About Christian De Matteo and Tellworthy Creative Writing Services

Everybody has a story, a unique and wonderful tale, aching to be made Tellworthy. Finding it, feeding it, guiding it and making it art, YOUR ART, is our sole purpose.

Christian brings something different to each project: he is both an editor and a working writer. His fiction has been published across literary, horror, and crime markets, giving him firsthand experience with the craft, revision, submission, and publication process he helps other writers navigate. As co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fugitive Poems, an independent comics publisher, he has also spent decades writing, editing, developing, and publishing comics, graphic fiction, and prose.

That experience matters. Christian doesn't approach a manuscript as a collection of grammatical problems waiting to be corrected. He approaches it as a piece of writing that needs to work.

For fiction, that means character, voice, structure, pacing, dialogue, tension, clarity, and the thousand small decisions that make readers want to turn the page. Christian works with authors without attempting to turn their writing into his own, helping them identify what makes their work distinctive and strengthening the choices that allow that voice to come through.

For academic and nonfiction writers, it means transforming complex ideas into clear, organized, persuasive prose without sacrificing intelligence or individuality. Christian has spent his career teaching research, composition, literature, and advanced writing at the college level and has worked extensively with graduate writers on dissertations and other long-form academic projects.

For businesses and organizations, it means understanding that nobody has time for lifeless writing. Christian writes and edits speeches, presentations, scripts, promotional materials, web content, professional communications, and other projects where the right words need to accomplish something. His clients have included nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, educators, executives, and professionals across a wide range of fields.

Whether he is coaching an author through a novel, restructuring a dissertation, editing a short story, developing a script, or turning a page of corporate language into something another human being might actually want to read, Christian's philosophy remains the same:

Your writing should sound like you—only clearer, sharper, stronger, and impossible to ignore.

That's what makes it Tellworthy.

Christian De Matteo

Writer, Editor, College Professor, and Co-Founder of Fugitive Poems

Christian De Matteo is an American writer, editor, professional writing coach, and college professor whose work spans literary fiction, crime and noir, horror, supernatural fiction, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and comic books.

He is the co-founder of Fugitive Poems, an independent comics publishing company, and the founder of Tellworthy Creative Writing Services, through which he works with writers on developing and refining their craft. He is also an experienced professor of writing and literature and serves as Associate Chair of General Education at The College of Westchester.

Christian's creative career has encompassed writing and editing comic books, assembling anthologies, collaborating with artists, and publishing short fiction across a wide range of genres. His work often combines dark humor, psychological complexity, morally compromised characters, and elements of the grotesque or supernatural.

Beginning with the publication of his short story “The Nest” in November 2025, Christian experienced a significant new period of success in prose fiction, with a growing number of stories accepted by literary magazines, genre publications, podcasts, and anthologies throughout 2026 and into 2027.

Published Short Fiction

“The Nest” — The Bleeding Margin Magazine, Issue 1 (November 2025)

The story that marked the beginning of Christian's recent run of short-fiction publications. Its appearance in the inaugural issue of The Bleeding Margin Magazine was an important milestone in his return to publishing prose fiction.

“She Summons Stars” — Grim Omen Magazine, Volume 4 (August 2026)

A supernatural detective-noir story set in 1940s Los Angeles, blending the atmosphere of classic hardboiled crime fiction with cosmic horror. Published by Grim Omen Magazine, a Snowbright Studio publication.

“The Hopper Job” — Midnight Madness: Carnival of Nightmares, WordCrafter Press (October 2026)

A violent, old-school noir story set in the late 1940s. Before its publication in Midnight Madness, edited by Kaye Lynne Booth, the story was shortlisted for the Uncharted Magazine Noir Challenge Prize, a notable recognition among competing crime-fiction submissions.

“Panic at Shakes” — The Yard: Crime Blog (October 16, 2026)

A darkly comic contemporary crime story set in Ossining, New York, following Marty Beesman, a physically distinctive mob enforcer whose carefully executed murder begins unraveling because of an unfortunate encounter with dog excrement. Published online by The Yard: Crime Blog.

Accepted Fiction — Forthcoming Publications

“Feeder” — Tales to Terrify (Publication date to be announced)

A domestic supernatural horror story involving witchcraft and disturbing family dynamics. Accepted by Tales to Terrify, an established horror-fiction podcast. The publication agreement has been signed, and the story has entered production, with a narrator assigned.

“Sins Have Feet” — The Genre Society, Issue 10 (2026)

A short, darkly humorous apocalyptic story. Accepted for publication by The Genre Society.

“Hazard Pay” — Entropy, Volume 1: A Dark Anthology, Garden of Neuro Institute (Expected November 2026)

A New Orleans crime story featuring Mortar, a distinctive and morally complicated protagonist. Accepted for the first volume of Entropy, a dark-fiction anthology. The editor praised the character's voice and the story's ending.

“Rodents” — Thriller Magazine (Scheduled December 1, 2026)

A crime story introducing Margaret Anne, a sex worker who becomes involved in investigating the murder of a homeless woman and rescuing her injured ferret. The story introduces a character who has since become the central figure in a developing series of interconnected crime stories.

“Shoplifter” — Close to the Bone (Scheduled January 22, 2027)

A first-person crime story narrated by Ellie, an eighteen-year-old protagonist. Accepted by Close to the Bone, a publication specializing in gritty crime and noir fiction.

“Time Enough for Saints” — The 10K Club, Crimeucopia (Scheduled March 2027)

A roughly 9,000-word transgressive crime story set in New Orleans. Accepted for Crimeucopia's The 10K Club anthology.

