Michael Coulombe Writes

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Corinne Westbrook

New Author Interview on Substack!

Today I’m excited to introduce Corrine Westbrook.

Corinne is a writer and journalist whose work explores the darker edges of art, music, and storytelling. She has written for Metal Injection and Knotfest, covering album reviews, features, and cultural commentary rooted in the strange and unconventional.

Raised in rural Oregon, Corinne discovered her love of writing at an early age when her first poem was published at just ten years old. A lifelong horror fan, she grew up staying up late with friends watching Tales from the Crypt, developing a passion for stories that blur the line between reality and the supernatural.

In our conversation, we discuss her debut novel, The Hollow One.

Read the full interview now ⬇️

Corrine Westbrook

The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.

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Under Belly

New Book Review on Substack!

I just finished Under Belly by Allen Longstreet, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The novel follows Hiro Hara, who mysteriously reappears more than a decade after disappearing as a teenager—without any memory of who he is or what happened to him. As he struggles to reconnect with his family in Los Angeles, he uncovers a disturbing conspiracy that leads into a dark world of power, corruption, and long-buried secrets.

Part mystery, part thriller, and part horror, Under Belly is a suspenseful page-turner that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Read my full review on Substack and let me know if you’ve read it!

Underbelly

by Allen Longstreet

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Joseph J Lee

Today I’m excited to introduce Joseph J. Lee, a writer I met through the Horror Writers Association.

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Joseph is not only an author but also an amateur champion in both powerlifting and bodybuilding. His passion for discipline and perseverance carries over into his writing.

His debut novel, The Forest of the Forsaken, marks the beginning of his journey into horror fiction.

Read the full interview now ⬇️

Joseph J. Lee

Inspirations came from nightmares in my youth that were turned into a short story in college.

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Does negative feedback ever make you question your writing?

I share my thoughts on handling criticism, self-doubt, and why I keep writing in my latest Substack LIVE.

Watch the replay! 🎥

Weekend Retreat

A recording from Michael Coulombe's live video

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 love traveling, especially when it gives me time to write. Last October, I escaped to Belize to work on my novel. I share the story and why writing retreats matter in my latest Substack Live: Weekend Retreat Getaway. Hope you’ll check it out! 

Weekend Retreat

A recording from Michael Coulombe's live video

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I just went live on Substack to share a personal update about my writing journey and why I'm out of town this weekend.

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a writer is step away from the routine. This trip is giving me the chance to focus on my current projects, clear my mind, and find inspiration in a new setting.

It's also a welcome escape from the 117-degree Arizona heat! 🌵☀️

In the LIVE, I talk about what I'm working on, the importance of taking a mental break, and how getting out into nature can help recharge creativity.

Watch the replay on my Substack page and let me know how you recharge your own creativity.

Weekend Retreat

A recording from Michael Coulombe's live video

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Indy Weiss

Today I'm excited to introduce Indy Weiss the youngest person I've ever interviewed for my Substack.

Indy is a 13-year-old author and entrepreneur from El Segundo, California, with a passion for storytelling, art, and illustration. Earlier this year, she showcased her books and merchandise at the Young Entrepreneurs of El Segundo event, sharing her creativity with readers of all ages.

She's currently working on new books in her School Time series, along with several future projects.

I met Indy through her father, my friend Jeremy Weiss. Jeremy and I met at The Sandbox, a weekly event we attend hosted by Sean S. Cunningham, the director of the original Friday the 13th.

Read the full interview now ⬇️

Indy Weiss

I like to look online for interesting ideas or artwork that inspires me

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Alec Collins

oday I’m excited to introduce Alec Collins, a writer of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers.

Alec lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife and their seven children. When he’s not writing, he enjoys coaching youth football, attending live concerts with his wife, and making the most of every day with his family.

His debut novel, Abandon All Hope, is a dystopian sci-fi romance set in a future where humanity must battle a terrifying enemy every three years in a fight for survival.

