Author: Jennifer Barnes

Today we welcome Professor David Sandner as a contributing member of the consortium! We've signed his novella and a bonus piece of short fiction to be published together in one volume of the journal. We invite you to share virtual cake to celebrate with us in our virtual break room. ABOUT THE NOVELLA His Unburned Heart, tells the story of Mary Shelley's quest to retrieve her husband's heart from his publisher. History tells us that Percy Shelley was cremated, though his heart failed to burn, but the rest of the details are lost to time. Sandner has channeled Mary Shelley herself to share the story with us. The second piece in the book is The Journal of Sorrow, named after Mary Shelley's personal journal, and imagines Percy Shelley's demise. "Sandner's…

We're excited to announce we've signed a deal with Elizabeth Broadbent to add her story Blood Cypress to our novella line. Managing editor Jennifer Barnes explains, "I'm excited about this addition because I feel there's still much to explore in the realm of generational horror and the horrors of daily life. Blood Cypress peers into some dark corners that have been long overlooked and deserve closer examination." Acquiring editor R.J. Joseph adds, "Broadbent uses the confessional trope to plunder emotional depths in this Southern Gothic story of family and loyalty. Quite an admirable feat, considering so many details are packed into the short, novella form. I enjoyed the overwhelming discomfort this story brought." ABOUT BLOOD CYPRESS No one cares when Lila Carson’s ten-year-old brother Beau disappears. He can’t speak. He…

Beyond the Bounds of Infinity is an anthology of cosmic horror that will feature authors from historically underrepresented groups. WHY KICKSTARTER?  This is the first book we’ve attempted to Kickstart and you may be wondering why we chose to go this route. To be brutally honest anthologies are a tough sell, everyone wants to be in them but not nearly as many want to buy them. In the 20 year history of RDSP we’ve taken on eight anthologies and most have had very special circumstances. For instance, we raised over $3000 to fight lung cancer with the Like Sunshine After Rain anthology put together by Heidi Ruby Miller and Black Cranes was a groundbreaking anthology we just couldn’t let go out of print. Sick: An Anthology of Illness was our first big seller and is still in the top…

About the Book Welcome to the garden. Here we poison our fruits, pierce ourselves with thorns, and rip off our skin under the light of the full moon. Mad and unhinged, we fall through rabbit holes, walk willingly into fairy rings, and as our hair falls out near the creek out back, we dance in the song of witchcraft, two snakes around our ankles, the juice of berries on our tongues. This is a collection that heals as much as it scars, and it’s an honest look at how trauma can seep into the soil of our bodies and grow demons in its wake. Wytovich truly unmasks and bears her fangs, her poems imagined horrors, fictional fears, and all the unspoken murmurs of a mind lost between reality and dream.…

Our fourth novella deal is with Sarah Hans for her story Asylum. Editor R.J. Joseph says, “Hans created a lead character in Ashleigh who leapt off the page in the first few lines. Her authorial voice cannot be denied and it was the authenticity and palpable longing this voice perpetuated that had me in its grip from beginning to end.” About Asylum All Ashleigh wanted was some semblance of a home where she and her found, misfit family could be together and rid themselves of the drug addiction that kept their fairy tale life from becoming reality. She thought the abandoned asylum at the top of the mountain would be the perfect castle where they could start their road to recovery. Ashleigh could not have known the structure harbored a…

Tim Waggoner is back with more writing tips for dark fiction Our non-fiction imprint, Guide Dog Books, has signed a new book from Tim Waggoner in the award-winning Writing in the Dark series! This series has a lot of momentum right now since the second book, Writing in the Dark: The Workbook, just won a Bram Stoker award. In fact, all three books in the series so far have been nominated for the award and two have received it. "Each time we think we've covered everything Tim comes up with another unique approach to writing instruction," says RDSP managing editor Jennifer Barnes. "With the Horror market so hot right now more and more writers are wondering whether they should try writing horror and Tim offers practical ideas and techniques for…

