Fantasy Blog | Writing, Books & Story Insights

Monster of the Week: Satan

They say the month of March comes in like a lion, so who better to preside over this month’s unholy aspects than the King of Hell himself? Without further ado, all hail Satan, the Demon of March and our very esteemed Monster of the Week. If you like this depiction, stick around to the end

Monster of the Week: The Pied Piper of Hamelin

When I found out it was Tell a Fairy Tale day, I figured it was high time to venture down the rabbit hole of fairy tale villains and monsters. I assumed I’d surface with an apex predator or a wicked queen. Until I stumbled upon and subsequently remembered the most unsettling and arguably most evil

Monster of the Week: The Bryn Athyn Beast

President’s Day greetings everyone! As you may know, today is also known as Washington’s Birthday. And when I think of Washington, what springs to mind is that iconic painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware. It is there, on the icy riverbank between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, that we celebrate this week’s monster: The Bryn Athyn Beast,

Leviathan in the ocean with an open mouth.

Monster of the Week: Leviathan the Hellmouth

Waylaid by illness as I was, I’m a week late in showcasing the demon of February. But, as any Prince of Hell will tell you, late is better than never. So please extend a warm if somewhat belated welcome to Leviathan the Hellmouth and assignatory to the month of February. Full Disclosure: I’ve only found

Monster of the Week: Frankenstein’s Monster

Feeling rejected? Cheer up! Because nowhere in the English-speaking world, including your life and mine, is there a more pathetic and reviled creature than our Monster of the Week, one so unpalatably foul that he doesn’t even warrant a name. Ladies and gentlemen, I present for your horrified displeasure, Frankenstein’s Monster. Before we continue, I’d

Monster of the Week: Bakeneko, The Vampire Cat of Japan

Do you own a cat? Is it older than 13 years, heavier than 7.7 pounds, and in possession of an abnormally long tail? Then congratulations, your fuzzy friend may be a bakeneko, the celebrated and terrifying cat vampire of Japan. Though, considering these creatures eat humans, assume their likeness, and use that ruse to lead

TAP Sports Bar: A Neighborhood Watering Hole on the Las Vegas Strip

Last month I attended the last 20 Book to 50K conference to be held in Las Vegas. Having attended the previous year, I knew more-or-less what to expect: a four-day whirlwind of information, innovation, and new faces, culminating in the RAVE book festival where I would once again sell my books. Given what was in

Croissant and Crow in Coffee N Rock Bakery Case

Coffee N Rock: I Heart the 90s All Over Again

I was a coffee house kid in high school. If you know me, that’s probably not much of a shock. I was as highly caffeinated then as I am now, plus a socially awkward academic and theater nerd, which meant I was about a thousand miles away from anyone who could get me a fake

Monster of the Week: The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow

Are you…well, like me? Someone who not only has loved Halloween from a young age, but ghosts, spirits, and gothic fiction? Then you know that there’s only one monster I can possibly talk about today. I’m sure you’ve all heard the story: superstitious schoolteacher Ichabod Crane arrives in the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow in

Monster of the Week: Mishipeshu

Are you a woman? Are you passionate, wanton, and sinful? If so, I have two things to say to you:1) Respect.2) You may be at risk of becoming a violent, headless vampire. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Japan does, at least in this case. Translating as “removable neck” in English, the Nukekubi are a

Author S.G. Tasz