Dawn Wilson Writing as Dawn Wilson

 

“Writes as Dawn Colclasure.” For a while, this is what I put on all of my profiles that had the name “Dawn Wilson.” (Wilson is my married name.) I was published under the name of Dawn Colclasure before I got married, and after marriage, I didn’t want to change that. I would have to start all over again and I didn’t want to. So I kept getting published with my maiden name, even though it bothered my husband at first. These days, he understands.

 

After I got involved in publishing, I used my married name. I was happy I could FINALLY have something going on with this name! And, of course, my married name was used when I worked jobs outside of the home.

 

So, for a while, I was Dawn Wilson the editor and Dawn Colclasure the freelance writer, columnist, book reviewer and author.

 

Then came the opportunity to have my children’s books published. Until that time, I published children’s books under the name Dawn Colclasure. This was before I started writing horror. Then I started getting published under that name in the horror genre. When I had a publisher interested in my children’s books, I expressed my concern about being published under the name of a writer of horror. What if the parents of kids who read my children’s books saw that and didn’t want their kids to read my books? So my publisher suggested that I use the Wilson name for my children’s books.

 

Then that publisher shut down before the books were published. And the unpublished children’s books manuscripts I was going to have published with her were in limbo.

 

After that happened, I decided to self-publish these books instead. In fact, I have a whole series that I had an illustrator for and I didn’t have much faith in finding a publisher for these books – or my other children’s books, either.

 

After making this decision, I changed my mind about using the Wilson name for these books, figuring that I could be the kind of author who writes children’s books AND horror. I mean, I’ve been doing that all along, right?

 

A few days ago, I was looking at the children's books page on my author site. I noticed there were not many books. Well, that’s going to change after I get my series published! Once I realized that, I thought of something else: Why not use the Wilson name for these books? After all, “Wilson” would be easier for kids to remember, as well as pronounce, than the last name “Colclasure.” I mean, I should keep my audience in mind for this, right? Wilson is an easier name for kids.

 

Once I decided on this, I made the decision that, yes, I will go ahead and use the Wilson name for my children’s books. It’s not like I have a TON of children's books to change the cover or interior files for this! There’s just a few of them. That’s not too much.

 

And it’s not like I’m known for writing children’s books under my maiden name, anyway. Really, I’m not. None of those books are bestsellers, or anything. So this name change won’t affect sales at all.

 

When I first entertained the idea of using the Wilson name as an author, I had one concern: What if this difference in name was being dishonest? Like I was trying to hide who was REALLY writing those books, or something? It’s not that way at all. I am not trying to hide – just make it easier for kids to remember and pronounce my dang last name! I would never hide my identity from people; I’m proud of my identity and got no problem with saying that, YES, I DO write horror in addition to stories for children. I am flexible like that.

 

But then I realized that using my married name for these books is not a form of dishonesty, but a form of rebranding. Authors rebrand themselves lots of times! Nothing wrong with it.

 

So, that set my mind at ease. And, anyway, I have the name “Dawn Colclasure Wilson” for my emails and some of my social media accounts. (I had to add my married name after I took on the position as editor, as well as proofreader.) Both names are there to let people know that I am one and the same person. I’m one person with two names. Ha. I will answer to either or both names. And both names will still be in those children’s books, on the copyright and “About the Author” pages. Just not as the author listed on the cover.

Books Published in 2025

 As an author, I know how important it is to keep having new books published in order to keep readers interested in my books. Fortunately this year, in spite of only having a few books released, I have managed to keep that interest with each book’s publication. Promotion of the books has gone well; there have been many likes, shares, and comments from people saying they bought or will buy the book. I am very relieved and extremely grateful to everyone who has stayed interested in my books. THANK YOU!

 

And thank you for your continued support in spite of this low level of production this year. I was supposed to have three other books released this year – two short story collections and a children’s book – but that didn’t happen. This was not because of any laziness or neglect on my part; that is just how it happened. Hopefully, all three of these books will be published in the new year. One of my self-published children’s books will be republished through the new division of Twisted Dreams Press in January, and another children’s book, the second one in this series, is scheduled for a January release. 

