How…? I can’t believe it has been almost three months since I’ve sent a newsletter! I don’t know how it happened… I mean, ok, I’ve been up to a few things:

• I was elected the next Vice President of the Horror Writers Association – I am honored to serve in this capacity in an organization that means so much to me.
• My novella, The Open Book, and short story, “Anymore”, have found themselves on the HWA Reading List for 2023. I am beyond thrilled! Check them out if you are looking for a scare!
• My movie, 271 Raeburn Avenue, will be screened in Downtown Manhattan (NY) next week on the big screen – this, after winning Best Short Film in several film festivals both nationally and internationally. Holy cow – I am BEYOND excited about this!

I mean, ok, I guess I’ve been busy. And there’s more coming up. But before I jump into that, I have to give you the link to the trailer:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, the other stuff!

The preorder for my novella, 12 Hours, just went up! It releases in Jan. 2024, but you can preorder a signed copy for $1 off – I’m saying!!! 🙂 There’s something about this one that is so endearing… check it out!

This beauty is coming out on November 7th! My poem, “I See”, can be found within these gorgeous pages.

• Something very cool will be coming from Nightmare Magazine in November… something about fear and change… stay tuned!

• There will be some new covers coming soon – and I mean REALLY soon. Lots of moving parts around here, all of them good!

So, what is going on in your world? Good things, I hope. Reply and let me know. I love hearing good news!

Until next time…

L. Marie

Con season is busy.

Sooooo busy.

It is great for lot of things – catching up with friends, making new ones, sharing knowledge, learning something new, and getting inspired. But not writing. At least, not for me. I know some who can write at the hotel after a day of panels and chatting. Not me. I’m usually running between said panels or spending hours chatting with friends I only get to see once or twice a year. This year was no different. I am spent and that is such a fantastic thing!

To kick off StokerCon, the University of Pittsburgh shared some of their archived documents… and there was a table of some of my stuff! It was amazing to stand there with people who are interested in the genre and excited to have my work as part of a collection such as this. I can’t explain how honored I am to be part of this. I won’t make you sit through all that again, but suffice it to say that I am still floored.

I went into StokerCon a nominee for an award that weekend and with a secret on my lips. I came out a Raw Dog Screaming Press author (!!!!) and a StokerCon Finalist (no haunted house this time around!).

My novella, 12 Hours, will be released in 2024 as part of The Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena project. Here’s the official announcement from RDSP and a family picture. Spot some familiar and amazing faces?

I’m not totally done, but the whirlwind has passed. I have few things coming up, including a discussion about mental health and horror and a Burkittsville, MD event that I was invited to by the Mayor (right?!?!). But the next con for me is Multiverse…. so that means it’s time to WRITE!

And I’ve been at it. One nonfiction piece and a few thousand words toward a novel I am working on (wait until I tell you about this one!!!) so far. It’s good to be back at the keys.

Hope you are doing the thing you love and enjoying it immensely.

And, ooh, guess what??

Blackened Roots is out in the world! Zombies as told from authors of the Black diaspora. Amazing tales here by names you know and others you will enjoy getting to know! Check it out!

Until next time…

L. Marie

I see you grooving, busting out your 1980s moves… same, friend… no judgment.

Ok, so May got away from me. June tried that mess too, but I caught it before it escaped. Late newsletter but better late than never, as they say. 🙂 How’ve you been? What’s been up? What’re you doing?

It’s con season for some of us and I have been in the thick of it since April. I’ve been in person and online – I spoke in Berlin and North Carolina on the same day last weekend! Scares that Care: Authorcon, Final Girls Film Festival, Brandeis University’s Horror Symposium, Balticon, ConCarolinas, HWA Vancouver address, WriteHive… and it ain’t over! Here’s what’s coming:

• StokerCon! I am on four panels (1 online and 3 in person): Articles of the Damned, Revamping Classic Monsters, and A Decade of Black Women in Horror live and in color. Come say hey!
• In Your Write Mind: Two panels and 4 academic presentations (Yeah, I have LOTS to say!)
• The Mighty Pen Summit: I’ll present some thoughts about our approaches to writing.
• Knee Brace Press will host a discussion on Horror and Mental Health in July
• MultiverseCon – all the things

A little more about StokerCon… Did you see that panel about a decade of Black women in horror? This is a very exciting time in the genre and I am so honored to be part of it. I look forward to this discussion. At the same time, Sumiko Saulson has put out a follow-up to their 100 + Black Women in Horror book from the 2010s and it will be available at the con as well as on Amazon.

I spy with my little eye… do you see me?

