Meet our new associate editor

Associate Editor Krista Clark Grabowski

A few years ago I reached a point in my life where, although I had a decent and secure job with a large and successful company, I wasn’t satisfied. I knew something was missing. I asked myself those questions that are supposed to help us identify our passion. “What is it that I always do? What activity occupies my mind? When I have down time and the choice to do anything, what do I choose?” The answer to those questions was reading and writing, so I began actively searching out ways I could pursue both in a more professional manner. I had no clue what I was doing.

I read everything about improving my writing skills that I could get my hands on, and then wrote and wrote and wrote. I discovered book review sites. I met indie authors and began reading their work. I have loved every second of it and am glad I asked myself those questions.

Since then I’ve created, maintained, and closed down a blog I had under a pen name, had one short story published by JWK Fiction, have edited or co-edited some books for JWK Fiction, and have multiple stories that have not yet been published. I’m very proud of my latest co-editing work, “Terror Train”, which I co-edited with A. Henry Keene.

I’m passionate about reading, writing, and editing. I love working with authors to help them make their good story even better. There is no feeling like the one I get when an author thanks me for providing them guidance that makes their work shine. I’ve met some wonderful people on this journey and the moments I know I contributed in any way to their joy are priceless.

I have only just begun. 2014 has been incredibly productive and we’re only half way there. I write crime/thriller/dark fiction and the last half of the year will be at least as productive as the first half and will include the publication of some of my stories and some other things I have lurking in the back of my mind.

You can currently find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Here is the short list of my work to date. Believe me, it will grow quickly.

Publication:

Daddy’s Girl: Indiana Horror Review 2013, JWK Fiction

Editing:

Red Triangle by Jason Wolfgang Gehlert: 2014, JWK Fiction

Nostalgia by Justin Hunter: 2014, JWK Fiction

Death’s Disciples by Robert Holt: 2014, JWK Fiction

Terror Train horror anthology, co-edited with A. Henry Keene: 2014 JWK Fiction

Currently co-editing Cellar Door III: Animals with John Ledger and Todd Banks, JWK Fiction

Mike Jansen joins JWK Fiction

JWKfiction announces new member of the Editoral Staff

March 16th, 2013

Today JWKfiction has expanded its editorial staff. Mike Jansen has been added as Lead Gopher for knicks 'n knacks and odds 'n ends.

In the past half year Mike has played an important role, contributing stories to several of James Ward Kirk's anthologies, but also assisting in many of the editorial tasks, book-layout and technical stuff that modern book publishing requires.

Mike is a twenty year IT veteran, always working on the cutting edge of technology. Apart from that he ran a small press in The Netherlands called Babel Publications, which is still operational, albeit in another form. His stories in Dutch and English have been published in various magazines and anthologies.

He is also winner of several Dutch literary prizes for SciFi, Fantasy and/or Horror.

Formalizing the relationship establishes a solid foundation for JWK Fiction for the coming years.

More information on Mike is available here

Someone Else’s Writing: James Ward Kirk

Someone Else’s Writing: James Ward Kirk

James Ward Kirk: “Sometimes I wonder if I’m expressing my unconscious into my fiction.”

Hi James! Tells us – what makes you different to other writers?

I also work as a publisher and editor. I think the insights I get from other writers and their work makes me a better writer. I’ve made a lot of friends through my editing and publishing work. One of the best ways, I think, to improve one’s writing is to hang out with other writers. I do live with severe depression—I’m fairly certain this affects me as a writer.

Why do you think we’d enjoy reading your work?

After completing my Master’s Degree and seeing my sons off into the world, I went back to school for a year and studied abnormal and humanistic psychology. Depression and my studies regarding human behavior and personality work together weaving a voice for my work that I think is unique.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories? Is there something – or someone – that acts as your inspiration?

I don’t remember my dreams. Sometimes I wonder if I’m expressing my unconscious into my fiction. I am a huge fan of Poe, and especially his stories “The Purloined Letter,” “William Wilson,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” In “The Purloined Letter” one learns how important the number two is, and the duality of human nature. The other two stories express what happens when that duality is fractured.

James is the editor of a number of anthologies including the Indiana Science Fiction series.

How would you describe your ‘typical’ writing session? Do you have any particular habits? Do you prefer to hand-write or type?

I write as soon as I wake up. I stumble (literally–I’m heavily medicated in order to sleep) and pour some coffee. I fire up my computer and go to work

Are there any other writers who you really admire? What was the last thing you read and would you recommend it?

I really enjoy John Connolly. He has a finger on the pulse of the dichotomy of existence. There are several Indiana horror writers I admire. There are too many to list here, but Paula D. Ashe and Murphy Edwards come to mind first. Paula D. Ashe’s story “The Mother of all Monsters” sticks in my mind. You can find it in Indiana Horror 2012.

Indiana Horror, edited by James Wark Kirk, is available to purchase at Amazon.com.