Nightmares and smoke-grey cats

You know, when your last blog is about Christmas trees and we’re just emerging from a sweltering summer, that it’s about time to post something! Apologies for being so remiss.

On the other hand, the book I’m currently working on is all about Christmas folklore and mistletoe and ghostly happenings amidst the snow, so maybe it’s kind of fitting . . .

However! I just had a new story up at Nightmare Magazine, which is always something to celebrate. The team there is brilliant to work with, and they put out a really professional product, so once again I’m happy to be a part of it.

Here’s the full blurb for the issue (lovely to be sharing another TOC with writer pal Ray Cluley!):

“We have original fiction from Alison Littlewood (“Ways to Wake”) and Caspian Gray (“Kylie Land”), along with reprints by Ray Cluley (“Bones of Crow”) and Kelley Armstrong (“A Haunted House of Her Own”). In the latest installment of “The H Word,” Halli Villegas discusses the old-fashioned ghost story. We also have author spotlights with our authors, and a feature interview with horror poet and author Linda D. Addison.”

My story is based on true events, in that more than one nursing home has claimed to have a cat that knows when one of the residents is going to die, cuddling up with them and offering comfort. I’m afraid, me being me, I’ve taken a look at the darker side of what that might mean, and some other folklore connecting cats with the sick and dying.

Anyway – with no more ado – here are the links!

You can read Ways to Wake here – or indeed listen to the audio version.

The author spotlight is here.

If you like what you see at Nightmare, you could purchase the whole issue for $2.99, or indeed subscribe.

I hope you enjoy!

A Cold Silence

A Cold Silence

Acapulcalypse Now

Acapulcalypse Now

The Unquiet House

The Unquiet House

Path of Needles

Path of Needles

A Cold Season

A Cold Season