Ripples in Space is scheduled to release on September 2, 2025. Find links to preorder the eBook below. Thanks for supporting independent writing and publishing! I’ve posted an excellent summary of the book below, courtesy of Samak Press.

Humanity has sought evidence of intelligent life beyond Earth since we first peered through a telescope. Space holds the answers to an enduring mystery of whether we are alone in the universe. We want to make first contact with extraterrestrial life.

What if making first contact takes a dangerous or deadly turn?

Samak Press presents a new original science fiction anthology, Ripples in Space, that features compelling first contact tales from fourteen talented science fiction authors. From sinister aliens to rogue artificial intelligence, these first contact stories will take readers to unexpected destinations where they will meet truly strange creatures who fit the definition of alien perfectly.

Here’s a quick glimpse at each story featured within the pages of Ripples in Space:

• Salvaging an orb from a derelict space vessel puts a couple at the mercy of a mysterious alien entity in Out of Silence by Jean Marie Bauhaus.

• Searching for her missing dog leads a woman on a trek into an isolated section of her sprawling ranch where time and reality are a disorienting mess in Tract 16 by Christopher W. McGuiness.

• Two alien merchants dealing in exotic animals find an uncharted solar system that offers access to countless new species in Jah’s Sanctuary by John Coon.

• An astronaut and her AI companion encounter a mysterious explorer on a distant world thought to be lifeless in Once We Peppered the Stars by Darren Todd.

• Faced with a virus that is degenerating their bodies, aliens seek assistance from a human cargo vessel in Bellwether from Sarah Connell.

• Five-sided aliens allow two human explorers to join their migration, an action that creates an unforeseen ripple effect for their entire species in Fear the Human by Mike Morgan.

• Her brother’s abduction by an unseen alien entity upends a young girl’s life in Not James by K.L. Mill.

• An aging exobiologist on a return voyage from Neptune is gifted a crystal infused space rock that is no ordinary rock in Space Amoebas by David Castlewitz.

• A letter recounts the discovery of a planet-wide AI program with addictive properties in Adaptive Algorithm by Charles Chin.

• When a man’s teenage son undergoes a dramatic personality shift, it signals the presence of another being from beyond the stars in Foreign Exchange by Brian Reindel.

• Animals start randomly dropping from the sky, foreshadowing a mysterious apocalyptic event in Raining Cats and Dogs by Katherine Kerestman.

• An aspiring rodeo star retreats into training for a rodeo to help her cope when attacking spaceships appear in the sky in The Silver Buckle by Angelique Fawns.

• Two sisters explore mysterious and dangerous tunnels underneath a future London destroyed by a worldwide apocalyptic event in Gamma Day by Phillip Carter.

• A spaceship is drawn to investigate the cause behind an unusual distortion emanating from a mysterious planet in Ascentia’s Downfall by Winston Malone.

Ripples in Space will be released worldwide on September 2, 2025. Preorder your eBook edition now from major booksellers, including:

• Amazon

• Apple

• Kobo

• Barnes and Noble

• Google Play

Preorders for the paperback and hardcover print editions will be available in the near future (August).

If you’re a podcaster, blogger, or reviewer who’s interested in receiving an advanced reader copy in order to do a review, I’d love to hear from you. Samak Press welcomes reviews of this new anthology posted to bookseller websites, podcasts, and blogs. If you want to be an ARC reader, send an email to samakpress@gmail.com and include “Ripples in Space ARC request” in your email subject line.

I’m opening a bookstore!

It’s a small retail space at The Block, an outdoor/indoor community event and shopping center. I’ll primarily sell books by local and independent authors and presses. I’ve chosen the name Enchanted Books because New Mexico is known as the “Land of Enchantment,” and The Block is located in Enchanted Hills. It also gives off a fun, fantasy vibe.

If you aren’t already, consider subscribing to follow our journey as we set up and open the bookshop. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the community in this way. It’s been a dream of mine for over a decade, and it’s finally happening.

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The Block is going to be the perfect location for the store because it features a shared outdoor event space with a stage, a large screen, and ample covered seating. We’ll be able to host author appearances, book signings, live readings, write-ins, and more. The sky is the limit on how we can benefit from this space, and the food and drinks are excellent.

