Canadian author Mary Rajotte has a penchant for penning nightmarish tales of Gothic folk horror which have been published in a number of anthologies. In 2022, she launched Frightmarish: a quarterly Gothic Lit Zine for devotees of dark fiction, poetry, and the creative macabre. Her debut paranormal dark fantasy novel, The Bone Key, will launch in Autumn 2024 from Quill & Crow Publishing House. When Mary isn’t writing, you can find her standing on her tiptoes at concerts or conjuring ideas by moonlight. Sometimes camera-elusive but always coffee-fueled, Mary lives in Toronto, Canada with her fiance.

David Simms lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family, both furry and weird, after escaping New Jersey and Massachusetts. A psychology & special education teacher, college English instructor, counselor, music therapist, ghost tour guide, and book reviewer, he moonlights in the Slushpile band on lead guitar after co-founding the Killer Thriller Band with several best-selling authors. He has given workshops in three states on using music to help students of all ages to learn and de-stress, getting teens to write, and combating burnout for teachers in schools.

He has sold several short stories which have been published in various anthologies, such as TERRIBLE BEAUTY, TRAPS!, and DARKNESS RISING and academic publications on music therapy, creative writing for teens.

DARK MUSE is his MG/YA crossover that ventures into musical dark fantasy and celebrates the many students who've changed his life.

FEAR THE REAPER is a thriller that's mostly true story about the eugenics movement in America - basically, how we directly influenced Hitler and began a truckload of horrors right here in the states.

Marc Sorondo lives with his wife and children in New York. He loves to read, and his interests range from fiction to comic books, physics to history, oceanography to cryptozoology, and just about everything in between. He's a perpetual student and occasional teacher.

For more information, go to MarcSorondo.com.

David Owain Hughes is a word-slinger of horror and crime fiction, who grew up on trashy b-movies from the age of five which helped rapidly instil in him a vivid imagination. He’s had multiple short stories published in various online magazines and anthologies, along with articles, reviews and interviews. He’s written for This Is Horror, Blood Magazine, and Horror Geeks Magazine.

Hughes is the author of six horror novels, four short story collections and a plethora of novellas. Although he predominately writes within the bracket of horror and its multiple sub-genres, he’s recently branched out into crime fiction and is slowly carving out a superb series of crime/noir thrillers under the umbrella title of South Wales.

Larry Hinkle is the least famous writer you’ve never heard of. A copywriter living with his wife and two doggos in Rockville, Maryland, when he's not writing stories that scare people into peeing their pants, he writes ads that scare people into buying adult diapers so they’re not caught peeing their pants.

"The Eris Ridge Trail," his new cosmic horror road trip novella (with dogs!) was released in March 2025, while his debut collection, “The Space Between,” came out in February 2024.

His work has also appeared in "October Screams: A Halloween Anthology," "The Rack: Stories Inspired by Vintage Horror Paperbacks," and The NoSleep Podcast, among others.

He's an active member of the HWA (his short stories made the preliminary Stoker ballot in 2020 and 2022); a graduate of Fright Club and Crystal Lake’s Author’s Journey program; an HWA mentee; and a survivor of the Borderlands Writers Bootcamp.

Serena Jayne received her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She’s worked as a research scientist, a fish stick slinger, a chat wrangler, and a race horse narc. When she isn’t trolling art museums for works that move her, she enjoys writing in multiple fiction genres. While her first love is all things paranormal, the mundane world provides plenty of story ideas.

serenajayne.com

Twitter: @SJ_Writer

www.facebook.com/SerenaJayneWriter/

Instagram: @jayneserenawriter

Photo Credit: Studio 16 Digital Photography

Josh Darling is the Editor in Chief at Carnage House. His short works have been published in various literary and genre publications spanning "The Book Ends Review," "The Horror 'Zine," "Siren's Call," and numerous anthologies. Born on Long Island, he has traveled the US extensively searching for experience. Currently, he lives in Bennington, Vermont.

Kim Plasket is a Jersey girl at heart relocated to sunny Florida. She enjoys writing mainly horror and paranormal stories. She lives with her husband and 2 kids. When she is not slaving away at her day job, she can be found drinking coffee and planning the demise of some poor character. She has moved from horror to paranormal romance. It’s a switch but so far it’s been fun.

