It’s October, which means it’s spooky time! 👻🦇 With Halloween coming up, everything’s going darker, eerier, and you know what? I love it! In South Africa, people don’t really celebrate Halloween the way the USA does (I mean, it’s not even autumn here), but that doesn’t stop me from partaking in the Spooky Season how way I can and when I can. Ooh, I’m so excited for horror month!
So, let’s get to all my obsessions this week before I burst:
All The Spooky Shows
Almost everyone I know has already tuned in to the newest season of American Horror Story, which is aptly named 1984, and has a wonderful 80s slasher vibe to it. I think the makers are trying to cash in on the Stranger Things and GLOW 80s setting, but that’s okay. I’m digging it anyway.
The Prodigal Son is another show that you absolutely have to watch. It’s an intelligently written thriller/horror with a wonderful twist to an old trope. We’ve watched one episode so far, and the acting was so good, I was hooked immediately. You want to watch this one if you’re a fan of Michael Sheen, Silence of the Lambs, and/or serial killers and psychopaths in general.
Evil is also a thriller/horror show with a good twist on an old trope. The acting is good, the plot is interesting, and weirdly, at times, I got a bit of a Conjuring vibe. If you’re looking for some demon action in your regular scheduled viewing, this one is for you.
All in all, these shows are worth a watch if you’re looking for anything with entertainment value.
Some Creepy Books
The Ghost Hunter’s Daughter by Caroline Flarity is a YA novel, with a tagline that just spoke to my black little heart. I mean, who wouldn’t be intrigued with a book that says it’s “Supernatural meets Mean Girls”? So that one’s definitely being read this week.
I’m going in blind with another title I recently picked up, called: Five Midnights by Ann Dávila Cardinal.
Inside Out by Demi Moore isn’t especially spooky, but I’ve been hearing a lot about the memoir, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued. So, I bought it, and decided to put it on the nightstand as a kind of palate cleanser.
The Ominous Nail Art
If you follow me on Instagram, you might sometimes see me post my nail art. Now, usually I try to stick to seasonal nail art—you know, pretty flowers for Spring or red for February—but I always seem to gravitate towards the darker and creepier stuff. My manicurist, Jaqueline, is often challenged with whatever design I absolutely, positively need on my hands for the next 20 days or so.
A lesser person would have kicked me off their client list ages ago, but Jaqueline has embraced my quirky challenges, so much so that she surprised me on Monday with the spookiest Halloween design ever! Check it out:
Spookier than Spooky News
Shallow Waters: Volume 3
Last week, I revealed the cover art for the Shallow Waters: Volume 3 flash fiction anthology. My story, “Number Seventeen”, was selected to go into it, along with plenty of other amazing authors’ stories. I also have the official TOC to share! Whoohoo! 🙂
Introduction by Joe Mynhardt
“Piece Meal” by Madeline Mora-Summonte
“The Anonymous Dark” by Jonathan Winn
“Number Seventeen” by Monique Snyman
“For Her” by Jo-Anne Russell
“Second Chances” by Rob Smales
“Maker of Flight” by Richard Thomas
“Inertia” by Joshua Hair
“Malignant Roots” by Red Lagoe
“Two to a Desk” by Dani Brown
“The Comb” by Theresa Derwin
“Echoes” by Megan Hart
“Haunted Places” by Mark Allan Gunnells (winner)
“Hallways, Long and Dark” by Dale Elster
“The Chance of a Lifetime” by Pete Mesling
“GOGGINS” by Stephen Crowley
“Caoine” by Jennifer Loring “
Hacked” By Mark Cassell & Patrick R. McDonough
“Ghosts of the Wood” by Tim Meyer
“Paid in Full” by Roberta Codemo
“This Other Door” by Dan Rabarts & Lee Murray
“Always and Forever” by Jay Faulkner
Just look at the awesome bite-sized horror in this book! Ooh, it’s a good one, I can feel it in my bones. Also, it’s probably going to come out real soon … I think pre-orders will actually be up by tonight, so keep an eye out for it.
The Night Weaver (The Night Weaver #1)
So, with The Night Weaver is coming out on October 15th, but everyone’s been working super hard to get all the marketing done on time. I’ve seen some beautiful photos on Instagram, and I’m smiling all the way. My book look so pretty:
The Nerd Daily
Last night, Seven Jane surprised me by posting our interview on The Nerd Daily. I knew it was coming out, but I must have forgotten (it’s been a pretty hectic couple of weeks … it happens). 🙂 Nevertheless, I had great fun talking books, writing, and just all things The Night Weaver. Seven is absolutely wonderful. Do take a moment to read The Nerd Daily interview, and then, when you’re done there, come back to check out Seven Jane’s Wrong Answers Only Interview. Hehehe
Ads
Ooh, here’s a pretty spooky ad that’s been making the rounds:
Book Riot
Book Riot did a “YA Books to Get in the Fall Mood” post, which features The Night Weaver alongside some excellent, creepy reads. If you’re looking to read something to get you in the Halloween mood, do check this one out.
Publishers Weekly
My agent sent me a screenshot of Publishers Weekly’s Reality Bites section, and it was an AMAZING surprise! The Night Weaver is mentioned alongside some really cool upcoming books, and I’m just so incredibly grateful for all the wonderful support I’m getting. ❤️❤️❤️ I don’t think I’m allowed to share the screenshot, though, because of legal stuff, but let me know if you see it so we can squeal with joy together.
I know I’m forgetting something, but I can’t remember what it is.
If whatever it is I’m forgetting comes back to me at some point, I’ll let you know. 🙂 In the meantime, I think this is about it. There’s no telling what news I’ll have next week, so keep on checking in to stay updated with my whirlwind world.
Stay spooky, Darklings!
Monique
