Sheldon Woodbury worked for some of the top advertising agencies in New York City then returned to school to get an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from New York University where he also taught screenwriting and playwriting. He’s an award winning writer (screenplays, plays, books, short stories, and poems). His book “Cool Million” is considered the essential guide to writing high concept movies. His plays have been produced in New York City and his short stories and poems have appeared in many horror anthologies and magazines. His novel, The World on Fire, has been called a cult classic.

Jeremy Thompson is the indie horror fictionist whose mind and fingers united to birth The Phantom Cabinet, Let's Destroy Investutech, Victor Dickens and the Silent Minority, The Land of Broken Sky, Outréverse, and Vortex Era. His stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Year's Best Hardcore Horror Volumes 2 and 4, Into the Darkness Volume 1, DarkFuse, Journal of Experimental Fiction, This Book Ain’t Nuttin to Fuck With, and Brewtality, and been collected in Sweet Chuckling Morbidity, A Carcass of Genre, and Toby Chalmers Commits “Career” Suicide: The Complete Saga. A San Diego State University graduate, Jeremy resides in Oceanside, California.

Born in the Year of the Dragon, Vonnie Winslow Crist is author of award-winning short stories, poems, and books. An active member of the Horror Writers Association, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, and National League of American Pen Women - she taught creative writing for the Maryland State Arts Council for 10 years.

"Shivers, Scares, and Goosebumps" won a 2023 Imadjinn Award. "Beneath Raven's Wing" won a 2022 International Edgar Allan Poe Festival Saturday Visiter Award and was an Imadjinn Award Finalist. "The Enchanted Dagger" won a Maryland Writers Association Book Award and was a Compton Crook Award Finalist. Both "Owl Light" and "The Greener Forest" won eFestival of Words Short Story Collection Awards (2017 & 2018).

Her speculative writing appears in hundreds of books and magazines including "Asimov's Magazine," "Amazing Stories," "Chilling Ghost Short Stories," "Slay: Stories of the Vampire Noir," "Faerie Magazine," "Weirdbook: Witches," "Black Infinity," "Cirsova," and "Cast of Wonders."

As an illustrator, she's had over 1,000 illustrations published in books, magazines, and calendars.

She is an avid JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis fan, and a firm believer in the magical world that surrounds us! A clover-hand who has found so many 4-leafed clovers she keeps them in jars, Vonnie is quite fond of Harry Potter & Hogwarts, The Hunger Games, A Song of Ice & Fire, Star Wars, Star Trek, and everything Faerie!

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Tony Newton is a UK based writer, filmmaker, film producer and an avid VHS collector,

writer of the macabre and dark poet.

Author of Video Nasty Poetry, Chasing the Devil, Horror Movie Poetry, Terror Rhymes, Splatter Video, The Zombie Rule book: A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide, #I'm Zombie: A Zombie Mosaic Novel and Producer of the films VHS Lives: A Schlockumentary, VHS Lives 2:Undead Format, VHS Lives 3: VHS NASTY, Virus of the Dead, 60 Seconds to Die trilogy and Troma's Grindsploitation films

In 1994 Pauly Hart began his adult writing journey in St. Petersburg, Russia. Part of a youthful drama production, he began to explore his emotions and feelings through the written word. This was a paradigm shift for him. Up until that time, he had stifled his emotions, placing them away into small boxes inside of his heart. One by one, they were opened up. Now, over twenty years later, he's realized certain things about life.

He is unique. His vision is his. He was created to be Pauly Hart and no one else, so he'd best get about being the best Pauly that he can be. His voice has a story to tell. The strange and mind-bending life that he had lived thus far could only be the beginning of a lifetime of parables, silliness, wisdom, and other bric a brac. He needed to write. Not only to soothe the untamed beast lurking within his mind, but, as Walt Whitman said once: "I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world." - That was the reason that he continued writing.

