J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
@jneiraauthor.bsky.social
Formerly a slush reader for Graveside Press
Now a slush reader for Translunar Travelers Lounge
Hispanic hicklib
The Haunting of Lola Barrera coming soon!
Now a slush reader for Translunar Travelers Lounge
Hispanic hicklib
The Haunting of Lola Barrera coming soon!
Pinned
Acceptances have all been sent out for SATURDAY MOURNING TELEVISION!
Let's do this! 💀📺
Let's do this! 💀📺
a robot with a screen that says ' io ' on it
Alt: Metal Mickey from the TV show Metal Mickey. He's a robot. Called Mickey.
media.tenor.com
Honored to share the news that my story, Grilling Time!, will be included in SATURDAY MOURNING TELEVISION. It's a horror story about a woman who begins to notice the wicked messages in a popular children's cartoon show. The show notices her back.
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Fantastic entries today from you all!! An incredible start to 2026 💝
On my end, I have finished my contribution, Consequence, to @thatwilliambeck.bsky.social's #HorrorWritersChat anthology! You might get to read it very soon... 😈
Land of Gold updates will resume later this year as well!
On my end, I have finished my contribution, Consequence, to @thatwilliambeck.bsky.social's #HorrorWritersChat anthology! You might get to read it very soon... 😈
Land of Gold updates will resume later this year as well!
January 7, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Fantastic entries today from you all!! An incredible start to 2026 💝
On my end, I have finished my contribution, Consequence, to @thatwilliambeck.bsky.social's #HorrorWritersChat anthology! You might get to read it very soon... 😈
Land of Gold updates will resume later this year as well!
On my end, I have finished my contribution, Consequence, to @thatwilliambeck.bsky.social's #HorrorWritersChat anthology! You might get to read it very soon... 😈
Land of Gold updates will resume later this year as well!
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
This is horror. Although I'm not a gore fan, some mayhem can occur, though not often. Someone may lose something, someone may get something... neither is thrilling for the character. I'm more into psychological wounds. #HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:06 PM
This is horror. Although I'm not a gore fan, some mayhem can occur, though not often. Someone may lose something, someone may get something... neither is thrilling for the character. I'm more into psychological wounds. #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
Scars, muscle, lasting injuries. Kyle in particular winds up covered in them throughout my notes, lol
Scars, muscle, lasting injuries. Kyle in particular winds up covered in them throughout my notes, lol
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
Scars, muscle, lasting injuries. Kyle in particular winds up covered in them throughout my notes, lol
Scars, muscle, lasting injuries. Kyle in particular winds up covered in them throughout my notes, lol
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
Clowns
They become clowns
also some change genitalia and stuff because clown goo is gender affirming
because i say so
Clowns
They become clowns
also some change genitalia and stuff because clown goo is gender affirming
because i say so
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
Clowns
They become clowns
also some change genitalia and stuff because clown goo is gender affirming
because i say so
Clowns
They become clowns
also some change genitalia and stuff because clown goo is gender affirming
because i say so
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
My stories thus far take place in the real world or something very close to it, so the physical transformations are things like scarring, injuries, and stress-induced weight loss or aging.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
My stories thus far take place in the real world or something very close to it, so the physical transformations are things like scarring, injuries, and stress-induced weight loss or aging.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Well, the werewolves certainly do. But I've also got short stories where people undergo profound and existential physical transformations based on psychological trauma, manifested in weird/cosmic horror events that happen to them or that they cause. #horrorwriterschat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Well, the werewolves certainly do. But I've also got short stories where people undergo profound and existential physical transformations based on psychological trauma, manifested in weird/cosmic horror events that happen to them or that they cause. #horrorwriterschat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
It's rare for me to have a character survive unchanged, but most of it is internal. Mental. Spiritual. They might be a bit broken and scarred, but otherwise I have yet to give anyone a significant physical transformation.
Though that could change...
#HorrorWritersChat
Though that could change...
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
It's rare for me to have a character survive unchanged, but most of it is internal. Mental. Spiritual. They might be a bit broken and scarred, but otherwise I have yet to give anyone a significant physical transformation.
Though that could change...
#HorrorWritersChat
Though that could change...
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Actually, in one of my stories, the characters that do survive are transformed by a virus into monsters. One of them even mutates into a leader figure for the other infected. And for her troubles, she gets some neat butterfly wings. #HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Actually, in one of my stories, the characters that do survive are transformed by a virus into monsters. One of them even mutates into a leader figure for the other infected. And for her troubles, she gets some neat butterfly wings. #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat Sort of? Think Gravity Falls' weirdness magnetism on a broader scale. In short, being exposed to something supernatural increases your chances of it happening again. However, in certain cases, say you get possessed, it will give you a strong immunity from that particular thing.