Read the full interview now ⬇️

Alec Collins

Music has always been one of the best carriers of creativity for me

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Here is a snippet from the first draft of my new short story DEL OBISPO ROAD, available now on my Substack page.

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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Check out the first draft of my newest horror short: Del Obispo Road. Posted now on my Substack page, I am considering this short for a new upcoming anthology collection.

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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Check out the first draft of my newest horror short: Del Obispo Road. Posted now on my Substack page, I am considering this short for a new upcoming anthology collection.

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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Check out the first draft of my newest horror short: Del Obispo Road. Posted now on my Substack page, I am considering this short for a new upcoming anthology collection.

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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Scott Roche

New Author Interview on Substack!

Today I’m excited to introduce Scott Roche.

Scott is an author, podcaster, and publisher whose work has appeared in numerous anthologies. A Christian and lifelong horror fan, he believes there’s beauty to be found everywhere—even in the darkest stories.

Known for his great sense of humor (he’ll gladly tell you he’s available for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, quinceañeras, and anywhere else cake is served!), Scott also shares his experiences as the father of three autistic children and how family, faith, and storytelling have shaped his life and creative work.

Read the full interview now ⬇️

 

Scott Roche

If I know I’m going to be writing a novel, I will use something called the Snowflake Method

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New horror story on Substack!

I just published the first rough draft of Del Obispo Road, a creepy new tale I’m considering for my upcoming anthology, Dreadtime Stories.

A late-night drive. A lonely road. Two people who should have turned back.

Read it here ⬇️

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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Del Obispo Road

New Horror Short Story on Substack!

I’m excited to share the first rough draft of my newest horror short story, Del Obispo Road.

This is one of the stories I’m considering for my upcoming anthology, Dreadtime Stories.

After a date night, Nico and Rachel take the long way home along the dark, winding stretch of Del Obispo Road. Beneath the glow of the moon and the dim streetlights, something begins to feel… wrong. The silence grows heavier with every mile, and before long, they realize they may not be alone.

This is an early draft, and I’d love to hear your thoughts as the story continues to evolve.

Read it now on my Substack and let me know what you think in the comments!

Del Obispo Road

written by Michael Coulombe

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July 2026 - Writing Prompt

July 2026 Writing Prompt – The Encouragement Enclave

A new month is here, and with it comes a brand-new writing challenge!

This month’s prompt is:

“The summer heat hung heavy in the air as we gathered beneath a sky waiting to explode with color.”

Begin with that line and build your story from there.

Will it be a celebration, a romance, a mystery, a thriller, or something completely unexpected? Let your imagination lead the way.

When you’re finished, head over to my Substack page and share your short story in the COMMENTS section. Read what others have written, leave some encouragement, and become part of this month’s creative community.

Every story begins with a single sentence. I can’t wait to see where yours goes.

Happy writing! 🎇

July 2026

Monthly Writing Prompt

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Colleen Anderson

New Author Interview on Substack!

Today I’m delighted to introduce Colleen Anderson, an award-winning Canadian author and poet whose work has been published internationally in publications including Weird Tales, Cemetery Dance, Amazing, and Shadow Atlas.

A Rhysling Award winner for Machine (r)Evolution and a two-time winner of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association’s Dwarf Poetry Contest, Colleen has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Elgin Award, Rhysling Award, and Dwarf Stars Award. She is a recipient of grants from the Canada Council, the BC Arts Council, and Ladies of Horror Fiction.

Her books include the poetry collections The Lore of Inscrutable Dreams, I Dreamed a World, Weird Worlds, and Vellum Leaves and Lettered Skins, along with the fiction collections A Body of Work and Embers Amongst the Fallen.

Colleen also works as a freelance editor, has served on the executive of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association, on the British Fantasy Award and Bram Stoker Award juries, and will serve as the Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase Editor for 2026.

She lives in Vancouver, where she’s always searching for mermaids.

Read our full conversation about poetry, horror, speculative fiction, and the creative life ⬇️

Colleen Anderson

I often ruminate an idea first, whether poem or prose