Alan Lastufka
@alandistro.bsky.social
Editor of OBSOLESCENCE. Award-winning author of FACE THE NIGHT. Founder of small press Shortwave Publishing. HWA Active Member. SFWA Full Member.
About to finish King Sorrow tonight, only ~150 pages to go!
November 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
About to finish King Sorrow tonight, only ~150 pages to go!
They're done. They're finally done! He says before collapsing and weeping into his long-arm stapler.
October 11, 2025 at 8:26 PM
They're done. They're finally done! He says before collapsing and weeping into his long-arm stapler.
Where the book magic happens...
August 11, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Where the book magic happens...
Just signed Shortwave's first (but not last) sublicensing deal. And it's with a Big 5 publisher! 👀 A good day for our author, and for us.
Sometimes Shortwave's the right home for a project, and sometimes a specific edition needs a much (much) bigger home.
More news when we can share.
Sometimes Shortwave's the right home for a project, and sometimes a specific edition needs a much (much) bigger home.
More news when we can share.
August 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Just signed Shortwave's first (but not last) sublicensing deal. And it's with a Big 5 publisher! 👀 A good day for our author, and for us.
Sometimes Shortwave's the right home for a project, and sometimes a specific edition needs a much (much) bigger home.
More news when we can share.
Sometimes Shortwave's the right home for a project, and sometimes a specific edition needs a much (much) bigger home.
More news when we can share.
Spending my evening updating PHP versions on my server and building 2026 Shortwave catalog pages.
Also, I just added these cool new buttons that let readers browse our catalog by book format, because with over 50 titles 👀, it was getting a bit overwhelming to page through them all.
Also, I just added these cool new buttons that let readers browse our catalog by book format, because with over 50 titles 👀, it was getting a bit overwhelming to page through them all.
July 30, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Spending my evening updating PHP versions on my server and building 2026 Shortwave catalog pages.
Also, I just added these cool new buttons that let readers browse our catalog by book format, because with over 50 titles 👀, it was getting a bit overwhelming to page through them all.
Also, I just added these cool new buttons that let readers browse our catalog by book format, because with over 50 titles 👀, it was getting a bit overwhelming to page through them all.
I resisted for a while. It felt so "gamer bro". Then I used an ultrawide, which was equivalent to two 4:3 monitors smashed together. But eventually I gave in and added a second. Loved it so much a month later, I got a third. Joked with Kristen this morning about adding a fourth.
July 20, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I resisted for a while. It felt so "gamer bro". Then I used an ultrawide, which was equivalent to two 4:3 monitors smashed together. But eventually I gave in and added a second. Loved it so much a month later, I got a third. Joked with Kristen this morning about adding a fourth.
Had someone new asking questions in Shortwave's publishers channel on discord. After helping with their direct questions, I offered up a few things I wish I'd known when I started.
Sharing here for others who might be thinking about getting into publishing...
Sharing here for others who might be thinking about getting into publishing...
July 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Had someone new asking questions in Shortwave's publishers channel on discord. After helping with their direct questions, I offered up a few things I wish I'd known when I started.
Sharing here for others who might be thinking about getting into publishing...
Sharing here for others who might be thinking about getting into publishing...
During lockdown, one of my all-time favorite musicians sold his new album as a Limited Edition of One. One copy. For £10,000.
100% of that sale price went to charity, to the Music Venue Trust, to keep indie music spaces afloat during the pandemic.
I was lucky enough to buy that one copy... (1/4)
100% of that sale price went to charity, to the Music Venue Trust, to keep indie music spaces afloat during the pandemic.
I was lucky enough to buy that one copy... (1/4)
July 7, 2025 at 12:57 AM
During lockdown, one of my all-time favorite musicians sold his new album as a Limited Edition of One. One copy. For £10,000.
100% of that sale price went to charity, to the Music Venue Trust, to keep indie music spaces afloat during the pandemic.
I was lucky enough to buy that one copy... (1/4)
100% of that sale price went to charity, to the Music Venue Trust, to keep indie music spaces afloat during the pandemic.
I was lucky enough to buy that one copy... (1/4)
I actually have merch for a short story!
But there's no chance it'll ever turn a profit, films—even short films—and hardcover books and vinyl records are really freakin' expensive to produce.
Look up "passion project" in the dictionary and this is the first project cited. 😅
But there's no chance it'll ever turn a profit, films—even short films—and hardcover books and vinyl records are really freakin' expensive to produce.
Look up "passion project" in the dictionary and this is the first project cited. 😅
July 4, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I actually have merch for a short story!
