Crystal Lake Entertainment

29/07/2024

Here are the results for this month's flash contest on the Crystal Lake Patreon page (we had a Paradise theme):
1st: “Last Day of Paradise” by A.K. Daver
2nd: “Solo” by Joseph Murnane
3rd: “Sea Snot” by Amanda M. Blake

Thanks to everyone who voted, and to all the authors who entered. The next theme will be posted in a few days. ;-)

29/07/2024

Punctuation saves lives!

29/07/2024

Thanks to THIS IS HORROR for spreading the word about my blog for authors:

Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet for the best horror articles of the week so you don’t have to. Without further ado: Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shadows and Ink blog h…

28/07/2024

My new favourite word...peopley 🤪

26/07/2024

A terrific interview with Rick Hipson talking about his new book.

Interviewer and book reviewer Rick Hipson sits down to spill some secrets and talk about his book, A Reviewer's Guide to Writing Book Reviews.(And please exc...

26/07/2024

Out now!

Dive into the world of book reviewing with this essential guide, perfect for anyone passionate about sharing their literary discoveries.

Whether your aim is to monetize your reviews, contribute to prestigious publications, or simply enhance your support for beloved authors, this guidebook, infused with Hipson's expert knowledge, is an invaluable resource. This guidebook is packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable tips designed to elevate your review writing skills to a professional level.

Get ready to master the art of impactful book reviewing!

Grab your copy today: https://getbook.at/ReviewersGuide

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths (join the Crystal Lake journey for bonus content, special offers, in-depth articles from our authors, giveaways, and quite a few free eBooks: http://eepurl.com/xfuKP)

IP company weaving narratives across Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and the intricate spaces in-between.

26/07/2024

Meet Mathew Mercier, author of Poe and I; his debut novel is inspired by his time as the live-in caretaker of Poe Cottage. We deep dive into how it felt living in the space where Poe lived and how Poe brings people together. https://www.matthewmercier.com/ https://www.crystallakepub.com/product/poe-...

26/07/2024

Happy book launch day to Rick Hipson!

Both the eBook and paperback editions are already number 1 Hot New Releases on Amazon. ;-)

25/07/2024

Is it weird to be laughing at this 🤪🤣. Because I can't stop laughing 😆 😝

25/07/2024

Check out this review from our friends at HorrorAddicts.net! See what they have to say about Kelli Owens' THE HEADLESS BOY.
https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/2024/06/30/book-review-the-headless-boy-by-kelli-owen/

Triggers: Animal harm, losing a child, alcoholism. I have to warn you, if you’ve ever been a mother, have had a miscarriage, lost a child, or witnessed someone go through this sort of situati…

24/07/2024

The paperback's out early (actually launches on Friday), and it's already number 1! Same with the eBook in the Horror & Supernatural Literary Criticism category.

23/07/2024

Coming this Friday from Crystal Lake:
A Reviewer’s Guide to Writing Book Reviews: And How to Get Paid for Them by Rick Hipson: https://getbook.at/ReviewersGuide

Dive into the world of book reviewing with this essential guide, perfect for anyone passionate about sharing their literary discoveries.

Whether your aim is to monetize your reviews, contribute to prestigious publications, or simply enhance your support for beloved authors, this guidebook, infused with Hipson's expert knowledge, is an invaluable resource. This guidebook is packed with practical advice, real-world examples, and actionable tips designed to elevate your review writing skills to a professional level.

Get ready to master the art of impactful book reviewing!

