Happy Pride Month! (Bound in Flesh Announcement)

With everything going on in the US right now, it's been an especially hard time to be queer for a lot of people. I hope you all find some way to celebrate yourself and your community this month. You deserve it.

I wanted to take some time today to talk about Bound in Flesh: An Anthology of Trans Body Horror, edited by Lor Gislason and published by Ghoulish Books. A story of mine was published in this anthology but despite it being released in April I haven't mentioned it here yet. It being pride month and now being an especially important time, I think, to highlight art by trans people, today seemed like the perfect time to talk about it.

Bound in Flesh features stories from thirteen incredible trans and nonbinary authors and I'm honored to be among them. This anthology is perfect for body horror fans and transgender horror fans who want to see more of themselves in their reading. Here is the synopsis from Ghoulish Books:

BOUND IN FLESH: An Anthology of Trans Body Horror brings together 13 trans and non-binary writers, using horror to both explore the darkest depths of the genre and the boundaries of flesh. A disgusting good time for all! Featuring stories by Hailey Piper, Joe Koch, Bitter Karella, and others. Edited by Lor Gislason.

Below, I've included a preview snippet of my story, Mama is a Butcher, and links where you can get your own copy of the anthology. I hope you enjoy.

Mama is a Butcher

In and out, the needle glided through soft flesh, affixing a new skin where the old had been removed. Riley winced at the stinging pull of the thread, but at fourteen years old, they were well used to it by now. Whenever they’d grown a few inches taller, the skin had to be replaced, and they were glad, once it was done, to wear a roomier suit, to have full range of movement back again. Even if they were always a little sore.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Mama whispered. “We’re almost done.”

One last pull, and a quick knot.

“All set, darling. You look just wonderful.”

Riley opened their eyes and looked at themself in the mirror. Of course, it was never really themself that they saw. Only a carefully stitched-on face would ever look back at them, beautiful and perfect and perfectly unfamiliar.

“I love it,” they said. “Thank you, Mama.”

Mama clasped her hands and held them against her mouth, smiling proudly.

Get your copy of Bound in Flesh directly from the publisher or check your preferred bookseller to buy a copy.

Recognizing the importance of making trans art available to the trans community, the publisher has left the digital version of this anthology free for anyone who needs it. Get your free digital copy here.