“Welcome to the Modern Dating Hellscape” — Monstrously Misguided (Expected Spring 2027)

A horror-comedy story that turns an ordinary dating experience into an increasingly grotesque and absurd nightmare. Accepted by the Monstrously Misguided anthology series, with publication moved to a spring 2027 volume.

The story also previously received acceptances from SKUMMEL and the Garden of Neuro Institute's Wouldn't You Rather Be Laughing? Volume 2, reflecting considerable editorial interest in the piece. Those earlier publication arrangements did not remain active.

Accepted Fiction — Publication Unresolved

“The Replacement Ghost” — Horrorsmith Magazine

A psychological supernatural horror story about Scott, a sociopathic man who marries into a haunted house and becomes obsessed with forcing its resident ghost to communicate. When the ghost refuses, he decides to create a replacement by murdering his wife.

The story was accepted by Horrorsmith Magazine, but publication has been delayed amid difficulties at the magazine. Christian has continued pursuing other opportunities for the work while navigating the unresolved original acceptance.

Comics and Graphic Novels

Christian is the co-founder of Fugitive Poems, an independent comics publisher he operates with artist and creative partner James Lines.

His comics work includes:

• River — A comic-book series combining crime, time travel, and speculative storytelling.

• Blood Valkyrie in Vegas — A graphic novel drawing on horror, action, and grindhouse influences.

• Containment Breach Anthology Series — Editor-in-Chief and contributing writer. This multi-volume anthology series brings together original comics and stories from numerous creators, including volumes exploring mythology, fantasy, science fiction, and other speculative genres.

• Folklore for the Uninsured — Editor-in-Chief and contributing writer on an anthology of original comics.

• Dirty Living — Editor of the Fugitive Poems comic series, which became available for comic-shop ordering through Philbo Distribution in 2026.

• The Comic Jam — A frequent contributor to the collaborative comics project, writing numerous one-page comics illustrated by a variety of artists.

Christian's additional published comics credits include:

• “Cooked (but pronounced like Crooked)” — Comix in the Kitchen.

• “Albino Satanists in Heat” — Zona Del Male.

• “The Geezer of Haroun” — Weird Stories, Volume 2.

• “Bluebeard 2356” — Weird Stories, Volume 4.

His comics work reflects an interest in collaborative storytelling and a willingness to explore widely different tones and genres, from crime and horror to fantasy, satire, and experimental narratives.

Poetry

Christian also writes poetry, including the poems “Orbital Resonance” and “Up, Ward.”

“Orbital Resonance” previously appeared on The Organic Poet website, although Christian does not count that appearance among his formal publication credits.

Both poems have been submitted to a number of literary and speculative poetry publications, including Strange Horizons, as part of his continuing efforts to publish poetry alongside his fiction and comics.

Editorial and Publishing Work

As co-founder of Fugitive Poems, Christian has helped develop and publish independent comic books and anthologies while working with writers, artists, and other creators.

His editorial credits include the Containment Breach anthology series, Folklore for the Uninsured, and Dirty Living. His work involves story development, editing, coordinating creative collaborations, and helping bring independent comics to publication.

Christian also co-hosts The Art Will Not Be Changing!, Fugitive Poems' weekly live interview program, featuring informal, creator-to-creator conversations with writers, artists, publishers, and other professionals in the comics industry.

Teaching and Professional Career

Christian holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and has spent many years teaching writing, literature, research, and communication at the college level.

He currently serves as Associate Chair of General Education at The College of Westchester, where he teaches and mentors faculty.

Christian also continues his longstanding affiliation with Saint Mary's College of California's LEAP Program, supervising independent studies and Senior Capstone Projects. His work with LEAP represents an enduring commitment to helping adult learners develop their academic voices and complete substantial independent research and writing projects.

His previous academic affiliations include Manhattan College, the University of Mount Saint Vincent, and SUNY Empire State College.

He has taught creative and academic writing, literature, English composition, public speaking, and interdisciplinary courses. His teaching emphasizes discovery, critical thinking, individual voice, and the development of confident, independent writers.

Through Tellworthy Creative Writing Services, Christian also works directly with writers as a professional writing coach and editor.

Continuing Literary Work

In addition to his published and accepted fiction, Christian maintains an active portfolio of stories under consideration at literary magazines, horror publications, crime-fiction journals, and speculative-fiction markets.

His recent work includes “The Ghost of Gary,” “Father Charles and the Nightstand,” “Nicoleta Wept,” “Owl Stare,” “The Welling Place,” “Dust and Genes,” “The Cheapest House on the Block,” and “The Best Cut.”

He is also developing a connected series of crime stories featuring Margaret Anne, the protagonist introduced in “Rodents,” with additional stories including “No One Makes Meth in the City,” “Bluegrass and Shiny Things,” and “Jesus Wants His Cell Phone Back.”

Although his writing crosses numerous genres, recurring qualities include psychologically complex characters, dark humor, moral ambiguity, and an interest in the uncomfortable intersection of ordinary life and extraordinary circumstances.

Since the publication of “The Nest” in November 2025, Christian has built a rapidly expanding bibliography of short fiction, with work appearing in or accepted by The Bleeding Margin Magazine, Grim Omen Magazine, WordCrafter Press, The Yard: Crime Blog, Tales to Terrify, The Genre Society, Garden of Neuro Institute, Thriller Magazine, Close to the Bone, Crimeucopia, and Monstrously Misguided.

His career represents decades of dedication to storytelling—in classrooms, independent comics, anthologies, and prose fiction—and a growing body of work reaching new readers across multiple genres.

Websites: FugitivePoems.com | Tellworthy.com