 

I had three books published this year, and all three of them were from the same publisher. (Thank you, Crystal!) I am VERY grateful that two of them especially did finally see publication; these two particular books were rejected many times for a number of years. So I was very happy to finally see Curse of the Blood Witch and Noiseless achieve the status of publication. They went through many rounds of revision over those years!

 

As to my other poetry book, 3 A.M. Poetry, it was written several years ago. I’d recently dug it out, typed ALL of those poems up (I wrote those poems during my notebook writing days!) and polished them. Then I asked my UK publisher if she was interested in the manuscript and she said yes, so I sent it off. These poems are a reflection of the kind of life I lived growing up, as well as from young adulthood, and it was very cathartic to go over these poems again, relive those memories, and get them into print. What a surprisingly healing experience that was!

 

There are quite a few books I have scheduled for publication next year, as well as many more to submit. I do know I should have more than three books published in 2026. And I start writing a brand-new nonfiction book in January. Stay tuned!

 

Here are my books that were published in 2025:

 

 

Curse of the Blood Witch

Kaya Morgan’s bad day gets worse after she is attacked by a vagrant who leaves a bite on her neck.

 

Her world is turned upside-down when she wakes up with a sensitivity to light and strange powers.

 

Soon she is caught up in a life of hungering for blood while also struggling to let go of everything that made her human.

 

Logan O’Boyle is a 300-year-old Irish vampire willing to guide Kaya on her journey, but once it is revealed that she is not just any vampire but one cursed by the blood of a woman who existed centuries ago.

 

Everything changes and Kaya must accept being a vampire or die.

 

Buy link

 

 

3 A.M. Poetry

Survivors of an abusive childhood know just how hard it can be to break free from their past.

 

Memories linger.

 

The anger remains. Trauma and nightmares sometimes take hold, pulling the survivor right back into the hellish world they escaped from. Add to this the mental health issues they must cope with, such as sleeping disorders, anxiety, panic disorder, suicide ideation, and depression. Then throw in addiction for good measure.

 

All of these elements can make life a living hell for anyone who has survived such trauma. It creates a nightmare that may never end. The poems in this book reflect battles the author has had to fight, then and now.

 

Some of these battles are an ongoing torment that could make the dangers of mental health disorders seem like a welcoming reprieve from the neverending torment they must learn to live with.

 

Buy link 

 

 

Noiseless

Individuals living with deafness have existed for millennia, yet in today's world, we remain undervalued, misunderstood, discriminated against, stereotyped and underrepresented.

 

We constantly run into communication barriers, discrimination, ableism and misconceptions. For many of us in the Deaf community, we struggle with social isolation, finding it hard to fit in and be included in a world that prioritizes the ability to hear. The poems in “Noiseless” capture various aspects of what it's like to live with deafness.

 

These poems hope to show that deafness is not the tragedy which the hearing world claims it to be. Thanks to greater awareness of the Deaf community, Deaf culture, and Deaf-focused education, individuals who are deaf are at long last finally finding their place in the world, no matter what barriers remain.

 

We still have a long way to go, but together we can make society a more Deaf-friendly place to be.

 

Buy link

My Five Available Short Story Collections

May is Short Story Month so for the last five days of the month, I am promoting the five short story collections I have available:

 

30 Flash Horror Stories

 

Shadows

 

Monsters & Mayhem

 

Triggered

 

Vengeance from Beyond

 

I didn’t include The Worst Thing You Ever Did because it is currently unavailable. That will change later this year.

 

And because I have another short story collection coming out next month, this is the only time I can do this!

 

Maybe by next May, there will be 10 short story collections to promote? Who knows!

 

Anyway, without further ado, here are my five short story collections for the last five days of Short Story Month.

 

30 Flash Horror Stories

 

 

A mysterious sign only one man can see...trick-or-treaters getting more trick than a treat...and ghosts that never rest. These are just a few of the thirty flash fiction horror and Halloween stories awaiting you within the pages of this book. Read these stories at your own risk!

 

Buy link

 

Shadows

 

 

What sort of horrors lurk in the shadows What monsters are waiting to attack?

 

Shadows is a collection of 20 flash fictior stories bringing our worst nightmares to life.

