Author: kristipetersenschoonover

A ghost story writer who still sleeps with the lights on, Kristi Petersen Schoonover’s fiction has appeared in many magazines and anthologies; her traditionally published books include a short story collection, THE SHADOWS BEHIND. She was the recipient of three Norman Mailer Writers Colony Residencies and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She is founding editor of the dark literary journal 34 ORCHARD, is a co-host of the long-running podcast DARK DISCUSSIONS, and is a board member of the New England Horror Writers. Follow her adventures at kristipetersenschoonover.com.

34O is now a member of CLMP!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn Announcements1 Comment

IT’S OFFICIAL! 34 ORCHARD is now a member of the CLMP (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses). The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses is a network of small, independent publishers who work together to support diverse writers, connect them with readers, and strengthen literary culture. They view publishing as a creative practice rooted in mutual support and community, and they actively engage everyone who cares about literature to ensure independent publishing continues to thrive.

We’re looking forward to participating and sharing and being part of something larger than us in helping keep great art in the world.

To learn more about their important work and what they’re about, visit here: https://www.clmp.org/about/what-we-believe/

I couldn’t be more thrilled about being part of a community that shares information and resources so that we can continue to provide high quality literature to our readers.

CLMP showcases many independent publishers of books and lit mags on their social media. If you love indie, we recommend following them on Insta to stay abreast of what’s out there.

Watch out for scams targeting short story writers/poets!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn Thoughts5 Comments

Much has been written about scams targeting writers, and while there have been many over the years—from When Words Count to the National Library of Poetry to PublishAmerica—a whole new crop has sprung up and become more prominent in the past year. These are invitations to have your book featured in book clubs, reviewed or endorsed by famous authors, or appear at literary festivals. I’m sure there are more iterations, but that’s the idea. This article on Writer Beware goes into more detail: https://writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/if-a-famous-author-calls-hang-up-anatomy-of-an-impersonation-scam/

I had heard of many of my peers receiving scammy emails, texts, and phone calls, but it only happened to me just recently (two on the same day)–and now they’re targeting not just people who have books for sale, but short story writers and poets who are featured in anthologies. If anyone receives these, they are scams. Don’t respond:

Scam Text

Scam Email 1

Scam Email 2

Absolute Write Water Cooler is a great place to check for what’s scammy and what’s not. Here’s the link to their Bewares & Background Checks forum space: https://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php?forums/bewares-recommendations-background-check.22/

Our submissions window is now closed!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

Our submissions window is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted! That so many writers would love to be in our pages is an honor, and we appreciate every single submission, even if we don’t publish it.

If you haven’t received a response yet, we are working on it—we go as fast as we can so that your work isn’t sitting in our inbox eating up time it could be under consideration at another market that may not accept simsubs. We aim to have all responses sent out no later than February 28.

We’ve got some stellar selections for this year, so if you’re also a reader, you have much to look forward to!

In January of 2027, we plan to be open for fiction and poetry.

If you have any questions or concerns and need to contact us, you can either reach out to us through the form on our Contact page or email us at 34orchardjournal@gmail.com.

We wish you a productive, healthy, exciting 2026!

In gratitude,

Kristi and Anne

Ring in the New Year! Our submissions window is now open!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

Submissions for SHORT FICTION are now open! The window will close at 11:59 pm your local time on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

We are considering fiction pieces for our Spring and Autumn 2026 issues from 1000 to 6000 words. Please note, we are not accepting poetry submissions this time around. We will welcome poetry again in January of 2027.

We do our best to respond as quickly as we can, and aim to have all responses sent out no later than February 28.

Our guidelines are here: https://34orchard.com/guidelines/

If you have any questions or concerns and need to contact us, you can either reach out to us through the form on our Contact page or email us at 34orchardjournal@gmail.com.

We open for submissions January 1, 2026!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn Announcements1 Comment

We hope you’re enjoying these waning days of 2025 and making plans for a wordful 2026!

Our submissions window for our 2026 issues is about to open. Submissions open at 12:00 am your local time on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and will close at 11:59 pm your local time on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

We are considering only fiction pieces from 1000 to 6000 words. Please note, we are not accepting poetry submissions this time around. We will welcome poetry again in January of 2027.

Our guidelines are here: https://34orchard.com/guidelines/

If you have any questions or concerns and need to contact us, you can either reach out to us through the form on our Contact page or email us at 34orchardjournal@gmail.com.

What to watch this weekend: THE LADY OF THE LAKE (Documentary, 2023)

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn ThoughtsLeave a comment

THE LADY OF THE LAKE 2023 POSTER ARTI love documentaries about many things—topping the list lately, it’s been urban legends and the paranormal. Recently, I found the The Lady of the Lake, a 2023 documentary hosted by paranormal investigator and historian Amanda D. Paulson, about an infamous murder and ensuing supernatural activity at Lake Crescent in Washington State.

This exceeded expectations. Aside from detailing the inciting incident and who the players were through extensive research, law enforcement sheds light on how the case was solved—complete with vintage footage and photos—locals are interviewed about their experiences and lore, and paranormal investigators share their results.

The solid production values create an atmosphere that makes this genuinely creepy and unsettling. Yet what’s most compelling is its discussion about the nature of haunted places and its philosophical waxing about the afterlife, and what it offers on liminal space, in particular—both in concrete and abstract—makes it a nice fit for 34O readers.

If you love ghost stories, urban legends, and true crime and enjoy deep thoughts on phenomena called hauntings—and if you’re a fan of the atmosphere and mood of Lake Mungo—this is for you.

You can watch the trailer (and read Bloody Disgusting’s full review) here: https://youtu.be/W7aK3q83IPs?si=68J1ThKT_ROZ4Dtn

As of this post’s publication, it’s available for free on Tubi and for rent on Amazon Prime.

Writers: Tighten your work—delete these phrases!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn Sixty-Second Sub TipsLeave a comment

JOURNAL ART -- K'S NOTESHello all,

Some great advice from former literary agent Nathan Bransford today on how to tighten up your writing—by just deleting a few phrases! Before submitting your piece to any market, check through it and see what of these can be cut—a cleaner, tighter piece always gives you an edge in the slush pile.

Find and delete these phrases from your novel

Thanks to 34 Orchard contributor Trisha J. Wooldridge for the link! Enjoy!

 

HP Lovecraft Film Festival VIRTUAL starts this Friday 12/5!

On By kristipetersenschoonoverIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

HPLFF 2025 POSTER

We love our cosmic horror—it asks so many questions and makes us think. We also love short films.  So the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, going strong since 1995, is our jam.

Hosts Gwen and Brian Callahan go above and beyond—the quality of this festival, from curation and content to pledge campaign rewards and collateral material—is top notch.

Although the in-person festival happened in September, the streaming edition arrives December 5-9, 2025, and you’ll be able to enjoy over sixty short films, several full-length features, author readings, and panels right from your living room.

TALES FROM THE EMMA COVER

This year’s thirtieth anniversary theme is Cthulu on the High Seas, so in addition, some contributors to the Lovecraftian Microfiction/Challenge from Beyond books, which always accompany the festival, were instead asked to write an X-files-esque story surrounding The Emma, a two-masted schooner that plays into strange events in Lovecraft’s story “The Call of Cthulu.” There are stories by favorites like Cody Goodfellow and John Shirley (34O editor Kristi Petersen Schoonover’s story “Compaction” is included too). The books will be on sale after the festival on Arkhaam Bazaar’s website.

If short films and cosmic/existentialist horror rocks your world, this festival is for you! You can purchase tickets for the December 5-9, 2025 streaming event here: https://hplfilmfestival.eventive.org/passes/buy.