Author: KC Grifant

KC Grifant is an award-winning writer based in Southern California who writes and edits internationally published horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories.

Her debut supernatural western novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger (Brigids Gate Press, Feb 2023), described as a blend of Bonnie & Clyde meet The Witcher and Supernatural, has received positive reviews internationally. Readers and reviewers call the book “a fun, fast-paced, monster-filled joy ride,” “genre-blending,” “a story that is fascinating and irresistible,” and a “massive crowd-pleaser.” See what other readers are saying here: https://scifiwri.com/publications/melinda-west-monster-gunslinger/.

She is also author of Shrouded Horror: Tales of the Uncanny (Dragon’s Roost Press, 2024), and Melinda West and the Gremlin Queen (Brigids Gate Press, 2025), and the editor of Women of the Weird West (Brigids Gate Press, 2026) and co-editor of Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales (No Bad Books Press, 2025).

She is a published short story writer, with dozens of tales appearing in podcasts, anthologies and magazines, including: PseudoPod, Andromedia Spaceways Magazine, Unnerving Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, Dark Matter Magazine, Sley House Presents, the British SF Association’s Fission Magazine, Tales to Terrify, the Lovecraft eZine; Musings of the Muse; Dancing in the Shadows—A Tribute to Anne Rice; the Stoker-nominated Chromophobia; the Stoker-nominated Fright Mare: Women Write Horror, and many others.

She teaches genre and short story workshops and has been a moderator, panelist or speaker at dozens of conferences and events. In 2016, she co-founded the Horror Writers Association San Diego Chapter, an organization that helps to promote the horror genre (read more here) and she co-chaired its flagship event, StokerCon, in 2024. She is also a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association and served as an SFWA mentor. Aside from constructing imaginary worlds, she works as an award-winning science writer and editor and likes to haunt coffee shops, comic book stores, labyrinths and carnivals.

  • Why You Should Write A Horror Short Story

    Even if you've never written horror or don't think you're a horror fan, award-winning author KC Grifant's going to convince you to give it a try. See how.

    Even if you’ve never written horror or don’t think you’re a horror fan, award-winning author KC Grifant’s going to convince you to give it a try. See why.

    KC Grifant

  • Write A Marketable Short Horror Story with KC Grifant

    Watch this excerpt from award-winning author KC Grifant's workshop, "Creating Horror Short Stories That Sizzle And Sell." KC shares the ingredients for a compelling short horror story that'll grab an editor's attention.

    Watch this excerpt from award-winning author KC Grifant’s workshop, “Creating Horror Short Stories That Sizzle And Sell.” KC shares the ingredients for a compelling short horror story that’ll grab an editor’s attention.

    KC Grifant

  • Make Your Story Opening Shine with KC Grifant

    Watch this excerpt from one of award-winning author KC Grifant's workshops for Reach Your Apex, "Sellable Short Stories: What Editors Want (And Don't Want)." KC shares the ingredients, including examples, for a strong opening that will help your story escape the slush pile.

    Watch this excerpt from one of award-winning author KC Grifant’s workshops for Reach Your Apex, “Sellable Short Stories: What Editors Want (And Don’t Want).” KC shares the ingredients, including examples, for a strong opening that will help your story escape the slush pile.

    KC Grifant

  • Catnip For Editors: Subverting Tropes In Your Short Story

    “Subverting tropes—if done well—is one of the best ways to make your story fresh, and it’s kind of like catnip to editors.” Award-winning author and anthology editor, KC Grifant, shares why and how to subvert tropes in your short story to make it irresistible to editors.

    KC Grifant

  • Why Write A Short Story? KC Grifant Answers The Question.

    Watch this excerpt from one of award-winning author KC Grifant’s workshops for Reach Your Apex, “Creating Horror Short Stories That Sizzle And Sell.” KC answers the question, “Why write a short story?” And, bonus, she shares the reasons NOT to write a short story.

    KC Grifant

  • Write Weird West Fiction By Reexamining Old West Mythos – KC Grifant

    Watch this excerpt from one of award-winning author KC Grifant’s workshops for Reach Your Apex, “Creating Weird West Short Stories That Sizzle And Sell.” KC talks about how Weird West fiction is an opportunity to reexamine the myths we’ve been told about the Old West. She also provides guidelines for assessing if your story is…

    KC Grifant

  • Crafting A Chilling Hook For Your Horror Short Story – KC Grifant

    Watch this excerpt from one of award-winning author KC Grifant’s workshops for Reach Your Apex, “Creating Horror Short Stories That Sizzle And Sell.” KC talks about why the hook deserves your deepest attention, what makes a good hook, and how to craft one.d

    KC Grifant

  • The Power of Fear: How Short Horror Stories Can Jumpstart Your Writing

    Black and white photo from the 1930's featuring a smiling young lady having tea with a skeleton.

    Think horror stories are just campy gore-fests? Think again: short horror fiction can be an incredibly effective way to enhance your writing and share meaningful messages in a powerful package. Writers often sideline short stories in favor of novels, but short stories offer many benefits. They can help writers bolster creativity, hone razor-sharp crafting skills,…

    KC Grifant

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