Holiday Fun with my fellow Scream Queens!

On January 10, 2025January 8, 2025 By Willow CroftIn Friday Friends, Uncategorized12 Comments

I was fortunate enough to spend part of the winter holidays with my fellow Scream Queens during Resurrection Media’s “Dark Days of Christmas Movie Madness” party. The frightfully festive event was kicked off with a “Horror Holiday Ugly Sweater Contest” followed by a trivia quiz about the movie Krampus.

As we settled in for Resurrection Media’s screening of Krampus, I excitedly dug into my Scream Queens’ stocking of terror.

Resurrection Media knows no movie experience is complete without a visit to the theatre’s concession stand. They captured this experience by providing a bag of microwaveable popcorn (inside the custom-labeled wrapper) and a selection of vintage candy.

I swear, it’s just popcorn. Don’t you trust me? (cackles evilly)

I guess even the wicked get sweets for the holidays!

Resurrection Media was also thoughtful enough to provide us Scream Queens with a delightful self-care package–perfect after all the mischief and mayhem we caused! The wipes will be especially perfect for wiping the ~~blood~~ the popcorn grease from our fingers.

Thanks to Resurrection Media and their Scream Queens for providing a holiday event that was to die for!

Want to join in the deliciously macabre fun? Check out Resurrection Media to learn more about their upcoming projects: https://resurrection-media.com.

Halloween Fun (Prizes too), and a book review!

On October 29, 2024 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized4 Comments

As one of Resurrection Media’s “Scream Queens”, I wanted to share their horror-themed challenge they’ve created! It’s perfect for some Halloween fun…and you have the chance to win prizes!

Face your fears, and take RM’s Horror Villains’ quiz now! https://resurrection-media.com/the-villains-challenge/

And, while you wait for the witching hour on All Hallows’ Eve, immerse yourself in a literary encounter with a villain of a different sort. (Well, depending on your perspective, that is. But that’s a philosophical discussion best saved for another time.) https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-craft-stories-i-wrote-for-the-devil-by-ananda-lima/

And, a bit of sad news…Sirens Call Publications is closing up shop. Many of us horror and spec fic writers (myself included) have had pieces published within the digital pages of their fantastic eZine. They’ll be sorely missed. Here’s their “~~Swan~~ Siren Song” post here: https://sirenscallpublications.wordpress.com/2024/10/28/scp-news-sirens-call-publications-is-closing-its-doors/.

I hope your Halloween is full of more delightfully spooky treats than tricks…and haunted locations to explore! See you in November!

(The photos below were taken at Fort Union, a location haunted by both history and by spirits, if you believe the lore. Sadly, I just learned that the also-haunted St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico served up its last spirits back in September of this year. Perhaps someone will buy it and continue to preserve its historic legacy. https://www.exstjames.com/)

Photos Credit: Patti O’Berg

CIMG0053

CIMG0054 CIMG0114 CIMG0113

CIMG0075 — The St. James Hotel. https://www.exstjames.com/

Light Across the Seas

On August 7, 2024 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized10 Comments

Okay, so the title of the post doesn’t really have much to do with this post…except for the fact that it’s National Lighthouse Day! (And I love lighthouses!)

https://nationaltoday.com/national-lighthouse-day/

Things are still all maelstrom-y over here, but I did manage to write up my horrorscopes and my tarot-cards-for-inspiration reading…and I finished up some interviews and book reviews, with more to come soon!

Still having a spot of trouble getting back into the habit of writing/editing short stories but maybe when school starts and time shrinks, I’ll get more on top of things.

And, as is a writer’s wont, even though I have several drafts and one-almost ready full-length manuscripts laying around, I had the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT IDEA FOR THE BEST NOVEL EVER and put everything aside so I could scribble down all my swirling ideas (speaking of maelstrom!)…

Anyway, here’s the links to my Horror Tree goodies:

https://horrortree.com/august-2024-horrorscopes-vengeful-nature-deities/

https://horrortree.com/august-2024-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

https://horrortree.com/the-spooky-six-with-deirdre-swinden-and-willow-croft/

https://horrortree.com/willow-crofts-spooky-six-interview-with-author-hailey-piper/

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-iron-star-by-loren-d-estleman/

Some boring blather you don’t (and probably won’t) have to read. LOL!