I am also SUPER excited about StokerCon this year because of the Stoker banquet. My two short nonfiction pieces are in the running for a Stoker Award this year and I couldn’t be more excited.

From Conjuring Worlds, my essay, “African American Horror Authors and Their Craft:  The Evolution of Horror Fiction from African Folklore”, is up for Superior Achievement in Short Nonfiction

From Nightmare Magazine, my essay,  “The Horror of Hair”, is also up for Superior Achievement in Short Nonfiction.

 SO EXCITING!

There is also an event happening at the library where my work will be archived to kick off StokerCon. I am so honored to have some of my work showcased at this event. I can’t even believe I can even type these words in a sentence about myself. I am still floored over this – will always be.

And StokerCon means I get to see my friends Oh, the shenanigans! I can’t wait to see my folks and meat… I mean meet, sorry (LOL!), new ones.

There are some cool things happening even outside of all of that!

Something Scary showcased a creepy crawly story of mine that’s perfect for summer. You’re welcome and I’m sorry… I truly mean both things!

My little movie is making the rounds! We just got accepted into our fourth festival and have started winning and placing! So far we’ve won four awards ranging from Best Horror to Best Cinematography. Holy cow! What a wild ride, and we’ve just gotten started! Wanna see the trailer? Here it go! (remember David Alan Grier… In Living Color… “Like to hear it? Here it go!”??? It’s a thing, I promise, not just me forgetting my grammar – LOL!)

And don’t forget, the Realm trilogy is complete! You can check out all three of The Realm books to find out what happens to Patrick on his quest.

Horror and Sci-fi = serious fun!

That’s it for now, I think.

And just because this is really too funny not to share, here’s David Alan Grier and his, “Like to hear it? Here it go!” Ahhhhaahhh.

Until next time…

L. Marie

April is almost over and I didn’t realize it until today! The month flew by for me – how about you? I can’t even put my finger on what happened… I mean, I had some fantastic professional wins (!!!!) and wrote 7 short stories (ok!!!!!), but still. Maybe when you have this dude on loop when you’re at your desk, time is looser, more of a state of mind:

Things are HAPPENING!!

I’m a 2023 Imadjinn Award Finalist for my short story, “The Room”! This nomination made me realize something extremely cool. It’s a personal accomplishment that I hadn’t recognized before – one of those humbling moments. You guys, I have now either won or been nominated for an award for everything that I write in the creative space –

• Short Stories – Most recent nomination for The Imadjinn award
• Poetry – Nominated for a Rhysling award
• Non-fiction – Nominated for a Stoker Award
• Novel – Won the Golden Stake Award for The Promise Keeper
• Screenplays – Won over 30 awards including Screenplay of the Year

Hot damn!

I’m floored.

I’m honored (no, I won’t start the name game like I did last newsletter, I promise!).

I’m thankful.

Since we spoke last, I judged a gross out contest that was truly nasty, had the world’s most interrupted interview ever (what was likely supposed to be about 5 minutes ended up being over 25 because of the author visitors who came to tell me cool stuff and never saw the camera rolling. LOL! It was a blast!). My novella/short story collection companion set (The Open Book and The Tales of Time) was released to critical acclaim – if you haven’t checked this set out, you should. Join the conversation – it is riveting.

The trilogy is now complete! Accursed is out (in paperback – Kindle is coming soon!) and that marks the end of this otherworldly tale. Find out what happens to Patrick and the family he so desperately wants to protect.

I shed a tear.

Origins, Book 2 of the Affinity Series didn’t release, as you know. I am so sorry. Changes abound with this saga, so stay tuned!!

Mars, The Band Man, and Sara Sue is ALMOST HERE! My first pure mystery/suspense/thriller, and it’s a fun throwback novel with a relatable character you’ll love, quirks and all! Sara Sue sees something she shouldn’t have seen, and now she’s gotta do something about it!

I had a blast writing this!

It will be available on May 2nd!

I’m thinking about doing a book party one of these days. Go on Facebook Live, sign some stock, and get it to you – very much like the way people did home parties online for candles and clothes at the end of the 2010s. The parties were fun and high energy. I loved that vibe, so I may try to revive it with books. Sound like fun? Stay tuned!

Movie news! We are starting up in the festival circuit! 271 Raeburn Avenue will be making the rounds at festivals shortly and I am so excited (and nervous and pumped, and, and, and…). Here’s the trailer again – check it out, like it, share it, spread the word. It is a really amazing thing to see people interpreting your work and doing their best performances in the world you’ve created. It’s… breathtaking.

I think that’s all I have for this month! I hope you are well and I look forward to what the next month brings!

