Slow and Steady Progress
Feb 07, 2026 6:01 pm
It is February, that month of romance, that month every horror writer dreads. All kidding aside, we are in the second month of the year, and on the downside of winter. (Good news, the groundhogs have favoured us on the Eastern and Atlantic side of Canada with an early spring prediction). Plus, I've made some progress with my writing.
Heyward and Andersen.
The last story is back on track with all the plot points worked out and a few callbacks to previous stories. Somehow a mystery man worked his way into the story for a brief cameo, so I'll have to figure out his identity, but everything else is still moving forward. And for anyone who has read the previous stories, Elspeth finally gets to use the dynamite in this one.
Between distractions and snow shovelling, I didn't make much progress on any other writing projects in January, but I remain hopeful for February to be a more productive month.
Appearances
I'll be part of the Under 1k YouTube Marathon that runs from February 8th-15th. So if you want to pop by for some productivity sprints and chatting, check out the Playlist below.
----------------------------------------------
The Shadows and Ink Podcast
The January episode with crime writer Melanie Anagnos has aired with a terrific chat about crime solving back in the 1970s. And don't miss our upcoming February chat on the 20th with author Venessa Giunta as we discuss the horror staple of adding monsters to your writing.
Check out the link below to see the latest episode.
----------------------------------------------
Giveaways and Books To Browse
Not-So-Sweet February Reads
Ends March 1, 2026!
***
DARK FANTASY
Epiphany and More by Alex Darkfell
Folklore-rooted, modern twists and featuring raw emotional undercurrents. Stories include Cornish, Norse, and Japanese myths re-imagined...
Stories include:
"Epiphany" - She was sold by her mother, mocked by servants, and when betrayal came, she burned the world down.
"Dance of the Raven" - A hiker meets the trickster.
"Touchwood" - Inheritance, a locked attic, and a hungry succubus.
"Of Ivy and Teeth" - Two schoolgirls step into a forest clearing in search of the Green Bride. How many will walk out?
A Choice of Survival by A.B. Roussety
The contract seemed straightforward: investigate the abandoned mine, find the missing workers, give the families closure. Monster hunter Julian has handled worse.
But the thing living in those tunnels isn't just hungry. It's territorial, intelligent, and carries the scars of a human past.
When Julian discovers the creature's true identity, he's faced with a question that has no right answer.
A Choice of Survival is a standalone dark fantasy novella introducing Julian Nukem, one of the core characters from The Veilguard Chronicles series. It explores the cost of mercy and the lies we tell to protect people we'll never meet again. Perfect for readers who love The Witcher's moral complexity and atmospheric monster hunting.
The Volcan Knights - Origins by Laurie Bowler
Marcus was a Roman centurion. Gabriel, a plague doctor. Sean, a Celtic warrior. Kamal, an Egyptian scholar. James, a medieval strategist. Separated by centuries, united by a singular purpose: they have been transformed by divine beings called Nephilim into the Volcan Knights—supernatural guardians wielding blessed steel against an ancient evil that devours human souls.
For a year, they have hunted the Devourers—shadow creatures that slip through dimensional barriers to consume consciousness itself. But the manifestations are growing stronger, more intelligent, and disturbingly coordinated. Something vast and malevolent is directing them from beyond the boundaries of reality.
When the knights discover the true scale of the threat—not just scattered monsters but a coordinated invasion that could transform all consciousness into extensions of corrupted will—they must evolve from reactive hunters into strategic warriors. But the cost of fighting cosmic horror is devastating: brothers fall, love becomes weaponised vulnerability, and the psychological warfare is as deadly as the physical combat.
As dimensional barriers collapse and thousands of Devourers prepare to flood the mortal realm, an unprecedented sacrifice offers desperate hope. But victory will require more than blessed swords and supernatural strength. It will demand everything the knights have left—their humanity, their brotherhood, and their willingness to continue fighting when every tactical assessment suggests defeat is inevitable.
A dark fantasy epic of immortal warriors, cosmic horror, and the ultimate question: what makes consciousness worth preserving when corruption promises an end to all suffering?
STEAMPUNK
Shades: A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure (Aether Chronicles) by Abi Barden
Amethyst Forester is a scientist, not a lady.Benjamin Maker is a lord, trapped in a loveless marriage.The only thing they have in common is Professor Richards—a genius Aetheric scientist.When Richards is found dead, Amethyst and Benjamin are put in an impossible situation. They jointly inherit his house, its contents, and the mystery of his murder.Could the Professor have been killed for one of his experiments? And if so, what if someone’s still looking for it?
If you like your steampunk with a bit of romance sprinkled in and loads of mystery, this Victorian London-era steampunk adventure is the story for you
----------------------------------------------
My Merch Stores:
Vintage and artsy designs on a variety of products
Scifi, fantasy, and horror designs on a variety of products
My shop on Redbubble featuring a variety of products.
Including evil chicken merch.
(with Canadian designs and evil chicken merch)
----------------------------------------------
Find me on:
Website | Facebook Group | YouTube | BookBub
My Amazon page | My Books on StoryOrigin
----------------------------------------------
That's it for this edition. And I'll return next month with more updates.