A lot can change in a year, but I’ve kinda sorta almost officially set my compass for New England somewhere. I still am holding out hope that I can afford to explore around this region a bit, but at the same time, I don’t want a repeat of what it cost to get here (money I didn’t have, essentially). So I want to put every penny and planning prep into the next stage of my cross-country move.

I may just have to do a series of shorter moves rather than the exploration I’d hoped to do.

Anyway, if you read this far, go hug a lighthouse today!

All’s Fair in Love and Noir!

On February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized14 Comments

So, yes, I have been as incognito as a Cold War spy, but work and school have been hectic as my school semesters are going into the “final project” mode!

I hope you enjoy February’s horrorscopes and inspirational tarot card readings! Head down that dark alley at Horror Tree!

Love in the Time of Noir: https://horrortree.com/february-2024-horoscopes-love-in-the-time-of-noir/

February 2024 Tarot Card Reading: https://horrortree.com/february-2024-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

Punch in 2024 with a “24-Hour” Book Review!

On January 7, 2024 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized20 Comments

I kicked off 2024 with a new job…teaching!

Between that and working towards not one, but two, college degrees, and keeping my business going and blogging and (trying to) write, it does feel like I’m putting in 24-hour shifts.

Speaking of 24-hour shifts, I ironically reviewed a book titled Twenty-Four-Hour Shift: Dark Tales from on and off the Clock by Cecilia Kennedy and put out by Dark Winter Press.

The short stories are perfect for reading while you’re on break from work!

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-twenty-four-hour-shift-dark-tales-from-on-and-off-the-clock-by-cecilia-kennedy/

Hope you get to read lots of great books in 2024!

Beware the Beach!

On July 4, 2023 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized27 Comments

And not just because of the higher temperatures!

July’s horrorscopes promise to drag you down to the depths of pure zodiac terror…

https://horrortree.com/july-2023-horrorscopes-how-youll-die-at-the-beach/

And, slightly less terrifying is my tarot card reading for writers/creatives:

https://horrortree.com/july-2023-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

In other news, I’ve started doing book reviews for The Horror Tree. Simply search the HT website for “Epeolatry Book Review” to access tons of great book reviews from myself and others–a perfect opportunity to find your next summer (or midwinter) read!

Lastly, I may be more of a ghost around the WordPress world, at least while I transition into a new schedule (and, perhaps, even after that).

I’ll be working full time, going back to school full time, and making sure my kitties get enough attention (not that they’d let me forget!), and I’m trying to organize a concerned citizen advocacy group here to act on behalf of nonhuman animals here in small-town Kansas–with the hope it will turn into a nonprofit someday. Because this place has an abysmal track record when it comes to animals and animal welfare–as some of you may remember from the heartbreaking owl incident.

So, yes, apologies in advance if I’m not as active over the coming months on here as I should be.

Summer is Abuzz with Horror!

On June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized12 Comments

One of the few things I actually like about summer (I’m an autumn aficionado!) is the return of the insects and other creepy crawly life forms.

For the set of June horoscopes I did over at Horror Tree, I wanted to attract attention to insects that are threatened/endangered by the activities of people.

Hope you enjoy, and remember to look where you step…there’s a whole world of amazing lifeforms at your feet!

https://horrortree.com/june-2023-horrorscopes-the-creatures-that-skitter-in-the-night/

As I’ve been trying to figure a lot of stuff out over the past few weeks, I drew upon that energy for June’s tarot reading as well.

https://horrortree.com/june-2023-tarot-card-reading-for-writers-and-creators/

I’m sadly still playing catch-up and not quite back into my usual schedule yet, and 99.9% of the time I’m not even sure what day it is, much less anything else. But I’m making progress, however slowly.

What are your summer plans? Reading anything good so far?

The Mystery of the Mushy Pumpkins

On April 23, 2023April 23, 2023 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized24 Comments

I impulse-bought two pumpkins at the store last year, as they were on sale for a dollar each!

I had them on my little porch for a while, but then put them out in the yard.