But he never took it as a life choice. It was something that just was. There wasn't any reason to it, there wasn't any realization that smacked him in the face unbidden with the dream of becoming a "writer" - no it was at the behest of his soul that his hand took to the pen and keyboard. That change would happen in 2010.

"Artists never make any money. Be a businessman." His mother had told him. The power of those words pushed him into being a businessman, and he succeeded, in his fashion. Owning a small magazine, music promotion business, a bar, and a coffeeshop were the largest of his endeavors. Also, having gone to seminary, he also pastored at two churches.

He kept getting into trouble for being a maverick and a renegade. It frightened the old ladies at the first church he pastored. They had a meeting about him. Sure, his programs were an overnight success, but were they "permitted?" Alas, no. And so a steering committee was formed to "help" him in his efforts. By the time all was said and done, Pauly had moved states and found work elsewhere. No one has patience for renegades these days, it seems.

It wasn't really until 2003 that he felt that it was "alright with God" for him to be an artist. He tried and had mild success with abstract paintings, live poetry performances, music creation, saponification, acting in, and directing a play, game creation, and a couple more that were just horrible excuses for a writer to be involved with.

But then, in a flash, he decided to publish a book of poetry. Like that, he was hooked. "Stupid Mind Tricks" was his first adventure in really getting into the professional side of things. After that, he wrote his first novel: "By the Gates of the Garden of Eden" and it's been a roller-coaster after that.

Since 2010, he's published 20 works, along with one co-authorship with his wife. There doesn't seem to be any law against writing a zillion books, and, in the end, that's probably what Pauly Hart will end up doing.

Follow his antics and strangeness at PaulyHart.com

Short-fiction author, and poet, Nerisha Kemraj, hails from Durban, South Africa. She is the mother of procrastination, and two beautiful girls.

Kevin J. Kennedy is a horror author, editor, and anthologist. He is also the owner of KJK Publishing and he runs the bestselling 'The Horror Collection' series.’ He is the author of Halloween Land, and The Clown.

He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.

The stars align, eldritch monstrosities awaken and somewhere in England, K.T.Tate is struck with feverish creativity. Inspired to write weird fiction, dark tales and strange stories, she commits them to paper in the hopes of enthralling her readers. Or at least appeasing her abominable muses and having a nice cup of tea.

Amber M. Simpson is a dark speculative fiction writer from Northern Kentucky with a penchant for horror and fantasy. Her fiction has been featured in multiple themed anthologies as well as online. She has acted as Assistant Editor for Fantasia Divinity Magazine since 2017, where she's gotten to work with many talented authors from all over the world.

While she loves to create dark worlds and diverse characters, her greatest creations of all are her sons, Maxamus and Liam, who keep her feet on the ground even while her head is in the clouds.

To learn more, visit: https://ambermsimpson.com.

Dawn DeBraal lives in rural Wisconsin and has published over 700 short stories, poems, and drabbles, in many online ezines and printed anthologies including two novels. The Lord's Prayer, A Series in Horror which won the Literary Global Book award, and under the pen name of Garrison McKnight, what the hell happened to joan? Dawn was a finalist in the Owl Canyon Hackathon 2023, runner-up in the 2022 Short Story Horror Contest, Author of the Month Spillwords x2, Contributor of the Year 2023 Spillwords Magazine, Member of the Month in The World of Myth x2, Your Daily Poem contest winner, 2012. The Falling Star Magazine nominated her for the 2019 Pushcart Award, a song published in the House of Harmony, International Habitat for Humanity Song Book, and a finalist in the "Great American Song Writing Contest." 2016.

Nicole Henning is a book-a-holic who lives in a big-little town in Wisconsin. She surrounds herself with all things scary and bizarre and enjoys creating unique art. When she isn’t writing she enjoys playing video games and spends a lot of time snuggling with her dog Allie aka Princess Prissy Pants. Reading, writing, and horror are her biggest passions in life.

Andrew Kurtz is an emerging voice in the world of horror literature, known for his graphic and intense short stories. His works have garnered attention in various horror anthologies, captivating readers with their vivid descriptions and unsettling themes.