Until next time…

L. Marie

This is the month where we honor women, so I might as well start from the the title! Do you remember The Name Game? Shirley Ellis brought us this stick-in-your-head gem back in 1964 and I don’t know about you, but I use the lyric play in conversation randomly (you know you do too… be honest!).

I titled this post ‘Honored’ and I truly am. Some amazing things have been happening for me and I am so thankful and, yes, honored to experience them. As of this writing, I am a two-time Bram Stoker Award® nominated author. My short nonfiction pieces, “The Horror of Hair” and “African American Horror Authors and their Craft: The Evolution of Horror Fiction from African Folklore” are on the final ballot and I couldn’t be more excited.

If you are an Active or Lifetime member and want to check them out, let me know – voting ends on 3/15!

My poem, “Beautiful” was nominated for a Rhysling Award! I am speechless about this. I am honored to be among some of the best to ever do it. If you want to learn more about the world of speculative poetry, check out the SFPA.

I got the neatest surprise the other day! In an article with a lead that said THE FUTURE OF HORROR IS FEMALE, my work was showcased alongside five other female authors doing things in the genre. How cool!!

The Horror Writers Association did a horror spotlight interview with me and Black Women in Horror (BWIH) included me in their beautifully curated magazine.

I got the chance to play a little bit with Retro Ridoctopus where I talked about my novella/short story collection companion series (The Open Book and The Tales of Time) that just came out. Fun interview – you can listen to it here.

I wrote an article for Horror Tree about Women in Horror that dives into the history of the genre and where we are now. It’s pretty interesting. You can check it out here.

Really, all of this blows my mind.

I am also on Cloud 9 over the release of my romance/sci-fi/horror mashup beauty that just came out. Origins is book 2 of the Affinity Saga and I just love, love, love hanging out with these characters in the strange little world they inhabit. It is different writing for me and I am having a blast with it. In fact, I just finished editing BOOK 4 last night! 🙂

Come play with us!

Did you know that The Realm Trilogy is now complete?

I had a blast writing this series and am honored to present the whole thing to you now. So, so cool. And the ending?!?!?

WHOAH.

If you like a fast-paced story with twists and turns, some sci-fi, and mind-bending psychological horror, this is the series for you.

Do you love to write and want to learn more about genre (sci-fi, fantasy, horror, paranormal romance)? Do you have a movie running in your head that you want to get down on paper? I am honored to bring you classes to help you do just that (see what I did there?). Hone your skills with the help of industry professionals at the Speculative Fiction Academy (SFA).

Thank you for letting me do the thing I love: write! I’m HONORED to… ok, I’ll stop. LOL!

Until next time…

L. Marie

February is an amazing month! It’s Black History Month, the former Women in Horror Month, my birthday month, and the month where I will have THREE releases!

Yep…

THREE!!!

For you traditional horror fans comes a novella and short story collection combo about a book filled with stories that are to die for (I wish you could see the smirk I have on my face right now!)

On February 16th please welcome these beauties from Falstaff Books:

For all you lovers our there… lovers who don’t mind a little sci-fi and a little horror mixed in, that is, catch up with the Affinity Series. Book 2, Origins, comes out on February 23rd! Haven’t read Book 1 yet? Check out The Tryst!

I can’t wait for you to see these amazing books! I had a lot of fun writing them.

What else is goings on (channeling Bernie Mac right now)?

I taught a class at HWA’s Horror University called Decoding Screenwriting. Two hours worth of myth busting, tools for your toolkit, facts, and practicum. If you’ve ever wanted to write a screenplay, were in need of a screenwriting refresher, or wanted some practical industry knowledge, this is the course for you. Check it out!

I have the distinct honor of making it onto the preliminary ballot for the Stoker award in the short nonfiction category… twice! My two pieces: “African American Horror Authors and their Craft: The Evolution of Horror Fiction from African Folklore” and “The Horror of Hair” are in the running and I couldn’t be more excited. If you are an Active or Lifetime member and want to check them out, let me know!

It’s also love month and I am sending this newsletter on love day – not to be confused with Love Shot… though… wait…

I haven’t been able to get this song out of my mind, so I thought I’d share the love… shot! LOL! I ended up down a rabbit hole and have a bunch of new Exo favorites now. If the same happens to you, well, you’re welcome!

I’m doing my annual movie marathon – African Diaspora contribution this month. Join me on Twitter (@LMarieWood1) or FB (facebook.com/LMarieWood) to get in on the fun! We’ve already covered Blacula, Moonlight, and New Jack City (a classic, folks). Wonder what’ll be next.

