2024 Year in Review
Art by Sasha Elage
2024 was an interesting year. Lots of wins and losses, but constant evolution and steady progress. I had several changes/shifts in my thinking, a developed a newfound gusto for life, but there is still plenty of work to be done and I need to put myself out there more, especially on social media.
-The Frolicking and Bullet Tooth were published. And I can’t forget about Bullet Tooth: Dark Oblivion Edition. Getting Mike Corrao cover art was a side quest accomplished.
- I blurbed a ton of books.
-I met
& & in real life at AWP.-Making it out to two book events this year where I signed and sold books was a feat. And I gave a single reading.
-The Hum of the World & Other Stories was nominated for a Wonderland Award and received an honorable mention so that was cool.
-Garnered studio interest in The Frolicking and Bullet Tooth. The first one fizzled out, but hope is still alive for Bullet Tooth.
-Rebranded my tarot/intuitive serves at
.-One horror/crime hybrid short story was published in the Shotgun Honey Presents: At the Edge of Darkness anthology.
I’m looking forward to 2025 and I might actually produce a little bit more content for the newsletter. Maybe some fictions, essays, etc.
Praying Mantis Pop-Up
I pay attention to a lot of synchronicities that show up in my life. Praying mantises have been showing up on my timeline and I tossed one in a book I’m working on, specifically Project The Darkest Book I Ever Wrote. Yesterday, a praying mantis popped up at my job, tilting its head towards me. Every time I forgot about it, it somehow moved closer even crawling on the ceiling by me. I told myself this was no coincidence and that I had to look it up later.
I’ve been paying attention to animal totems for the last decade or so, insects and animals that pop up randomly. I feel like it’s a message being conveyed to me by the divine/the universe.
Mantis means prophet in Greek, which may come as no surprise since I’m intuitive. They don’t ears, but listen through their belly. I’m all about listening to intuition coming through my gut. The insect symbolizes mysticism, higher awareness, clairvoyance, and clairsentenience. Felt like a big reminder to listen my intuition and to trust myself on deeper level.
The Magic of MaXXXine
I’m a fan of X and Pearl and I have no idea why I waited so long to watch the final film in Ti West’s trilogy—MaXXXine. A pure love for the horror genre is apparent in almost every shot—small cinematic flourishes that gush with passion. Italian Giallo homages and a rawness that seems to be missing from a lot of horror flicks these days. Also, had me bursting with inspiration by the end.
Editing Opportunities
I’ve done a good amount of editing in my day and I’m opening my doors to edit some fiction projects. This includes novels, novellas, and short stories. Contact me at grantwamack@gmail.com for my rates.
Writing Updates
Like a compass, my gut has always guided me. Working on Project Gothic Fashionista codename for my fashion horror novel, I got this tight feeling in my stomach, this tense clenching. It’s a sign that I’m tapped in, that whatever emotion I’m feeling at the moment will transfer over to the reader.
How do you know this?
It’s confirmed in the book reviews after I put a book out. Certain scenes and passages are highlighted. That emotional energy is transferred onto the page, imbued within my words. This is true alchemy.
This page from one of Alexander Mcqueen’s sketchbooks helped inspire something in the same book mentioned above. Having a lot of fun with this one and trying some new literary tricks out.
I wrote out ideas for God’s Leftovers 2, 3, & 4, but we’ll see. I also have a rough idea for The Frolicking 2. Part of me always thinks about how Clive Barker has about 20 projects he’s mentioned that have never been finished/seen the light of the day, but we’ll see what happens. I let my passion and excitement guide me.
Currently Watching: The sky.
Currently Reading: Only the Living Are Lost by Simon Strantzas & Sledge vs. The Labyrinth by & Cosmic Horror Monthly #3 & Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis & Clown in the Cornfield 2 by Adam Cesare & The Holy Bible
Listening: Back from the Borderline, The Higherside Chats, Agitator, Victory Light
The GD general goes off in his single “Same Energy.” This comes off the tailend of Rooga’s heated interview with Adam 22 on No Jumper and people talking crap online. I haven’t seen Rooga this charged up in a long time and I love the energy conveyed.
I see Lucki with the LV Kusuma cap, blending in perfectly with the B&W cinematic visuals. “KYLIE!!!’ is a dope intro, but Baby Pluto really slides on the wavy instrumental for “Exotic” with slurred vocals and lifestyle updates.
JID is a such a raw spitter, it’s crazy. Seamless flows, grainy visuals, and a cohesiveness rarely seen in the younger class of rappers. Got me excited for a new album and looking foward to seeing how he matures as an artist.
A$AP Mob’s Lieutenant has been going through a strange transition musically. I thought maybe he was going through the motions, but he seems reenergized on his new album Darold. “Thought I Was Dead” is a banger, and a needed reminder that Ferg still has the juice.
Until next time…
Cop my books here or cop signed copies here.
Sign up for a tarot reading with me here.
For business inquiries & blurb requests email grantwamack@gmail.com
Hope to meet you again out in the wilds one day. Cheers!
Excellent year! Congrats