Since his childhood, Kurtz has been fascinated by the horror genre, finding inspiration in films and books that evoke fear and intrigue. This early passion laid the foundation for his writing career, which focuses on delivering chilling narratives that linger in the mind long after reading.

Kurtz draws significant inspiration from a range of acclaimed authors. Renowned names like Stephen King and Clive Barker have profoundly influenced his style and approach to storytelling. He admires King’s ability to delve into the psychological aspects of horror and Barker’s talent for blending fantasy with terror. Additionally, the works of H.G. Wells and Richard Matheson inspire Kurtz's love for speculative fiction, while Edgar Rice Burroughs and Ian Fleming shape his narrative structure and character development. These influences merge seamlessly in Kurtz’s own writing, creating a unique blend of styles.In his stories, Kurtz often explores complex characters confronting their deepest fears. He delves into the human psyche, studying how trauma, guilt, and fear can manifest in destructive ways. His characters embark on harrowing journeys where they must face both external horrors and internal demons. This exploration of duality adds depth to his narratives, engaging readers on multiple levels. By portraying characters that are both relatable and flawed, Kurtz creates a connection that enhances the reader’s experience of his unsettling tales. Kurtz’s graphic descriptions contribute to the impact of his stories. He utilizes vivid imagery to evoke strong emotions and transport readers into the terrifying worlds he creates. His attention to detail brings scenes to life, allowing audiences to feel the tension and dread that permeate his work. While his stories may be disturbing, they are never without purpose. Each graphic element serves to amplify the central themes of fear and survival, making his tales resonate with horror enthusiasts who appreciate intensity and depth. As an up-and-coming author, Andrew Kurtz is carving out his niche within the horror genre. His dedication to crafting powerful narratives and exploring the complexities of fear positions him as a compelling figure to watch. With each new story, Kurtz continues to evolve as a writer, drawing on the influences of his literary heroes while establishing his voice. As he contributes more works to horror anthologies, readers eagerly anticipate the chilling tales that will emerge from his imaginative mind.

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Thomas Sturgeon Jr was born in March 14th, 1986 to his parents. His birthplace is in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He is 34 and just had his first book published called , "Red Carnival". During his teen years he found out that he had mental health issues which made it harder for him to achieve what he wanted out of life itself. He arrived to finally achieve his dreams. He has been published in 23 anthologies. Some teachers said that he never would achieve success in the writing field. He had a few teachers rooting for him to do his best. He was a very early reader and started writing at the age of 13. His favorite authors are R.L. Stine and Stephen King.

He's a very intelligent person despite his disabilities with a kind and loving heart. He cares about people. He was once even told a few year's before he got his book published that his work was good and saw that people really enjoyed listening to his poetry at Ziggy's Underground Music Bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He made great friends with a singer and now has a poetry album cd called "Master of Storms". Thomas also writes lyrics to song's. He longs to have his own place again. He also loves horror movie's and video games. His favorite horror director is George A. Romero and the living dead series. His favorite video game series is "Resident Evil". He is currently at work on a second short story collection.

Nic Brady studied professional writing at the Glasgow college of nautical studies where she gained HNC in writing followed by a degree in writing and film & TV studies at Manchester metropolitan university. She has been published in a plethora of literary journals and has now eased into the modern world of literary anthologies with the aim to publish a collection of novellas by the end of the year. She currently lives with her daughter, Keira and two familiars Sookie & Darcy in a little town in Scotland.

Award-Winning Director Reyna Young resides in San Francisco, California with her husband, musician John Gillette and son Logan. Together they both run Last Doorway Productions, an independent film company. She is also known as TV Horror Hostess Miss Misery of Miss Misery's Movie Massacre, author of the books Halloween Night Series and her Monsters book series which includes The Creature of Stowe Cabin, Mr. Torture and Horror Lullabies published by Last Doorway Press. She also continues to publish horror comics through Scattered Comics.