SJ Townend
@sjtownend.bsky.social
A writer. A reader. A bit of a daydreamer.
Here for the horror.
SJTownend.com
🦋>🐦
🖤
Here for the horror.
SJTownend.com
🦋>🐦
🖤
Pinned
SJ Townend
@sjtownend.bsky.social
· Nov 25
Look! It's finally here! After the longest, most painful labour ever, I birthed a book.
It's feeding well and gaining weight, but it sleeps with its eyes open and wails like a banshee if I put it down.
brigidsgatepress.com/product/sick...
It's feeding well and gaining weight, but it sleeps with its eyes open and wails like a banshee if I put it down.
brigidsgatepress.com/product/sick...
Reposted by SJ Townend
What Comes to Light from @trashcatlit.bsky.social
A lovely little collection. ❤️Last day of special offer! (And raising funds for The Wildlife Trusts)
A lovely little collection. ❤️Last day of special offer! (And raising funds for The Wildlife Trusts)
January 31, 2026 at 6:19 PM
What Comes to Light from @trashcatlit.bsky.social
A lovely little collection. ❤️Last day of special offer! (And raising funds for The Wildlife Trusts)
A lovely little collection. ❤️Last day of special offer! (And raising funds for The Wildlife Trusts)
Reposted by SJ Townend
Spring's coming early to the Frost Zone, with book 3 tentatively planned to release on March 3rd.
TABLE of CONTENTS and COVER:
TABLE of CONTENTS and COVER:
January 29, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Spring's coming early to the Frost Zone, with book 3 tentatively planned to release on March 3rd.
TABLE of CONTENTS and COVER:
TABLE of CONTENTS and COVER:
Reposted by SJ Townend
Alex & I have 1 last cage match before we announce the final BRAVE NEW WEIRD ToC later this week.
As usual the hard part’s the fun part: there’s SO MUCH AMAZING WEIRD to choose from. This scene’s amazing.
Meantime: why don’t y’all check out our winners from years past?
store.tenebrouspress.com
As usual the hard part’s the fun part: there’s SO MUCH AMAZING WEIRD to choose from. This scene’s amazing.
Meantime: why don’t y’all check out our winners from years past?
store.tenebrouspress.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Alex & I have 1 last cage match before we announce the final BRAVE NEW WEIRD ToC later this week.
As usual the hard part’s the fun part: there’s SO MUCH AMAZING WEIRD to choose from. This scene’s amazing.
Meantime: why don’t y’all check out our winners from years past?
store.tenebrouspress.com
As usual the hard part’s the fun part: there’s SO MUCH AMAZING WEIRD to choose from. This scene’s amazing.
Meantime: why don’t y’all check out our winners from years past?
store.tenebrouspress.com
It is never not exciting to see your own story-words in print, on paper, in an actual book. AN ACTUAL BOOK!
(Tales of Sley House 2025, Sley House Publishing.)
@sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social
(Tales of Sley House 2025, Sley House Publishing.)
@sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 9:25 PM
It is never not exciting to see your own story-words in print, on paper, in an actual book. AN ACTUAL BOOK!
(Tales of Sley House 2025, Sley House Publishing.)
@sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social
(Tales of Sley House 2025, Sley House Publishing.)
@sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social
Jim writes great horror. Highly recommend his Changes collection.
January 20, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Jim writes great horror. Highly recommend his Changes collection.
@markpeters.bsky.social Thanks for all your editorial support with this anthology. You're a star x
And thanks to all the wonderfully creative authors who submitted stories to us at Bag of Bones Press for our Skin call in 2024.
And thanks to all the wonderfully creative authors who submitted stories to us at Bag of Bones Press for our Skin call in 2024.
January 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
@markpeters.bsky.social Thanks for all your editorial support with this anthology. You're a star x
And thanks to all the wonderfully creative authors who submitted stories to us at Bag of Bones Press for our Skin call in 2024.
And thanks to all the wonderfully creative authors who submitted stories to us at Bag of Bones Press for our Skin call in 2024.