 

From Halloween scares to Christmas creepers, these terrifying tales will take you into worlds of fright.

 

Shadows offers stories of ghosts, zombies demons and werewolves. But not all monsters are creatures of the imagination Be careful who you trust; within these pages are people just as monstrous.

 

Buy link

 

Monsters & Mayhem

 

 

Beware of the monsters who will strike at every turn! They are on a rampage through neighborhoods, hiding on top of roofs, or lurking within your dreams just waiting to materialize. Beware the scary creatures that could tear you from limb to limb or steal you away into the night! These seven flash and micro fiction stories offer new tales of monsters and the destruction they leave in their wake.

 

Buy link

 

 

Triggered

 

 

The best kind of revenge is the kind that no one would expect.

 

Ten girls have been tormented by people who thought it was okay to hurt them. They never expected them to fight back.

 

But they do.

 

Not only do they fight back, but they delight in freeing their inner monsters on anyone who hurts them.

 

Ten girls who have been wronged. Who have been forced to conform. Who have been laughed at one too many times.

 

These girls find the power within themselves to fight back and get their revenge. And make their tormentors pay.

 

Buy link

 

 

Vengeance from Beyond

 

 

 

Halloween is a time when the veil is at its thinnest between the living and the dead.

 

When a vengeful spirit makes contact with forensic psychologist, Essie Histor, the floodgates open for other ghosts to come through as well.

 

As Essie moves from one case to another, she realizes that if a ghost is set on revenge, nothing can stop it from making sure its attackers are delivered vengeance from beyond.

 

Buy link

How Writing One Novella Helped Me to Explore New Avenues as a Writer

 

On Monday, March 10, I have a new book coming out. Curse of the Blood Witch is a vampire horror novella. When I wrote this book for NaNoWriMo many years ago, I did not get it to 50,000 words. However, I spent a long time taking it through several revisions, and when I was done with it, the final word count was at   46, 860 words. Still not 50K but still a good enough length to be called a novel.

 

Thing of it is, though, this book almost didn’t end up with a publisher.

 

After years of rejections, I gave up on trying to find a publisher or agent interested in it. I put it away and moved on to other books.

 

Then, one evening, a flock of bats flew over my house. After I posted about this on Facebook, I joked that perhaps they are vampire bats trying to convince me to submit my vampire horror novel once again. One of my friends (an actual friend who is no longer a Facebook friend) jumped on this and encouraged me to do just that. It was as though the bats had spoken! I grudgingly agreed to try to find a home for this book again, not holding out much hope.

 

This was hammered home after I received yet another rejection from a publisher.

 

Frustrated, I threw the manuscript to my beta readers, who dutifully responded with tons of suggestions and help in tweaking the manuscript. I took what advice I felt was helpful, cut gigantic chunks from what I had as a novel, and submitted the now novella-length manuscript off to a publisher. That publisher accepted the manuscript and I was thrilled it finally found a home!

 

But it’s not just this experience with writing a book that I am surprised about.

 

There are a few things, too…

 

I never thought I would write a vampire novel or novella. I love reading these kinds of books, but writing vampire fiction has not exactly been my strength. Ever since I started writing it, however, I have experimented with writing vampire short stories. I feel this is helping me to improve my ability to write vampire fiction.

 

I never thought I would write a story based on an historical figure. The main vampire in my novella is bitten by a vampire who carried the power of Elizabeth Bathory. Several years ago, my oldest created a Halloween costume dubbed a “blood witch.” At that time, I was reading about the life of Elizabeth Bathory. In my reading, I learned that she was exposed to the occult, as her family dabbled in black magic and the supernatural. This coupled with all of the legends of vampirism surrounding Elizabeth Bathory made me come up with a creation of her as a blood witch.

 

I never thought I would write an Alternate Universe (AU) story. Everything in the novella about Elizabeth Bathory is pure fabrication created to make my story work. You could say it’s an AU story, because in this story, Bathory escaped from her imprisonment and she had been an actual vampire. Everything that happens in the story follows what would have happened had she escaped. However, my own fictional version of Bathory is portrayed only in the Prologue. (And, yes, I kept the prologue. I let my publisher decide whether or not to leave it in the story and she said to leave it in.)

