Category: Articles

Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Sleep-Knitting

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Sleep-Knitting

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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Articles / Guest Post

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Advance to Adaptation

Advance to Adaptation
By Kristina Rienzi

Do you want your book turned into a movie? Does it seem like a dream that will never come true? 

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Most authors dream about their stories on screen. But Hollywood isn’t breaking down doors. There are more writers than ever, and plenty of material for them to be super picky. Besides, unlike self-publishing, self-movie making doesn’t exist. 

Or does it…

Maybe not, yet. But let’s explore what we CAN do as writers. 

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Articles

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10 Haunted House Places and Creepy Locations That Will Give You Chills

10 Haunted House Places and Creepy Locations That Will Give You Chills

People love exploring the scariest ghost stories and haunted real-life locations for many reasons, including the thrill of fear, curiosity about the supernatural, and a desire to connect with mysterious histories. What’s more, if you want to touch the unknown, there are plenty of opportunities to do so, as such locations are spread worldwide. 

 

Read further to discover why people are so fascinated by paranormal stories and haunted places, and find out which legendary locations top the list for thrill-seekers.

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Articles / For Readers

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 05/23/2025

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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Articles

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10 Summer-Themed Horror Stories for Summer 2025

10 Summer-Themed Horror Stories for Summer 2025

You might think summer is all about sunshine, beach days, and barbecues, but it’s also the perfect season to dive into some chilling tales that mix heat with horror. Why? Because nothing spices up those long, lazy days like a good scare with a summer twist. These stories not only entertain but also offer a clever way to enjoy the season from the safety of your favorite reading spot. Whether you’re a horror aficionado or just looking for a fun, spooky read, these summer-themed horror novels will keep you hooked and maybe even make you think twice before taking that midnight swim.

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Articles / Guest Post

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The Development of a Trope By James L Hill

The Development of a Trope

By James L Hill

Vampires have haunted the mind for millennia. The Mesopotamians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans all believed in blood drinking demons, the precursors to modern vampires. Probably because blood is the one thing everyone recognizes as essential for life. It is irreplaceable. I was born with a fever, the doctors wanted to do a full transfusion, and my father refused. His reasoning, “no way you can take all the blood out of my boy and put it back in.”

This is the first trope of the vampire story, they need blood to survive. Working off this main idea, blood will reconstitute the vampire. They gain control of their victims through the blood. They slowly suck the blood, gaining power over the person’s will until one night they completely drain them. The victim dies to rise as a vampire and slave to their master.

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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Skin Deep

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Skin Deep

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…)

Articles / Interviews

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An Interview With Steve Capone Jr on Costs of Living

Horror isn’t always about haunted houses or ancient curses. Sometimes, it’s the creeping dread of daily life—the suffocating rules of a suburban HOA, the slow unraveling of a workplace routine, or the existential weight of what it costs to simply exist. That’s exactly the kind of horror Steve Capone Jr. explores in Cost of Living, the debut anthology from Whisper House Press.

We recently sat down with Steve to discuss the making of this collection and the philosophy behind his press. A seasoned teacher, award-winning writer, and former philosophy grad student, Steve brings an analytical yet deeply empathetic eye to editing. His approach blends his love of narrative with his belief in fiction as a means of connecting across perspectives. And in horror, he’s found a genre where strange situations and unthinkable choices can become powerful thought experiments, what he calls “intuition pumps” borrowed from the language of ethics.

In this interview, Steve opens up about the press’s beginnings, the kinds of stories that made it into Cost of Living, and why he believes horror is uniquely suited for amplifying marginalized voices. We also touch on his second anthology, Dread Mondays, and get insight into how working with students and running Whisper House Press have sharpened his instincts as both an editor and a writer.

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