Catherine McCarthy
@catherinemccarthy.bsky.social
Welsh author of dark fiction and roamer of ancient paths.
Words in Haven Spec, Dark Matter, Gamut Mag and other strange places.
Find me @ https://cmccarthywriter.substack.com/
Words in Haven Spec, Dark Matter, Gamut Mag and other strange places.
Find me @ https://cmccarthywriter.substack.com/
Pinned
And now they have us renting the movies instead via subscriptions. Is this really progress?🙄
January 2, 2026 at 11:45 AM
And now they have us renting the movies instead via subscriptions. Is this really progress?🙄
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
Chapter 30: Wren’s Aria
Illustration 30/52
#WrensAria, a charming illustrated animal fantasy arriving in 2026 (that's this year now! 😱)
(and yes this chapter has the same title as the book because REASONS! Don't you love it when the book title shows up in the book? I do!)
Illustration 30/52
#WrensAria, a charming illustrated animal fantasy arriving in 2026 (that's this year now! 😱)
(and yes this chapter has the same title as the book because REASONS! Don't you love it when the book title shows up in the book? I do!)
January 1, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Chapter 30: Wren’s Aria
Illustration 30/52
#WrensAria, a charming illustrated animal fantasy arriving in 2026 (that's this year now! 😱)
(and yes this chapter has the same title as the book because REASONS! Don't you love it when the book title shows up in the book? I do!)
Illustration 30/52
#WrensAria, a charming illustrated animal fantasy arriving in 2026 (that's this year now! 😱)
(and yes this chapter has the same title as the book because REASONS! Don't you love it when the book title shows up in the book? I do!)
January 1, 2026 at 7:09 PM
My final read of 2025!📚
The title almost put me off reading this, but don't let it fool you. It's psychologically dark, with one of the best opening chapters I've ever read.
Second only to The Cement Garden.
#booksky
The title almost put me off reading this, but don't let it fool you. It's psychologically dark, with one of the best opening chapters I've ever read.
Second only to The Cement Garden.
#booksky
December 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
My final read of 2025!📚
The title almost put me off reading this, but don't let it fool you. It's psychologically dark, with one of the best opening chapters I've ever read.
Second only to The Cement Garden.
#booksky
The title almost put me off reading this, but don't let it fool you. It's psychologically dark, with one of the best opening chapters I've ever read.
Second only to The Cement Garden.
#booksky
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
I've got the day off work, so time to bring back an old favourite, this time using lessons learned from all the great stuff we published in 2025. Let's do this.
December 30, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I've got the day off work, so time to bring back an old favourite, this time using lessons learned from all the great stuff we published in 2025. Let's do this.
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
Death of a Clown by @catherinemccarthy.bsky.social
"took me by surprise from the worldbuilding to the story structure to the unexpected twists & turns. Hard to categorize the genre exactly—definitely a quiet character study but with fantastical and mystery elements added in such imaginative ways."
"took me by surprise from the worldbuilding to the story structure to the unexpected twists & turns. Hard to categorize the genre exactly—definitely a quiet character study but with fantastical and mystery elements added in such imaginative ways."
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Death of a Clown by @catherinemccarthy.bsky.social
"took me by surprise from the worldbuilding to the story structure to the unexpected twists & turns. Hard to categorize the genre exactly—definitely a quiet character study but with fantastical and mystery elements added in such imaginative ways."
"took me by surprise from the worldbuilding to the story structure to the unexpected twists & turns. Hard to categorize the genre exactly—definitely a quiet character study but with fantastical and mystery elements added in such imaginative ways."
Woke with Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird as an earworm.
It's gonna be a good day!😄🖤
It's gonna be a good day!😄🖤
a man in a hat is singing into a microphone with the words `` and this bird you cannot change '' behind him .
ALT: a man in a hat is singing into a microphone with the words `` and this bird you cannot change '' behind him .
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Woke with Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird as an earworm.
It's gonna be a good day!😄🖤
It's gonna be a good day!😄🖤
Schopenhauer's philosophy is so bleak it actually cheers me up! 😄
"The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it."
"To be alone is the fate of all great minds - a fate deplored at times, but still chosen as the less grevious of two evils."
"The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it."
"To be alone is the fate of all great minds - a fate deplored at times, but still chosen as the less grevious of two evils."
a black and white photo of a man in a suit
ALT: a black and white photo of a man in a suit
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Schopenhauer's philosophy is so bleak it actually cheers me up! 😄
"The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it."
"To be alone is the fate of all great minds - a fate deplored at times, but still chosen as the less grevious of two evils."
"The shortness of life, so often lamented, may be the best thing about it."