Current neighbor stores and restaurants:

• Alitas y Papitas

• The Bobal Lounge

• KuKri Hot Chicken Tenders

• Stackers Burger Co.

• Birria Estilo Zacatecs

• El Chamo Arabe

• Bubble Bliss Bath Treats

• Tavern on the Green

• Tuxberry & Whit

• Gravelle's Scoops

• Link Link

• WOW WOW Hawaiian Lemonade

• THICC Pizza Co.

• The Crepe Corner

• Mini Bar

• Top of The Block

• Enchanted Books (coming soon!)

Without the confidence from working with all the incredible writers and readers I’ve met over the last four years, I wouldn’t have taken this step. Thanks for your continued support and motivation. You’ve made this dream possible!

I’m building a list of books and authors to stock. If you have recommendations, please leave a comment or send an email to storyletter@protonmail.com with the ISBN, title, and author's name.

I’m prioritizing science fiction, fantasy, horror, YA, middle grade, and children’s books by indie authors. I can’t guarantee that every book recommendation will be available in the store, but I will provide online recognition as I expand the inventory.

Indies supporting indies is the future of publishing! Stay tuned for updates.

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I'll be selling copies of "Take Me There: A Speculative Anthology of Travel" in paperback and hardcover, as well as 10 copies of "Along Harrowed Trails" in paperback, and my first book, "The Weight of the World: A Collection of Short Fiction and Poetry."

I hope to see you there! ~ WM

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I’ve edited 15 of 19 stories in the upcoming anthology. The last four are longer, clocking in between 3600 and 8000 words. This year’s tax season was a doozy, causing me to lose a week’s worth of editing and writing (sigh). Other than that, we’re on schedule to finalize everything in June for a July publication date.

If you’re unfamiliar with the project, I held an open call for writers to submit their most claustrophobic short stories to a horror anthology last year. I selected 18 scary stories that best fit the theme, and will include one of mine as well.

Here is the official synopsis on the back cover:

Dive into the deep end with eighteen tales of claustrophobic horror, where each page turn is an attempt to surface for air. From sinking ships, underwater creatures, and cave exploration gone wrong to the isolation of space travel, these stories explore confinement in all its restricting dread. Discover where the boundaries of reality begin to collapse, trapping protagonists in nightmares both physical and psychological. With contributions from independent authors around the world, this collection promises to make every narrowing inch feel like a mile in the darkest corners of speculative fiction.

Featuring stories by:

Edward Ahern, Warren Benedetto, Rose Biggin, Clark Boyd, Matthew Christian, Sam Crain, Elana Gomel, Rachel Henderson, Juliette Jarabek, Ilan Jones, Hamish Kavanagh, C.R. Langille, Winston Malone, Angus McIntyre, Thomas North, Leigh Parrish, Pip Pinkerton, Nidheesh Samant

The artist, Eoin Ryan, finished and formatted the cover this week. It is striking! I’ve never seen a cover like this before. The overall design is similar to the first anthology, Take Me There, because I envisioned the “Take” series as a trilogy. Because I didn’t want to reveal the art immediately, all you get is this teaser.

All annual paid subscribers get this hardcover book shipped to them in an exclusive book box. Your subscription makes this possible. Thank you!

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“The Kefi” by Thomas Bubb

I coordinated with artist Stephen Stone in March to bring The Kefi to life. I’m impressed with Steve’s work, and the complete hardcover wrap and story map look fantastic. He’s working on five internal illustrations, a bookmark, and the chapter heading emblem.

Alpha readers are providing excellent feedback for the middle-grade fantasy novel by Thomas Bubb. As Tom’s editor, I’m assisting with the big picture stuff first and then coming in for the finer grammatical points. Tom’s a great writer, and I’m confident this next iteration of the manuscript will be even stronger than before.

The Kefi will launch as a limited edition hardcover for annual paid subscribers. There will only be 150 copies signed and numbered by the author. The collector’s edition will feature sprayed edges, a specially designed dust jacket, and embossed lettering. Upgrade today to secure your copy!