But there's no chance it'll ever turn a profit, films—even short films—and hardcover books and vinyl records are really freakin' expensive to produce.
Look up "passion project" in the dictionary and this is the first project cited. 😅
But there's no chance it'll ever turn a profit, films—even short films—and hardcover books and vinyl records are really freakin' expensive to produce.
Look up "passion project" in the dictionary and this is the first project cited. 😅
How cool! I instantly recognized the spot from the Dream Theater album cover.
July 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
How cool! I instantly recognized the spot from the Dream Theater album cover.
The next horror film project I'm co-producing just landed a full article on Fangoria, showcasing our early trailer!
www.fangoria.com/slay-horror-...
www.fangoria.com/slay-horror-...
June 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The next horror film project I'm co-producing just landed a full article on Fangoria, showcasing our early trailer!
www.fangoria.com/slay-horror-...
www.fangoria.com/slay-horror-...
Huge congrats to Emily Lockhart on the new We Were Liars series hitting #1 on Amazon today!
Back between 2010-2015, I was E's webmaster and built/designed her website (this was something I did for a few authors back then). Which meant I occasionally received signed ARCs for new releases!
Back between 2010-2015, I was E's webmaster and built/designed her website (this was something I did for a few authors back then). Which meant I occasionally received signed ARCs for new releases!
June 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Huge congrats to Emily Lockhart on the new We Were Liars series hitting #1 on Amazon today!
Back between 2010-2015, I was E's webmaster and built/designed her website (this was something I did for a few authors back then). Which meant I occasionally received signed ARCs for new releases!
Back between 2010-2015, I was E's webmaster and built/designed her website (this was something I did for a few authors back then). Which meant I occasionally received signed ARCs for new releases!
"The Second City is second to none when it comes to terror."
I don't live there anymore, but I'm from the Chicagoland area and this anthology from @frombeyondpress.bsky.social, out in August, is all about Chicago horror by Chicago writers. So cool!
frombeyondpress.com/product/red-...
I don't live there anymore, but I'm from the Chicagoland area and this anthology from @frombeyondpress.bsky.social, out in August, is all about Chicago horror by Chicago writers. So cool!
frombeyondpress.com/product/red-...
June 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"The Second City is second to none when it comes to terror."
I don't live there anymore, but I'm from the Chicagoland area and this anthology from @frombeyondpress.bsky.social, out in August, is all about Chicago horror by Chicago writers. So cool!
frombeyondpress.com/product/red-...
I don't live there anymore, but I'm from the Chicagoland area and this anthology from @frombeyondpress.bsky.social, out in August, is all about Chicago horror by Chicago writers. So cool!
frombeyondpress.com/product/red-...
From an email Shortwave just received...
I'm going to give myself so much hell if I don't give me a raise after my next annual review! 😂
(also, thank you emailer, I needed this today)
I'm going to give myself so much hell if I don't give me a raise after my next annual review! 😂
(also, thank you emailer, I needed this today)
June 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
From an email Shortwave just received...
I'm going to give myself so much hell if I don't give me a raise after my next annual review! 😂
(also, thank you emailer, I needed this today)
I'm going to give myself so much hell if I don't give me a raise after my next annual review! 😂
(also, thank you emailer, I needed this today)
If I can keep making "number go up" every month, eventually a distributor has to want us, right? Right?! 🙃
May 31, 2025 at 6:11 PM
If I can keep making "number go up" every month, eventually a distributor has to want us, right? Right?! 🙃
Watching the new(ish) Porcupine Tree concert blu-ray, CLOSURE/CONTINUATION LIVE, while packing Shortwave orders for tomorrow morning because, somehow, there are never enough hours in the day.
I definitely know how to party on a Friday night. 😂
I definitely know how to party on a Friday night. 😂
May 17, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Watching the new(ish) Porcupine Tree concert blu-ray, CLOSURE/CONTINUATION LIVE, while packing Shortwave orders for tomorrow morning because, somehow, there are never enough hours in the day.
I definitely know how to party on a Friday night. 😂
I definitely know how to party on a Friday night. 😂
Happy two years to OBSOLESCENCE!
My first anthology (co-edited with Kristina Horner). @shortwavebooks.bsky.social's first anthology. And the antho that introduced me to dozens of incredible writers, many of whom we've gone on to publish again (and again [and again])!
My first anthology (co-edited with Kristina Horner). @shortwavebooks.bsky.social's first anthology. And the antho that introduced me to dozens of incredible writers, many of whom we've gone on to publish again (and again [and again])!
May 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Happy two years to OBSOLESCENCE!
