Eric J. Guignard
@ericjguignard.bsky.social
Author. Editor. Anthologist. Swiss-American. Writing at Cemetery Dance, Sourcebooks, upcoming with HarperCollins. Publisher of @darkmoonbooks.bsky.social. Peace, love, and skulls. #ericjguignard http://www.ericjguignard.com
Fun visiting the O.C. County fair yesterday with my daughter! Even spending the entire day there, we still didn’t get through everything offered. Tons of rides and games, pig races, musicians, a butterfly garden, etc. Great exhibits on woodworking, photography, crafting, and animals, etc.
August, 2026 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets (as reported to @horrorwritersassoc.bsky.social HWA, Los Angeles chapter) — “A selection of New or Reopening Market Listings this month paying minimum pro rates of 5 cents+ per word” ericjguignard.substack.com/p/august-202...
August, 2026 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets
For August, 2026: New or Reopening Market Listings/ Notes at Minimum Pro-Paying (5 cents+ per word):
ericjguignard.substack.com
One of my favorite short story authors is Australian Terry Dowling. Stories are smart and nuanced, haunting and weird with a slow build until a killer ending. Some favorites in this collection include “La Profonde,” “The Ichneumon and the Dormeuse,” “They Found the Angry Moon”, and “The Gully”.
My schedule has recently opened up! I’m throwing my name out there that I am very much interested and available for writing short stories for anthos, mags, or other writing projects. Msg or email me!
Finished up another great read this week, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by S. A. Cosby! Second book I’ve read by this author, after finishing BLACKTOP WASTELAND. Both were solid, engaging reads but I definitely liked ALL THE SINNERS BLEED better—a wider cast of characters and deeper murder mystery built in.
Saw this cool, large Red Coachwhip (AKA: Red Racer) snake (Masticophis flagellum) just chillin’ in the desert—July 20, abt 7:15 a.m. in Joshua Tree. Then found a second (smaller) one inside a hen house a few hours later!
I love Joshua Tree—desert beauty and hippie/ artist vibe. Yesterday, my son and I tramped around up there. Hiked abt. Barker Dam & old Wall Street Mill in the National Park. Then went to a super-fun animal sanctuary and art space, Kaleidoscope Desert, and Pioneertown afterward!
I got to meet today Gordon Korman, one of my absolute favorite childhood authors! Gordon Korman was the first author I ever followed by “name”. i.e. the first that I would want to read simply by the fact his name was listed as author on a book’s cover. More here: substack.com/profile/4803...
Going out to see one of my favorite childhood authors in the world, Gordon Korman! Signing 5:00 today at Pages: A Bookstore 904 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA
Tonight, my son goes to sleep a child, and in the morning he will wake a man.
Insect of the day! This photo isn't the greatest, but this little beast was only about 2mm long! I've not seen one before, but this is a PSEUDOSCORPION (Order: Pseudoscorpionida), and a type of arachnid (possibly: Chelifer cancroides). Bane of mites and booklice everywhere!
It’s midnight, and a pair of Hoot Owls are having a merry ol’ conversation in my backyard. It’s very sweet.
THE HEAVENLY TABLE by Donald Ray Pollock (2016) Just finished reading this novel that I will probably look back upon as one of my favorite books ever. Not as horrific and philosophic as Cormac McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN, but definitely a same-shelf type of book www.amazon.com/dp/110197165...
I love finding songs I can put on repeat and listen to 10,000 times in a row, and it becomes a meditative mantra, a perfect rhythmic vibe to write to. Something dark and sinister about this, and I am all about it: "Because I Don’t Know” by Tricky & Mitch Sanders www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKkW...
Because I Don’t Know
YouTube video by Tricky - Topic
youtube.com
Okay, this shirt ad targeted me—this is, like, literally half of my camping experience. The other half is wandering through the forest looking for insects.
Returned home from backpacking in Yosemite National Park this week and had an amazing time! Mostly followed the “Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne,” and from there to Tuolumne Meadows. Breathtaking scenic views and excellent weather. Mosquitoes all the way, but such is nature (quite literally)!
July, 2026 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets (as reported to @horrorwritersassoc.bsky.social HWA, Los Angeles chapter) — “A selection of New or Reopening Market Listings this month paying minimum pro rates of 5 cents+ per word” ericjguignard.substack.com/p/july-2026-...
July, 2026 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets
For July, 2026: New or Reopening Market Listings/ Notes at Minimum Pro-Paying (5 cents+ per word):
ericjguignard.substack.com
Goodbye, cruel world! I’m leaving you all behind to go backpacking across Yosemite for the next week! A travel day tomorrow, and then I’ll be offline until July 3.
Every year, every re-read, this book still holds up as a hallmark of storytelling. A sweet tradition. BIG FISH by Daniel Wallace
Have the house 100% alone and to myself for the next week. What shall I do... "Hermit-writing status, ENGAGE!"
Great review in this month’s issue of AUREALIS Magazine of my latest short story collection A GRAVESIDE GALLERY! “…dark, macabre tales from renowned horror author Eric J. Guignard… a smorgasbord for horror enthusiasts. Best under torchlight in the dark.” ericjguignard.com/a_graveside_...
It is publication day for Women of the Weird West!! 🥳 What a journey! This anthology published by Brigids Gate Press and edited by me is near and dear to my heart. I am grateful to the authors for their fascinating tales spanning far-flung galaxies to classic Old West settings.
Out now: My latest newsletter post via Substack, the June edition of: Strange and Dreaming Days with Eric J. Guignard ericjguignard.substack.com/p/strange-an...
Strange and Dreaming Days with Eric J. Guignard
June, 2026
ericjguignard.substack.com
So happy, that after years (decades!) of reading the work of Horror author Poppy Z. Brite (EXQUISITE CORPSE; WORDWOOD; LOST SOULS, etc.), I finally got to meet him (Billy Martin) at StokerCon 2026! Looking forward to many more years of dark reading in store. #StokerCon #StokerCon2026 #StokerCon26
Just wanted to showcase my shirt, where I'm breaking the walls of the fourth dimension through pics of me placed on social media, then re-shot in real life, and then shared back on social media. with @lynnehansenart.bsky.social
I’ve been terrible about posting or reviewing books I’ve read lately. So, in lieu of anything extensive, here’s a quick pic of some novels I finished over the last month or so. They were all good reads in different ways, & I'd rate them each 4 or 5 stars.
My daughter graduated elementary school a couple weeks ago. I just realized my days of volunteering at the Scholastic Book Fair are over, and I mourn for that.
Author Mark Matthews wins for taking my favorite picture of me at this year’s StokerCon!