Reposted by SJ Townend
Frost Zone Stories Book 3 is out this spring with 10 awesome stories by the authors: (order subject to change)
Jay McKenzie
Andrew Humphrey
Thomas Nicholson
Damir Salkovic
E.F. Ritter
Rex Burrows
Mike A. Rhodes
Alistair Rey
Isabelle Nygren
SJ Townend
Jay McKenzie
Andrew Humphrey
Thomas Nicholson
Damir Salkovic
E.F. Ritter
Rex Burrows
Mike A. Rhodes
Alistair Rey
Isabelle Nygren
SJ Townend
January 15, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Frost Zone Stories Book 3 is out this spring with 10 awesome stories by the authors: (order subject to change)
Jay McKenzie
Andrew Humphrey
Thomas Nicholson
Damir Salkovic
E.F. Ritter
Rex Burrows
Mike A. Rhodes
Alistair Rey
Isabelle Nygren
SJ Townend
Jay McKenzie
Andrew Humphrey
Thomas Nicholson
Damir Salkovic
E.F. Ritter
Rex Burrows
Mike A. Rhodes
Alistair Rey
Isabelle Nygren
SJ Townend
I've just discovered a new cupboard in my classroom that I swear wasn't there last term.
Should I open the cupboard door?
I'm going to open the cupboard door.
If you don't hear from me again, please tell someone to check the cupboard.
Should I open the cupboard door?
I'm going to open the cupboard door.
If you don't hear from me again, please tell someone to check the cupboard.
January 12, 2026 at 9:03 AM
I've just discovered a new cupboard in my classroom that I swear wasn't there last term.
Should I open the cupboard door?
I'm going to open the cupboard door.
If you don't hear from me again, please tell someone to check the cupboard.
Should I open the cupboard door?
I'm going to open the cupboard door.
If you don't hear from me again, please tell someone to check the cupboard.
Mission accomplished.
January 10, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Mission accomplished.
Reposted by SJ Townend
Stunned to find my horror story on Ellen Datlow's Best Horror Recommendations list 😍
Scratch is one of my favourite pieces, published in Bag of Bones Press (@sjtownend.bsky.social) SKIN anthology and my horror collection, Sick Ink (links in thread)
To see it highlighted in this list is amazing 🖤
Scratch is one of my favourite pieces, published in Bag of Bones Press (@sjtownend.bsky.social) SKIN anthology and my horror collection, Sick Ink (links in thread)
To see it highlighted in this list is amazing 🖤
January 4, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Stunned to find my horror story on Ellen Datlow's Best Horror Recommendations list 😍
Scratch is one of my favourite pieces, published in Bag of Bones Press (@sjtownend.bsky.social) SKIN anthology and my horror collection, Sick Ink (links in thread)
To see it highlighted in this list is amazing 🖤
Scratch is one of my favourite pieces, published in Bag of Bones Press (@sjtownend.bsky.social) SKIN anthology and my horror collection, Sick Ink (links in thread)
To see it highlighted in this list is amazing 🖤
Congrats to all of the wonderful Skin authors (Bag of Bones Press, edited by me and Mark Peters) who got a mention in Ellen Datlow's Best Horror of the year recommended list! JP Relph, Rob Shearman, Jim Horlock, to name a few!
SKIN, a charity anthology, is available to buy here: amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
SKIN, a charity anthology, is available to buy here: amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
SKIN: An Anthology of Dark Fiction
Buy SKIN: An Anthology of Dark Fiction by Townend, Sarah (ISBN: 9781068679001) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.eu
January 4, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Congrats to all of the wonderful Skin authors (Bag of Bones Press, edited by me and Mark Peters) who got a mention in Ellen Datlow's Best Horror of the year recommended list! JP Relph, Rob Shearman, Jim Horlock, to name a few!