They took FOREVER to decay.

Which was kinda creepy.

Visions of scary GMO-zombie pumpkins (delightedly) filled my head.

They actually stayed pumpkin-like for months, until one disappeared, leaving its partner all on its lonesome.

Then I saw this post about a doppelganger pumpkin! I mean, what are the odds? LOL! [I love the chain in the picture–it’s almost as if it really was a “Walker” (Walking Dead reference) zombie pumpkin!]

https://oosgreens.wordpress.com/2023/04/21/deflated-pumpkin/

Here’s my spooky ooky gooky pumpkin pics!

Pumpkin1 Pumpkin2 Pumpkin3

Nothing is More Gothic than a Hot Summer’s Day . . .

On January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized16 Comments

The rise and fall of cicada songs, the mist rising from murky brown swamps, torrents of rain so thick you can’t see more than a foot in front of you.

And curling up with an equally atmospheric book borrowed from my grandmother’s bookshelf; V.C. Andrews, or Victoria Holt.

Even when the sun came out, those summer days still felt very gothic and brooding. There was something about the noisy silence of the swamps and the quiet laziness spent slowly swinging in a hammock that felt both carefree and sinister.

When a cloud drifted across the too-bright sun and everything was thrown into a twilight shadow, I would get this strange sort of chill that would leave me with goosebumps.

On overcast days, the air was thick with humidity–and portent–as I waited for the storm. And, although the sun was hidden by the gathering clouds, the green of the plants and trees became even more vibrant.

Okay, yeah, that was probably a lot of purpling of prose, but reading the stack of E. Denise Billups’s books I got with the Amazon gift card (was it really two winter holidays ago?) took me right back to those gothic-infused tropical summers.

It was even more poignantly delicious to feel like a young child again, staying up way past bedtime to read by the glow of a night light.

For you all, E. Denise Billups’s books may not be as evocative of summer as they were for me, but they’re still perfect for indulgent cozy-in-the-dark-with-a-flashlight reading this January. (Or audio in the dark, even.) Heck, if your power’s actually out due to all the climate-change-fueled winter storming, so much the better to read by!

Here’s the books/short reads that were in my E. Denise Billups’s TBR stack (only 18,324 more TBR books to go!):

Rebound

Keepers of the Gate: Twilight Ends (Book One)

And, if you want to follow up these author’s books with a spooky chaser from another author, check out As Fast as She Can by E.F. Schraeder.

Now, what’s on your gothic summer TBR wish list?

Lollygagging into 2023…

On January 7, 2023January 7, 2023 By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized31 Comments

Recently, I wrote an article over on LinkedIn about how 2023 could be the year of the slowdown (in a proactive way). I’m not slowing down much myself, but I am taking some time out here and there for some fun things that don’t really accomplish anything useful. *gasp*

The pressure is on, though, to get the income needed to help me escape what I’m now calling the Nightmare Hell Zone* (and not in a fun way), so I’ve been applying for jobs in brick-and-mortar locations as well as online remote-work locations. One thought I’ve recently had was that I could maybe get a job with a chain and then use that to transfer to another location in the United States, or, perhaps even more wishful-thinking, transfer to a Canadian locale!

Anyway, until I go figure things out (or win the lottery–the HGTV dream home–Travel Channel Sweepstakes), I’m sharing some links for you to stroll through as you, yourselves, meander into 2023.

(Unless, of course, you just want to stop reading here, and go write a snail mail letter or take a day off next week to hang out with your houseplant BFFs. That’s fine too!)

Here’s January’s “Tarot Card Readings for Inspiration”: https://horrortree.com/january-2023-tarot-cards-for-creative-inspiration/ and their snarky horoscope sidekick: https://horrortree.com/january-2023-horoscopes-tempting-fate-in-the-new-year/.

And if another bomb cyclone is bearing down on you again, check out my “Cultivating Winter Magic” post as well: https://horrortree.com/cultivating-winter-magic-for-writers/. Who says you can’t go out in style, right?

*Want to exercise your creative muscles? Feel free to share (in the comments) your own wild and wacky names for a terrifying town in rural U.S.A.!