Subscribe now

“Storyletter Originals” Shuts Down

Shutting down the fiction section was difficult, but I can no longer take one-off submissions to publish stories here on the Storyletter XPress Publishing website. As much as I’d like to continue the service, my availability prevents me from giving you the time your work deserves. It’s possible that in the future, if funding and time permit, I’ll be able to reopen the doors to publishing short stories online. But with so much fantastic free fiction already available, it doesn’t seem likely. Thank you to the authors who submitted their work. It was an honor to publish it in this format.

Our anthology open calls will continue as normal. Stay tuned for the next project announcement. If you’d like to read more fiction, join us over at the Lunar Awards, where we host contests to highlight indie authors and offer prizes and publication opportunities.

“Take Me There” Author Event at Page 1 Books

Page 1 Books, an independent bookstore in Albuquerque, NM, informed me that they will stock copies of Take Me There. They added my name to their local author/publisher page and listed the book on their digital store. Inside the physical location, they situate the local authors’ books on the front shelf so customers see them first.

I’ve scheduled the author event/book signing at the store on June 7th from 12-5. If you’re local to ABQ and can make it, come on by to chat. I’d love to meet you. There’s no pressure to buy a book; I enjoy connecting with like-minded people. Plus, the rare and collectible section alone is worth the visit.

The Library

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Works are categorized by genre. Within each category, they are alphabetized by author. If applicable, sub-genres are listed beside works. For details about a specific work, refer to product information on a vendor's website. The Library is not responsible for the content contained in links. We earn nothing from your clicks or purchases…

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3 years ago · 33 likes · 5 comments

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

What a busy year it’s been. No matter how little time you have, stopping to reflect on your successes is always beneficial. Here are some of the things SXP accomplished in 2024:

• Published 15 original works of fiction

• Winston was interviewed by

• Signed two authors for publication

• Interviewed 14 authors

• Published an anthology in hardcover and paperback

• Shipped it to paid subscribers in a book box

• Collated and published an ebook of 2021-2022 posts for subscribers

• Received our first Founding member. Thanks, !

• Announced an open call for our next anthology

Headed to the moon

That’s not all! The Lunar Awards, founded by , joins the SXP family. I’m excited to see how this will impact us as we grow and bring more amazing opportunities for indies in the coming months. Remember to subscribe to the Lunar Awards to get updates on when the next seasons will open.

Lunar Awards

A New Starship Captain

I’m excited to share that a new leader is stepping up to the command module! I will be handing over ownership and responsibility of the Lunar Awards to my friend Winston Malone. This is not a decision I take lightly but is one that I feel is right for the community of fantasy and science fiction lovers that subscribe to this newsletter. I’m excited by the change, and…

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2 years ago · 57 likes · 31 comments · Brian Reindel 👾⚔️

Anthology submission deadline

The deadline for the Take a Breath anthology is fast approaching. Make sure to submit your claustrophobic horror stories for consideration before midnight on December 31st. I’m reading through submissions and now suffer from fears I never knew I had. This book is going to be terrifying!

Submit Here

Reedsy nomination

I was blown away to see this notification come into my inbox. A community manager from Reedsy informed me that the editors of their Discovery department had chosen Take Me There as one of their favorite books in 2024. Here is what they had to say:

I’m delighted to inform you that your book, Take Me There, has been shortlisted for the first ever Discovery Editors’ Choice Award. Congratulations!

Out of over 2,000 books submitted to Discovery this year, your book joins fifteen others on the shortlist. Our panel was deeply impressed by your work, specifically noting its compelling prose across a multitude of genres.

The winners of the award will be revealed on 30th December 2024.

Congratulations to the 23 authors featured in this book. You should be proud of the work you put into it. I know I am, and I’m grateful that others recognize it, too. Even if we don’t take home the award, I consider this a huge win. 🏆

2025 is going to be a big year

With several books in pre-production, the Lunar Awards on the horizon, and The Library expanding to over 275 books, SXP is poised to make the most of the new year. I’ve been secretly tinkering away on a new website and will launch it soon. I want it to be ready for the anticipated expansion to the indie mission and objectives that come with it, so I’m taking my time. It won’t just be a company website but the future of the SXP family as a whole.

