I. General Notes
II. Red Dirt Curses Collection
III. Paid Subscribers
IV. Project Amber Fields
V. The Lodge
VI. Final Words
I
General Notes:
Hey everyone. I know the ‘New Year’ buzz is behind us all now, but I’ve taken this January/February to think about and organize my goals for The Shiver Dispatch this year. No resolutions per se, just objectives; accomplishments I hope to call mine by the end of 2026.
If you’ve subscribed for the short stories I’ve written, don’t worry. I plan to continue to release free stories this year, albeit at a slower pace. Aside from some collaborations I did with some awesome publications here on Substack (Milk and Honey by M.N. Straun, Bellageist by Derek James Kritzberg, and The Midnight Vault), my stories posted independently of any event or collaboration didn’t receive much attention (I’m not being whiny; this is to be expected).
Like every writer here on SubStack, I want people to actually read and engage with my art. I will be on the lookout for future collabs/events with other pubs, and plan on such collaborations making up the bulk of my free stories this year.
Aside from the stories, I have a growing interest in writing more articles and essays on topics that interest me. Likely, these articles will be focused on faith, consciousness, and the ever-stranger times we find ourselves living in (original, I know).
Alright, I’ve rambled long enough. Time for the good stuff.
II
Red Dirt Curses Collection
I’m excited to announce the launch of my first book, Red Dirt Curses. This book is a collection of horror stories, all connected by the sights, sounds, and smells of rural Oklahoma. Four of these five stories live free here on SubStack, but have been edited/polished for the RDC collection. The fifth story is a never-before-seen novella of mine titled ‘Camp Clear Sky.’
Ethan Taft is tired of church camps. Really, he’s tired of always being told what to do.
That’s why, when the woods North of Camp Clear Sky are declared off limits, he decides it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.
At least, that’s what he assumed.
Camp Clear Sky is a tale of faith, both lost and found, and the hidden weight that lies behind every decision.
I can’t wait to share this collection with you all. I will announce the release date soon. However, if you’d like to get a little more bang for your buck…
III
Paid Subscribers
Then consider becoming a paid subscriber of The Shiver Dispatch! Paying Subs will receive access to a paid-tier post that will include a free E-Book copy of Red Dirt Curses when it releases.
For future releases, I plan to run similar promotions, where all paid subscribers will have a window of opportunity to snag a free copy of any E-books I publish. After that window, the book will be available elsewhere online.
Aside from book releases, this year I plan on expanding the in-publication lore of The Shiver Dispatch. Expect short stories, audio files, and possibly even videos that dive into the history of The T.S.D.
And if that brand of Sci-Fi doesn’t suit your fancy, luckily…
IV
Project Amber Fields
I have a different sci-fi story I plan on exploring this year. I can’t say too much yet, as I am still figuring out my gameplan for it (Serialized release, self-pub with free E-book, etc).
But to give you a taste, here are some images to hint at what kind of world Project Amber Fields will be set in.
If this looks/sounds interesting, consider becoming a paid sub for first access.
V
The Lodge
Okay, homestretch here. I’ve been working on and off on a novel called ‘The Lodge’, a psychological horror/thriller following a group of young boys who stumble across something they shouldn’t have (very Stand By Me, Super 8, Stranger Things coded).
Aaaaaaaaaand I’ve hit a rut with it. I’ve since diverted my focus to Project Amber Fields and have felt a lot of relief in doing so. I’ve been writing seriously for a little over one year now, and have learned a lot in that time about the craft and myself. So much so that the foundational flaws in ‘The Lodge’ have quickly added up, and I feel the project is not worth pursuing in its current state.
I’m not giving up on it by any means, but I think I will be shelving it for a little while. Something in me feels that now isn’t the time to write it, and that I should grow more as a writer before picking it back up. I’ve fought this feeling for a while, pushing through it, writing more chapters, but there are just some fundamental issues that I don’t think revision will be enough to fix.
VI
Final Words
I know there is a lot of sci-fi talk in this post from what has mostly been a horror publication, but don’t worry. I still plan on exploring the dark and the horrific in my writing, but I feel like I need a little change. I’ve noticed some common trends in my writing this past year, certain tropes and images that recur a little too much. So, I wanna branch out and try something different. If you read my previous personal post, you’ll know that I don’t want The Shiver Dispatch to be something I hide behind, but a platform where I can grow as a writer and connect with you, the reader.
Thank you all so much for showing interest in my work. I don’t love the ‘support me’ language that gets thrown around when pushing for paid subs, so all I’ll say is that if you’ve found what I’ve written to be of value to you, or if you’re intrigued and want to see where all this goes, then consider becoming a paid subscriber. I promise to strive toward making my writing worthy of your commitment.
Much love everyone!
So excited for you B