Our third novella deal is a very exciting one. We are so pleased to announce that we've signed Eden Royce's novella Hollow Tongue! This is one creepy story that we think readers are going to love. Novella line editor R.J. Joseph says, “The thing that initially struck me about Royce’s story was how effortlessly her voice sang through her masterful use of language and atmospheric Southern Gothic storytelling to lull me into thinking the story couldn’t possibly be scary. Make no mistake, this is part of her magic, because Hollow Tongue is absolutely horrifying.” About Hollow Tongue After a major accident leaves her in a dire financial situation, Maxine Forrest returns to live in her childhood home. The empty husk holds only the memories of her father's abuse and her mother's reticence…

We’re excited to announce another novella signed from our open call. L. Marie Wood’s experimental 12 Hours had us spellbound from the start. Editor R.J. Joseph says, "The opportunity to work with L. Marie, a horror genre leader, is an editorial dream. With all I know about writing, I'm still sure to learn something new through the ways she constantly reinvents her writing, and the genre itself." While L. Marie is known for writing gripping psychological horror, you'll find she's taken a unique approach to this crime-ridden tale. About 12 Hours If you had twelve hours after death, what would you spend them doing? For one murdered cabbie, the choice is made with the dawning realization that he and his murderer may have more in common than he thought.  About the Novella…

We're excited to be able to announce the novellas we've signed from our open call in March. Sonora Taylor really spooked us with her story Errant Roots. Because it has themes that explore family dynamics, heritage and birth rights this story fit right in to our novella line. The quick pace delivers an immersive reading experience in a short time, lots of story bang for your buck. "I love that this is such a cinematic read," says RDSP Managing Editor Jennifer Barnes. "With this line we're hoping to give people the feel of reading a novel without taking up a lot of their time." About Errant Roots Deirdre’s family tree was never something she thought much about. For 24 years it’s just been her and her mother. But when she…

Lynne Hansen Brings the Gothic Vibes To launch our new novella line we knew we'd need not just a cover but a template flexible to fit other books in the line, so we went to Lynne Hansen to develop the cover. “The design was inspired by those ornate scientific journals of the 1800’s, (think Scientific American.) I combined it with the vibe of my personal first copy of Dracula, a linen-bound books with a metallic embossed frame that highlighted some gorgeous full-color art. I wanted to recreate that feel for this series, with a little added vintage wear and tear," explains Hansen. "Kate Maruyama’s stories had such a great sense of place about them, that I wanted to create art that led you toward one of her ‘bleak houses’ and invited you to…

A New Poetry collection from Stephanie M. Wytovich Coming this Fall Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) is excited to announce a book deal with award-winning poet Stephanie Wytovich for her next collection, On the Subject of Blackberries. It will come out in September in hardcover only. The style in this collection is a departure from Wytovich’s previous work in that it’s found poetry and poems inspired by another artist— in this case, Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always lived in the Castle. “On the Subject of Blackberries was a project born from my diagnosis of post-partum depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder in early 2022 after the birth of my daughter,” Wytovich said. “The collection is a quiet little monstrosity about the unspoken horrors of motherhood, loneliness, and the feeling of being haunted, but…

Raw Dog Screaming Press Launches Audio Line Raw Dog Screaming Press is now working with Findaway Voices to produce and distribute audiobook editions of many of their books. The first title, Hounds of the Underworld by Dan Rabarts & Lee Murray, has just been released. The book has dueling siblings so required two narrators. Dan Rabarts reads the part of Matiu which he wrote, while Susan Holt voices Penny (written by Lee Murray). "The nature of the book, alternating chapters from a brother and sister perspective, made it ideal for audio," says Managing Editor Jennifer Barnes. "Dan and Susan really brought the characters, and their sibling rivalry to life with their performances." Hounds of the Underworld has wide distribution. Here are just a few of the places you can buy…

About the Book A careful study on estrangement and loss, The Price of a Small Hot Fire excavates the archetypal horrors of monstrous motherhood, from abandonment and unsteady reconciliation to the grave. Experimental and intimate, E.F. Schraeder’s collection gives voice to a semi-autobiographical examination of a griefscape from a queer lens. This collection of poems is an emotional journey that will find readers clutching their hearts at both the subtle moments and those that cut like a knife. The raw feelings seep onto the pages, encompassing the vulnerability of open wounds, while at the same time cutting through a stone-like exterior to see the blood still inside. It’s not only a reading of poetry but an internal vibrating contemplation of the maternal relationship and how it molds us. PREORDER NOW to get…

