Austin Shirey
@austinshirey.bsky.social
He/Him. Pronounced “SHY-ree.” Author of CITY OF SPORES (2024, Madness Heart Press), GOODLY CREATURES, and THE MAGIC OF EVERYDAY THINGS. AntiFascist. Black Lives Matter. Husband. Father. Cat-lover. Nerd. https://linktr.ee/austinshirey
Pinned
Austin Shirey
@austinshirey.bsky.social
· Mar 13
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
Reposted by Austin Shirey
It's August, which means release month for FEAST, my horror adventure novel about a kaiju Hobbes' Leviathan, the sea-stranded devoured souls surviving inside its belly and their rebellion against the beast + the cult that feeds it to sustain an astral Atlantis
eveninghousebooks.com/product/feas...
eveninghousebooks.com/product/feas...
Feast of the Pale Leviathan (Signed Copies) - Evening House Books
A man falls asleep on a river raft tube and drifts out to sea, where he is found and devoured by a titan of unbelievable size. But rather than death, what Owen finds inside is a community of fellow su...
eveninghousebooks.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
It's August, which means release month for FEAST, my horror adventure novel about a kaiju Hobbes' Leviathan, the sea-stranded devoured souls surviving inside its belly and their rebellion against the beast + the cult that feeds it to sustain an astral Atlantis
eveninghousebooks.com/product/feas...
eveninghousebooks.com/product/feas...
Reposted by Austin Shirey
#booksky #horrorsky #💙 #📚🩸 #horrorreview
4💀s. Sitting at the intersection between weird fiction and Noir mysteries. @austinshirey.bsky.social CITY OF SPORES, will grow on you quickly , and leave you wanting more adventures with the protagonist. See full review on Goodreads
4💀s. Sitting at the intersection between weird fiction and Noir mysteries. @austinshirey.bsky.social CITY OF SPORES, will grow on you quickly , and leave you wanting more adventures with the protagonist. See full review on Goodreads
June 16, 2025 at 12:21 AM
#booksky #horrorsky #💙 #📚🩸 #horrorreview
4💀s. Sitting at the intersection between weird fiction and Noir mysteries. @austinshirey.bsky.social CITY OF SPORES, will grow on you quickly , and leave you wanting more adventures with the protagonist. See full review on Goodreads
4💀s. Sitting at the intersection between weird fiction and Noir mysteries. @austinshirey.bsky.social CITY OF SPORES, will grow on you quickly , and leave you wanting more adventures with the protagonist. See full review on Goodreads
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
May 9, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Just signed the contract, so now I can officially announce that my bizarro coming-of-age novella, PALLBEARERS, will be coming out in 2026 with Madness Heart Press!!! 🥳🎉
April 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Just signed the contract, so now I can officially announce that my bizarro coming-of-age novella, PALLBEARERS, will be coming out in 2026 with Madness Heart Press!!! 🥳🎉
Reposted by Austin Shirey
The CITY OF SPORES audiobook (narrated by the incredible Kerie Darner) is available on Audible NOW! **If anyone would like to review the audiobook, please reach out for a promo code!**
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
April 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The CITY OF SPORES audiobook (narrated by the incredible Kerie Darner) is available on Audible NOW! **If anyone would like to review the audiobook, please reach out for a promo code!**
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
The CITY OF SPORES audiobook (narrated by the incredible Kerie Darner) is available on Audible NOW! **If anyone would like to review the audiobook, please reach out for a promo code!**
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
April 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The CITY OF SPORES audiobook (narrated by the incredible Kerie Darner) is available on Audible NOW! **If anyone would like to review the audiobook, please reach out for a promo code!**
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
www.audible.com/pd/B0F642NPQ...
Such an amazing book! Be sure to grab a copy!
OUT TODAY - THE GHOSTS OF BLAUBART MANSION!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
April 21, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Such an amazing book! Be sure to grab a copy!
Reposted by Austin Shirey
OUT TODAY - THE GHOSTS OF BLAUBART MANSION!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
April 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
OUT TODAY - THE GHOSTS OF BLAUBART MANSION!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
Thanks to @cemeterygatesmedia.bsky.social and cover artist @lukespoonerartist.bsky.social!