SKIN, a charity anthology, is available to buy here: amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
SKIN, a charity anthology, is available to buy here: amzn.eu/d/asR60dC
Reposted by SJ Townend
Nobody was around to tell me not to start a new online horror and sci-fi magazine, so.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
December 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Nobody was around to tell me not to start a new online horror and sci-fi magazine, so.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Reposted by SJ Townend
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 SJ Townend
The Lion of the Desert by MatthewJBenecke
Sick Girl Screams by @sjtownend.bsky.social
The World of Vile Wonder (antho), edited by @coyhall.bsky.social
Harrowfield by @stephellis.bsky.social
Mad Days by @elfordalley.bsky.social
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In by @craigwallwork.bsky.social
Sick Girl Screams by @sjtownend.bsky.social
The World of Vile Wonder (antho), edited by @coyhall.bsky.social
Harrowfield by @stephellis.bsky.social
Mad Days by @elfordalley.bsky.social
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In by @craigwallwork.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The Lion of the Desert by MatthewJBenecke
Sick Girl Screams by @sjtownend.bsky.social
The World of Vile Wonder (antho), edited by @coyhall.bsky.social
Harrowfield by @stephellis.bsky.social
Mad Days by @elfordalley.bsky.social
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In by @craigwallwork.bsky.social
Sick Girl Screams by @sjtownend.bsky.social
The World of Vile Wonder (antho), edited by @coyhall.bsky.social
Harrowfield by @stephellis.bsky.social
Mad Days by @elfordalley.bsky.social
The Skin We Feel Most Comfortable In by @craigwallwork.bsky.social
My story, YELLOW CAR, is now available to read, along with many other horrifying journey-themed tales, in this anthology from Hell Bound Books:
www.amazon.com/HellBound-Hi...
www.amazon.com/HellBound-Hi...
December 19, 2025 at 8:08 AM
My story, YELLOW CAR, is now available to read, along with many other horrifying journey-themed tales, in this anthology from Hell Bound Books:
www.amazon.com/HellBound-Hi...
www.amazon.com/HellBound-Hi...
Fancy a Bristol-based Christmas horror story from me?
Check out WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES published by Horrific Scribes here:
horrificscribblings.com/when-one-doo...
You can read more horrifying tales by other authors too at horrificscribblings.com
Check out WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES published by Horrific Scribes here:
horrificscribblings.com/when-one-doo...
You can read more horrifying tales by other authors too at horrificscribblings.com
When One Door Closes
A man has an issue with the doors in his house. Even the doors on his advent calendar are playing up. But are the doors his only issue?
horrificscribblings.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Fancy a Bristol-based Christmas horror story from me?
Check out WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES published by Horrific Scribes here:
horrificscribblings.com/when-one-doo...
You can read more horrifying tales by other authors too at horrificscribblings.com
Check out WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES published by Horrific Scribes here:
horrificscribblings.com/when-one-doo...
You can read more horrifying tales by other authors too at horrificscribblings.com
My nine-year-old son, unprompted, just broke into the robot dance for the entire of his one hour long school carol service performance.
No other kid was dancing.
Made my Christmas! 🤣
No other kid was dancing.
Made my Christmas! 🤣
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
My nine-year-old son, unprompted, just broke into the robot dance for the entire of his one hour long school carol service performance.
No other kid was dancing.
Made my Christmas! 🤣
No other kid was dancing.
Made my Christmas! 🤣
Reposted by SJ Townend
Writing the Occult's 2026 season is now officially on sale!
Explore the events: www.eventbrite.com/cc/writing-t...
🧵⬇️
Explore the events: www.eventbrite.com/cc/writing-t...
🧵⬇️
December 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Writing the Occult's 2026 season is now officially on sale!
Explore the events: www.eventbrite.com/cc/writing-t...
🧵⬇️
Explore the events: www.eventbrite.com/cc/writing-t...
🧵⬇️
Reposted by SJ Townend
On the 13th of December, your Trash Cat gave to you...
a reduced price on our charity anthology until Christmas Eve 🦝
Grab one, gift one, read one for less of your penny-monies.
All proceeds to The Wildlife Trusts for the badgers and stuffs.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
a reduced price on our charity anthology until Christmas Eve 🦝
Grab one, gift one, read one for less of your penny-monies.
