Category: Articles

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Chicken Blood

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Chicken Blood

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Epeolatry Book Review: Rabbit Face and Further Awful Encounters by Thomas C. Mavroudis

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Rabbit Face and Further Awful Encounters
Author: Thomas C. Mavroudis
Genre: Occult & Supernatural Horror
Publisher: JournalStone 
Release Date: April 25, 2025

Synopsis: Escaping the mounting issues with city life, a couple move into a suburban subdivision that utilizes a special form of security. An ex-con shares her experiences with an obscure cryptid on a late night talk show. Grigori Rasputin conducts a cult under observation by British Intelligence. The personification of Death, bored and lonely, wanders the streets of Denver seeking connection.

Every encounter is a confrontation. Doppelgängers, conglomerate spirits, and other awful things await your acquaintance in Rabbit Face and Further Awful Encountersthe debut collection from Thomas C. Mavroudis, of whom Bram Stoker award winner Christa Carmen says, “Employs crisp prose, heartbreakingly earnest characters, and a wicked gift for dark humor to absolutely brilliant effect.”

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 06/13/2025

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Tuesday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

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Be Brave Under Threat: Wise Words from Margaret Atwood, 2025 Winner of the British Book Awards’ Freedom to Publish Award

Be Brave Under Threat: Wise Words from Margaret Atwood, 2025 Winner of the British Book Awards’ Freedom to Publish Award

 

By Melody E. McIntyre

 

As someone who grew up in Canada, I am, of course, familiar with Margaret Atwood. As one of Canada’s most prominent, well-known writers, Atwood has published 18 novels, 18 books of poetry, 11 works of non-fiction, plus multiple children’s books, short story collections, and other works. Her best known work is The Handmaid’s Tale, which has been adapted into a movie and a television show that just wrapped its final season in May 2025. Its sequel, The Testaments, released in 2019, won the Booker Prize. Throughout her career, Atwood has won many awards, including the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Governor General’s Award, and, most recently, the Freedom to Publish Award during the 2025 British Book Awards on May 12, 2025. The British Book Awards are administered by the British trade magazine, The Bookseller, and have been handed out since 1990.

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: When Clowns Laugh

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: When Clowns Laugh

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

(more…)

Why You Can’t Write Fear Without Feeling It First

Why You Can’t Write Fear Without Feeling It First

by: J.M. Shaw

Every story requires a different creative mindset. I can’t write a sombre narrative if I’m feeling lighthearted and carefree, nor can I write a tranquil scene if I’m weighed down by inner turmoil. Creativity isn’t something that can be forced—it’s inextricably connected to one’s emotional state. If writing is a process powered by imagination, then one’s mood is the fuel that keeps the imaginative fire burning. And while our feelings can’t always be controlled, they can certainly be influenced.

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The Science of Scare: Understanding Psychological Triggers in Horror

The Science of Scare: Understanding Psychological Triggers in Horror

Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions. It’s instinctive, primal, and deeply rooted in the brain. That’s why horror stories, when done right, can be so effective: they tap directly into that raw emotion, and most importantly, people actually like to be scared by a good story.

 

But what exactly makes horror scary? It’s not just blood, monsters, or things jumping out from the dark. The best horror works because it targets something deeper: psychological triggers that humans are wired to respond to. Of course, you can scare someone with an ugly monster, but to really tap into a deeply-rooted fear of something really disturbing requires some more profound knowledge.

 

For writers, understanding these natural triggers is the key to crafting stories that don’t just shock, but truly unsettle.

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 06/06/2025

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Tuesday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

(more…)