Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈

@mcmanlypants

I write queer horror & sci fi. Gay, Appalachian native, infosec professional, 2020 Manly Wade Wellman winner, co-host of Arcane Carolinas. He/him. michaelgwilliamsbooks.com #BlackLivesMatter #TransLivesMatter #SFWA #HWA #LGBTQ #FuckICE

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Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jun 13

Are you into live readings and book talks in the Triangle area of NC? Then come out to @arcanadurham.bsky.social on Thursday 6/18 at 7:00 PM! @natania.bsky.social, @jeswrites.bsky.social, and I will be talking and reading and hanging out! 🌈📚 💙📚 🩸📚 #romantasy #northcarolina #durhamnc

A flyer for a reading event and book talk at Arcana Durham on June 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The event is titled "Queer Fiction: Taking Pride in Our Writing" and will feature Natania Barron, Jes Malitoris, and Michael G. Williams. Arcana Durham is a 21-and-up establishment serving craft cocktails and mocktails in a speakeasy-inspired setting. It's located at 331 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701, with the entrance at the back of the building (the parking lot side).

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jun 6

Went to see the local production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at Camel City Playhouse in Winston-Salem, NC, and it was AMAZING. No, more amazing than that. It wasn’t “pretty good” or even “lots of fun,” it was “standing ovation while screaming for joy” AMAZING.

The set of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” at Camel City Playhouse in Winston-Salem, NC, USA. The set is dressed as the stage in a small rock club.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· May 26

Yessssss! A favorite photo of Rupert Giles, who was dearly loved and passed in 2024.

An orange tabby cat with very sleepy eyes reclining atop a blanket with a tarot card pattern on it.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· May 20

Quote with a fictional band that isn't Spinal Tap.

Diane Lane and backup singers in the rock musical "Streets of Fire".

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· May 3

You know what's exciting? Narrating your own book is exciting. 🎙️🥰 🌈📚 💙📚 🩸📚 #writingcommunity #lgbtqbooks #horror

The contents of a directory named "Audiobook," containing files for chapters of Michael's queer Appalachian cosmic horror novel CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 27

Another awesome thing: the @ncwritersnetwork.bsky.social Spring Conference next month in Greensboro! I'll be there for the day on Saturday attending some great talks and basking in collegial community: www.ncwriters.org/programs/con... #writingcommunity #NorthCarolina

A registration promotion flyer for the NC Writers' Network Spring Conference 2026, on Saturday, April 18, on the campus of UNC Greensboro. For more info, visit ncwriters.org.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Feb 21

Tonight: "Murder in the Mountains" group reading at 6:00 PM at Zadie's Market in Marshall, NC! Books! Readings! Autographs! Great food! Community! Authors! More info at www.hwanc.org/events 🩸📚💙 #writingcommunity #liveevents #authorreading #northcarolina #WNC #MarshallNC

A flyer for "Murder in the Mountains: Dark Fiction Readings from the Old Marshall Jail," a reading event by the North Carolina chapter of Horror Writers Association! Live Reading Event, Q&A, Book Signing, Free Admission. Saturday, Feb 21 6-9 PM. Zadie's Market Restaurant & Bar @ The Old Marshall Jail, Marshall, NC

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jan 3

Is this the year I release a collection of horror short stories? Maybe. We'll see. If I can stop worrying about everything in existence for five minutes, maybe.

A potential cover for a collection of horror short stories by Michael G. Williams. The collection is titled "ONLY NICE THINGS."

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Dec 24

OK, I never do promo here except for as part of the Horror Writers hashtag event every Wednesday, but what the hell? Here's an awards eligibility post: Novel: CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE Whatever Category is for 15K-Word Work: SCAVENGER HUNT

A promotional graphic noting that Michael has two awards-eligible works this year: CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE in the Novel category and SCAVENGER HUNT in the Novelette or Long Fiction categories.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Nov 26

David Dickie (or Dickey), Esq, sure was real. In 1832 he appeared before the Rutherford County Justices of the Peace to file for a pension as a veteran of the Revolution. He was a scout and spy for the Americans and was 60 at the time of this sighting in 1806. In fact, here's his signature: (33/n)

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Nov 15

A #WIP snippet from THE COME BACK KIDS, my current queer Appalachian cosmic horror novel, of two characters talking about the cult in which one was raised: 🌈📚 🩸📚 💙📚

Isaiah smiled at her, and shook his head. "You say that, and I understand why you say that, but to be honest the experience of Sparkling Branch from within was entirely civil. Polite. Sometimes even kind."