Thanks for being a part of this journey. It’s because of you that we’re able to publish and promote these books. This community-driven small press appreciates your time and attention, and every little bit helps. I can’t wait to witness what the future has in store for us!

Welcome to the Storyletter Meet & Greet! It’s been a while since I held one of these (way back in 2023!). Please introduce yourself and your current work in progress. You don’t have to be a writer to participate.

After your intro, feel free to tell us where you live (generally speaking) and if it inspires you in any way. Respond to another member’s comment to meet someone new and continue the discussion. Write as much as you’d like.

Here’s my intro and answer as an example:

Hey there, I’m Winston. I recently moved from Utah to New Mexico with my miniature schnauzer, Vinnie. I served in the United States Air Force before starting a publishing company to learn the ropes and help others. After 14 years of dabbling in various forms of fiction writing, I published my first short story collection, “The Weight of the World,” on Amazon in 2023. This year, I edited and published an anthology featuring 24 authors called “Take Me There: A Speculative Anthology of Travel.” I’m very proud of the work that went into the novel and aim to do it again next year.

Utah inspired me a lot. The region has an expansive literary community, a day of the year designated as “Utah Author’s Day,” and hosts prominent names like Brandon Sanderson, Jack Carr, and Brandon Mull. Something about the mountains invokes a sense of awe and wonder and acts as a constant reminder of the world's grand scale.

Now, I’m eager to explore New Mexico, “the Land of Enchantment.” Santa Fe is home to writers such as Cormac McCarthy (RIP) and George RR Martin, among many others, and I’m sure to be inspired by its culture, arts, festivals, and landscapes. As a small press and indie author, I look forward to networking with the local writing community and meeting the independent bookshop owners supporting them.

I also can’t wait to meet you and learn what makes your region inspirational. Thanks for stopping by. ~ WM

Folks, it’s been three whole years! I can’t believe the time has flown by this fast—uh, who am I kidding? Time flies when we’re having fun. And boys and girls, it’s been a blast.

I wish I could slow it down to cherish it with as much gratitude as it deserves. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. However, the ability to reflect on what matters is possible; in this case, it’s the people I’ve met along the way. Whether you’ve corresponded with me directly over email or in the comments—or a reader who hasn’t interacted but stays up-to-date—I consider you a friend.

Your time is precious currency, and spending it here is truly incredible and appreciated. So, dear reader, thank you first and foremost. And to the paying subscribers listed below, I’m your biggest fan. Massive shout-out for helping fund this indie publishing endeavor:

, , , Kent Bridgeman, , Danny O'Day, , , Peggy Boone, Yvonne, skiddlzninja, , Brylle Gaviola, Sarah Duck-Mayr, Richard Schultz, , , , , Joan Lass, , , Sandra Muzio, Pam Malone, Robert D. Malone Jr., Erica Astle.

Now, let’s reflect on the people and events of the past year. (The order listed is loosely based on the date/timeframe of events)

In July 2023, I was afforded the opportunity to guest judge Season Three of the Lunar Awards after winning the second season’s First Chapter category for The Angel of War. The winner for S3 was for her dark fantasy entry “Riding the Viper.” If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it.

Later, in March 2024, I would join forces with the Lunar Awards again, this time as a sponsor for Season Six. To make it extra special, Brian let me reveal the cover of my anthology, Take Me There. The winner of S6’s Short Story category was for “Illegal.” Go check it out!

Brian has become a great friend and inspiration to me. I’m consistently impressed with his immense talent and professionalism in engaging the fiction community here on Substack. I admire his work, writing, and demeanor and wish the best for him and his ongoing projects. My engagement on this platform would not have been the same without Brian’s presence, and I’m so grateful to have met him and received his support over the past year.

Brian is the creator of the Future Thief Substack, and the author of The Stars Will Fall.

July of 2023 was a big month, apparently. C.R. Langille accepted my short story earlier that year called “Wrath of the Widowed” and published it in the Along Harrowed Trails western horror anthology by Timber Ghost Press. I’d never been published outside of my own self-publishing endeavors online, so this moment was very special to me.

I consider Sylvia a guiding figure in my publishing journey and am thankful to have met her IRL when I did. I wouldn’t be as far along as I am today without her help, and she motivates me to continue pushing the limits of what is possible in the industry. I wish her much more success with her publishing endeavors!

