Makayla Nielson | Updates

Makayla Nielson — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:53:53 -0500

I have two 102-word short stories in this collection, written for Collective Tales Publishing. The titles are Fly Swatter and Provoked.

Class is back in session-welcome to Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned.

From the award-winning creators of Darkness 101 comes the next terrifying installment in the Darkness series. In 2023, Darkness 101: Lessons Were Learned dared readers to pay the cost of knowledge-earning the League of Utah Writers' Must-Read award. Now, the stakes are higher. The horrors, deeper.

Darkness 102 delivers 102 tightly crafted horror stories, each exactly 102 words. These bite-sized nightmares dive into advanced evil, twisted morality, murderology, monsters, comeuppances, and darkly comic chaos.

Featuring chilling contributions from horror masters like Eric J. Guignard, Brianna Malotke, Robin Knabel, Corinne Pollard, and Peter L. Harmon.

These aren't beginner horrors anymore. Study hard. Or suffer harder.

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The Caretaker's Greenhouse

Makayla Nielson — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:01:19 -0400

A short story written for Tall Tale TV's YouTube channel, narrated by Christopher Herron. Listen for free by clicking the link below! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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The Girl Who Shouldn't Exist

Makayla Nielson — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:29:41 -0400

A short story written for Manawaker Studio's Flash Fiction Podcast on Spotify. Listen for free by clicking the link below! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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Absolute Zero

Makayla Nielson — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:49:22 -0500

A short story written for Inkpot Literary Journal. Read it for free by clicking the link below! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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Guest Blog Post: Writing Fiction From Experience

Makayla Nielson — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:43:48 -0500

I had the privilege of writing a guest blog post for Collective Tales Publishing on the topic of Writing Fiction from Experience. Click the link below to read the full post for free!

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My Second Greatest Fear

Makayla Nielson — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 14:12:26 -0500

A short story written for Balloons Lit. Journal, an online journal dedicated to the youthful readers and writers whose hearts are devoted to literary exploration, creation and innovation. Read it for free by clicking the link below!

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The Withering

Makayla Nielson — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 02:48:13 -0400

A short story written for Flash Fiction Magazine. Read it for free by clicking the link below! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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Pre-Orders Available for Chimera's Blood!

Makayla Nielson — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pre-orders are now available for Chimera's Blood on the Jumpmaster Press website! find your copy here!

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Interview with ChapterBuzz Discovery Network

Makayla Nielson — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to do a mini-interview on ChapterBuzz Discovery Network. Read the full interview here.

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Wynterveil Market at GameCraft

Makayla Nielson — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Wynterveil Market at GameCraft

11am - 8pm

4315 N. Pony Express Parkway, Suite 140, Eagle Mountain, UT, 84005

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The Voyage of Clara Bowman: Words, Images, and Worlds

Makayla Nielson — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It was so great chatting with Jason again! This time Trenna McMullin and I share more about our process and The Voyage of Clara Bowman! Listen to the full interview here.

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Launch Party for The Voyage of Clara Bowman

Makayla Nielson — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Launch Party for The Voyage of Clara Bowman

Date: 12/6/2025

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Place: Whitefish Library Community Room

*Freebies, first chapter reading, Author Q&A, Treats

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Book Signing/Open House

Makayla Nielson — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Book Signing and Open House for The Voyage of Clara Bowman, co-written by Makayla Nielson and Trenna McMullin.

Date: 12/5/2025

Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm

Place: Kalispell Public Library Meeting Room

*Chapter readings appropriate for all ages

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BYU-Idaho Radio Interview: The Voyage of Clara Bowman

Makayla Nielson — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Author bucket list item accomplished... Our first radio interview!

Trenna and I had the opportunity to chat with Brandon at BYU-I Radio about writing and The Voyage of Clara Bowman! We had fun and learned a lot. Here's the link to the full interview and article!

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Darkness 102 Book Launch Event

Makayla Nielson — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I had the incredible opportunity yesterday to join Collective Tales Publishing for the launch of their newest anthology, Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned! Keep an eye out "Fly Swatter" and "Provoked" written by yours truly!

So grateful to Jonathan and Liz for their efforts and to Legendarium for hosting the event. It was a pleasure to mingle with other contributors, sign books, and even do a reading of "Fly Swatter". Can't wait for the launch of Collective Madness next year!

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Co-Author Interview: Words, Images, & Worlds

Makayla Nielson — Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Our first co-author interview on Words, Images, & Worlds with Jason Dehart is LIVE! We're so grateful for this opportunity and the chance to share a bit about our writing process and our debut novel, Chimera's Blood!

Watch the full interview here:

Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

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Collaboration in the Writing Process Series

Makayla Nielson — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The first installment of the League of Utah Writers series Collaboration in the Writing Process focuses on working with a sensitivity reader. Makayla Nielson interviews author Cheryl Wanner about her book See Me As I Am and talks about the process of getting feedback from sensitivity readers. Learn more about Cheryl's writing at https://www.cherylwanner.com/ and Makayla's writing at https://makaylanielson.com/

Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

Check out the introduction to the writing collaboration series here:

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If you're wondering where to start:

- The League of Utah Writers
- https://www.leagueofutahwriters.com/our-chapters
- Great place to make friends and find “your writing people"

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Pre-Quill Conference, 2025

Makayla Nielson — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Presentation created for the Pre-Quill Conference, put on by The League of Utah Writers. March 29, 2025. You can find a copy of the slides, along with a free short story written by Makayla Nielson and Trenna McMullin here:

https://makaylanielson.com/landers/exclusive-offer

Watch the full presentation here:

Embedded Youtube video removed, see original post to watch.

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"Butterfly in Bloom" Receives Honorable Mention

Makayla Nielson — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I submitted to a writing contest at the for the first time not too long ago. It was hosted by the American Fork Library... and the results are in! The first chapter of "Butterfly in Bloom" received an Honorable Mention. I'm grateful for the experience and can't wait until this fun story is in the hands of young readers.

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