About the Book A mysterious discovery in space, the ruthless destruction of a cargo ship, and a desperate plea for help from a friend lead Mykol Ranglen, the hero of The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes and In a Suspect Universe, on a dangerous interstellar quest that, if it fails, could lead to war between planets. Joining forces with a fierce young woman who survived the cargo-ship disaster and who’s bent on revenge, the two follow a trail of piracy, political conspiracy, and the perilous remains of an alien civilization to terrors and evils both human and planetary, escalating into confrontations that neither of them could ever have foreseen. PREORDER NOWHaunted Stars is coming out April 20thpreorders will receive a signed bookplate and custom sticker About the Artist The cover was created by…

RDSP Signs E.F. Schraeder’s Debut Poetry Collection Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) is thrilled to announce the signing of a book deal with author E.F. Schraeder for her debut full-length poetry collection, The Price of a Small Hot Fire, to publish this summer. A careful study on estrangement and loss, The Price of a Small Hot Fire excavates the archetypal horrors of monstrous motherhood, from abandonment and unsteady reconciliation to the grave. Experimental and intimate, E.F. Schraeder's collection gives voice to a semi-autobiographical examination of a griefscape from a queer lens. “The Price of a Small Hot Fire cuts close to the bone for me, having grown out of a personal journey dealing with the death of an estranged parent,” Schraeder said. “The emotional fallout of our short reconnection led to some…

Eugen Bacon Talks Craft, Chasing Whispers, and Makes Strides in Literary World Eugen Bacon is setting the literary world on fire globally with her distinct fiction. Her writing is trailblazing and important as we listen and learn from diverse voices and share their talents. Bacon’s work is seeped in the speculative but defies one genre as it lulls seemlessly between fantasy, science fiction, horror, literary, and the surreal. In fact, her work has been coined with a term of  afro-irrealist for which she is a pioneer. In a nutshell, Bacon is a trendsetter for the modern age and readers are identifying with her and praising her innovative work and ingenuity. At Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP), our indie press is pleased to be able to be a part of sharing…

Vial Thoughts for 2023 and Beyond Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) will be releasing the debut novel Vial Thoughts by Van Essler in May of this year. If you like gothic horror meshed with dark fantasy and dystopian themes, which also offers other cross genre bending twists like science fiction in the vein of Mary Shelley, then keep your eyes peeled for its release (or pre-order is open now!), but in the meantime, join us in reading the interview below to learn more about her processes in creating her book. Vial Thoughts by Van Essler was described by USA Today best-selling author Virginia Nelson as having “a truly outstanding heroine on a journey to self-discovery through generational trauma” and as a “masterpiece.” Professional Reviewer Paul Allan Goat said it’s “a…

If you like gothic horror meshed with dark fantasy or dystopian themes, filled with other cross genre bending twists like science fiction in the vein of Mary Shelley, then make room on your bookshelf as Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) will be bringing a debut novel your way this Spring that you’ll need: Vial Thoughts by Van Essler. Today, we have the reveal of the gorgeous cover by award-winning author Daniele Serra that just beckons readers on so many levels with its layers of haunting appeal. Daniele has created art for the covers on many award-winning books for RDSP and we are very thrilled he’s painted an eye-catching piece that helps complete the package of this book. Vial Thoughts has been described as “an utterly readable mélange of steampunk and…

Audiobook Edition of Path of Ra Book 1 RDSP is excited to announce the preorder of our first audiobook, Hounds of the Underworld, by Dan Rabarts & Lee Murray. The book is a collaboration between Lee Murray, who pens the chapters from Penny's point of view, and Dan Rabarts who writes Matiu. To maintain this synergy we recorded two readers, Dan performed his chapters while Penny is voiced by actress Susan Holt. We wanted to highlight the New Zealand locale so made sure both readers showcase a Kiwi accent. Release Date May 3, 2023 The book is currently available for preorder from several venues, with more on the way, including Audible: BingeBooks: https://bingebooks.com/book/hounds-of-the-underworld Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798368975283 Storytel: https://www.storytel.com/se/sv/books/3741581 Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/hounds-of-the-underworld-by-lee-murray-and-dan-rabarts Book Description On the verge of losing her laboratory, her savings, and all respect for…