Pre-order today: https://getbook.at/ReviewersGuide

23/07/2024

“Taut, disturbing, and undeniably heartwrenching, Mean Spirited is a breakneck horror-thriller that pits compassion against survival. The plot is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying, and exposes the depth of soul Roberts pours into his work.”—Felix Blackwell, author of Stolen Tongues

“From the opening chapter, Roberts teases, terrifies and tortures the reader like a small mammal in the hands of a teenage psychopath. Mean Spirited is truly a dog from hell, and that, in this case, is meant as high praise.”—Jonathan Craven (filmmaker), The Hills Have Eyes 2, The
Last House on the Left

“Nick Roberts has the uncanny ability to turn simple, ordinary moments into terrifying scenes
worthy of a Conjuring movie.”—Axelle Carolyn (filmmaker), Haunting of Bly Manor, American Horror Story

“There's fun-scared, there's maybe-I-leave-the-lights-on scared, and then there's . . . whatever
Mean Spirited does to you, which I guess I would call "don't be alone"-scared. Nick Roberts
really gets his claws into your head, with this one. Enter at your own risk. Wish I'd seen that sign, before reading this one. Wish I were sleeping, I mean.”—Stephen Graham Jones, New
York Times best-selling author of My Heart is a Chainsaw and The Only Good Indians

This horror novel pays homage to Stephen King’s Cujo, and films like It Follows and The Strangers. It is a haunting and suspenseful exploration of the unseen and the supernatural, set against the seemingly tranquil backdrop of rural West Virginia. Nick Roberts masterfully builds
tension and atmosphere, creating a sense of impending doom with meticulous detailing and vivid imagery. The psychological exploration elevates the narrative, making Mean Spirited a
compelling read for those who seek a blend of horror, mystery, and emotional depth.

Whether you are a seasoned fan of the genre or a curious newcomer, Mean Spirited promises a
gripping and thought-provoking journey into the realms of the supernatural.

23/07/2024

Cover reveal for Dark Tide 17: CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Bring out the vampires! Yip, this one is pretty hardcore, so be warned. Cover art by Ben Baldwin. Out August 9th.

“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark: Viking vampires, and their latest vicious recruits, swarm through tunnels beneath the present-day town of Leppington. The Norse gods have created a Vampyrrhic army to wreak vengeance on people that turned their backs on Odin. Just two fragile humans stand in their way—a down-at-heel drifter who is struggling to recover from a severe head injury, and a dreamer with a drink problem. Together, they must become extraordinary. Together, they must defeat something that is much, much worse than vampires.

‘Return of the Blood-Feeders’ is set in the world of Simon’s Vampyrrhic series of novels.

“Perspective” by Kevin J. Kennedy (Kevin Kennedy): "This is a story of my re-awakening, and vampires." A couple's lives are thrown into turmoil when a body is dumped at their door. The vampires are catapulted into a blood-drenched journey to the gates of hell. Fortunately, they have some werewolf friends who want to come along for the ride.

“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo: On May 16, 2020, disaster struck the small Canadian mining town of Beckley, Nova Scotia. An explosion deep in Shaft 3 unleashed a massive torrent of water from an underground stream, quickly flooding the lower levels and dooming the workers below. Sixty-five people lost their lives that night, the tragedy one of the worst mining disasters in the province’s history. The Red Spruce Gypsum Mine would never reopen.

The town tried to turn the heartbreak into something positive, converting the flooded quarry into a natural swimming hole for people to cool off in during the hot summer months. But something has awakened from within the abandoned mine shafts and staked its territory in the deepest part of the lake. Something ancient. Something savage. Something hungry…

22/07/2024

Cheers to that 🍻

22/07/2024

This week's featured BESTIARY OF BLOOD author is Edward Martin III! Bestiary of Blood will be out in October from Crystal Lake. Edited by Jamal Hodge.

From the author: "I don't want to spoil anything, so I hope to be enticingly vague. One of the animals I chose is an animal I have always admired, one of the few animals who deliberately and specifically makes the greatest sacrifice possible. The other animal I chose is an animal that I think reveals humanity's split f**ked-uppedness more than any other, an animal we both worship and revile, to our credit and shame."

Author bio: Beneath the sullen boughs of brooding northwest forests, below the ocean’s frigid thermocline, high above the desert floor, and racing between rivers of molten lava, Edward Martin III tries his very best to write what he knows.

