Improbable Press Blog

I've always loved cool-creepy cryptid stories. That's why Improbable Press is doing a cryptid anthology in 2021, and why I encourage you to submit a story (after checking out our guidelines above). What I'm encouraging me to do is read again, about these creatures I loved so much as a kid. The Loch Ness monster (Nessie, I still have the artwork I drew of you when I was eleven!), Bigfoot (you're famous in Oregon, where I used to live), and jackalopes (hello Moon, spokes cryptid for our pending anthology). Do I believe in these creatures? Yes. Also no. See, it's...

A hot flush of embarrassment washed over Ronan when he realized he’d been caught staring, though the other man didn’t seem to mind. In fact, when he finally made eye contact it was to wink. He seemed to be wearing smudged eyeliner despite the bruising across much of his face. Ronan couldn’t tell whether it had been added after the fact or just never washed away. He looked thirty-something and his eyes were the warmest shade of brown Ronan had ever seen. The blush returned for a second wave – he’d gone from staring at this stranger’s chest to staring...

Holidays… Japan's celebration of the new year, Ōmisoka. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.  The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. The pagan-derived Christian holiday of Christmas. These are your prompts this week, be directly inspired by them, veer wildly, combine, mush, mix, invent a holiday or celebration all your own As ever these challenges are here to prompt writing of any and all kinds. What you write may be connected or unconnected, loud or quiet, polite or profane. You do you. The Whole Point is to Write Something If you want to write something that is. And maybe think about that this...

Write what you know. Before I get to the debate I had with award-winning crime novelist Natalie Conyer on the ridiculous advice above, I'm flapping my arms over a lovely example of why you should write what you don't know: Úna Woods' Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire? Look at that cover! People rushing across Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge, while a glorious vampire in full regalia stands in their midst. Why I find this book a sweet encapsulation of write what you don't know (while building from what you do) is that Woods set her story in and around Dublin –...

By J.O. Phael In my experience, second books, especially second books in a series, are some of the most difficult books to write – though there are comforts, too. A first book, while sometimes difficult to plot, is a triumph. There’s enthusiasm and energy around building a new world, new characters, and deciding where the story is going to take them. When you get to the second book, though, there is a whole new set of worries. The characters are established and you have to make sure you stick to who they are, as well as the elements and feel...