Podcast News!

Hi there!

First, I want to thank everyone who helped in spreading the word about my new release! Whether it was blog friends helping me by allowing me by featuring it on their blogs or friends who shared it on their social media, I appreciate every bit of help!

Second, remember all those months ago when I mentioned putting together a podcast? Well, it's out and about in the world, and I realized I hadn't shared it here on my blog!

My co-host, MB Partlow, and I have released our third episode as of today! Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem is about true crime, the paranormal, cryptids, and other freaky things. You can listen via most podcasting services (some take longer for processing), with a new episode every week on Wednesday mornings.

So far, we've talked about the Gator and Reptile Farm in Mosca, CO; the murder of Heather Dawn Church; the ghosts of Riverside in Thornton; a set of historical axe murders in Colorado Springs; the serial killer who came after my mom when I was in the car with her (yes, I'm finally releasing his name, and I explain why on the podcast); and an entire town that looked the other way over a murder in New York.

If you don't have a go-to service for your podcasts, you can also listen to it directly on our website.

Podcast Website

Podcast Facebook Page

I hope you'll listen and let me know what you think! We post some pictures and links about the episodes on the Facebook page, and our new episodes appear on our website by about 2 AM on Wednesday mornings (7 AM on our Facebook page), all Mountain Time.

And for those who haven't seen it yet, you can find my new release at the below links! Despite the book cover, these are NOT just Christmas horror stories. There are two of those, but the others cover holidays between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, including Hanukkah, New Year's, and Groundhog Day, and more!

Amazon Paperback (US--links for other countries are available on my Publications tab)

Universal Link (this will take you to a page that lets you choose which e-book retailer you get it from)

Finally, our local library district puts on an event each year called Mountain of Authors. Sadly, this year they had to move it online due to COVID, but they still had us do something called a Book Buzz, where we recorded a couple minutes of why people should buy our book. Not being a natural salesperson, it was nerve-wracking to do, but I appreciate the opportunity. I'm embedding the link here so you can see what a dork I am.

It's a funny life for someone who has long tried to stay out of the limelight. I have some readings I'll be posting eventually, too! One humiliation at a time. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Do you listen to podcasts? What are your favorites? Where do you listen to them? Would you be able to talk for a minimum number of minutes about your new release? 

May you find your Muse.

Happy Ghoulidays Release Day!

Today's release day!

The holidays can be a stressful time, as we all know, but I'm hoping to lighten up this winter season with a little holiday horror.

Maybe "lighten up" isn't the right term.

The first story begins the winter holidays with Thanksgiving, with stories representing Christmas, Hanukah, Hogmanay (the New Year), Yule, Groundhog Day, and, finally, Valentine's Day. From serious horror to tongue-in-cheek. Read them all at once or save them for their holidays. Or both! 

Just in time for Thanksgiving week. I'll add purchase links as they come available.

Family time can lead to murder and mayhem, especially during the holidays. A turkey with a tale to tell, elves under attack, sorority sisters putting on a killer party, a woman's desperation to save her family, and a stranger ringing in the New Year. These and other tales of woe await you beneath the mistletoe.

Be careful who you offer a kiss. It may be your last.

Universal Link for e-book Editions: Books2Read

A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes in her dungeon when her minions allow, often accompanied by her familiars. She writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in several anthologies and magazines, and her collections, Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations and Bruised Souls & Other Torments, are available in stores. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast “Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem.” When she's not writing, she's hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings. Though she often misses the Oregon coast, the majestic and rugged Rockies are a sight she could never part with. Besides, in Colorado there's always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. What more could she ask for? 

Find her:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Instagram

Happy Ghoulidays Book Launch Details

My book launch gets started tomorrow!

Here's the schedule of those who have signed up to help get the word out, so far. I'm still taking sign-ups through the launch on November 20, so the form will be below. You can sign up for any day between now and the 20th.

I'll be adding the active links to each post once they go live.

Thank you to those who have signed up to help get the word out about Happy Ghoulidays! Different blogs will be sharing different things, including Top Ten Christmas Horror Movies, Holiday Horror Films for the Family, Weird Holiday Traditions in the Family, and Favorite Cold Weather Holidays.

