The Revisions Are Finally Done!
Sep 05, 2026 5:01 pm
September starts the countdown for the Spooky Season, but I'm unsure what will be happening for that at this point, other than a sale or two and publishing the fifth Heyward and Andersen story. Because, yes, I finished my revisions on the story!
And boy did I have a month trying to get it done.
August was plagued with ongoing health issues. At the start of the month, I had a severe vertigo episode in the wee hours of the morning, and ended up in the ER that day, where they settled my head with some medication. But I was still having dizziness, headaches and my right hand was numb, so my doctor sent me for a CAT scan (which thankfully showed no spine or neck issues). Since then, my hand seems to be getting better, but I'm still having some dizziness episodes and headaches. I have another follow up doctor's appointment and some blood tests pending, and hopefully we'll figure things out.
Somehow, I managed to finish the edits on Adventure at Reichenbach and it is now ready for beta readers. If you'd like to be a beta reader for the story, just reply to the newsletter and I'll send you the StoryOrigin link where you can read it and offer feedback.
This is the longest story in the series at over 12,000 words, and in my opinion, wraps up the series nicely. As I said, there will be a bonus story coming with the print edition, but that probably won't be until next year, and this one will be the last official story.
Here's the tentative blurb for the story.
Heyward and Andersen are on vacation.
It doesn't go as planned...
A chance meeting with an old acquaintance and a calamitous encounter with Sherlock Holmes, send Heyward and Andersen on the hunt for a missing vampire and the truth behind a sinister prophecy.
Enemies surround them and they are on a collision course with deadly paranormal forces out to destroy the world.
Will they prevail? Or will this be their last case?
Will Elspeth finally get to use her dynamite?
I also received some VERY good news that I can't talk about quite yet, but I should be making an announcement in next month's newsletter with more details.
The Shadows and Ink Podcast
The August episode has aired, with author Joel McKay stopping by to discuss writing horror short fiction; it was a great chat and well worth a listen. This month the guest is author Seth Voorhees, and we'll be chatting about using true crime as inspiration for fiction. It should air September 20th, and will most likely be our last one.
Check out the link below to see the latest episode.
Giveaways and Books To Browse
Fantasy Fun
Ends Sep 30.
Folklore and Fairytales
(This is for Review Copies)
Ends Oct 2, 2026!
HORROR FANTASY
The Alchemist's Shadow by Laurie Bowler
Imesda Schatten has spent seven years working in the shadow of Volkov Castle, where glass, fire, and forbidden formulas are safer than people. When the Crimson Blight reaches the castle, she expects another disease to dissect. Instead, she discovers an ancient mark in the flesh of the dying-and the same mark burning beneath her own skin.
The Blight is not spreading by chance. It is the price of a blood pact sworn by the founding families of the Marches. The Church knows the truth and has buried it beneath centuries of executions, silence, and carefully chosen sacrifices. Now the pact is weakening, the Black Forest is waking, and something beneath the Heartstone has begun to stir.
As Imesda searches her father's forbidden notes and her mother's sealed secrets, she uncovers a truth that could destroy everything she believed about her family's downfall. Her sister, Isme, may still be alive. The next sacrifice has already been chosen. And the answer lies deep within a forest where the trees remember every oath made in blood.
With the Church closing in and the Blight reaching for her heart, Imesda must leave the safety of her laboratory and enter the darkness herself. Konrad Voss, a mercenary captain with his own reasons for distrusting the Church, may be the only ally willing to stand beside her. But trust is dangerous when every secret has a price.
To save the Marches, Imesda must choose whether to renew the pact, break it, or pay the debt with blood of her own.
The Alchemist's Shadow is a dark, atmospheric fantasy filled with forbidden alchemy, ancient magic, betrayal, and survival.
If you enjoy gothic fantasy, sinister churches, haunted forests, morally complicated characters, and supernatural suspense, step into the shadow.
Slice of Sin by J. W. Weld
In a land of sleeping spirits, Sin is hunting a ghost.
The boy should be dead, but the rumours are too loud to ignore. He's alive, and Sin won't rest until she finds him. As she stalks the moonlit rooftops of Luskaine's capital, her search uncovers more than a missing boy: she finds betrayal, revenge, and bloody satisfaction. Slice of Sin is a gritty prequel to The Last Sin series, offering a rare look inside the twisted mind of its most dangerous villain.
Get this exclusive short story today and enter the world of The Last Sin.
Thin Places by Barbara Cottrell
Winter quarter has begun at Miskatonic University.
Ellen Logan wants nothing more than to join the school’s “special program”, but the administration refuses to admit her. That’s not her only problem. She has a jealous boyfriend and a charismatic celebrity who’s stalking her. A man who claims he’s a demon from another world.
When her friend is kidnapped, Ellen once again teams up with Professor Andrew Carter. Their investigations lead them to the site of a mysterious plane crash and an encounter that plunges her into the Dreamlands. With the help of new allies, Ellen must find a way to return to the real world where her friend’s life hangs in the balance.
"From the hallowed halls of Miskatonic to the outer reaches of the Dreamlands, Cottrell serves up a powerful potion of cosmic horror, urban fantasy, and romantic tension in this vividly imagined mythos adventure. Don't sleep on this one!" - Douglas Wynne, author of Red Equinox
HORROR NON-FICTION
Haunting of Himeji Castle by Grant Kelly
Known as the "White Heron Castle" for its pristine beauty, Himeji has stood for centuries as a symbol of power, tradition, and history. But beneath its elegant exterior lies a darker truth one of betrayal, bloodshed, and spirits that refuse to fade into legend.
Encounter the ghost of Okiku, the tragic servant girl whose mournful cries still rise from the castle's well. Face the terrifying Headless Samurai, doomed to wander the fortress in search of what was taken from him. Witness the eerie Phantom Procession gliding silently through the corridors, and feel the unshakable presence of the Woman in the Window, forever watching from above.
From the whispers trapped within the ancient walls to the sound of vanishing footsteps echoing through empty halls, Himeji Castle remains a place where the past refuses to rest. Blending historical intrigue with chilling paranormal encounters, Haunting of Himeji Castle transports you into a world where samurai spirits still roam, ghostly rituals replay in the dead of night, and the shadows hold more than just memories. Dare to enter, but beware you may not leave alone.
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 books and book 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.
