On June 6, 2020, I published a story titled #MarkedMan about a cursed guy named Rob who’s traveling through England while being stalked by supernatural monsters.

For the ebook cover, I dressed my son in a field jacket and drove him to the middle of nowhere to pose as my protagonist. My wife lent her graphic design skills, and photoshopped an inverted pentacle on his back. I got such great feedback on the story that I went on to include it as the prologue in my first novel—which led to a second one, and another spinoff novel.

I’ve got more Team Van Helsing adventures on deck, and I’m super proud of the mythology that started five years ago with this little story.

(I plan on making the novels available in places other than the ‘Zon, just like “Marked Man” is already available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others.)
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://books2read.com/u/bPp8rR

I started my indie writing career on May 10, 2015. I used Kindle Direct because it seemed to be the simplest option for a beginner. As time passed and I networked with other creative folks, I learned how much I was limiting my exposure by sticking with Amazon. And when it comes to that place—especially in recent years—I can’t morally justify being exclusive to them. That’s why I devoted time and money to learning how to use IngramSpark and Draft2Digital. My future book releases will now be available from multiple marketplaces. Onward and upward. Happy ten-year anniversary to me!

Starting today, for each day of #C2E2, three of my self-published stories will drop as ebooks on multiple online bookstores like #Kobo, #Smashwords, #BarnesandNoble, and others! From an apocalypse, to a folksy tale about a mysterious girl and her dog, to a cursed guy…you’re sure to find something you like! Only ninety-nine cents! Check my bio.
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #TweakersCraneGirlandtheSemipocalypse #AbigailandZack #MarkedMan

My #Kobo Clara has arrived! I celebrated by purchasing the ebook version of my favorite #StephenKing novel. Then I added my first self-published story from 2015—a personal take on an apocalypse, inspired by #TheStand (with monsters).

Starting this Friday, I’ll be offering my work on platforms other than Amazon for the first time. I’m still getting things ready, but 99-cent pre-orders for this story are already live on the link below for Kobo, #Smashwords, and #BarnesandNoble (among others). More stories to come!

#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #TweakersCraneGirlandtheSemipocalypse

https://books2read.com/u/mBdJqy

On March 20, 2022, I released my novel We Are Van Helsing - Book Two, which wrapped up the duology I began in the first book. It told the tale of Ilse Van Helsing, a woman whose family legacy has been targeted by a powerful, dangerous mastermind.

At the time, I didn’t know those books would form the core of a mythology that continues to this day—spinning off a solo novel featuring my Romani vampire Anca, with more stories in the works.

What I do know is those books have filled me with an incredible sense of accomplishment. The advice is true: if you write a little each day—say, during a pandemic, before a full-time job—you’ll eventually finish a novel. Mine ended up being 194,000 words and needed to be split into two books. I learned a lot about my craft. I felt excitement when the characters wrested control from me and took the story in unexpected, amazing directions. And when I finally held both paperbacks in my hands, I experienced the pride that comes with being an indie horror author.

Here’s to the three-year anniversary of WAVH: Book Two!
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRZ8DFG8

Other than a lot of writing and less social media, here’s the game plan going forward…

The Glen Ellyn Public Library will host their Emerging Author Expo next Saturday, January 25, 2025. The doors swing wide at 1:00 PM, with open mic readings from 1:30-3:30. The event ends at 4:00. Come grab a beverage at The Cafe and say hi to your local authors. I’ll be there selling and signing my books. Don’t feel obligated to share if I ask for a sip of your cold brew. I won’t blame you—and I’ll still answer any questions about indie publishing and offer my take on vampires and the Van Helsing legend.

I’ll be joining scores of horror authors in St. Louis next weekend, October 4-6, to help raise money for a wonderful cause: Scares That Care presents AuthorCon IV. Please visit the link for details.
#ScaresThatCare #AuthorCon #StLouis #bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://scaresthatcare.org/author-con-iv

Contemporary North American #horror writers paying tribute to Eurohorror in all its lurid, nightmarish glory? Yes, pls!