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
#HorrorWritersChat Sort of? Think Gravity Falls' weirdness magnetism on a broader scale. In short, being exposed to something supernatural increases your chances of it happening again. However, in certain cases, say you get possessed, it will give you a strong immunity from that particular thing.
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
I mean it's horror. People get injured. At least two characters walk away from "The Woods" with life-changing injuries. One loses use of her left arm and the other gets shot in the head and is left deaf. Just the inciting incident of "Heliruna" leaves Sabine in a wheelchair. As someone who deals...
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
I mean it's horror. People get injured. At least two characters walk away from "The Woods" with life-changing injuries. One loses use of her left arm and the other gets shot in the head and is left deaf. Just the inciting incident of "Heliruna" leaves Sabine in a wheelchair. As someone who deals...
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Well, one of my characters becomes a zombie, so slightly discoloured skin, one ear develops a habit of falling off. And in my werewolf series a key character gets a long scar across his face. How is a secret (:
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Well, one of my characters becomes a zombie, so slightly discoloured skin, one ear develops a habit of falling off. And in my werewolf series a key character gets a long scar across his face. How is a secret (:
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
January 7, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Well, there was the one character who was turned into a Porcelain doll, and one who became a zombie...
So I suppose the bleak outcome for my characters is a physical transformation. But the more optimistic outcome is when it still have control of who they are by the end of it
#HorrorWritersChat
So I suppose the bleak outcome for my characters is a physical transformation. But the more optimistic outcome is when it still have control of who they are by the end of it
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Well, there was the one character who was turned into a Porcelain doll, and one who became a zombie...
So I suppose the bleak outcome for my characters is a physical transformation. But the more optimistic outcome is when it still have control of who they are by the end of it
#HorrorWritersChat
So I suppose the bleak outcome for my characters is a physical transformation. But the more optimistic outcome is when it still have control of who they are by the end of it
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
Sara was a brunette with long hair. She now has blue, sort of early-90s style uneven cut hair. Blue because of... that's telling. Things happened. Things might still happen.
Incindifel has [insert maniacal laughter here]
Sara was a brunette with long hair. She now has blue, sort of early-90s style uneven cut hair. Blue because of... that's telling. Things happened. Things might still happen.
Incindifel has [insert maniacal laughter here]
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:07 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
Sara was a brunette with long hair. She now has blue, sort of early-90s style uneven cut hair. Blue because of... that's telling. Things happened. Things might still happen.
Incindifel has [insert maniacal laughter here]
Sara was a brunette with long hair. She now has blue, sort of early-90s style uneven cut hair. Blue because of... that's telling. Things happened. Things might still happen.
Incindifel has [insert maniacal laughter here]
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
It's 9pm and my evening-computer-time is up 🖤 (yes, I'm that kind of weirdo). I'll try to catch up tomorrow! Sleep tight little Horrors!
For the Q. I don't have many physical changes. A few ghosts here and there, but most MC's are still in one piece on the outside.
It's 9pm and my evening-computer-time is up 🖤 (yes, I'm that kind of weirdo). I'll try to catch up tomorrow! Sleep tight little Horrors!
For the Q. I don't have many physical changes. A few ghosts here and there, but most MC's are still in one piece on the outside.
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:07 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
It's 9pm and my evening-computer-time is up 🖤 (yes, I'm that kind of weirdo). I'll try to catch up tomorrow! Sleep tight little Horrors!
For the Q. I don't have many physical changes. A few ghosts here and there, but most MC's are still in one piece on the outside.
It's 9pm and my evening-computer-time is up 🖤 (yes, I'm that kind of weirdo). I'll try to catch up tomorrow! Sleep tight little Horrors!
For the Q. I don't have many physical changes. A few ghosts here and there, but most MC's are still in one piece on the outside.
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Becoming a Dhampir changes a person physically as well, and it's not just agelessness and supernatural healing. Some can transform into monsters, form pacts with ghosts, or connect with Pagan creatures. It's quite modular in my setting.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Becoming a Dhampir changes a person physically as well, and it's not just agelessness and supernatural healing. Some can transform into monsters, form pacts with ghosts, or connect with Pagan creatures. It's quite modular in my setting.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Uh. Yeah. They have a kind of... pupal stage. And yes, in the arthropod sense.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Uh. Yeah. They have a kind of... pupal stage. And yes, in the arthropod sense.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
For some, the new beginning is as benign as it ever was, just with a new face ruling. For others, it is obscene power to be used for revenge. But most of the time, it is simply carrying the scars of a nightmare that became far too real.