Kevin J. Kennedy is a horror author, editor, and anthologist. He is also the owner of KJK Publishing and he runs the bestselling 'The Horror Collection' series.’ He is the author of Halloween Land, and The Clown.

He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.

With a penchant for pieces that fall broadly within the gothic fantasy realm, Rainie Zenith's work has been published in numerous literary journals and short story anthologies.

An Australian writer, Rainie was the winner of the 2020 Monash Short Story Competition and the Fountain 2020-2021 Essay Contest. Her work was also shortlisted in the 2021 Wyndham Writing Awards and highly commended in the 2021 Monash Short Story Competition.

Rainie acted as a guest judge for Iron Faerie Publishing's 2021 Betwixt Writing Competition, which revolved around a mythical creatures theme. Her own stories often feature the esoteric and supernatural, and she enjoys blurring the boundaries between reality and perception.

Her current project is a gothic psychedelic novel on track for completion for 2024.

‘Audacious stories marinated in macabre, magic and mayhem.’

From the heart of Scotland, Natasha Sinclair is an independent writer, editor and artist. Working under her brand ‘Clan Witch’ for her creative endeavours and ‘Word Refinery’ for editorial works.

Her writing is often woven with horror, sex and psychological elements. She loves to frolic in the darkness with folklore and the macabre and rich history of her homeland.

Art is unrestrained freedom, as is how storytellers choose to wield the fluid movement and global diversity of language to carve captivating and authentic tales that woe, excite or terrorise an audience. Sinclair passionately embraces that, painting original characters with true form, dialect and depth. The devil is in the details.

Sinclair is the co-conspirator of ‘Brazen Folk Horror’ with her writing partner, Ruthann Jagge. The Brazen Folk Horror duo’s debut collaborative novel, Delevan House released February 1st 2023. Book II in the trilogy is underway. Keep up to date by subscribing to the #BeBrazen newsletter.

Alanna Robertson-Webb is a rising star among short story writers, and one of the anthologies she is featured in (Monsters, by Black Hare Press) has been nominated for a 2019 Bram Stoker Award. Additionally, the novella she co-wrote (Storming Area 51: Horror at the Gates) reached the #1 spot in Amazon's sci-fi books in October of 2019.

Her stories are often infused with hair-raising horror, and her paranormal tales in particular add just the right amount of darkness to keep her readers intrigued.

For Alanna the spooky side of writing is a riviting journey through the human psyche, so whether you are looking for some of her wholesome horror (Monstronomicon by Haunted House Publishing) or wish to be transported into one of her grimmer worlds (Death and Butterflies by Suicide House Publishing) then grab a book and embark on a thrilling read!

Wendy Cheairs lives in the middle of New Mexico. She avoids the melting heat by writing in a wonderfully air-conditioned house with her husband and herd of cats that believe they run the place. Wendy has been writing for several anthologies, short fiction, and breaking out into novels now. She writes under her pen name W.M. Dawson. She often is lurking on social media when pondering too many story arcs.

You can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWendyCheairs/

She occasionally shows up on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mauvekat

Amber M. Simpson is a dark speculative fiction writer from Northern Kentucky with a penchant for horror and fantasy. Her fiction has been featured in multiple themed anthologies as well as online. She has acted as Assistant Editor for Fantasia Divinity Magazine since 2017, where she's gotten to work with many talented authors from all over the world.

While she loves to create dark worlds and diverse characters, her greatest creations of all are her sons, Maxamus and Liam, who keep her feet on the ground even while her head is in the clouds.

To learn more, visit: https://ambermsimpson.com.

Eleanor Merry was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, BC and still lives there with her tiny human. The offspring of a fairy queen and an undead warlord, she was brought up with an appetite for terror and beauty.

When she isn’t writing, she is a voracious reader with eclectic tastes which tends to lean towards horror and the twisted, however is known to indulge in dirty romances on the side. Her influences include authors such as Brian Keene, Mark Tufo, Richard Laymon and Tillie Cole. In all genres, nothing is off limits and she looks forward to sharing more of her own twisted and strange thoughts with the world.