Check out TGP’s website for all things spooky!

I teamed up with J. M. Elliott on a project called The Library, where we accept submissions of completed works on Substack to archive all of the great books by indie authors here on the platform. In August of 2023, we reached 100 books and celebrated with this post. We’ll likely do so again with another major milestone soon to be in the bag. It’s an honor to help curate and host such a rapidly growing space for writers of all types.

But that’s not the sole reason I'm highlighting Jacquie. Since I joined the platform, she’s been one of my closest contacts and friends. Her support has been unwavering, and for that, I’m extremely grateful. Here’s hoping we have many more years of creative collaboration in front of us.

J. M. Elliott writes The Problematic Pen, and I can’t recommend her historical fiction novel Of Wind and Wolves enough.

Christmas Giveaway

This past December, SXP hosted a giveaway for free subscribers. The grand prize was a $150 manuscript formatting software called Atticus, which came with a $50 self-publishing course. The winner of that giveaway was . Please check out Alison’s Historical Fiction Stack.

Interviews

I didn’t get to interview as many creators this year due to juggling the anthology for the first time. But late last year, I learned more about two fellow indies. The first was a two-parter with , the author of the Rock Gods & Messy Monsters. The second interview was with , creator of Battles Beneath the Stars and writer of The Warthog Report.

These two writers are truly imaginative in their writing and world-building. I’ve coincidentally spoken with both of them one-on-one. I met Diane in Santa Fe, NM, at a cool coffee shop, and she gave me some insightful feedback and guidance. I also learned more about William and his writing process during a voice chat in the private SXP Discord. I am so glad to have met both of these fantastic writers.

Original Fiction

As with the interviews, I didn’t publish as much fiction on SXP as I’d wanted to this past year, but accepting and publishing submissions are mostly outside of my control. I did publish two pieces from other Substackers, one poem by behind the paywall, and the other is a short story by , free to read.

My five short fiction works published last year are behind the paywall here.

In January 2024, I spoke with a great writer friend, Daniel, about the future of publishing on Substack. We brainstormed ideas about what this might look like, and he urged me to write a post about it. I followed his advice and proceeded to do so. The subsequent outpouring of support and enthusiasm for the ideas presented in that article was astonishing. It quickly became the most popular post on SXP by a huge margin.

I credit the virality of that post to Daniel and his invaluable direction in writing fiction and nonfiction. He’s been an incredible mentor to me since long before I created a Substack, so I cherish the opportunity to work and collaborate with him in this space.

Daniel writes Lamp Post in the Marsh. Please subscribe to him. You won’t regret it.

Matthew is another writer I’ve been so grateful to have met. We’ve had many insightful discussions, and his honest feedback has been invaluable. In March 2024, he introduced me to , a sci-fi and fantasy writer who interviewed me on his YouTube channel. Both Matts are incredible humans, and I wish them much success in their projects and stories.

M. S. Arthadian is the creator of Reborn in Power and writer of Disciple’s Prayers.

Nonfiction Essays

Nonfiction has been an enjoyable experiment here on SXP over the last year. Essays were never my strong suit, and I didn’t have a ton of interest in writing nonfiction until I began writing in public and experienced the full range of emotions that come with that. So, I’d like to highlight some of those once more since they helped frame the direction of my writing and might provide motivation for your journey.

Indie Publishing Series

I summarized my experience publishing my first book in a five-part series called To Build a Book. Paid subscribers get the revised ebook/PDF version, but the articles are still available for free in their original form here on Substack.

1. Drafting Your Book

2. Formatting Your Book

3. Covering Your Book

4. Formatting Your Book

5. Marketing Your Book

I’m currently writing a new series about Reedsy's functionality as a valuable tool for indie writers.

Big SXP News!

Two major developments occurred more recently this year. First, I curated and published my first anthology, Take Me There: A Speculative Anthology of Travel, featuring 24 authors from around the world. Second, I signed two authors to publish their books under the SXP banner.

I’ll be working with to publish his historical horror novel The Werewolf of Mariahilf am Inn, and to publish his middle-grade fantasy adventure novel The Kefi. I'm excited to help bring these works to life for readers everywhere.