 

With this over and done with, I can’t help but think if I might ever end up writing another AU story based on a person in history. Anything is possible, and if this does happen again, maybe I will once again try my hand at writing another type of fiction I hadn’t tried writing before.

 

My debut in erotic horror!

As a horror writer, I like to challenge myself to write in the other subgenres of horror. I have had stories published in paranormal horror, YA horror, and my novelette Home for the Holidays is extreme horror.

 

And now I have been published in erotic horror! Well, published as in, my story was included in a podcast.

 

I NEVER thought that I would have a story read on a podcast. As a Deaf writer, I always felt that podcasts were off limits for me. I have checked out many podcasts, and while some had closed-captioning and/or transcripts, many did not. So I figured that this was not something I could pursue as a writer.

 

Well, Crystal Baynam proved me wrong!

 

One day, in the author group chat which I am in, Crystal threw out an invitation for writers to donate a story to her brand new podcast, The Midnight Manuscripts. I was interested in participating because I wanted to explore the option of having my story read on a podcast. Yes, I NOW thought this was a possibility for this Deaf writer who cannot listen to podcasts just like all the hearing people can. So I donated a story and Crystal accepted it. Yay!

 

And this particular story is erotic horror! That is the reason why I submitted it. I didn’t think I could find a home for this story anywhere else, and since Crystal’s publishing company is open to erotic horror, I selected it to submit.

 

My story, “Love Slave,” was read on The Midnight Manuscripts podcast on February 21, 2025. And the best part? There are closed captions included! YAY!!

 

And! There is also a transcript!

 

A TRANSCRIPT!! ON A PODCAST!!

 

Double yay!!

 

This is so exciting. It’s my first erotic horror story and my first podcast publication credit! How neat!

 

Thank you to Crystal Baynam of Baynam Books Press for creating this podcast and accepting my story. And thank you to Onyx Brightwing for reading my story on the podcast.

 

You can check it out at this link.

(Warning: This story contains mature content.)

 

Well, now that I have had a story featured on a podcast, it looks like I will no longer exclude calls for stories from other podcasts! But I think I will check them out first to make sure they offer closed captions and/or a transcript.

Books Published in 2024

As another year comes to a close, it is that time again for me to reflect on what books I have had published this year. I know I spaced on doing a post like this for 2023 (a year in which I certainly had more books published), so I’m glad I am able to set aside some time this morning to work on putting together this post on this last day of the year.

 

The year 2024 was a spectacular year for me, as far as writing and books are concerned. For my freelance writing, I changed things up to include submitting short fiction, and I’m glad I did! I had stories accepted at online publications, print mags, and anthologies. This is in addition to the articles, essays and poems I also managed to get published this year, both online and offline. And 2024 was a whole year of me writing my column for First Chapter Plus Magazine! (I came up with 12 ideas for what to write for that column this year! Go, me!)

 

And here are the things I did not succeed in doing this year:

 

• No novel complete
• No script complete 
• No song lyrics turned into a song and released to the public
• No return to Deaf journalism

 

Well, maybe I will accomplish those goals in 2025.

 

But now, let’s talk books!

 

When I was self-publishing books, I was gung ho to publish a book in January. But this year, I took a break from self-publishing my books, so my first book published this year was not released until March. At first, I saw this as a sign that maybe I won’t get that many books published this year. (Yeah, self-publishing spoiled this author into getting used to having a lot of books published in a year!) There was one year that I self-published books when I had a book out every month and managed to get 12 books out in 12 months.

 

Well, I managed to do that this year, too – and WITHOUT self-publishing!

 

I guess you could say that it helps that I have more than one publisher. And that I had a contract for books to be published by a publisher that changed hands in ownership!

 

Yes, there were a lot of ups and downs this year. Two very big downs happened when two of my publishers shut down this year. (And I was aware of other indie publishers also shutting down this year. RIP) But that didn’t sour the rest of the year! And it did not mean that all authors were doomed to have their newly unpublished books left to collect dust on their hard drives.

 

Nah, we authors are resilient! We picked ourselves back up and found something else to do with our books!