EUROSCHLOCK NIGHTMARES Anthology

With stories by:

Orrin Grey
Sammy Totep
Matthew M. Bartlett
Tiffany Morris
Patrick Lacey
Gwendolyn Kiste
Sean Malia Thompson
& more

+ cover by Trevor Henderson

https://www.muzzlelandpress.com/product-page/euroschlock-nightmares-lurid-tales-of-cinematic-gothic-horror

#indie #IndieHorror #Horror #book #books #Anthology #SupportIndieHorror #grindhouse #cinema #Giallo @horror @bookstodon

#Bookmail

-Reissue of POLYPHEMUS by Michael Shea: a short story collection that includes the story that GDT's Cabinet of Curiosities adapted- and one of my favorites in the series- "The Autopsy." From the always stellar #Valancourt Books.

AND

-JACKAL, JACKAL by Tobi Ogundiran

-NO ONE WILL COME BACK FOR US by Premee Mohammed
Both from the consistently compelling weird fiction publisher @Undertow:

#horror #books #HorrorBooks @horror #supportIndieHorror #supportSmallPresses @bookstodon

Massive #Bookmail

-Special Edition* of NETTLE & BONE by T Kingfisher aka @ursulav (Subterranean Press)

-MY DEATH* by the amazing, underappreciated Lisa Tuttle (PS Publishing)

-The new CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HORRORS antho, edited by Ellen Datlow

-OUR BLACK HEARTS BEAT AS ONE* by Brian Asman (Mutated Media)

-FUCKED UP STORIES TO READ IN THE DAYTIME (Filthy Loot)

-Classic antho THE UNSPEAKABLE PEOPLE

*signed

#horror #books #HorrorBooks #supportIndieHorror #supportSmallPresses @bookstodon

#Bookhaul from thrift shop & #Bookmail

No #horror #books at the #thriftstore, but I did get these three AND a spiderweb shirt & Spiderman™ hoodie

They had a huge set of Stephen King hardbacks that filled me with sadness: lots of old ones (The Stand, Night Shift, The Shining!) but they had obviously been stored incorrectly or involved in a fire/flood. Terrible condition.

And I finally got my order for NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT. Ordered it wks ago.

#SupportIndieHorror @bookstodon

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

COLD, BLACK, & INFINITE is the new collection by Todd Keisling & it's a fitting title. Dark forces permeate here, shaping fates w/ little concern for humanity. These tales contain cosmic chaos, but the REAL horrors reside within people's choices, realizations, & retributions. (Cemetery Dance)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

No matter what flavor of #Halloween you prefer, OCTOBER SCREAMS has a story to delight. These tales are fearsome, frightful, funny, &/or foreboding. Kenneth W. Cain has done a masterful job compiling them: it's the PERFECT read to get you prepared & excited for Spooky Season! (Kangas Khan)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

PROMISE is another SUPERB batch of strange, eerie, unearthly stories from Christi Nogle. Weird futures, fantastical technologies, & unusual histories populate these worlds where Reality shimmers like a mirage of a dream: it may seem similar to ours, but it's never quite the same. (Flame Tree)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

THE UNGODLY DUOLOGY is a feast of cosmic horror & an absolute banger. @MsPippinacious has crafted a fantastic 2-part story filled w/ suspense, action, & lots of heart- brimming w/ truly terrifying, unique monsters- that also has a richly satisfying conclusion. All the stars. (Cemetery Gates)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

THE BLACK LORD is new weird horror at its finest. Colin Hinckley has crafted a wonderfully imaginative, suspenseful tale of family tragedy & secrets that is both instantly gripping and spooky as hell. This story is unique, memorable cosmic/folk horror that delivers. It's GREAT. (Tenebrous)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

A varied, engrossing anthology of Dream Horror, NEVER WAKE assembles nightmarish visions & fantasical works of imagination to haunt your waking hours. These liminal tales effectively capture the weird, unreal, surreal, horrific (& sometimes dangerous-seeming) nature of slumber. (Crystal Lake)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

HAVE YOU DECIDED ON YOUR QUESTION tells a darkly gripping, relatable tale of a girl poisoned by potential possibilities. This twisted take on technology is made more frightening because of how plausible (and perhaps, inevitable) the future it describes seems to be.
(Shortwave Publishing)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks

My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror #books far & wide.

This is a rather uneven, somewhat bleak collection but I enjoyed the hell out of the first 2 of these 5 stories (& only one tale was "eh," imo.) Malerman is super prolific & there's plenty here to entertain, but I didn't enjoy SPIN A BLACK YARN as much as some other books of his. (Del Rey)

#book #review #bookstodon @horror #supportindiehorror @bookstodon  #mothersuspiriareview @horrorbooks