"To be alone is the fate of all great minds - a fate deplored at times, but still chosen as the less grevious of two evils."
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
Delighted to be part of this with Harrowfield - and an appearance in This World of Vile Wonder!
I can also agree on SJ Townend and Vivian Kasley's collections. I just need to read the others!
I can also agree on SJ Townend and Vivian Kasley's collections. I just need to read the others!
A selection of great indie books I read this year.
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
December 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Delighted to be part of this with Harrowfield - and an appearance in This World of Vile Wonder!
I can also agree on SJ Townend and Vivian Kasley's collections. I just need to read the others!
I can also agree on SJ Townend and Vivian Kasley's collections. I just need to read the others!
A selection of great indie books I read this year.
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
December 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A selection of great indie books I read this year.
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
I highly recommend all of these!👇📚
(See list below, left to right)
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
The boxing day @thisishorror.bsky.social news is ready to go for tomorrow. But, #ICYMI, here's last week's new & forthcoming:
www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-u...
Poisoned Soup Ed. Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds - out now @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social ...
1/2
www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-u...
Poisoned Soup Ed. Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds - out now @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social ...
1/2
News Round-up Week Ending 19 December 2025
Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week … New from editors Grace R. Reynolds and Wendy Dalrymple, and Brigids Gate Press, Poisoned Soup A spri…
www.thisishorror.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The boxing day @thisishorror.bsky.social news is ready to go for tomorrow. But, #ICYMI, here's last week's new & forthcoming:
www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-u...
Poisoned Soup Ed. Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds - out now @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social ...
1/2
www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-u...
Poisoned Soup Ed. Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds - out now @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social ...
1/2
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
'...a story that is so smooth, so sweet, yet so brutal and horrific ..'
Strowg - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G1TWN3R7
A modern #VampireStory
Available on #Audible & #KindleUnlimited
#VampireStories #VampireHorror #VampireBook #VampireBooks #Horror #HorrorStory #HorrorStories #Dracula #Nosferatu #Strigoi
Strowg - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G1TWN3R7
A modern #VampireStory
Available on #Audible & #KindleUnlimited
#VampireStories #VampireHorror #VampireBook #VampireBooks #Horror #HorrorStory #HorrorStories #Dracula #Nosferatu #Strigoi
December 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
'...a story that is so smooth, so sweet, yet so brutal and horrific ..'
Strowg - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G1TWN3R7
A modern #VampireStory
Available on #Audible & #KindleUnlimited
#VampireStories #VampireHorror #VampireBook #VampireBooks #Horror #HorrorStory #HorrorStories #Dracula #Nosferatu #Strigoi
Strowg - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G1TWN3R7
A modern #VampireStory
Available on #Audible & #KindleUnlimited
#VampireStories #VampireHorror #VampireBook #VampireBooks #Horror #HorrorStory #HorrorStories #Dracula #Nosferatu #Strigoi
Satan Claws wishes you Seasons Greetings!
Have a good one, all!🎄
(Art courtesy of my husband, Tony.)
Have a good one, all!🎄
(Art courtesy of my husband, Tony.)
December 24, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Satan Claws wishes you Seasons Greetings!
Have a good one, all!🎄
(Art courtesy of my husband, Tony.)
Have a good one, all!🎄
(Art courtesy of my husband, Tony.)
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
Favourite Night of the Year
A Christmas Ghost Story
Read on Medium!
#Christmas #Ghoststories #ChristmasEve #Booksky 📚💙📚💙📚
medium.com/@tudortweep/...
A Christmas Ghost Story
Read on Medium!
#Christmas #Ghoststories #ChristmasEve #Booksky 📚💙📚💙📚
medium.com/@tudortweep/...
Favourite Night of the Year
A Christmas Ghost Story
medium.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Favourite Night of the Year
A Christmas Ghost Story
Read on Medium!
#Christmas #Ghoststories #ChristmasEve #Booksky 📚💙📚💙📚
medium.com/@tudortweep/...
A Christmas Ghost Story
Read on Medium!
#Christmas #Ghoststories #ChristmasEve #Booksky 📚💙📚💙📚
medium.com/@tudortweep/...
10p at the charity shop.
Bargain!😁
Bargain!😁
December 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
10p at the charity shop.
Bargain!😁
Bargain!😁
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
🎄Happy Christmas, one and all 🎄
Relax, enjoy the season - and read or listen to some books ...preferably #Horror/#DarkFiction written by a penniless #IndieAuthor 😀
US - www.amazon.com/stores/John-...
UK - www.amazon.co.uk/stores/John-...
