Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week …
Out today from author Jason Marc Harris and Crystal Lake Publishing, Master of Rods and Strings
Jealous of the attention lavished upon the puppetry talents of his dear sister—and tormented by visions of her torture at the hands of the mysterious Uncle Pavan who recruited her for his arcane school—Elias is determined to learn the true nature of occult puppetry, no matter the hideous costs, in order to exact vengeance. Available today in eBook and paperback, you can grab your copy here.
Arriving 26 January from author Micah Castle and Fedowar Press, The World He Once Knew
Jay has been uploaded into a new body to investigate why the transporter ship Candlemass went dark fourteen days ago. After the ship’s owner gives him the rundown of the assignment, he’s quickly ushered on board. In the halls of the derelict vessel, Jay discovers black sludge coating the inner hull, leading him to a container in the Cargo Bay.
If only he could have stopped there.
As Jay digs further, he’s thrown into a psychological maelstrom of the ship’s and, more importantly, his own history and what led him to be uploaded in the first place. The World He Once Knew is a transcendental, sci-fi horror novel set in the distant future. Here, the deceased’s consciousness can be bought and uploaded and forced into labor. They can’t quit, even if their new lives make them wish they were dead again. Available for pre-order now in eBook and paperback editions, you can guarantee your copy here.
Available now from writer Robert P. Ottone and JournalStone, Wrapped in Plastic and Other Sweet Nothings
Seventeen stories claw at you from that dark space in the corner of your eye in this new collection by Bram Stoker Award-winning author Robert P. Ottone.
In “Only That You Are Still Sane,” uncover the accidental and bizarre discovery of time travel. Meet an ordinary couple with sexual desires that are anything but ordinary in “Nibble.” Follow the harrowing story of Sleepy Hollow’s town constable in “A Mourning in Sleepy Hollow.” Tread carefully along the precipice of darkness in “A Most Curious Tome.” And in the title story, meet a lonely civil service worker who comes face to face with the darkness eating away at him.
Featuring six previously unpublished stories, Wrapped in Plastic & Other Sweet Nothings will force you to stare into the darkness within. Pray you don’t blink first. Available now in eBook and paperback, you can grab your copy here.
New from editor and publisher Joe Mynhardt and Crystal Lake Publishing, Shadows and Ink
Dive into the dark and thrilling world of horror writing with Shadows & Ink, a comprehensive guide designed to transform your chilling tales into masterpieces that captivate and terrify. Authored by a seasoned and award-winning publisher/editor in the genre, this book is your gateway to crafting stories that linger in the minds and nightmares of your audience.
Shadows & Ink is more than just a writing manual. It’s a call to the storytellers who dare to explore the shadowy realms of horror and dark fiction. Whether you’re a budding writer or a seasoned author, this book is crafted to serve your creative spirit with the tools, techniques, and insights needed to bring your most haunting narratives to life.
In this book, you’ll discover the intricate layers that form the foundation of horror writing. From the history and sub-genres of horror to the key elements that make a story genuinely terrifying, Shadows & Ink covers it all.
Delve into advanced techniques like Red Herrings, Chekhov’s Gun, Foreshadowing, and the art of the MacGuffin. Explore the nuances of crafting an unreliable narrator, mastering plotting devices, and the effective use of Jump Scares in literature. Available now in eBook and paperback editions, you can grab yours here.
KEV HARRISON
