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 And it did not mean that all authors were doomed to have their newly unpublished books left to collect dust on their hard drives.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!!  

Nature That Inspires: Nature Therapy is a new poetry book about nature and ecology

 

On a recent walk, something caught my eye. I couldn’t tell what it was about this thing I saw on the ground which was tapping on my muse, but I knew I would use it in my writing in some way. I took a picture of it to save for when I could explore that notion and see how I could turn it into an idea for a story. Or a poem.

 

Sometimes I come across things which inspire me to write a poem. Like a flower.

 

My oldest works at a preschool, and there are dozens of varieties of plants and flowers on the premises. In the past, while I waited in the car to pick him up from work, I would often look at a plant, tree or flower I was usually parked in front of or next to and write a poem about it. Then there were the times we would go out to the River House, where he once volunteered, and just staring out at the river inspired me to write a poem. The same thing happened on country drives I went on with other people or hikes out in the hills.

 

My notebook soon filled up with a bunch of these poems, which made me realize: This could be a new collection of poetry!

 

I didn’t just write poems about the nature I was exposed to, though. I also wrote poems about ecological issues. I have seen and read many videos and articles about the destruction that continues to be inflicted on our planet. I have also taken note of various tweets, newsletters, articles and social media clips shining light on the continued destruction of threatened and endangered species such as bees, owls and wolves. All of this compelled me to write poems shedding light on how these species must be saved from extinction.

 

The result is my new poetry book, Nature Therapy. During the many years I wrote this book, it has seen different titles and appeared in different shapes. In fact, the total number of poems in this book are not the amount it had when I first tried to get it published.

 

The book is called Nature Therapy because I have found that just being out in nature has been extremely therapeutic. Romps through the woods, hikes on the hills, explorations along tree-lined roads and admiring rivers, lakes, ponds and creeks have all provided me with a sense of happiness and peace. Once out in nature, my troubles often fade away, and I can just bring myself back to baseline. I can sort through my thoughts, find comfort, and glean wisdom just from being outside in nature. Among flowers, fields, woods, hills and coastal areas.

 

Because I write a lot of horror fiction and poetry, some people may be surprised that I have written a book of nature poems. I actually write whatever inspires me, and nature is just one of them. Plus, I started writing all of those poems before I started writing a lot of horror fiction and poetry. I’m not the kind of writer who likes to let her work to collect dust and remain unpublished, so when I found a publisher interested in publishing my poetry books, I took the leap and submitted this one. Many more poetry books that were written years ago are waiting their turn.

 

This experience is a reminder that even if we write more of one thing at a certain time in life, that doesn’t mean there can’t be room for other things. Just because something may not be what you “normally” write, don’t push it aside and forget about it! Write it. You just might be able to find a use for later.

 

Here is  the blurb:

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.

Here is the book's buy link

The Dream Forest: My new children's book that was worth the wait

 

Where do writers come up with ideas for things to write? For me, anything is fair game. I’ve gotten ideas for things to write from my dreams, life experiences, decorations and even other books I was working on.

 

With my latest children’s book, The Dream Forest, I got the idea for it from a poster. Specifically, a quote on a poster. However, it took several years before that idea turned into a full story.

 

One day, when I dropped my youngest off at preschool, I saw a poster hanging on the wall that said “The forest belongs to every living thing.” This quote resonated with me so strongly that I felt I had to put that into my writing somehow. It took some time for me to figure out a way to do it!

 

In fact, it took 11 years.

 

Meanwhile, I had bits and pieces of an idea of what kind of story it was going to be. I had a main character (although without a name!) and a general idea of what happens in the story. So, with those bits of ideas, I eventually got around to enlisting my young illustrator, Centauri, to draw pictures for this book. At this time, Centauri was 14 years old.

 

It would be some years until I finally actually wrote the story. In fact, it happened earlier this year. I just sat down one day and the story hit me out of the blue. I hurried to the computer to start typing the words that were running through my mind. I didn’t stop typing until the story was done.

 

That first draft went through several revisions and then a beta read. Then the day came when I felt it was ready for production.

 

The only problem was, I didn’t have a title! That’s right; all this time, I hadn’t figured out a title for this story. I had the illustrations and the manuscript, but no title. I realized that I also didn’t have a blurb for this book, which is what I was going to need. So I wrote the blurb and, in doing so, came up with a title for this book. Yay!

 

The Dream Forest is the title I came up with. Those words from the blurb just seemed to stand out. (The actual blurb on the book does not have those words, however. I rewrote the blurb during production.) That’s what I called the book and that is the book I now have available in print.

 

It is quite unusual for me to take so long to figure out a story from an idea. My youngest has been out of preschool for years and my young illustrator is now a college student who is selling his very professional artwork. I think the story took so long just because life just got crazy. Or maybe I was meant to write it now and not then. Then, I was an alcoholic. Now, I am sober for over 4 years and I do believe that I am writing better because of it. So, basically, The Dream Forest is my first children’s book since becoming sober. That is significant! Maybe it came at the right time after all.

 

I really think my writing has improved now and perhaps that is why this story was able to reveal itself to me in all its glory. I had this idea for a project but I didn’t see it to completion at the time. That is what happened with some of my other WIPs; I was meant to finish and submit them years ago but … life just happened and I was a mess. I think the drinking contributed to me being so unorganized and just “touch and go” with everything. I am back to work on all of my books and WIPs now, seeing all of them to completion, and I am doing a lot better now. I am stronger, healthier, and my thinking is clearer. Now I am in a much better position to be a better writer and I am picking up unfinished projects where I left off on them.

 

I am just glad this is one of those projects that I can now count as “complete” on my list of books. I only hope it is a story young readers will enjoy.