I’m J.R. Larriba, an Arizona-based author whose fiction spans cosmic horror, literary historical, and Gothic traditions, unified by themes of human frailty, inherited trauma, moral consequence, and quiet resilience. My horror debut novel, Itsy Bitsy Spyder, launches a planned horror trilogy that begins as a police procedural and mutates into mythic cosmic vengeance—pushing the boundaries of the genre. Other completed works include What the Hands Remember, a vignette and prose-poetry collection tracing survival and covenant across history. In progress are the maritime Gothic horror WrackMaiden: Curse of Cassandra Cove, a transhumanist literary novel The Work of Our Hands, and There Are No Victors, Only Graves—a halfway-completed literary historical novel set on the Somme battlefields in 1925. What sets Victors apart in the crowded WWI field is its elevated, lyrical prose and profound thematic depth: subtle supernatural whispers from the graves guide fractured souls toward communal mercy, transforming a landscape of vengeance into a cradle of reconciliation and grace. My self-published nonfiction Remember the Prisoners: He Came to Set the Captives Free placed third in the Arizona Literary Contest 2016 and is available on Amazon. Having survived substance abuse, the lifestyle that accompanies it, military service, and finally prison, I’ve been afforded a rare glimpse into the heart of a rescued soul subjected to the extremes of humanity—themes that echo through my stories of struggle and redemption.

I’m planning future workshops on editing, manuscript preparation, publishing best practices, book launches, and other practical parts of the independent publishing process. To make sure I’m scheduling them at times that work for as many members as possible, I’d love your input. Please vote for the option that usually works best for you. Also, feel free to comment with your time zone and any specific time windows that are especially good or impossible. I’ll use your responses to plan upcoming Guild workshops.

Hi. My name is Cynthia. I'm a writer/blogger/photographer/musician, who formerly published a small-town newspaper, and freelanced for local entertainment magazines. I've completed a 360 page sci-fi/horror manuscript in Word that I'd like to publish as a novel. It's well past the editing/formatting stage, and I've designed and completed the flap info for a cover, but I'm not sure how to proceed from here. Looking for good ideas and advice. Thanks so much for including me. 😊

Hello all! I am a new author in need of writing critiques to tighten up my prose. I have had a few friends and family, who aren’t necessarily into the sci-fi genre I like to write. They have all said I am pretty good, with each one of them liking different parts of the short story I sent them. I have already submitted my first short story, but it takes 3-6 months to hear back, and I don’t want to spend that time idling. The dilemma, in order for my short story to be published I can’t post it on a public forum. I can only send it to individuals. Anyone in this community willing to help me with critiques? Thanks all!