For some, the new beginning is as benign as it ever was, just with a new face ruling. For others, it is obscene power to be used for revenge. But most of the time, it is simply carrying the scars of a nightmare that became far too real.
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
For some, the new beginning is as benign as it ever was, just with a new face ruling. For others, it is obscene power to be used for revenge. But most of the time, it is simply carrying the scars of a nightmare that became far too real.
For some, the new beginning is as benign as it ever was, just with a new face ruling. For others, it is obscene power to be used for revenge. But most of the time, it is simply carrying the scars of a nightmare that became far too real.
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Well, they can be horrifically maimed by a monster or themselves sometimes 😅 But I also have characters who turn into animals or mythical creatures like dragons. I like the metaphor of changing physically to represent a transformation internally.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Well, they can be horrifically maimed by a monster or themselves sometimes 😅 But I also have characters who turn into animals or mythical creatures like dragons. I like the metaphor of changing physically to represent a transformation internally.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Rose Marie does not change physically. Neither do most of my protagonists, aside from the normal physical changes humans go through. An exception is Lola Barrera, who is very buff by the end of her novel. 😆
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
You spring out of your den, gliding between trees. You follow the winged figures. Your kin. Your home.
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
Your past has left its icy trails behind.
Becoming a new self also often includes a physical transformation. Do your characters change physically? In what way?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Rose Marie does not change physically. Neither do most of my protagonists, aside from the normal physical changes humans go through. An exception is Lola Barrera, who is very buff by the end of her novel. 😆
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
#HorrorWritersChat Q4
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat It's not much to sacrifice, just a little sanity and the knowledge that people are so stupid that they will have to deal with the same threats repeatedly.
The susurrus sharpens into a voice. Your voice. A human rumble deepened by the forest’s savagery bursts from your maw.
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 7:43 PM
#HorrorWritersChat It's not much to sacrifice, just a little sanity and the knowledge that people are so stupid that they will have to deal with the same threats repeatedly.
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
My characters sacrifice their innocence. Whether that be in the form of traditional innocence about the world, or their straightforward belief in how the world works, or in human goodness. That loss or corruption is always there as a sacrifice. #HorrorWritersChat
The susurrus sharpens into a voice. Your voice. A human rumble deepened by the forest’s savagery bursts from your maw.
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
My characters sacrifice their innocence. Whether that be in the form of traditional innocence about the world, or their straightforward belief in how the world works, or in human goodness. That loss or corruption is always there as a sacrifice. #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
#HorrorWritersChat
Sara has already given up a lot, from career to loved ones. And that's how we find her. She hasn't much more to lose, to sacrifice.
At least she's got her health!
Wait... no...
Incindifel, however, has [REDACTED]
Sara has already given up a lot, from career to loved ones. And that's how we find her. She hasn't much more to lose, to sacrifice.
At least she's got her health!
Wait... no...
Incindifel, however, has [REDACTED]
The susurrus sharpens into a voice. Your voice. A human rumble deepened by the forest’s savagery bursts from your maw.
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
Sara has already given up a lot, from career to loved ones. And that's how we find her. She hasn't much more to lose, to sacrifice.
At least she's got her health!
Wait... no...
Incindifel, however, has [REDACTED]
Sara has already given up a lot, from career to loved ones. And that's how we find her. She hasn't much more to lose, to sacrifice.
At least she's got her health!
Wait... no...
Incindifel, however, has [REDACTED]
Reposted by J. Neira - cozy horror author & slush reader
Ooof. Tough question.
It's kind of a mixed bag. Many of my characters go into the final fire willing to sacrifice themselves if it leads to a better future for others. But a common thread is characters having to sacrifice the lies they've told themselves about who they are.
#HorrorWritersChat
It's kind of a mixed bag. Many of my characters go into the final fire willing to sacrifice themselves if it leads to a better future for others. But a common thread is characters having to sacrifice the lies they've told themselves about who they are.
#HorrorWritersChat
The susurrus sharpens into a voice. Your voice. A human rumble deepened by the forest’s savagery bursts from your maw.
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
A question blazes in your mind.
Becoming a new self is laden with sacrifices. What do your characters sacrifice? How painful/significant is it?
#HorrorWritersChat
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Ooof. Tough question.
It's kind of a mixed bag. Many of my characters go into the final fire willing to sacrifice themselves if it leads to a better future for others. But a common thread is characters having to sacrifice the lies they've told themselves about who they are.
#HorrorWritersChat
It's kind of a mixed bag. Many of my characters go into the final fire willing to sacrifice themselves if it leads to a better future for others. But a common thread is characters having to sacrifice the lies they've told themselves about who they are.
#HorrorWritersChat