Monday, November 9

C. Lee McKenzie - Author

Friday, November 13

Patricia Josephine & Patricia Lynne

Sunday, November 15

Joylene Nowell Butler - Suspense & Mystery Author

Monday, November 16

Alex J. Cavanaugh

Jemi Fraser - Just Jemi

Nick Wilford - Speculative Author

Tuesday, November 17

Marcy S. Hatch - Maine Words

Wednesday, November 18

C.D. Gallant-King - Stories I Found in the Closet

Thursday, November 19

Diane Burton - Adventure and Romance...In This World and Beyond

Social Media/Mailing Lists

S.A. Larsen - Middle Grade & Young Adult Fiction

Natalie Aguirre - Literary Rambles

Family time can lead to murder and mayhem, especially during the holidays. A turkey with a tale to tell, elves under attack, sorority sisters putting on a killer party, a woman's desperation to save her family, and a stranger ringing in the New Year. These and other tales of woe await you beneath the mistletoe.

Be careful who you offer a kiss. It may be your last.

Pre-order Link: Amazon Kindle 

(Paperback and other links will be available on November 20)

IWSG - Chasing my Tail

Here we come upon November, meaning my favorite season is almost done. Of course, here in Colorado fall is pretty short, so it won't last until the Solstice.

It being the first Wednesday, it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG allows us to post about our worries and insecurities, so we can share support and empathy. All are welcome to join. Just click on Alex's name and sign up, then post the first Wednesday of each month. Also, be sure to visit some of your fellow IWSGers, including the co-hosts: 

Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!

Quick note: I'm currently in New Orleans playing outdoor tourist, so will be visiting everyone this weekend when I get home.

Second note: Before you leave, please consider signing up to help with my book launch! The form will be at the bottom of this post.

The optional question for this month: Albert Camus once said, "The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself." Flannery O'Conner said, "I write to discover what I know." Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

The first thing that comes to mind is the trite "I write because I have no choice." The thing is, in my low moments, I often consider quitting, but then I realize I don't know what that looks like. I started writing because I was drawn to it. I didn't just up and decide to do it. I needed an outlet for the stories in my head. On the other hand, a second reason could be that I write to fight the monsters, and not just the ones in my head. 

I took this week off from my college classes (the schedule and pace are self-set) to get my upcoming release ready, which is stressing me out like crazy. But I needed this time. What I'll probably do is set aside all writing stuff when I get back from New Orleans, so I can buckle down and finish my third class. Then I'll go back to my new schedule as normal, where I split my time between the two a bit better. I'm already planning a second volume of holiday stories to follow this one, with holidays starting at Easter and going through Halloween. The stories in Happy Ghoulidays (Volume 1) go from Thanksgiving to Valentine's/Lupercalia.

And, hey, you know the podcast I've been talking about for MONTHS? It's finally happening. We have four episodes recorded, with more to come, and we'll be premiering on November 11 (assuming I get everything uploaded and setup in the right places.) Let's just say I've been learning A LOT lately, between school and starting up a podcast. But what's the point if we don't keep learning, right?

(Isn't the logo cute? A graphic artist friend of ours created it for us.) You can check out our website and our Facebook page. Our first two episodes focus on Colorado crimes and ghost stories.

Time for my monthly check-in. It's not great. I've got a bunch of stories needing editing and submission, plus stories that have been rejected that I still need to turn around. They've been set on the back burner this month. But I'm not going to skip my accountability post.

October stats:

1 submitted

3 rejected (2 after being shortlisted)

0 acceptances

6 currently on submission

15 currently pending re-submission (eeek)

I think I will be setting myself a weekend free from my classes as soon as I finish my next course, dedicated to getting stories out on submission. It takes a considerable amount of time searching out publications and finding the right ones for stories, so that tends to be the first thing I drop when I get busy.

Okay, onto the Happy Ghoulidays launch! I'm asking people to post between November 9 and November 20, which is the date of the book release AND my birthday! But the reason I'm releasing it that day is because of its proximity to Thanksgiving. Because I've been having issues with the form not reporting everyone who has signed up, please leave a comment if you signed up so I know to send you at least the basic materials even if you don't show up on the form. (Google forms have always worked for me before, but I've had constant issues this time, for some reason.)

I will be doing an online launch, as well as a late "trunk or treat" book signing in various parts of Colorado Springs and Denver. Thank you in advance for helping me out! And please know that I'm always happy to help with launches. Sometimes I don't see the posts asking for help.

The pre-order link for the Kindle version can be found by clicking HERE.

What are your insecurities? Have you been writing lately? How about submitting? Do you listen to podcasts?

May you find your Muse.