This year more than others, it feels like Krampus is everywhere. On ornaments and sweaters and coffee mugs OH MY! And I can't say I'm upset. His horns, long tongue, and evil grin adorn the world with fear and delight. Let's celebrate Krampus! A Krampus Carol Last October this anthology from Burial Day hit the world. Edited by Cynthia Pelayo and Gerardo Pelayo, this book offers thirty-one stories and poems, one for each day of December. I've been reading one each day this month and live-tweeting my reactions on #AKrampusCarol. So far, each story offered[...]
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0 Like most of my stories, Cast Away Stones started as a seed about superstition and ancient practices. Originally, when I set out to write a story based in folklore surrounding winter, I remembered some research I’d done on the Cailleach, an ancient winter goddess associated with the grain harvest in Scotland and Ireland. There was much folklore attached to her, with rural agricultural communities relying upon her for their prosperity. Not only did they worship her and try to keep her happy, they also revered her, believing their very livelihoods, and th[...]
Months and months ago, I don't remember exactly when, a call for tales inspired by Krampus for Burial Day Books' sixth volume of their Gothic Blue Book went out across this wide writerly world. Great glowing Christmas lights! I desperately wanted to write a Krampus story and, though I didn't think I stood a chance, submit it. I had to try. When faced with a submission call, one problem must be dealt with...the blank page, leaving the mind swirling with dark ideas and thoughts. So many. Too many. My mind latched onto one thing, the final scene of the mov[...]
We are very proud & excited to announce three of our members - Kathleen, Victoria & Mary - have all placed a story in the latest edition of the Gothic Blue Book series from Burial Day Books. GOTHIC BLUE BOOK VI: A KRAMPUS CAROL A collection of short horror stories and poems resurrect the spirit of the Gothic Blue Book. Gothic Blue Books were short Gothic fictions popular in the 18th and 19th century. Burial Day Books presents its sixth Gothic Blue Book, A Krampus Carol. A Krampus Carol is a celebration of folklore and myth around Christmas,[...]
Tis the season for happiness and lights and love and...horror! You betcha. I shall continue my tradition of live-tweeting two movies this month, because Christmas time demands it. For a special Midnight Society Movie nights, let's watch Gremlins and Krampus. There's nothing like Christmas horror. Even the season of hope has a dark side. First, let's watch the chaos unfold as rules are broken and terror invades a town in Gremlins. This 1984 film written by Chris Columbus and directed by Joe Dante delighted me as a child. From adorable Gizmo to terrif[...]
The Midnight Society is BACK! So, that means Midnight Society movie night returns, where everyone is welcome to join me on Twitter to live-tweet the creepy and dark and weird. Why? Well, if you're like me, you have people in your life who just don't 'do' horror. I go to movies alone. I watch at night in the dark when everyone is in bed. BUT...it's fun to share the terror with friends, with people who like the shadows as much as I do. My goal is to have a scheduled live-tweet once a month and maybe a few surprise movie nights, just because. So welcome to... AN[...]
Dear Krampus, At this most wonderful time of the year, we at the Midnight Society, have a few humble wishes to make our holiday season extra dark. Dear Krampus, I love Canada. I really do. But the fact that winter lasts 5 to 6 months means I’m going to need some especially creepy things under my tree this year to keep my dark little heart aglow. Here are a few goodies I would love to unwrap this Christmas morning over hot chocolate (extra marshmallows): I may not be able to fly like my bat-minions, but these Black Rubber Bat Wings would make my goth heart[...]
Tis the season! Lights! Love! Hope! And don’t forget a bit of horror. Christmas horror! A gift that becomes a bit more than you can handle. A dark spirit of Christmas ready to punish all who don’t believe. So, dear scary-loving friends, let’s watch a horror movie...NO, let’s watch two Christmas horror movies! First... A 1984 horror-comedy directed by Joe Dante. No one can resist fuzzy little Gizmo in a Santa hat! And who can pass up creepy killers singing Christmas carols? Not me. A fun destructive romp through the lovely town of Kingston Falls where[...]
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with flare, In hopes that a parent would put shit in there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, Without a clue of the coming dread. You see, they were naughty, horrible brats And something was scurrying about aside from the rats. When out on the lawn something landed with a splatter, So I sprang from the bed to see a sleigh shatter. Away from the window I flew like the Flash, To[...]