Raw Dog Screaming Press Announces New Novella Line and Editor At Raw Dog Screaming Press, we have worked to connect transcendent literature and non-fiction with audiences who crave and connect with those voices. It is in continuing with this spirit of pioneering individuality that we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new novella line. “We believe novellas can be as compelling and satisfying as novels and want to create books for readers who want to be immersed in a book but don’t have a lot of time,” said Jennifer Barnes, managing editor and co-owner of RDSP. “RJ Joseph has agreed to be the editor for our novella line and brings an array of talent, expertise, and experience to the job. We know she will not only help us…

Bleak Houses: Safer & Family Solstice Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) is thrilled to announce a book deal with award-winning author Kate Maruyama for Bleak Houses: Safer & Family Solstice—a pair of horror novellas presented in one volume for readers and to be published in 2023. It will launch RDSP’s novella line, led by editor RJ Joseph. “I have always wanted to work with Raw Dog Screaming Press, so when Jennifer and John told me they'd publish these two novellas together, I was absolutely over the moon,” Maruyama said. “Bleak Houses: Safer & Family Solstice are each very different kinds of hauntings; one household is haunted by its dark past, the other is trapped in a terrible growing secret and together they underline the perils of privilege and inheritance.” Safer is the…

A Place Between Waking and Forgetting Raw Dog Screaming Press (RDSP) is pleased to announce another exciting book deal with the award-winning and acclaimed author Eugen Bacon for her dark speculative fiction and Afro-Irreal short story collection, A Place Between Waking and Forgetting, for release in 2024. A Place Between Waking and Forgetting collects transformative stories of culture, diversity, climate change, unlimited futures, collisions of worlds, and mythology. It showcases black people’s stories in bold and evocative text with, at times, deeply flawed, but potentially redeemable protagonists in rich hues of blackness and light. Something beautiful and something dark in lyrical language packed with affection, dread, anguish, and hope. As with her other collected works, there are many themes to explore within her multi-genre and multi-themed body of stories. This…

Mykol Ranglen is Planet Hopping Again Our sci-fi imprint, Dog Star Books, is excited to announce a forthcoming addition to the Ranglen series. We've signed Albert Wendland's next novel, Haunted Stars, for release in Spring 2023. Here's a brief description of the book: A mysterious discovery in space, the ruthless destruction of a cargo ship, and a desperate plea for help from a friend lead Mykol Ranglen, the hero of The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes and In a Suspect Universe, on a dangerous interstellar quest that, if it fails, could lead to war between planets. Joining forces with a fierce young woman who survived the cargo-ship disaster and who's bent on revenge, the two follow a trail of piracy, political conspiracy, and the perilous remains of an alien civilization to terrors and…

A Publication Story with a Twist We're excited to announce that we've signed a deal with Tim McGregor to release his novel Wasps in the Ice Cream. The book is a fantastic, bittersweet coming of age story but the publishing story behind the book is equally compelling. Earlier this year McGregor's novel was days away from being published, had received excellent advance buzz and a starred review in Booklist, when the publishing company unexpectedly closed leaving the book without a home. While it was certainly an unfortunate turn of events it gave us a chance to consider this special book and, ultimately, give it a new home. In the meantime it has just been announced as one of the books on Booklist's Top 10 SF/Fantasy & Horror: 2022. Technically the…

Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women, a Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-winning anthology in which Southeast Asian authors explore what it’s like to feel otherness, took the literary horror communities and readers by storm in 2020 when it was first released. Now, Raw Dog Screaming Press is proud to have signed Black Cranes for re-release in hardcover and paperback. The hardcover edition will have new cover art by Greg Chapman, synching artistically to other books within the Black Cranes universe. This edition will also include an afterword by Nancy Holder, six-time Bram Stoker Award winner and New York Times best-selling author. Pre-order availability will be announced soon. Publication will be in Spring 2023. For now, take a look at the beautiful cover art! Edited by award-winning author and editor…