He is the author of The Blood-Red Night of Hatchet Valley; The Violet Furnace; Terror Stories from the Territories; Blood, Tooth, & Claw; Tales from the Blinkspace; Fully Functional; and more. In addition to writing books, he’s written and directed films such as The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, Flesh of my Flesh, and The Dead.

21/07/2024

So who is reading POE & I?

Number 11 on the Ghost Thrillers chart. ;-)

21/07/2024

Elias, tormented by visions of his sister's suffering and jealous of the adulation her puppetry skills command, is drawn into the shadowy world of occult puppetry. Under the tutelage of the enigmatic Uncle Pavan, Elias seeks to master this arcane craft, but the price of knowledge is steep, and the path to vengeance is fraught with unspeakable horrors.

Set against the rich backdrop of France, Harris's novella is a masterclass in suspense and dark
fantasy. Critics hail it as a "masterful work" that brings to life a world where the art of puppetry
descends into magical damnation. With captivating and expert prose, this story pulls readers through a fever dream of loyalty, artistic passion, and the ultimate cost of revenge.

Comparisons have been drawn to Patrick Suskind’s Perfume for its vivid sensory detail and the portrayal of an obsessive protagonist. Master of Rods and Strings stands out for it "boundlessly unique and charmingly strange" narrative, ensnaring readers in its crackling compulsion.

Joining the ranks of modern masters of weird fiction, Harris delivers a morbidly fascinating
journey that begins as a quiet horror novella and crescendos into an apocalyptic climax. The
novella is a chilling exploration of the transformation from innocence to a capacity for great evil, all in the name of retribution.

At its core, Master of Rods and Strings is a classic revenge story, a testament to the mastery of a craft, and a cautionary tale of ambition's potential to corrupt the noblest of intentions. In just ninety-two pages, Harris crafts a world teeming with depth, where every scene is laden with both the tangible and the spectral.

For those who find a thrill in the menace of the inhuman, from antique dolls to emotionless
automatons, this dark fiction novella is a chilling new entry into the canon. Master of Rods and
Strings is a novella to be devoured in one sitting, but its haunting essence will linger long after
the final page is turned. Discover the dark allure of occult puppetry and the lengths one will go to
for revenge in this unforgettable narrative.

21/07/2024

https://citywideblackout.blogspot.com/2024/06/jamal-hodges-poetry-collection-journeys.html

By Max Bowen Jamal Hodge’s new book, “The Dark Between the Twilight,” (Crystal Lake Entertainment) encompasses “a heart’s journey from dark...

21/07/2024

What a wonderful review for the brand new POE & I novel by Matthew Mercier: "What a wonderful read! Beautiful, haunting and atmospheric, and an absolute trove of Easter Eggs for all Poe fans, too! I absolutely loved this, and highly recommend it! xXx" - Fiona Clements-Russell

20/07/2024

Cover reveal for DRAAKENSKY by Paula Cappa!

Oh, you are going to LOVE this novel. Artwork by Joanna Halerz. Out 27 September from Crystal Lake.

A murder. A wind sorcerer. A dark spirit. On Draakensky, magick dictates destiny.

20/07/2024

How much more of this can we take until spooky season...😕

20/07/2024

In this episode we are talking about the classic horror trope, The Final Girl, with author and horror fan Elaine Pascale. Come join us as we go in depth on final girl origins and what makes that trope tick. Elaine's Website: https://elainepascale.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doclaney/ An...

19/07/2024

It's day: https://getbook.at/Poe

Welcome to Poe Cottage… Would you like a tour?

Jonah Peabody takes a job as caretaker and docent for the last home of Edgar Allan Poe in The Bronx, but from the moment he moves into Poe’s Basement—where the caretaker must live—he finds himself also living inside a Poe story, stalked by a man who seems to be his doppelganger and who seeks revenge for past misdeeds.

Jonah claims to be hunting for his lost sister, but as the narrative shifts between past and present, it’s clear that he’s not telling us the entire story. What is he hiding and why?

Haunted by the violent ghosts of his own family and Poe himself, Jonah must reconcile with his dark past before the dual shadow of guilt and grief buries him alive. Living in Poe’s Basement might just be his last chance at redemption.