I’ve also opened up submissions for publication as long as all guidelines are followed.

Charting the Path Forward

As one chapter ends, another one begins. The exciting story of Storyletter XPress Publishing is only getting started. Where do we go from here? Let’s discuss a few things I’d like to accomplish in the year ahead.

• The main focus will be on perfecting the process of publishing novels under the SXP banner utilizing the XPress 6-month timeline.

• I’ll open the submission window for our second anthology later in the year. The theme will be announced around that time. I have some ideas brewing already!

• I want to attend local events as a vendor to promote and sell physical books.

• Recording short videos on YouTube might be fun, but it will depend on my availability while juggling the other projects.

• A renewed focus on interviews (again). It’s one of my favorite ways to get to know other writers and creators.

If you’ve read this far, thank you for your continued support. It wouldn’t be the same without you. I hope I’ve made it clear that this project isn’t a solo endeavor and that your participation has enabled all of the above accomplishments. It’s a community effort that I’m proud to cultivate and be a part of. Let’s continue this wonderful journey together, one chapter, one story at a time.

All the best,

WM

Pre-order Available

It’s almost here! The book that’s been years in the making—and at least the past seven months straight—is nearly upon us.

Much like a driver picking you up from the airport to take you home after a particularly exhausting but fun vacation, Take Me There: A Speculative Anthology of Travel is just around the corner to sweep you off your feet. And again, like the specially-summoned chauffeur that arrives at your direct request, the book is now available for pre-order wherever books are sold (trips to the airport not included).

July 17th is the official release date. Secure your copy today!

Pre-Order

The XPress Book Box

Paid subscribers have already received the early-access ebook in their inboxes. If you’d like to support independent writing and get cool swag, it’s not too late to capitalize on the 15% discount running until July 31st.

Annual and Founding members get one of only 100 exclusive, limited edition XPress Book Boxes, which includes a signed, numbered hardcover of Take Me There, among other goodies. This also helps fund the project and future book boxes. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Subscribe now

Interviews

If you missed our interview tour and want to know more about the authors and stories included in this collection, check these out:

Anniversary

The Storyletter’s anniversary is coming up, and we’re celebrating with a book launch. How exciting! I’ll be posting a special newsletter on the 17th to mark the occasion. Keep an eye out for another email from SXP that’s less promotional and more on the reflective side.

Now it’s time to begin assembling the boxes and writing the thank you postcards for subscribers. I will update you with more pictures soon! Cheers. ~ WM

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It’s a big day! We’ve officially closed on two brand-new book deals. This marks the first time Storyletter XPress Publishing has acquired world publication rights for any book outside our short story anthologies.

Daniel W. Davison

Daniel W. Davison is the writer of Lamp Post in the Marsh. We’ve acquired the world publication rights to The Werewolf of Mariahilf am Inn, a gothic horror novel in the vein of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. We anticipate an early 2025 release. More details are coming soon.

Lamp Post in the Marsh

Speculative fiction by Daniel W. Davison

By Daniel W. Davison

Thomas Bubb

Thomas Bubb is the writer of Necessary Fiction. We’ve acquired the world publication rights to The Kefi, a middle-grade action-adventure fantasy series. We anticipate an early 2025 release. More details are coming soon.

Necessary Fiction

Action-packed, heartfelt stories mixed with encouraging words and hope.

By Thomas Bubb

I'm delighted to welcome Daniel W. Davison and Thomas Bubb to the SXP publishing family. Their first draft manuscripts, initially published serially on Substack, are still available to read online.

The publishing world is rapidly evolving, and we’re adapting to it as best we can. SXP provides a competitive service through our author-centric partnership program, publishing high-quality and innovative books at no cost to the author. We’re incredibly honored that these two authors have entrusted us to share their stories with the world.

Join us in welcoming our latest authors as we each turn a new chapter in our publishing journeys! ~ WM

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We are currently considering short fiction and full manuscripts (response times may vary):

Short Fiction Portal

Manuscript Portal

Hobbies are enriching activities pursued in one’s free time for myriad reasons. Maybe you like baking, so you test the best method to achieve a perfect cake. You could be a skier and get a thrill by climbing to a 9,000 ft elevation to descend a steep angle through the white, powdery snow at high speed (to each their own). The point is that activities that bring us joy when we are not “working” tend to remain just that throughout our lives. But some hobbies evolve into something greater: a passion.