 

Either way, I ended up with 12 books published this year. Yay! More are slated for 2025.

 

Here are my 2024 books:

 

 

The Worst Thing You Ever Did (YA horror short story collection)

 

Within the pages of this book are tales of possession and terrors too evil to imagine.

 

An urban legend about a demon-possessed killer in the woods is put to the test by a group of teens who will face the most terrifying of their lives.

 

A cursed comic book turns a young boy into a monster's pawn, all the while transforming him into an evil artist whose creations come to life.

 

A ghoul's gifts to children come with a heavy price.

 

A group of teens celebrating the last day of school awaken the next day haunted by ghostly images of their victims from cruel and horrible events from their past.

 

And a teen boy is tricked into exploring the haunted hallway of an abandoned house, unaware of the evil that lurks within.

 

Just before you think you can walk away from the worst thing you ever did, getting away with a crime no one could ever hold you accountable for, think again! These five stories will send shivers down your spine! Think twice before crossing paths with the unknown, for it will lead you to horrors lurking in the shadows.

 

 

All the Beautiful Things (psychological horror novella)

 

QL likes to collect heads. Not just any heads, mind. The heads of the things he loves. And he likes to keep them all on his special wall of beautiful things, so that even in death, they can still be his forever.

 

QL Buscemi grew up with a hard life. Abandoned at birth, he was raised by his aunt and uncle in an abusive home. That was until his fixation for collecting the heads of dead animals became a problem. Soon he started talking to a voice in his head and acting strangely around other people. Fed up with his issues, his aunt and uncle place him into a home for "special children," despite its reputation for neglecting patients. There, QL encounters even more abuse, neglect and intolerance for his mental health issues, which only get worse since he refuses to take his medication. He finally leaves "the center" after twenty brutal years.

 

Finally free to live on his own at last, a 31-year-old QL becomes infatuated with his pretty neighbor who lives across the street, 20-year-old Danielle Pinota, who is herself finally free of a home where she was a "second mom" to her kid brother. As QL's attachment to Danielle grows, he wants to get to know her better. And keep her close to him forever. But he has to be careful. He always hurts the things he loves. At least if he hurts Danielle from loving her too much, just like he had with his pets, she could still be his forever ... on his wall of beautiful things.

 

  

Watch This Space (poetry)

 

Through a captivating blend of evocative language and vivid imagery, Colclasure takes readers on a journey through the myriad landscapes of COVID and its impacts on society. From the darkest depths of despair to the radiant heights of joy, each poem in "Watch This Space" is a testament to the resilience of the spirit.

 

With profound insight, Colclasure delves into themes of health, love, loss, hope, and redemption. Whether reflecting on personal struggles or advocating for social change, her words resonate with authenticity and compassion, leaving an indelible impact.

 

"Watch This Space" transcends being a mere collection of poems; it is a profound exploration of the experience amidst a pandemic. With each turn of the page, readers are drawn deeper into the labyrinth of emotion, emerging with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and complexity of a sickness.

 

 

Shadows (collection of flash fiction stories)

 

What sort of horrors lurk in the shadows What monsters are waiting to attack?

 

Shadows is a collection of 20 flash fictior stories bringing our worst nightmares to life.

 

From Halloween scares to Christmas creepers, these terrifying tales will take you into worlds of fright.

 

Shadows offers stories of ghosts, zombies demons and werewolves. But not all monsters are creatures of the imagination Be careful who you trust; within these pages are people just as monstrous and evil.

 

 

Nature Therapy (poetry)

 

A gentle reminder of the solace and inspiration that nature offers, and a perfect escape from the noise.

 

In "Nature Therapy," Dawn Colclasure crafts a collection that's both raw and refreshingly earnest. Her poetry, like a breath of crisp morning air, taps into an almost primal connection to the natural world. Colclasure's verses offer a genuine experience of the seasons shifting and the earth's quiet, persistent rhythms.

 

Reading this collection feels like wandering through a serene, untouched landscape—each poem is a snapshot of the simple yet profound beauty that often goes unnoticed. Colclasure doesn't just write about nature; she invites you to feel it, to revel in its purity and to recognize its relentless resilience.