Until next time…

L. Marie

The end of the year is the time when many reflect on what happened and what they would like to see themselves doing in the coming year. Good. Do that… as long as you learn lessons from what you’ve experienced and remain accountable to those future goals. Don’t spend a lot of effort wishing the year could have been different – I have recently had a fact reinforced to me, one that I thought I already knew, but never really understood to the magnitude I do now until about three days ago: things happen for a reason.

Really.

They do.

If you have the presence of mind to see the path whatever that “thing” happening in your life took to get you where you are, you will be amazed. That’s not to say you shouldn’t put in effort or you shouldn’t strive for something that feels out of reach. You should. But when you don’t get exactly what you want (and you won’t, not all the time) wait a beat and see what else might be coming. There’s a reason you didn’t get or do that specific thing at that specific moment. Wait for it. It may still be coming to you – or something else – and it will get there EXACTLY when its supposed to.

This year has been a whirlwind for me – so many things happened that I didn’t see coming… so many things were supposed to come to fruition that did not. But guess what? The way I see it, 2023 is going to have all of those things that I was waiting for in 2022 AND MORE, and folks, THAT is going to be flipping amazing!

Get ready for these individual titles in 2023:

Plus another sumthin’ sumthin’ or two towards the end of the year that I’m gonna just stay quiet about right now 🙂

You’ll also find these releases coming out this year with a contribution from lil ole me (so far!):

I’ll be speaking at some places, like the Final Girls Conference out of Berlin, Scares that Care, and ConTinual. And I will be reprising my role as Horror Track Programming Director at MultiverseCon!

Also, my movie will be done! I can’t wait to check out the road this takes me on! I can’t help but share the trailer again:

Good stuff next year, even if there were some lefts that should have been rights along the way this year. Some of the lefts left me frustrated. But ALL of the rights left me elated!

My to do list next year has three new things on it that I never thought I’d write down, and I am up for the challenge. The important question for you to ask yourself about your own new year list is, ‘Are you?‘

And since I mentioned sumthin’ sumthin’, here’s some Maxwell to close out the year:

Happy New Year!!

Until next time…

L. Marie

Snow on the ground.  Hot chocolate in steaming mugs.  Christmas lights twinkling on the tree.  Pick your song and cue the music (“Baby, it’s cold outside,”, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,”), and sway… don’t forget to sway.  This scenario is as familiar as they come.  It represents the making of memories, the ones you call upon throughout the year to bring you joy, a sense of belonging, and love.  It is also the default scene for many Christmas horror movies and those of us who like that kind of thing get nostalgic just thinking of cold winter nights with a good slasher film on the TV.  Ah, the holidays.

If you’re looking for a good (and that’s a relative term, mind you) Christmas horror movie, check this list out.  It goes beyond Gremlins, A Christmas Carol (because… ghosts), and The Night Before Christmas, folks – they are must-see Christmas horror movies in their own right, but you knew that already.  So settle in, pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate, and pull the covers around you real tight… because everyone knows that the covers hide you from what’s lurking in the shadows, the thing waiting in the shadowy place just beyond the flickering lights on your Christmas tree… right?

Black Christmas – Don’t mess with girls in their sorority house… period.  The 1974 original stars Margot Kidder pre-Superman fame and is a slasher movie through and through.  Halloween may have put slasher movies on the map, but Black Christmas is the precursor in the genre.  Alert – there was a remake made in 2019.  There was also one made in 2006.  Compare and contrast, if you dare!

Silent Night, Deadly Night – The beginning of a franchise, Silent Night, Deadly Night might be the most recognizable title in the Christmas slasher genre.  A boy, traumatized at a young age, is triggered later in life to reenact his parents’ gruesome murders.  And then the bleeding commences. 

Krampus – Don’t believe in the spirit of Christmas?  You’d better get yourself in gear before Krampus comes to visit.  The antithesis of Santa Claus, Krampus punishes those who misbehave in the most terrifying of ways.  Kind of sheds new light on the lyrics of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, doesn’t it?

Being a little spooked inside the confines of one’s own home is not relegated Halloween – stories of home invasions frightening us out of our sleep and hallucinations of flying animals attest to that (you know, ‘Twas the… I know you know).  So, give in.  Add a little Christmas fear with your Christmas cheer!

My gift to you…

I have never written a Christmas horror short story before… until now! Thanks to the folks at Snarled, this little beauty was animated for their Something Scary YouTube Channel. Check it out if you dare!

Give yourself a gift!

Treat yourself to some L. Marie Wood. There’s a scare out there for everyone… and a little romance too! Grab an ebook for your Kindle just in time for the holidays! Happy holidays, folks!

Until next time,

L. Marie

!!!!!!

Until next time,

L. Marie