M.K. Sholund - Author #amquerying

This is a diagonal view of two tables filled with long rows of colorful round lollipops.

This is a front view of my wood textured like table coverings showcasing rows of colorful round lollipops. More photos can be seen on my website - www.shellyslollies.com

So as a side hustle, I make and sell homemade lollipops under Shelly’s Lollies. Today I just up at the local farmers market (for tomorrow) as it’s my first event of the year kicking off 5 years of doing this! Here’s pics of my stand.

Worst Ways to Write a Protagonist YouTube video by Writing with Jenna Moreci

Just watched this super insightful YouTube video from a gal I love to follow - Jenna M.! And I gotta say so many authors I read need to take this advice on writing amazing protagonists (in the case of the video - these are bad examples of protagonists). #writingcommunity youtu.be/-Uzq_Tco1Ek?...

Horror Rant - Proliferation of stories on Substack, Amazon, Blogs, Social Media, etc. Why I think you're doing it wrong with tips on how to do it right.

A new post is up now via my Horror on The Page Substack. This one’s a rant about the proliferation of stories - cranking them out without editing and purpose, why it irks me, plus how the “Less is More” method works. #writingcommunity #authors #readers open.substack.com/pub/mksholun...

Quick Update Busy February - where's why I haven't been posting and when you can expect a new article

Got a new post up on my Substack Horror on the Page re: Flash Fiction and writing contests - worth the read. Got a call to action asking horror authors to weigh in on the proliferation of stories via blogs, Substack, Amazon, etc. #authorcommunity #substack
open.substack.com/pub/mksholun...

Submitted my story Crumbs for #februaryflashfiction challenge earlier today. To read it and so many other AMAZING takes on today's prompt "write about having just more more of something".

Woot Woot! All registered and ready for StokerCon 2026! Who else is going? Want to meet up? Also, what are you looking forward the most at this years conference?
Announced – Celebrating Ten Years of StokerCon! horror.org/stokercon-20...

Sadly there’s too much emphasis in coveting what others have and everyone feels threatened. I believe hard working Americans just want a better way of life - a living wage, affordable housing with enough money to feed their family and take care of medical needs. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says — The Associated Press An Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals that the agency allows immigration officers to forcibly enter homes to make arrests without a judicial warrant. Thi...

How is this okay? There will be lawsuits! apple.news/AQ37sdWJURqS...

Yes I write horror, but last year I indie published a creative writing prompt book! YEA! Last year I tried attending and including an ad for the book at writing conferences. I have since updated the program ad and would love input on what you guys think? Does this ad make you want to act?

As a person who writes horror, is there anything more horrific than how Trump is being allowed to do be a brat? Why isn’t congress doing anything? Why is he not impeached yet. He’s ruining everything that our military have sacrificed their lives for as ruined the American Dream for all immigrants. 🤬

Woot woot! Submitted my pitch for BURIED SECRETS ON DARBYTOWN ROAD! Next steps happen Wednesday. Wish me luck as I’ve been in the querying trenches for 2.5 years!

Submitted! 🤞🏼

😔 but 🎉 for trying. I forgot all about it so I missed out. Good luck though! I am trying #smallpit. I can see my 89k horror novel doing well with a small press eventhough I’m still actively querying agents.

Excited to be one of quite a few local authors reading at Love Stories to Tell in the Dark Feb 12th at cult Classic Brewery in Stevensville, MD! 📖💕🎤🌃

Horror Writing Tip of the Week: Choosing a monster Tips on figuring out what and who is your monster?

Ever wonder what makes a monster (in horror stories) terrifyingly evil or how to write and develop a monster character? Consider this Substack article if you’re curious about the topic creating a monster. mksholundauthor.substack.com/p/horror-wri...

Hot take on the article: Unseen Terrors - the Monsters in our Minds To read the full article follow this link =>. https://gnofhorror.com/unseen-terrors-the-monsters-in-our-minds/

Love this horror news article. So much so expand upon the tips and insight in my latest Substack article. Check it out! #writingcommunity #horrorauthors #horrorcommunity #horror open.substack.com/pub/mksholun...

New Trends in Horror for 2026 What horror writers can take away from the recent trends in horror fiction, t.v. and movies

For those who write #horror or love consuming horror media - across movies, t.v. shows and novels, check out this article - New Trends in Horror for 2026. Do you agree with the points? Have something to add? I’d love to know.
#horrorwriters #horrorcommunity

open.substack.com/pub/mksholun...

a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper ALT: a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper

Times getting away from me. Didn’t realize I haven’t posted anything here for over a week. Guess that’s what happens when you’re busy getting ready for the holidays which means declutter and clean the house on top of trying to write. How’s everyone else managing to do it all? #writerscommunity

Love this writing group! Cult Writers is a group of writers who meet at Cult Classic Brewery in Stevensville/Kent Island, MD. Love the support and opportunities to share our stories at events like an upcoming one on February 12th - Love Stories Told at Cult Classic. #writingcommunity #writers

Today I went to the Liberty Lake Historical Group’s meeting which had a military/Veteran’s Day theme. I got to share photos of my grandfather who served in the Army Air Corps in WWII including army newspaper articles! Very nice meeting with great members who also brought items too.

Got more writing done, not a ton of words, but did complete Chapter 3 of my horror novel - a prequel to the novel I’m querrying! How is everyone else doing for #Novelnovember #novnov ?

Had a lot going on the past 3 days so I put my #NovelNovember updates in one bullet journal post. #amwriting #writerscommunity

Day 12’s status with #NovNov #November ! I had a day off from writing and totally okay with that. Here’s what did happen.

Here’s Day 10’s progress with my horror novel I’m writing for #NovNov #NovelNovember

Thanks to those who’ve been keep up with my status reports! Hope all others doing Novel November are going well too’

Here’s Day 9’s progress on my journey of doing #NovNov #NovelNovember . How’s everyone else fairing also doing Novel November? How are you celebrating your milestones? #writerssky #writerscommunity

Yesterday’s talk at the #carrollcounty Chapter meeting with the @marylandwriters.bsky.social was great! Loved Emily’s talk on Author’s Websites. Even got a great website evaluation which yes I immediately applied when I got home! 🙌🏼

Good for you! Been querying for two years, but got some valuable feedback from two agents and a beta reader and plan on applying those notes to create Draft #6 but not until #NovNov is over. It’s close as I have full requests now but want to send out the better version. This post gives me hope! 🫶🏼

Got Day 8s update! My word count is 0, but used my time to plot Chapter 2 so I don’t wander/write aimlessly which saves me time and wasted words. Anyone else do this?
Must answer: Who’s in the scene, why are they there, what’s the purpose of the scene/chapter, how does it end?
#novelnovember

Here’s Day 7’s recap on my progress with #NovelNovember . Biggest accomplishment is finishing Chapter 1 of my new novel! #writerssky #writingcommunity

Image shows a bullet journal page featuring images of autumn leaves on a tree lined road, a set of skeleton keys, a man in a 1970s suit touching a house for sale sign, an older lady signing a paperwork and a note that says do’s and don’ts. Writing notes the word count for the word goal is 946 along with written reflections about writing the inciting incident.

I forgot to post Day 6 progress regarding #NovNov. I have to make my journal entry for Day 7.