Passion is pursued despite having no free time. We may enjoy and benefit from our hobbies, but we love our passions and can’t imagine functioning without them. Passion is the inspiration that gets you out of bed early to work on a novel before clocking in on the job. It’s the motivation to improve when no one else is pressuring you to do it. It’s the idea you think about on your daily commute, walking the dog, and while falling asleep.

My father told me, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Although I understand society can’t function if everyone drops their careers to pursue their passions, it highlights the core sentiment illustrated above that writing has never felt like work for me. Running this Substack has changed how I view my writing and the goals I seek to achieve. Most notably, it shouldn’t be about me (an essay for another day).

Storyletter XPress Publishing is, at its core, my passion. It was born out of a drive to promote others. The concept is imperfect, and I have faltered in certain areas while building this endeavor. But where I have come up short, the community has evolved to bring better things to the table, so let’s explore those additions.

If you’re unfamiliar with The Library, it’s a Substack promoting independent authors by showcasing their work on its digital shelves. It was created by , and she graciously welcomed my input and collaboration. I’m thankful for the opportunity to assist in co-running The Library because I feel that at its heart is what The Storyletter was initially designed for.

An award series has emerged, run by called the Lunar Awards. It’s beautifully crafted and well-executed, and I’m a Founding member because I believe in the cause.

An excellent newsletter called Talestack News features fiction updates every first and third Monday of the month. It’s run by , herself a prolific author with myriad stories and projects available to enjoy.

Fictionistas, created by and , remains a strong advocating space for the fiction community here on Substack. They have monthly virtual writer meetups and host recurring activities. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking to connect with like-minded folks seeking to better their craft.

That’s just the tip of the community iceberg. So many others are working diligently to bring each other up, and that’s the only way we succeed as indie writers. We must be our and each other’s best advocates since the wider, traditional industry will not.

Apologies if I didn’t mention you. My bandwidth has diminished as of late, and I haven’t been able to keep my finger on the pulse of the writing community as much as I’d like.

Where does that leave The Storyletter?

This has certainly been a journey of self-discovery, but if I had to describe the current state of SXP, it is being refined for several budding projects that have yet to come to fruition. It will continue to platform indie creators first and foremost by hosting exclusive interviews, publishing original fiction, and sharing industry knowledge where applicable, albeit with some new caveats.

I’m learning how to be a small business owner to professionalize aspects of my writing and marketing skills. Some don’t like embracing the business side of things, and I get it, but writing, editing, and marketing books to an audience is a business whether it’s treated that way or not.

To turn Storyletter XPress Publishing profitable (in the sense that it’s not in the red year after year), I must establish a model for success; in this model, three key nodes should work at scale for an individual still working a full-time job: Platform, Customer, and Product.

Substack is my platform of choice, and I’m happy to be a part of it. Its most substantial aspect is the ability to grow, network, and tap into an active community around whatever topic you’re exploring. I’m not advocating solely for Substack here, as there are so many other avenues to pursue, but for the sake of my publishing business, I’m choosing to go all-in (with some exceptions).

The second node of this non-linear success model is the customer. The model fundamentally crumbles without customers (in our case, readers). A customer must want the product, and knowing the customer can be half the battle. How do we market the product (fiction, our third node) to a customer likely unconvinced of its value? Well, the product has to be clear and concise so that there is no effort on behalf of the customer as to what it is they are buying into.

A lean into crowdfunding on Substack

This post isn’t intended to be a pitch to convert free subs into paid ones, but I need to clarify some things before presenting the alterations to the membership. Ultimately, subscribers' money funnels back into the community through higher payment rates for writers, covering the cost of anthology publication, hiring editors, and purchasing original cover art.

A paid subscription will significantly increase the value of what SXP can provide for its writers and readers. It will also feel extra special knowing that readers fully fund the books published by SXP. And now we’re well on our way to making this a reality.

