J.L. Mathews – Write on the World

It’s here—and it’s been a long time coming. Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny officially releases today, and I couldn’t be more excited (or a little unsettled) to finally share it with you.

Beautiful and Terrifying: Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny is available for purchase today!

This anthology brings together a collection of short fiction, poetry, and black-and-white art that all live in that uneasy space where beauty and horror overlap. These are stories that don’t just aim to scare—they linger. They follow you. They ask you to look a little closer than you’re comfortable with.

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Find Your Next Read

Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling is Here!

September 27, 2025April 11, 2026 Mandy Webster

The wait is over! Bad Moon on the Rise: An Anthology of the Unsettling is officially released and ready to haunt your bookshelves. This collection brings together an extraordinary group of writers, artists, and creators who explore life under a dark sky—whether literal or metaphorical. From chilling short fiction to thought-provoking essays and striking black-and-white art, this anthology dives into the unsettling, the eerie, and the uncanny.

We are thrilled to showcase the work of our incredible contributors:

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Author Interview

Author interview with J.L. Mathews, prolific writer and president of the St. Louis Writers Guild

February 18, 2025January 28, 2025 Mandy Webster

Jessica Mathews published her debut picture book, The Old Man and the Pirate Princess, in 2017. Since then, she has published more than twenty seven books, including picture books, early reader chapter books, and several adult works under her pen name J.L. Mathews.

Mathews began writing stories for children at a young age. Her father would write down all of the stories she told him, and they would read them together at bedtime. She hopes her books will inspire others as much as her favorite books inspired her when she was growing up. She wants her work to motivate others to create something of their own to share with the world.

Jessica is the current president of the St. Louis Writers Guild. She recommends every writer join a literary organization to network with other writers and find their people, reading as much as you can and doing what you love. Jessica lives in St. Louis with her two cats, Storm and Knight. She also recommends adopting as many cats as you can.

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