Chris Bannor is an LGBTQIA+ speculative fiction writer who lives in Southern California. Chris learned her love of genre stories from her mother at an early age and has never veered far from that path. You can find her serial novels on Kindle Vella. Chris has also been published in over 50 anthologies. Her stories range from horror and science fiction, to romance, fantasy, and steampunk.

When Chris isn’t writing, she enjoys movie marathons, binge-watching TV shows, musical theater, and road trips with her family. Otherwise, she is a general homebody who lives with her two teenagers, a cat, and two dogs. You can follow Chris on Facebook @chrisbannorauthor or at her homepage at www.ChrisBannor.com

J. Edwin Buja has spent his life surrounded by books. He discovered early on that researching and writing hold the key to happiness. Who else would think scanning through decades of microfilm to index an old newspaper would be a dream job?

For more than forty years, he has been married to the most wonderful woman on the planet. Although he lives in a small village somewhere in Canada, his heart and second home reside with his horror family in New England.

His novels include The King of the Wood (2019) and The Consort (2022). His next novel, Enough Time, will be released in 2025. He has also had more than twenty short stories published. He is currently working on the final novel of The Wood series, and another novel based on concerts he attended in Detroit in the 1970s.

He also writes Young Adult novels under the name, John Buja. His latest release is Coverdale (2024).

Army veteran. Cat owned. Total smartass. Unrepentant nerd. Music lover. Voracious reader. Scattered author. Java junkie.

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Lance Dale was born and raised in Wisconsin and began writing in 2020. His first short story was published in the Books of Horror: Community Anthology, and he has been included in several anthologies since. He is an avid fan of extreme metal music, horror movies, and books of all genres. Although he loves writing, he enjoys spending most of his time hanging out with his amazing wife and two children in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Jennifer Hatfield (1972- present) was born in Haverhill MA. Eventually ending up in Northern NH. She has spent a large part of her life being a dedicated wife. She is now a widow and a mother of two grown children. She worked in the food industry and medical field, prior to her epilepsy diagnosis. She dealt with her epilepsy diagnosis, which included three brain surgeries.

As she improved her husband became ill with liver failure, he passed away of acute liver failure.

Through all this, she found comfort in writing. She was able to express her feelings and describe her thoughts and struggles. Jennifer started writing poetry and has moved into writing micro fiction. She loves reading thriller/horror stories and her writings (so far) have gone to the dark side so to speak.

She has recently begun a cooking adventure, hoping one day to write her own cookbook as well a novel with characters she has been humanizing for years.

Andrew Kurtz is an emerging voice in the world of horror literature, known for his graphic and intense short stories. His works have garnered attention in various horror anthologies, captivating readers with their vivid descriptions and unsettling themes.

Since his childhood, Kurtz has been fascinated by the horror genre, finding inspiration in films and books that evoke fear and intrigue. This early passion laid the foundation for his writing career, which focuses on delivering chilling narratives that linger in the mind long after reading.

Kurtz draws significant inspiration from a range of acclaimed authors. Renowned names like Stephen King and Clive Barker have profoundly influenced his style and approach to storytelling. He admires King’s ability to delve into the psychological aspects of horror and Barker’s talent for blending fantasy with terror. Additionally, the works of H.G. Wells and Richard Matheson inspire Kurtz's love for speculative fiction, while Edgar Rice Burroughs and Ian Fleming shape his narrative structure and character development. These influences merge seamlessly in Kurtz’s own writing, creating a unique blend of styles.In his stories, Kurtz often explores complex characters confronting their deepest fears. He delves into the human psyche, studying how trauma, guilt, and fear can manifest in destructive ways. His characters embark on harrowing journeys where they must face both external horrors and internal demons. This exploration of duality adds depth to his narratives, engaging readers on multiple levels. By portraying characters that are both relatable and flawed, Kurtz creates a connection that enhances the reader’s experience of his unsettling tales. Kurtz’s graphic descriptions contribute to the impact of his stories. He utilizes vivid imagery to evoke strong emotions and transport readers into the terrifying worlds he creates. His attention to detail brings scenes to life, allowing audiences to feel the tension and dread that permeate his work. While his stories may be disturbing, they are never without purpose. Each graphic element serves to amplify the central themes of fear and survival, making his tales resonate with horror enthusiasts who appreciate intensity and depth. As an up-and-coming author, Andrew Kurtz is carving out his niche within the horror genre. His dedication to crafting powerful narratives and exploring the complexities of fear positions him as a compelling figure to watch. With each new story, Kurtz continues to evolve as a writer, drawing on the influences of his literary heroes while establishing his voice. As he contributes more works to horror anthologies, readers eagerly anticipate the chilling tales that will emerge from his imaginative mind.