#ApocalypticHorror #QuietHorror #ZombieHorror #VampireHorror
Relax, enjoy the season - and read or listen to some books ...preferably #Horror/#DarkFiction written by a penniless #IndieAuthor 😀
US - www.amazon.com/stores/John-...
UK - www.amazon.co.uk/stores/John-...
#ApocalypticHorror #QuietHorror #ZombieHorror #VampireHorror
December 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🎄Happy Christmas, one and all 🎄
Relax, enjoy the season - and read or listen to some books ...preferably #Horror/#DarkFiction written by a penniless #IndieAuthor 😀
US - www.amazon.com/stores/John-...
UK - www.amazon.co.uk/stores/John-...
#ApocalypticHorror #QuietHorror #ZombieHorror #VampireHorror
Relax, enjoy the season - and read or listen to some books ...preferably #Horror/#DarkFiction written by a penniless #IndieAuthor 😀
US - www.amazon.com/stores/John-...
UK - www.amazon.co.uk/stores/John-...
#ApocalypticHorror #QuietHorror #ZombieHorror #VampireHorror
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
In today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social I’m writing about Christmas ghost stories, and the @britishlibrary.bsky.social’s Tales of the Weird.
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
In search of the ghosts of Christmas past | The Observer
Stories of spirits and ghouls were a fixture of winter long before Dickens. Now intrepid historians have taken it upon themselves to resurrect forgotten yarns
observer.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
In today’s @theobserveruk.bsky.social I’m writing about Christmas ghost stories, and the @britishlibrary.bsky.social’s Tales of the Weird.
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
My latest newsletter (link in bio and on image).
Delve into the background to my story (From Earthen Grave to Feathered Wing) in the brand new antho from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, titled Poisoned Soup.
It's an honour to be part of such a wonderful project.🥰
Delve into the background to my story (From Earthen Grave to Feathered Wing) in the brand new antho from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, titled Poisoned Soup.
It's an honour to be part of such a wonderful project.🥰
December 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
My latest newsletter (link in bio and on image).
Delve into the background to my story (From Earthen Grave to Feathered Wing) in the brand new antho from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, titled Poisoned Soup.
It's an honour to be part of such a wonderful project.🥰
Delve into the background to my story (From Earthen Grave to Feathered Wing) in the brand new antho from @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, titled Poisoned Soup.
It's an honour to be part of such a wonderful project.🥰
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
The Nod/Wells Timelines speculative-fiction literary universe by @michaelshotter.com.
For more information, visit the author's official website:
michaelshotter.com
For more information, visit the author's official website:
michaelshotter.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The Nod/Wells Timelines speculative-fiction literary universe by @michaelshotter.com.
For more information, visit the author's official website:
michaelshotter.com
For more information, visit the author's official website:
michaelshotter.com
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
"Death of a Clown" was @michaelshotter.com's latest read by Catherine McCarthy this year. If you love compelling speculative-fiction concepts with a touch of horror and a lot of heart, it's one of several tales from her you shouldn't miss! 👇🩸📚💙📚🪐
Michael's Review
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Michael's Review
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
December 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"Death of a Clown" was @michaelshotter.com's latest read by Catherine McCarthy this year. If you love compelling speculative-fiction concepts with a touch of horror and a lot of heart, it's one of several tales from her you shouldn't miss! 👇🩸📚💙📚🪐
Michael's Review
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Michael's Review
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
BT HAVE REPAIRED MY INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICE AFTER 11 LONG DAYS WITH NOTHING!😍
Please forgive me for being unable to respond to previous tags/comments etc.
I have so much PC work etc. to catch up on!🙏
Please forgive me for being unable to respond to previous tags/comments etc.
I have so much PC work etc. to catch up on!🙏
a woman is sitting on a stage with her eyes closed and says finally .
ALT: a woman is sitting on a stage with her eyes closed and says finally .
media.tenor.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
BT HAVE REPAIRED MY INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICE AFTER 11 LONG DAYS WITH NOTHING!😍
Please forgive me for being unable to respond to previous tags/comments etc.
I have so much PC work etc. to catch up on!🙏
Please forgive me for being unable to respond to previous tags/comments etc.
I have so much PC work etc. to catch up on!🙏
Reposted by Catherine McCarthy
7 Days in Hell and 7 Weeks in Hell are both 75% off the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! Find your next favorite book this month at smashwords.com/sale #EOYSale25 #ebook #sale #books2read #indiebooks
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
7 Days in Hell and 7 Weeks in Hell are both 75% off the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! Find your next favorite book this month at smashwords.com/sale #EOYSale25 #ebook #sale #books2read #indiebooks