I’m probably not unhinged, but I am unhinging my jaw 😅
Hello and welcome to my newsletter at its new home! Thank you for joining me here. This newsletter may have a new look and name, but it’s the same old me, here to give updates on my writing and publications, and tell you all about what I’ve been enjoying lately.
It’s been a while since I sent out one of these, so here’s a little catch up of what I’ve done this year:
cover art by Tithi Luadthong
“The Ocean Vomits What We Discard” was reprinted in the August 2025 issue of The Dark! Originally published in The Off-Season: An Anthology of Coastal New Weird (ed. Marissa van Uden, Dark Matter INK), this is a story of a dying coastline, familial obligations, strange hairy sea creatures with a mission, and what happens when an endless parade of girls keep marching into the sea. Read for free online.
In May, I contributed to the Thoughts from the Writers Desk column at Ruadan Books with my essay “On the Symbiosis of Writing and Community.” This serves as a love letter to the writing community that embraced me and my childhood best friend and first critique partner. We may write alone, but we couldn’t do this without a little help from our friends. Read for free online.
“Guilt is a Little House,” my modern US-set retelling of the Thai folktale of Mae Nak, was published in Silk & Sinew: A Collection of Folk Horror from the Asian Diaspora (ed. Kristy Park Kulski, Bad Hand Books) in May. Two teens, two houses, two different social/economic classes, one plot of land, and a whole lot of secrets. Mother never eats and always sleeps. Valley will never leave this place, despite what Joy wants for her. Learn more about the anthology.
One of my favorite podcasts, PseudoPod, produced my original story “The Ecstasy of the Saints” in March. Catholic guilt, self-pleasure, and spontaneous human combustion. My wandering mind had a lot to think about during all those hours spent in church. I love this little weirdo of a story, perfectly narrated by Dani Daly. Listen and read for free online.
My first Publishers Marketplace announcement!
ICYMI: My sex drugs and rock & roll, queer body horror succubi novella SLEEP ALONE has found a new home with Shortwave Publishing! The closure of the wonderful Off Limits Press left my succubi orphaned, but Shortwave is saving the day in January 2026. Very grateful to my agent and Shortwave for making this happen. I can’t wait for the cover reveal. Alan Lastufka is already creating the coolest cover (that vibes with one of my favorite movies). Preorders soon!
Upcoming short fiction for the rest of 2025:
“Demon in Repose” - Haven Spec : A sleep paralysis demon guides you, the sleeper, through her night. Based on my recurring dreams.
“Severed Blessings” - The Joining (ed. Jacob Steven Mohr, Crystal Lake Publishing) : A love story, a buffet of weddings, and a hungry demon birthed by a broken vow. Based on a northern Thailand wedding tradition.
“The Body is a Cage Opened Only by Fire” - khōréō Magazine : A Thai demon haunts generations of women in one family. There is only one way to free your soul.
“Lamai” - (reprint) Tales to Terrify : Originally published in Why Didn’t You Just Leave (ed. Nadia Bulkin & Julia Rios).
And now for some of my favorite recent reads:
Currently reading: Black Flame. This is my first Gretchen Felker-Martin book and holy shit. I was immediately attracted to the subject matter of a film restoration specialist working on a cursed film, but this is so much more. I’m only a quarter of the way through but really loving it.
Finally read Fever House by Keith Rosson. What an absolute page-turner. This one is begging for a film adaptation.
Enamoured: A Triptych by Shelley Lavigne - the purveyor of moist literature never disappoints. I love the explorations of class, power dynamics, and sexuality. Also, the illustrations (fake cosmetics ads!) are stunning.
Some recently released and upcoming (2025) books I’m excited about:
A Game in Yellow & Teenage Girls Can be Demons by Hailey Piper - Hell yeah erotic horror and “coming-of-rage” stories!
Summer in the House of the Departed by Josh Rountree - Josh’s collection Death Aesthetic is a gorgeously written favorite, so I’m here for this.
The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt - One of my favorite writers. I’ve been waiting years for his novel.
Issues with Authority by Nadia Bulkin - I will read anything Nadia writes.
Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day by Emma E. Murray - Emma really knows how to balance horrific violence with emotional resonance. She does not look away.
Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson - Keith does vampires. SOLD.
The Extra by Annie Neugebaeuer - I have not read any of Annie’s work yet, but the concept of an extra person everyone somehow remembers is very intriguing.
We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad - Because Bunny is a fucking gem and I’m eager to revisit that world.
Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Kiefer - Crafting and survival, and I really dug This Wretched Valley.
Cyanide Constellations and Other Stories by Sara Tantlinger - We’re finally getting a collection from Sara!
I’m serious when I say I need a spreadsheet of where I want to buy all of these: favorite indie shops, online shops, directly from the publisher. This list is in no way complete. I’m a very forgetful person and know I will remember ten more books right after I hit publish. So, keep shouting about your books so I can add them!
And I’ll leave you with a little more news:
My debut novel, PARALLEL FLESH, is now with my agent and about to go out on sub after almost five years and many more revisions. Are you a fan of Kathe Koja’s The Cipher? The films Possession, Spring, and Coherence? Some of these inspired me or were brought to my attention by beta readers and my agent. Two couples. A stagnant relationship. The fallibility of memory. The mercy of secrets and lies. Mutation or divine transformation? Also, there’s a new room in the basement. I hope to have more to tell you in the coming months!
Okay, that’s enough for now. As always, thanks for joining me and supporting my work!
See you on Bluesky? Find me there and on other socials @jawmccarthy