Reposted by Austin Shirey
The AUDIOBOOK of City of Spores should be available on Audible and iTunes within the next week or two! @keriedarner.bsky.social is the PERFECT narrator for the book—she brings Madripol and its various characters to vibrant life. We’re so excited to share the audiobook with you very soon!
April 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The AUDIOBOOK of City of Spores should be available on Audible and iTunes within the next week or two! @keriedarner.bsky.social is the PERFECT narrator for the book—she brings Madripol and its various characters to vibrant life. We’re so excited to share the audiobook with you very soon!
The AUDIOBOOK of City of Spores should be available on Audible and iTunes within the next week or two! @keriedarner.bsky.social is the PERFECT narrator for the book—she brings Madripol and its various characters to vibrant life. We’re so excited to share the audiobook with you very soon!
April 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The AUDIOBOOK of City of Spores should be available on Audible and iTunes within the next week or two! @keriedarner.bsky.social is the PERFECT narrator for the book—she brings Madripol and its various characters to vibrant life. We’re so excited to share the audiobook with you very soon!
Reposted by Austin Shirey
Thanks to Austin for intervewing me even though I answer "I don't know" to too many questions! Sign up for his newsletter and read his stories!
April’s newsletter is available now! Featuring an interview with @ivygrimes.bsky.social, some exciting City of Spores news, and the penultimate chapter of Mushrooms for Mirabelle!
austinshirey.substack.com
austinshirey.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Thanks to Austin for intervewing me even though I answer "I don't know" to too many questions! Sign up for his newsletter and read his stories!
April’s newsletter is available now! Featuring an interview with @ivygrimes.bsky.social, some exciting City of Spores news, and the penultimate chapter of Mushrooms for Mirabelle!
austinshirey.substack.com
austinshirey.substack.com
April 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
April’s newsletter is available now! Featuring an interview with @ivygrimes.bsky.social, some exciting City of Spores news, and the penultimate chapter of Mushrooms for Mirabelle!
austinshirey.substack.com
austinshirey.substack.com
Reposted by Austin Shirey
Fuck Meta and AI
This is such bullshit
This is such bullshit
March 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Fuck Meta and AI
This is such bullshit
This is such bullshit
Reposted by Austin Shirey
Thanks to @austinshirey.bsky.social for the shout-out for The Ghosts of Blaubart Mansion in his newsletter!
To read his mushroom-centric serial story and more -
austinshirey.substack.com/p/strange-an...
To read his mushroom-centric serial story and more -
austinshirey.substack.com/p/strange-an...
Strange & Fantastic #24
Some updates, Ivy Grimes' new novel, and Mushrooms for Mirabelle Part 5
austinshirey.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Thanks to @austinshirey.bsky.social for the shout-out for The Ghosts of Blaubart Mansion in his newsletter!
To read his mushroom-centric serial story and more -
austinshirey.substack.com/p/strange-an...
To read his mushroom-centric serial story and more -
austinshirey.substack.com/p/strange-an...
Reposted by Austin Shirey
I’m a pretty inconsistent and sporadic social media user, so my monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date with me and my writing. I’ve got some exciting news coming up, so there’s no better time to subscribe! austinshirey.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I’m a pretty inconsistent and sporadic social media user, so my monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date with me and my writing. I’ve got some exciting news coming up, so there’s no better time to subscribe! austinshirey.substack.com
I’m a pretty inconsistent and sporadic social media user, so my monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date with me and my writing. I’ve got some exciting news coming up, so there’s no better time to subscribe! austinshirey.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I’m a pretty inconsistent and sporadic social media user, so my monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date with me and my writing. I’ve got some exciting news coming up, so there’s no better time to subscribe! austinshirey.substack.com
Reposted by Austin Shirey
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
March 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
March 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Looking for a story about mushroom people rising up from the sewers to revolt against a megalomaniacal billionaire playing fascist dictator? Check out my novella, CITY OF SPORES—a proudly anti-fascist, anti-capitalist mushroom noir where the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Link in bio.