"And that's what makes them dangerous," Laura said after a few moments of silence. "They can make you feel like an outcast, and then they can make you miss them."

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Nov 11

Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want. (CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE) 🌈📚 💙📚 🩸📚

Chapter One - The Vision

October 2021

Reginald Voth's dead mother first appeared to him at the moment of her own demise: a quarter to four on a Tuesday morning as he sat in bed trying to read.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jul 7

Here's a little bit from the first chapter of G@TSBY, my WIP, a '90s-set horror retelling of The Great Gatsby. #SFFChat

Davey had on one of those candy necklaces gripped in his teeth, and he and his friend were sharing a laugh about something as they approached. Davey guffawed in his usual over the top way, but his friend expressed amusement with something closer to a Mona Lisa smile, a contained, controlled, almost mysterious upturning of the lips at the corners combined with an undeniable sparkle in his eyes. I’d always liked Davey’s friend—he brought him to Thanksgiving once a few years earlier and still I struggled to recall his name—but in the intervening seasons the guy had gone from cute college boy to drop-dead gorgeous. I was only three years older than Davey but I liked to think of him as my “little” cousin and that had extended to his friend as well by association. With one glance at Davey’s friend, all that got wiped away.
I nearly didn’t call out to them, letting them enjoy whatever moment they were sharing and, frankly, too starstruck by Davey’s companion to know what to say without looking the fool or drooling on myself. But Davey spotted me, and in his typical way he stopped short in the middle of the intersection, extended one stick-thin arm, wrist limp, index finger arched to indicate me, and shouted from twenty feet away, “Oh, my STARS, Jordan, it’s my Big Cousin Nick!” And then Jordan favored me with that hide-everything smile of his, and his eyes sparkled.
I leaned on my rolling cart/desk/podium thing, gripping the sides with both hands so hard my knuckles turned white, and opened my mouth to speak. After what felt like a delay of three or four days I managed, “Uh.”
Davey was already dragging Jordan toward me, and I turned as purple as an eggplant in embarrassment at my own shyness. But Davey saw it, and he loved it about me—he always loved playing little pranks and getting me to blush when we were kids, it was exactly how he liked to stand in relation to others, being the one allowed to design chaos and then put others through it—and he laughed harder than ever.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jul 4

A little taste of G@TSBY from today's session:

“What does Mr. Gatsby do?”
“He is a businessman.”
I tried not to sound irritated. “Sure, but what business?” When the butler didn’t seem terribly interested in answering I added, “I was a business major. Just got my degree. It’s a professional curiosity, not an objection. Promise.”
The butler didn’t laugh aloud at professional curiosity but it was an exchange of favors: he owed me one for me not laughing aloud when he used merriment. “He founded MillenniByte.”
I waited for some further explanation, never having heard the name before. None seemed forthcoming. I felt like it would be an insult to ask what they did, given the butler’s clear expectation I should already know, so instead I said, “That’s awesome!” It sounded so dumb as soon as I said it that I started to blush. “How much is the room?”
It turned out the room was ridiculously cheap by San Francisco standards, ridiculously expensive anywhere else. Some things are true in every era. Still, the ad said rent was negotiable. I made him haggle. When we settled, I wrote him a check for the first month’s rent and a deposit, then set my suitcase on the bed and grinned at the butler, arms wide as if showing it off to a first-time visitor. “I’m home!”

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jul 4

Are these cats? Or are these the Space Beings inviting us to get on their level?

A black and brown tabby cat and a tuxedo cat sprawl playfully on a colorful space-patterned carpet.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Jun 9

Are you in or near Durham, NC, USA, and love queer horror and folk horror? Then register at durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/14458069 and come on out 6/25 to hear members of HWA NC discuss those things! We're gonna have a blast! 🌈📚 📚🩸 💙📚 #hwa

The poster for an event titled "Rainbow in the Dark: Exploring Queer Horror with Michael G. Williams and Jes Malitoris, moderated by Jon Carroll Thomas." It features three robed figures blasting rainbows from under their cowls. The event is on 6/25 from 6 to 7 PM at the Durham County Library's Main Library.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· May 10

"Do you like scary movies?"

