanting to commit to an answer. Hoping that maybe this would dissuade him from small talk.
“You look like you could use some sleep, Sharon.”
No shit, Sherlock.
I plastered a fake smile and replied, “You’re so very astute, Jack.” I silently begged for him to leave the break room so that I could have a few moments to myself. But Jack lingered with his dopey grin.
“What’s this?” He pointed to something on the side of my neck.
I hope it’s not a hickey, although I haven’t made out with anyone in weeks. I went towards the mirror placed above the sink, to inspect and oddly enough there on the side of my neck were three punctures holes. I carefully touched the wounds, not understanding where or how I could’ve gotten them.
“That’s strange….” I murmured more to myself.
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If you’re a querying writer nothing makes you want to jump off a cliff faster than having to write a query letter or dreaded synopsis. Now, as painful it is to write one, it’s also the only way to get a literary agent’s attention and your ticket to traditional publishing if that’s something you’re aiming for. Now, I’ve written a myriad variety of query letters for different projects and I’ve gotten full manuscript requests for them, so I have some experience in writing them. I’m not going to say that I’m a full on expert as agents are all different and some may respond better to one type of query than another, but if you’re just starting out or wish to amp your query writing game, then check out below for some tips on how to nail a winning query letter!
TIP ONE. ALWAYS START WITH A SALUTATION.
The classic Dear is fine in this case, followed by Mr./Ms. and the agent’s surname. Please make sure to spell their name correctly and for the love of all that is important to you, NEVER and I mean NEVER open a query with “To Whom It May Concern” unless you want to end up in the rejection pile pronto.
TIP TWO. BEGIN YOUR LETTER WITH A HOOK.
Before you delve into your MS’s plot and amazing characters, you should catch the agent’s attention right away and the best way to do that is by delivering your hook right away. What makes this MS stand out for all the rest? Find out what it is and hook your reader stat!
TIP THREE. NO MORE THAN THREE SHORT PARAGRAPHS TO EXPLAIN YOUR PLOT.
After you’ve delivered your hook, now you can explain what your plot is, what your main protagonists are, and what the main conflict is. This is also where state the GENRE, WORD COUNT, and any comp titles.
TIP FOUR. SUCCINT SHORT BIO AT THE END.
This is where you write why you’re the perfect person to write this book (say if you’re writing about a drug addict and you’re an ex addict or if you’re an own voices author), whatever it is you can state it here but keep it short!
And this wraps up my four tips for writing a compelling query! Let me know if this has helped you!
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What It Does: Visibly reduces the size of pimples and helps promote healing.
Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid, Calendula, and Tree Tea Oil
Verdict: I’ve been wanting to try these blemish patches out ever since they were sent to me, but lately I’ve been blessed with clear skin. However, not so since the humidity levels have been insane, so I finally got to use them and honestly, look how freaking adorable they are! Unlike other blemish patches you can easily sport these outdoors because a random black star positioned just so on your face will give off major glam Marie Antoinette vibes. But enough of me gushing about how darn cute they are – the real question is: do they work? I can wholeheartedly say that YES THEY DO! These patches truly work wonders! They suck out all the gross pus and impurities while you’re sleeping or going out and about your day allowing the temptation to pick or squeeze said zit to diminish. And I know how tempting picking can be! For my particular zit, it went down with one patch kept on overnight. But by the second one, it made it disappear completely. I cannot recommend this enough if you have a pimple and wish to banish it stat. Not to mention that no one would be none the wiser of what you’re truly concealing beneath the black star.
Price: $18 (for 40 patches)
Where To Buy It: shopparadox.com
Waking up to perfect skin!
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Tress Montor’s family used to mean something—until she didn’t have a family anymore. When her parents disappeared seven years ago while driving her best friend home, Tress lost everything. The entire town shuns her now that she lives with her drunken, one-eyed grandfather at what locals refer to as the “White Trash Zoo.”
Felicity Turnado has it all: looks, money, and a secret. One misstep could send her tumbling from the top of the social ladder, and she’s worked hard to make everyone forget that she was with the Montors the night they disappeared. Felicity has buried what she knows so deeply that she can’t even remember what it is . . . only that she can’t look at Tress without feeling shame and guilt.
But Tress has a plan. A Halloween costume party at an abandoned house provides the ideal situation for Tress to pry the truth from Felicity—brick by brick—as she slowly seals her former best friend into a coal chute. Tress will have her answers—or settle for revenge.
Grade: A
Review:
Ever since I read The Female of the Species years ago, Mindy McGinnis has easily become an auto-buy for me whenever she drops a novel. It doesn’t matter what genre or subject she tries to tackle, I know that it’s going to be one wild ride, as McGinnis has this unique way of creating crazy plots where it’s impossible to truly know where the story is going to go. And I think it’s probably because McGinnis may be more of a pantser author as myself than one who outlines the whole plot.
The Initial Insult sees McGinnis exploring Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado with a Tiger King twist. Two ex-bestfriends Tress and Felicity find themselves at the same party their senior year. Years ago, when the two were younger, the girls were inseparable, then one night whilst Tress’s parents were driving Felicity back home, something occurred. Tress’s parents mysteriously disappeared whilst Felicity was found on the riverbanks alone with no knowledge of what happened that night. Tress has lost everything because of her parents’ disappearance, and she’s convinced that Felicity knows the truth of what happened that night and she’s going to do anything to get her to speak, even if it means slowly walling her alive, brick by brick.
This novel is told in the dual points of views of both Tress and Felicity, which helps amp up the tension and build the thrills. This is a crazy ride and as always, McGinnis’ characters are gritty and strong even at their most vulnerable. Sadly, this novel is only Part I, and seeing how it ended, it’s going to be so hard to have to wait one year to read the sequel!
I recommend this book if you’re a fan of McGinnis and Poe (you’ll love all the references).
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Skincare Concerns: Dryness, dullness, and uneven texture
Verdict: When scouting for a moisturizer, I’m looking for two things: that it hydrates my skin and that it’s light enough not to clog my pores. This moisturizer perfectly fits the bill. It’s light and gel-like substance but it isn’t as watery as most moisturizers aimed for oily skin are. It still feels rich without feeling too heavy. In fact, it completely absorbs into the skin leaving it feeling fresh, hydrated, and glowing. It’s truly a tall glass of water for your skin!
Price: $38
Where To Buy It: Sephora
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