Author of twisted horror tales as well as innovative science fiction and epic fantasy stories. Chisto is a genre author with an unstoppable imagination who writes 7 days a week and tries to write at least one story or chapter every single day. It's his biggest passion. The only thing that means as much as his writing is being a dad to his awesome kids. He also dabbles in art and music and being an interesting person. His fiance refers to his dog as his other girlfriend. His baby refers to him as urrrrghhaaaa. People that know him share the opinion that he's a little crazy and he doesn't necessarily disagree with them. It makes for good art. He loves hearing from people that enjoy his work. He loves networking and connecting with authors, artists, publishers, agents, and readers. He is living his dream and recommends that you go live yours and be your best self. It's the key to happiness.

Ruthann grew up in Upstate New York, where her favorite month of October is otherworldly.

She writes dark, twisty and fantasy fiction from her current home on a rural cattle ranch in Texas.

Many successful anthologies feature her short stories, along with a novella and co-authored novel.

2025 will bring the release of a Southern Gothic novel she's been dying to write titled "Coeur Noir-Black Heart."

Superstitions, backyard boogeymen, lore and myth, and complicated females influence her work.

She’s been a guest and moderator on literary panels and on podcasts and interviews.

She enjoys travel, knows her way around the kitchen, and hates yard work.

Member HWA and BFS

Born and raised in Fort Walton Beach, located in the Northwestern Panhandle of Florida. Mike, from an early age, was fascinated with the writings of Lewis Carroll, especially his most known work, “Alice in Wonderland.” He is an avid comic book reader and collector to whom he credits his inspirations from the late Stan Lee. With an endless imagination, he attempts to engage his readers in a world with vivid ideas. His introduction to Authoring is credited to a life-long friend that encouraged him to submit to the amazing Author Eleanor Merry and her publishing titles of “The Macabre Ladies.” His first published short stories premiered in “Dark Solstice Holiday Horror Collection: A Flash Fiction Anthology.”

He currently resides on Grand Island, located in the Buffalo, New York area, with his wife and son. Futures works are still in the making, and he hopes to keep producing content for anyone who enjoys reading Indie Horror.

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Melody lives in Ontario, Canada and writes short, speculative fiction that has been published by several small presses. She is also an avid reviewer who writes reviews and articles for The Horror Tree, Ginger Nuts of Horror, and on her blog. Melody is a member of Sisters in Crime and is the secretary for the Ontario chapter of the Horror Writers Association. She earned her Master of Arts studying Ancient Greek and Roman Studies and often infuses her work with elements of Greek mythology.

In her day job she works as a legal assistant and in her spare time, she loves reading, embroidery, and martial arts.

Gary McDonough graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Teaching and now lives with his wife and two sons in Cheshire. He loves all things horror and enjoys listening to a wide range of bands that fall within the heavy metal genre. He currently has short stories featured in a variety of publications and who knows what will come next...

A freelance writer, editor and researcher from Melbourne, Australia, who writes short stories, flash fiction and non-fiction with fiction appearing in anthologies and non-fiction in journals, magazines and occasionally on the web. Having completed a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing in 2015, Louise works as a professional editor for individual authors and publishers.

As a writer, her passions range from untold historical stories to speculative worlds. As an editor, she loves helping authors shape their stories. Louise, who likes having many things to do, can also be found on the odd committee and also runs writing retreats for authors.

For more information visit www.louisezeddasampson.com.au

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Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.