My first anthology (co-edited with Kristina Horner). @shortwavebooks.bsky.social's first anthology. And the antho that introduced me to dozens of incredible writers, many of whom we've gone on to publish again (and again [and again])!
My first anthology (co-edited with Kristina Horner). @shortwavebooks.bsky.social's first anthology. And the antho that introduced me to dozens of incredible writers, many of whom we've gone on to publish again (and again [and again])!
I'm nearly finished with the interior design for the seventh Killer VHS novella, THE LONG LOW WHISTLE by @laurelhightower.bsky.social.
This is the chonkiest entry in the series so far, the first to clock in at over 200 pages!
This is the chonkiest entry in the series so far, the first to clock in at over 200 pages!
May 14, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I'm nearly finished with the interior design for the seventh Killer VHS novella, THE LONG LOW WHISTLE by @laurelhightower.bsky.social.
This is the chonkiest entry in the series so far, the first to clock in at over 200 pages!
This is the chonkiest entry in the series so far, the first to clock in at over 200 pages!
Too many characters!
(An explanation for why this post is a screenshot, not a critique of the books that fail to connect with the right readers.)
(An explanation for why this post is a screenshot, not a critique of the books that fail to connect with the right readers.)
May 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Too many characters!
(An explanation for why this post is a screenshot, not a critique of the books that fail to connect with the right readers.)
(An explanation for why this post is a screenshot, not a critique of the books that fail to connect with the right readers.)
Logged into Shortwave's shop to pack orders this morning and noticed our Year-to-Date stats vs Last Year-to-Date.
These numbers are for direct sales only, not bookstore/retail sales, but...
Sessions (visits to the store page) are up 24%, Orders are up 59%, with Total Sales (dollar amounts) up 57%!
These numbers are for direct sales only, not bookstore/retail sales, but...
Sessions (visits to the store page) are up 24%, Orders are up 59%, with Total Sales (dollar amounts) up 57%!
May 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Logged into Shortwave's shop to pack orders this morning and noticed our Year-to-Date stats vs Last Year-to-Date.
These numbers are for direct sales only, not bookstore/retail sales, but...
Sessions (visits to the store page) are up 24%, Orders are up 59%, with Total Sales (dollar amounts) up 57%!
These numbers are for direct sales only, not bookstore/retail sales, but...
Sessions (visits to the store page) are up 24%, Orders are up 59%, with Total Sales (dollar amounts) up 57%!
Currently working on something big.
May 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Currently working on something big.
Both @natcassidy.bsky.social and @claymcleod.bsky.social received their first Stoker Award nominations this year! 🎉
The coolest part? Both are Big 5 imprint authors who *both* received their career-first noms for their small press indie work.
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social @badhandbooks.bsky.social
The coolest part? Both are Big 5 imprint authors who *both* received their career-first noms for their small press indie work.
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social @badhandbooks.bsky.social
April 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Both @natcassidy.bsky.social and @claymcleod.bsky.social received their first Stoker Award nominations this year! 🎉
The coolest part? Both are Big 5 imprint authors who *both* received their career-first noms for their small press indie work.
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social @badhandbooks.bsky.social
The coolest part? Both are Big 5 imprint authors who *both* received their career-first noms for their small press indie work.
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social @badhandbooks.bsky.social
Yesterday I was invited to be a panelist at StokerCon 2025! This will be a virtual panel, available online during and after the con. More details to come (other panelists, topics, dates, etc) when I can share them!
April 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Yesterday I was invited to be a panelist at StokerCon 2025! This will be a virtual panel, available online during and after the con. More details to come (other panelists, topics, dates, etc) when I can share them!
THE FORT short film just passed 1,500 views on YouTube! While that might not sound super impressive, the average movie theater has around 150 seats per screen. So that's the equivalent of selling out over ten theaters! And with a 98% positive rating!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYG...
April 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
THE FORT short film just passed 1,500 views on YouTube! While that might not sound super impressive, the average movie theater has around 150 seats per screen. So that's the equivalent of selling out over ten theaters! And with a 98% positive rating!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYG...
I had a great time last night with @laurelhightower.bsky.social, @briankeene.bsky.social, and @robertottone.bsky.social at @toddkeisling.com's Launch Party for The Sundowner's Dance!
If you haven't yet, make sure you grab a copy of the book!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...
If you haven't yet, make sure you grab a copy of the book!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...
April 24, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I had a great time last night with @laurelhightower.bsky.social, @briankeene.bsky.social, and @robertottone.bsky.social at @toddkeisling.com's Launch Party for The Sundowner's Dance!
If you haven't yet, make sure you grab a copy of the book!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...
If you haven't yet, make sure you grab a copy of the book!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...