Paid subs currently get the link to download the eBook of The Weight of the World: A Collection of Short Fiction and Poetry in their Welcome email. If you are a paid subscriber and don’t have this link, let me know, and I’ll send it to you.

Thank you to those already subscribed. Because of you, we’ve broken through the $1,000 Annual Revenue milestone. This money has been saved in its own bank account and will directly fund the first anthology published by SXP. The entire estimated cost of the book will likely be closer to $2,000, but it depends on the length of the featured stories and the artist’s rate for the cover (the ISBNs and the formatting software have already been purchased). It’s inspiring to see this outflowing of support nonetheless! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This is just the beginning. Big announcements are on the horizon in 2024. I’m incredibly grateful that you’re here, as your presence shapes the future of Storyletter XP. I’ll continue to hone this mission to bring even more awesome indie fiction and knowledge to your inbox!

New changes to our current model

Purchasing original work and publishing it for free is inherently an operating loss. I realized that by paywalling writing tips and publishing information, SXP aimed to make writers the customers. Writers are a target audience for sure, but not one I wish to monetize in my pursuit of supporting them. Therefore, I’m removing the paywall on informative posts and the fee to submit for publication.

Moving forward, only fiction and purchased essays will be behind a paywall. XPress membership will include links to professional ebooks, PDF compilations of top posts, and the entire archive of Originals. Please be patient as I update the website and procedures to reflect these changes.

Revised perks for XPress members

• Access to original fiction and poetry

• Private Discord for members of Storyletter XPress Publishing

• Priority consideration for interviews and publication

• Download eBooks and PDFs published by Storyletter XPress Publishing

• 10% off everything in the SXP online store (storyletter.shop)

• Support independent writing and publishing

Subscribe now

Here are the posts unlocked for all subscribers:

• To Build a Book | Part One - Drafting your book

• To Build a Book | Part Two - Formatting your book

• To Build a Book | Part Three - Covering your book

• To Build a Business

• To Build a Store | Using print on demand to create additional revenue streams

• To Build a Brand | A look into Donald Miller’s Storybrand Framework

Let me know if you would like a refund on your subscription by emailing me at storyletter@protonmail.com. Again, sorry for the growing pains. Thank you for sticking around and showing support for independent writing and publishing.

It’s finally here

After nearly two years of publishing on Substack, my first short fiction and poetry collection is now in print. I don’t want to bore you with the details of late nights fumbling with formatting software and cover art shenanigans, but I will say that it was far more involved than I had anticipated. For example, I was shooting to have this book out by the end of March.

I’ve learned so much from you all, and I would not have this book out if it weren’t for the community here on Substack and local folks in Utah that have guided me on my publishing journey. The instruction, motivation, inspiration, and daily support have been pivotal for me as an indie writer. And for that, I want to say thank you.

XPress membership now includes books

I am thrilled to announce that readers can get my first book, “The Weight of the World,” by becoming a paid subscriber to Storyletter XPress Publishing. This is an initiative to provide complete books to paying subscribers as they become available.

Last month, I shared an early edition with members. Since then, it’s been further edited and revised with all-new formatting. This latest version is also available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

Becoming an XPress member gives you additional perks unavailable with the physical or eBook edition. Again, thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support lifts the weight of the world from my shoulders. ~ WM

The 34 stories and poems within vary in genre and style, ranging from medieval comedy to dystopian feel-good to cosmic horror, all revised with never-before-seen prefaces that detail the stories' origins.

The collection includes fan favorites, such as "My Dog Barks at Ghosts in the Park," "Raptor," "Nudging the Apocalypse Just a Tad to the Right," "The Weight of the World," "The Last Laugh," and "If You Only Knew What Lived in Your Shoe."

Exclusive to this edition are three newly-revised short stories: "The Spire," written in 2018; "Conduit," first published online in 2012; and "Mimicry," re-written in 2023 and unpublished. In addition to the unreleased chapter in the Raptorverse poem series, "Raptor 4", a sci-fi horror poem, will conclude the experimental, narrative poetry series that birthed the bio-engineered, artificially-intelligent dinosaur known as Raptor.

Or, if you prefer Amazon or Kindle:

The Weight of the World on Amazon

Read more