All proceeds to The Wildlife Trusts for the badgers and stuffs.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
December 13, 2025 at 12:16 PM
On the 13th of December, your Trash Cat gave to you...
a reduced price on our charity anthology until Christmas Eve 🦝
Grab one, gift one, read one for less of your penny-monies.
All proceeds to The Wildlife Trusts for the badgers and stuffs.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
a reduced price on our charity anthology until Christmas Eve 🦝
Grab one, gift one, read one for less of your penny-monies.
All proceeds to The Wildlife Trusts for the badgers and stuffs.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Reposted by SJ Townend
Massive thanks to @sjtownend.bsky.social for reviewing this anthology and singling out my story as the reason for picking it up in the first place!
Hiding Under the Leaves is still available from @theslabpress.bsky.social as a great Chrissy pressie for the folk horror fan in your life...
Hiding Under the Leaves is still available from @theslabpress.bsky.social as a great Chrissy pressie for the folk horror fan in your life...
A short review of HIDING UNDER THE LEAVES (an anthology of folk horror from The Slab Press) here, from me:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
S.J. Townend's review of Hiding Under the Leaves
5/5: I'm a big fan of short folk horror, so I picked up this book of 22 short stories (The Slab Press) after hearing it discussed at World Fantasy Con in Brighton this year. I was very keen to read ...
www.goodreads.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Massive thanks to @sjtownend.bsky.social for reviewing this anthology and singling out my story as the reason for picking it up in the first place!
Hiding Under the Leaves is still available from @theslabpress.bsky.social as a great Chrissy pressie for the folk horror fan in your life...
Hiding Under the Leaves is still available from @theslabpress.bsky.social as a great Chrissy pressie for the folk horror fan in your life...
A short review of HIDING UNDER THE LEAVES (an anthology of folk horror from The Slab Press) here, from me:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
S.J. Townend's review of Hiding Under the Leaves
5/5: I'm a big fan of short folk horror, so I picked up this book of 22 short stories (The Slab Press) after hearing it discussed at World Fantasy Con in Brighton this year. I was very keen to read ...
www.goodreads.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
A short review of HIDING UNDER THE LEAVES (an anthology of folk horror from The Slab Press) here, from me:
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Reposted by SJ Townend
I have no idea if these award eligibility posts actually DO anything other than lay bare the good and silly work I've been lucky to achieve in 2025. 11 short stories published (on top of finishing my first novel)! I'm very grateful to all the editors and publications who've given my words a go!
December 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I have no idea if these award eligibility posts actually DO anything other than lay bare the good and silly work I've been lucky to achieve in 2025. 11 short stories published (on top of finishing my first novel)! I'm very grateful to all the editors and publications who've given my words a go!
Reposted by SJ Townend
last couple weeks of december when things slow down is usually when i try to catch up on short spec fic (try, being the operative word, always behind). if you've got recs for strange stuff in semi-pro mags that stuck out to you and that you think flew under the radar would def be interested to know.
December 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
last couple weeks of december when things slow down is usually when i try to catch up on short spec fic (try, being the operative word, always behind). if you've got recs for strange stuff in semi-pro mags that stuck out to you and that you think flew under the radar would def be interested to know.
TWO blocks of cheese in the fridge? Well played, Past Me, well played.
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
TWO blocks of cheese in the fridge? Well played, Past Me, well played.
Reposted by SJ Townend
Happy Christmas panic-buying onset for those who celebrate! Must be time to bump this, suitable for anyone in your life who likes a) charity and b) animals. And optimally c) reading. 27 snack-sized stories curated by @trashcatlit.bsky.social for The Wildlife Trusts: trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...
December 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Happy Christmas panic-buying onset for those who celebrate! Must be time to bump this, suitable for anyone in your life who likes a) charity and b) animals. And optimally c) reading. 27 snack-sized stories curated by @trashcatlit.bsky.social for The Wildlife Trusts: trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...