Y’all NEED to preorder a copy of @ivygrimes.bsky.social’s novel right now! It’s so freaking good! A perfect distillation of her one-of-a-kind mix of the surreal and absurd, all wrapped up in the guise of a modern Southern fairy tale. I loved this book so much!
March 11, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Y’all NEED to preorder a copy of @ivygrimes.bsky.social’s novel right now! It’s so freaking good! A perfect distillation of her one-of-a-kind mix of the surreal and absurd, all wrapped up in the guise of a modern Southern fairy tale. I loved this book so much!
I’ll be a vendor at this year’s Scares That Care AuthorCon V in Williamsburg, VA, March 28-30! It’s a great event that raises money for a great cause, and I’m so excited to be a part of it! Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/35mkdma6 Come say hi!
#fightrealmonsters #scaresthatcare #authorcon
#fightrealmonsters #scaresthatcare #authorcon
"Scares That Care!" presents "AuthorCon V"
Get tickets online for "Scares That Care!" presents "AuthorCon V" here.
scaresthatcare.ticketspice.com
March 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I’ll be a vendor at this year’s Scares That Care AuthorCon V in Williamsburg, VA, March 28-30! It’s a great event that raises money for a great cause, and I’m so excited to be a part of it! Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/35mkdma6 Come say hi!
#fightrealmonsters #scaresthatcare #authorcon
#fightrealmonsters #scaresthatcare #authorcon
Reposted by Austin Shirey
With the cancellation of many preorders due to a technical error, I’d appreciate any boost of my debut horror collection to try to recover.
It’s sad, gruesome, and ranges from parent horror to sapphic cannibalism, hell hounds to lusting for lathes, masochistic androids to dementia 🖤
Thank you!
It’s sad, gruesome, and ranges from parent horror to sapphic cannibalism, hell hounds to lusting for lathes, masochistic androids to dementia 🖤
Thank you!
We received the unfortunate news that Am@z0n has cancelled ebook preorders for THE DROWNING MACHINE AND OTHER OBSESSIONS, set to release on Friday, Feb. 21. Though we have contacted customer service and the listing is restored to working order, we cannot restore those ebook purchases. (pt. 1/2)
February 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
With the cancellation of many preorders due to a technical error, I’d appreciate any boost of my debut horror collection to try to recover.
It’s sad, gruesome, and ranges from parent horror to sapphic cannibalism, hell hounds to lusting for lathes, masochistic androids to dementia 🖤
Thank you!
It’s sad, gruesome, and ranges from parent horror to sapphic cannibalism, hell hounds to lusting for lathes, masochistic androids to dementia 🖤
Thank you!
Reposted by Austin Shirey
SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN to pitches from #BIPOC authors *only* during February; our general submissions window will open in March! More details are available at our submissions link: and good luck! #Submissions #WritingCommunity #Horror #Books madnessheart.press/submissions/
February 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN to pitches from #BIPOC authors *only* during February; our general submissions window will open in March! More details are available at our submissions link: and good luck! #Submissions #WritingCommunity #Horror #Books madnessheart.press/submissions/
Can’t believe CITY OF SPORES has already been out in the world for a year! Over the past year it’s racked up 50 ratings on Goodreads, 42 text reviews, & has been marked as To-Read by 89 readers! Thanks to everyone who has picked it up & left a rating or review - this means the world to me!
February 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Can’t believe CITY OF SPORES has already been out in the world for a year! Over the past year it’s racked up 50 ratings on Goodreads, 42 text reviews, & has been marked as To-Read by 89 readers! Thanks to everyone who has picked it up & left a rating or review - this means the world to me!
Second time was the charm - completely clicked with the film this time around and loved it. Dracula as Gothic fairy tale. Really enjoyed the ending this time, which was the part I wasn’t as sure about on my first watch.
January 23, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Second time was the charm - completely clicked with the film this time around and loved it. Dracula as Gothic fairy tale. Really enjoyed the ending this time, which was the part I wasn’t as sure about on my first watch.