September, 2025
Balance between Light and Dark
What I’m Working On
This month marks one year since my debut horror novel, As Those Above Fall, hit shelves. I’m very proud of it, and I continue to work to find readers. This summer I discovered one place readers are: conferences and conventions. Every September The Denver Horror Collective hosts the Colorado Festival of Horror and, for the first time ever, the Colorado Chapter of the Horror Writers’ Association had a table just for us. And I sold books!
The festival is full of merchandise, big names in horror film and television, and wild costumes.
I appeared on two panels at the Festival: Feminism in Horror and Monster Mash: What Makes a Good Monster?
Much fun was had by all! Next month I will be at MileHiCon, appearing on panels and events on Friday and Saturday.
Fri 3:30p: Reading by Catlyn Ladd
Sat 10a: Moderating Resources & Ideas for SF/F/H in the Classroom & Library
Sat 1p: The Reading Game! (think dating game for books)
Sat 5p: The Trickster’s Journey (not all protagonists are heroes)
Sat 8p: Challenge Panel
In addition to appearances and fun with my horror people, I have also been slowly writing. My current work in progress is gestating, birthing itself in drips and drabs. More little teasers soon!
What I’m Reading
Finally read Tender is the Flesh, the much lauded splatterpunk extravaganza by Augustina Bazterrica. Translated from Spanish, the book is stark, bleak, and gruesome. It is intentionally problematic on every level and not for the faint of heart.
Like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I think that I can easily consume (pun intended, iykyk) stories like this because I’m vegetarian. A lot of the ick factor in these stories is how they make us uncomfortable with the consumption of flesh, how we must confront how livestock are treated. I read (or view) material like this comforted by the fact that I don’t consume the flesh of land animals. In fact, I’m mostly (though not entirely) vegan.
Pick it up and get ready to get uncomfortable! In addition to being a critique of the meat and leather industry, it’s also an exploration of the link between capitalism and authoritarian control. Timely!
On the non horror front, I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I’ve been meaning to read Schwab; I found her writing poetic and lyrical. While this book is categorized as fantasy, it’s deal-with-the-devil plot is terrifying in its own right. I’ll definitely track down more by this author!
What I’m Watching
Bring Her Back has been getting a lot of buzz in the horror community, so I gave it a go. It’s the same directorial team of Talk to Me - this duo is definitely making a name for themselves in the horror community.
I’d classify this as grief horror: it’s sad and violent with some truly uncomfortable visuals (the biting). Sally Hawkins, nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in The Shape of Water, plays the villain and what a horrifying villain she is! Definitely add this one to your watch list.
Fun Photo
