Weird Horror 12 Now Available
Feb 24, 2026 12:40 pm
Dear Friends,
I hope that you are all keeping well. That you are maintaining some balance on this madly spinning planet.
Before I get to the meat of this newsletter, some breaking news. Just as I was composing this I learned that 2 pieces we published last year have made the final ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards®. Huge congratulations to Thomas Ha for his novelette "Uncertain Sons" placing in the Long Fiction category, and to Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece for her story "St. Dymphna's School for Borderland Girls" in the Short Fiction category. Well done! Congratulations and good luck to ALL the nominees.
WEIRD HORROR #12
Issue 12 of Weird Horror magazine drops today! Another fabulous ToC! Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered. I will get your copy out to you soon.
You can purchase this issue in print or eBook here:
Our friends at Weightless Books also offer a 2-issue digital subscription. If you'd like a digital subscription this is the only way to get one. 2 issues for just $10. A 30% savings. And while you're over at Weightless take a browse of all their offerings.
We've already posted Simon Strantzas's latest 'On Horror' column to the site because we are eager for you to read it. This time around Simon explores the distinctions between European Weird and American Weird horror fiction. You can read the column here:
A reminder that if you read Weird Horror online, and enjoy the columns and fiction, you can support us with a few dollars through our Ko-Fi.
You can get last year's print issues of Weird Horror — #'s 10 & 11 — bundled together at a 25% discount.
I hope you'll consider grabbing the latest issue, or last year's issues at a discount. Thank you!
Aside from Weird Horror magazine, we published two other books last year:
Thomas Ha's debut — Uncertain Sons and Other Stories — is a startling and masterful collection. Sharp, incisive, imaginative, and visionary; and praised by Kelly Link, Jeffrey Ford, Brian Evenson, and more, Uncertain Sons heralds the arrival of a vital new voice.
The Best Weird Fiction of the Year, Vol. 1, received generous reviews from Rue Morgue; Lightspeed; and Strange Horizons.
Both these titles are on the Locus Recommended Reading List. And if you're voting for the Locus Awards they are up for Best Collection, and Best Anthology, respectively.
And they are on sale!
Save 20% when you buy both print editions together.
LOCUS AWARDS VOTING
Speaking of the Locus Awards, their annual Awards Poll is now open to voting. Anyone can vote. (If you're not a Locus subscriber you do have to fill out a survey before getting your ballot.)
Undertow is proud to be represented on the ballot. As mentioned, The Best Weird Fiction of the Year is up for Best Anthology. Thomas Ha's Uncertain Sons is up for Best Collection, and the title story is up for Best Novelette. As well, Weird Horror magazine is up for Best Magazine, and I am listed under Best Editor. (Almost certainly some sort of clerical error.)
There is an option for Write-Ins, and every year I use that option for presses, editors, magazines, etc., that deserve recognition. There is a lot of great work outside the mainstream and big presses. Indies are awesome.
If you're voting, there are many deserving editors: Erik Secker; Sean Wallace; Matt Blairstone; Alex Woodroe; DaVaun Sanders; Selena Middleton; Sam Cowan; Tom English; Cavan Terrrill; David Longhorn; Andy Cox; Rebecca Bennett; dave ring; E. Catherine Tobler, Michael J. DeLuca; Jen Albert; Wendy N. Wagner; Steve Berman; Marissa van Uden; and Lesley Conner. And many others.
Some magazines that deserve some love: Bourbon Penn; The Dark; The Skull & Laurel; Fusion Fragment; Supernatural Tales; Remains; FIYAH; Baffling; Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet; The Deadlands; Three-Lobed Burning Eye; Nightmare Abbey; hex literary; and Reckoning. And more. Vote your faves!
And some indie presses you might consider: Word Horde; Dim Shores; Tenebrous Press; Fairwood; Neon Hemlock; Psychpomp; and Stelliform Press. To name just a few. It's a rich tapestry. And would be lovely to see some fresh faces.
Happy voting!
Submissions for volume 2 of The Best Weird Fiction of the Year close on Feb. 28 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Please adhere to all the guidelines.
Since the elimination of the de minimus exemption between Canada and the U.S., I've had a few queries about shipping. It is true that some 'informational materials' are still exempt. So it's possible that our books might qualify. However, all the shipping agents here have introduced more paperwork and fees. I need to fill in exact exact manufacturing details and addresses and contact details for each shipment, plus detailed descriptions. And there are still added brokerage and customs clearing fees. The time and extra expense just don't make it feasible to ship across the border, currently. I'm sorry.
So fulfillment is being done through print-on-demand via Ingram/Lightning Source. They've recently increased their production times. On average, it should take about 3 weeks for you to receive your order. If it's been more than a month please do get in touch.
Finally, our good pals at Little Ghosts Books are crowd-funding to bring even more space to their awesome store, to host everything from more writers workshops, to bigger book launches and reading series, zinemaking circles, and more! The very first event in Little Ghosts Bookstore was a launch for one of our titles — Naben Ruthnum's Helpmeet — so they are very special to us. Their crowd-funder closes March 1. If you're able to kick-in a little something towards their goal, it'd be appreciated.
Thank you all for your continued support and good graces.
Warm Wishes,
Michael (and the Undertow team)
Undertow Publications