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Author: Claire E. Sweetow

Claire Sweetow is a creative writer living in Chicago, Illinois. As a psychotherapist, Claire is interested in connecting horror to the complexities of the human experience, emotions, and relationships. She is inspired by the works of Stephen King, Mike Flanagan, Carmen Maria Machado, and Shirley Jackson. Born and raised in Nevada, Claire attended the University of California, Davis for undergraduate education and the University of Chicago for her master's in clinical social work.

Salt in the Wound

Claire E. Sweetow · May 13, 2026 · 25 min read

My mother died on a Wednesday night in February. I sat at the kitchen table, staring down at the pinpoints of salt dotted on the dark wood and pressed my…