A screenshot of a headline from the website of People magazine. It includes a photo of Queen Elizabeth II. The headline reads, "Queen Elizabeth's Final Diary Entry Contained Only Five Words."

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Apr 26

Had an absolute blast watching The Wicker Man (1973) at The Carolina Theatre of Durham last night! Always a thrill to see my sponsorship logo before a favorite movie! 🥰

A screen in a movie theater reading "Michael G. Williams - Books for people who love messed up movies! michaelgwilliamsbooks.com".

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Apr 23

Thank you, Matt! Y'all do an amazing job every week nurturing the community you've built and it is greatly appreciated! My queer Appalachian cosmic horror novel CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE comes out THIS FRIDAY and is gonna be a ton of fun! #HorrorWritersChat

The cover for CHILDREN OF SOLITUDE, by Michael G. Williams. The image is of an old farm house against the Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia. It glows from within with evil red light.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Apr 23

Oh hells yes. 😌 📚🩸 💙📚 🌈📚 #writingcommunity

The copyright page to a book titled “Children of Solitude” by Michael G. Williams.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Realtor Irene Littlehorse: "That property is called Dead Dog Farm... and it's worse than it sounds." Cooper: "What is it?" Irene: "A puzzle. No one ever really stays there long." Cooper [grinning]: "When can I see it?" #todayinTwinPeaks

A file folder for a property listed for sale. It contains a photo of a run-down one-story home painted white.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Dick Tremayne: "Hello, Andy. This is Little Nicky, my charge from Happy Helping Hand. Nicky, this is Deputy Andy." #todayinTwinPeaks

A white man with black hair, dressed in a foppish manner, stands beside a young boy with blond hair. They both smile.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Mrs. Briggs: "Let me ask you this: did he leave suddenly?" Cooper: "Yes. We were speaking philosophically. Then I left the site to answer a call of nature. He was gone when I returned." Mrs. Briggs: "The fact that you were in the woods is very significant." #todayinTwinPeaks

Mrs. Briggs, a white woman with blond hair and a red blouse, speaks to Agent Cooper.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Dougie Milford: "You're just jealous!" Mayor Milford: "Jealous? I wouldn't want to spend my time changing diapers! Besides, she's cursed!" #todayinTwinPeaks

Two elderly men in a fight are separated by Big Ed and Sheriff Truman during a wake.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Vice Principal Greege: "I want to be crystal clear about this. You're asking me to admit a thirty-five year old woman to the senior class?" #todayinTwinPeaks

A high school administrator sits in his office. Behind him through a window we can see a bank of school lockers in a hallway.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 15

Catherine Martell: "I was at home the night of the fire. A man called, a voice I didn't recognize. He told me to meet him at the drying shed. A vague threat was implied. So I went there. I took a gun." #todayinTwinPeaks

Catherine Martell, a white woman with red hair, speaks to Sheriff Truman.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 13

The next episode of Twin Peaks takes place the next day, March 14, 1989. #todayinTwinPeaks

The title card for the TV show "Twin Peaks." It features the name of the show against a backdrop landscape including two mountains, a country road, and the "Welcome to Twin Peaks" sign at the edge of town.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 11

Donna [reading from Laura's diary]: "February 22nd. Last night I had the strangest dream." #todayinTwinPeaks

Donna Hayward, a white teenage girl, reads aloud to Agent Palmer from the pages she recently discovered were torn out of Laura Palmer's diary.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 11

Elderly Waiter: "That gum you like is going to come back in style." #todayinTwinPeaks

An elderly man wearing a dress shirt and bow toe with a wide-brimmed hat smiles as he speaks to someone off-camera. They are standing in The Roadhouse, a local dive bar in Twin Peaks.

Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈@mcmanlypants· Mar 11

"I don’t know where this is headed, but the only one of us with the coordinates for this destination in hardware is you. Go on whatever vision quest you require. Stand on the rim of the volcano, stand alone and do your dance. Just find this beast before he takes another bite." #todayinTwinPeaks