 

"Nature Therapy" is more than just a series of poems; it's an invitation to reconnect with the world outside our windows.

 

 

Monsters and Mayhem: Stories (short collection of micro fiction and one flash fiction story)

 

Beware of the monsters who will strike at every turn! They are on a rampage through neighborhoods, hiding on top of roofs, or lurking within your dreams just waiting to materialize. Beware the scary creatures that could tear you from limb to limb or steal you away into the night! These seven flash and micro fiction stories offer new tales of monsters and the destruction they leave in their wake.

 

 

Triggered:A Collection of Young Adult Horror Stories (YA horror short story collection)

 

Ten girls have been tormented by people who thought it was okay to hurt them. They never expected them to fight back.

 

But they do.

 

Not only do they fight back, but they delight in freeing their inner monsters on anyone who hurts them.

 

Ten girls who have been wronged. Who have been forced to conform. Who have been laughed at one too many times.

 

These girls find the power within themselves to fight back and get their revenge. And make their tormentors pay.

 

 

Other (poetry)

 

Woman. Asexual. Disabled. Neurodivergent. Witch.

 

Take your pick. Any one of those labels can mean rejection, punishment, judgment and even death.

 

We live in a society where women's bodies are no longer their own to do with as they please. Where religious fanaticism continues to persecute and even murder anyone who is not of the same faith. Where people with disabilities are constantly looked down upon while fighting against an ableist society. Where a highly sexualized population harasses and shames anyone who does not wish to have sex.

 

other is a short collection of poems from one such person who is all of those things, who speaks with a voice crying out for equality and acceptance.

 

Vengeance from Beyond (Collection of related horror stories)

 

Halloween is a time when the veil is at its thinnest between the living and the dead.

 

When a vengeful spirit makes contact with forensic psychologist, Essie Histor, the floodgates open for other ghosts to come through as well.

 

As Essie moves from one case to another, she realizes that if a ghost is set on revenge, nothing can stop it from making sure its attackers are delivered vengeance from beyond.

 

 

I'll Be Ghosting You (magical realism novel)

 

Warren Beauchamp wakes up one morning not realizing he’s dead.

 

He can’t figure out why most of his stuff is missing.

 

He starts rummaging through his neighbors’ personal effects and discovers their dirty secrets.

 

His frolicking comes to a screeching halt when his angel guide, Floyd, shows up. Floyd was sent to haul Warren back to “Headquarters” to stand trial.

 

Warren is given a chance to go back to Earth to fix things, and during that time, he adjusts to being a ghost.

 

When it’s time for him to return, however, he has other ideas.

 

 

Home for the Holidays (extreme horror novelette)

 

Mona Townsend was five years old when her mother tried to kill her father.

 

This crime cost her and her brother, Colton, 23, twenty years with their mother.

 

Finally reunited on one December morning, the siblings are willing to forgive all and create a fresh start with their mother.

 

With Christmas coming up, Mona wants to make the occasion extra special.

 

Knowing that her mother has had a long-term rift with her own mother, she and her brother hatch a plan: Why not surprise their mother with a family reunion so that the two women can bury the hatchet and have a relationship again? After all, if she was capable of forgiving her mother for the past, why wouldn’t her own mother want to set things right with her mother too?

 

It was Christmas, after all. A time for miracles and family.

 

But what Mona and Colton don’t know is that their mother had a very good reason for severing ties with her own mother, and that some families are too toxic to appreciate the holiday spirit.

 

 

Christmas Frights (poetry)

 

Christmas is a time for cheer, joy and good memories.

 

Or is it?

 

Within these pages, you'll find a different type of Christmas, with very different Christmas characters!

 

There is the evil elf who goes on a murder spree, a homicidal snowman that comes to life on Christmas morning, and a Santa that will seek revenge on families who don't leave cookies out for him!

 

These 25 poems range from the bizarre to the horrifying. If you enjoy reading Christmas horror, check out these Christmas horror poems to add some scare to your holidays!

 

Thank you to all of the beta readers, editors, cover designers, publishers and members of the writing community who were all a part of helping me to put together these books, write them, polish them, and get them published! You are ALL rock stars!!