The author himself lived in Poe Cottage many and many a year ago, and Poe & I is loosely based on that experience. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to some praise from Mr. Mercier’s own literary double, Matthew Pearl, author of ‘The Poe Shadow:’
“Years ago, Matthew was the caretaker at the Poe Cottage in the Bronx and gave me a memorable tour, patiently answering my rambling questions. Now, in Poe and I, Matthew writes the novel that only he can, bringing us into the world of a fictional Poe Cottage caretaker who takes a stunning, jolting, absurd journey of self-discovery while immersing us in Poe lore. A unique and captivating tale worthy of the legacy of Poe.”

This is a story that’s wild, funny, irreverent, terrifying, and soaked in melancholy, a tale of family darkness, sickness, revenge, and weird museums of unholy treasures.

If you want to find out what happens when you live in Poe’s Basement, pick up a copy of Poe & I.

Explore the Dark Depths: https://getbook.at/Poe

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths (join the Crystal Lake journey for bonus content, special offers, in-depth articles from our authors, giveaways, and quite a few free eBooks: http://eepurl.com/xfuKP)

19/07/2024

I'd rather be at home reading a horror novel 🫣

19/07/2024

Great interview with Mathew Mercier.

An interview with author Matthew Mercier as we chat about his new novel, Poe and I.Welcome to Poe Cottage. Would you like a tour?Jonah Peabody takes a job as...

19/07/2024

Cool new review for today's brand new POE & I novel:

"I don’t think there’s any way to accurately reflect the whirls and eddies (heheh) of this book, but if you love modern gothic mysteries told with charm and care, definitely give this one a look."

Read the rest here:

Welcome to Poe Cottage… Would you like a tour? Jonah Peabody takes a job as caretaker and docent for the last home of Edgar Allan Poe in The Bronx, but from the moment he moves into Poe’s Basement—where the caretaker must live—he finds himself also living inside a Poe story, stalked by a man...

19/07/2024

Meet The Unsaintly Queen: Lisa Vasquez. In this episode, we deep dive into her books, poetry (we did a live reading of "I Am"), her publishing background, and her newest venture: Memento Mori Ink Magazine. https://www.unsaintly.com/ https://www.memento-mori.ink/

19/07/2024

Happy book launch day to Matthew Mercier!

19/07/2024

Out July 19th, POE & I by Matthew Mercier

Jonah Peabody takes a job as caretaker and docent for the last home of Edgar Allan Poe in The Bronx, but from the moment he moves into Poe’s Basement—where the caretaker must live—he finds himself also living inside a Poe story, stalked by a man who seems to be his doppelganger and who seeks revenge for past misdeeds.

Jonah claims to be hunting for his lost sister, but as the narrative shifts between past and present, it’s clear that he’s not telling us the entire story. What is he hiding and why?

Haunted by the violent ghosts of his own family and Poe himself, Jonah must reconcile with his dark past before the dual shadow of guilt and grief buries him alive. Living in Poe’s Basement might just be his last chance at redemption.

The author himself lived in Poe Cottage many and many a year ago, and Poe & I is loosely based on that experience. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to some praise from Mr. Mercier’s own literary double, Matthew Pearl, author of ‘The Poe Shadow:’
“Years ago, Matthew was the caretaker at the Poe Cottage in the Bronx and gave me a memorable tour, patiently answering my rambling questions. Now, in Poe and I, Matthew writes the novel that only he can, bringing us into the world of a fictional Poe Cottage caretaker who takes a stunning, jolting, absurd journey of self-discovery while immersing us in Poe lore. A unique and captivating tale worthy of the legacy of Poe.”

This is a story that’s wild, funny, irreverent, terrifying, and soaked in melancholy, a tale of family darkness, sickness, revenge, and weird museums of unholy treasures.

If you want to find out what happens when you live in Poe’s Basement, pick up a copy of Poe & I.

Pre-order Today on Kindle: https://getbook.at/Poe