I read 123 books in 2025 and these are my top ten! Featuring @drewgum.bsky.social, @ruthmadievsky.bsky.social, @minjinlee.bsky.social, @emiliahart.bsky.social, @torreypeters.bsky.social, @hallierubenhold.bsky.social, and more!

*New Post* In my latest post I revisit the subject of witchcraft in Shropshire and discuss its historic and folkloric legacy. This is my most comprehensive study of the subject so far! I hope you enjoy! nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/2024/01/witc... #witchcraft #history #folklore #witch

I’m so excited that I sold 30 copies of both Good Boy by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social and This house isn’t haunted but we are by @stejhoward.bsky.social !! This is unprecedented for me especially with them being indie published by @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social . The others have also sold VERY well!

Got a new story up at @daikaijuzine.bsky.social Episode Twelve is a lost media story about a journalist pursuing the mysterious missing episode of a cancelled kids TV show. Check it out 👇 www.daikaijuzine.org/stephenhowar...

I’ve enjoyed so many of the books I’ve read this year, but these are my absolute unputdownable favourites. Honourable mentions are full of my fellow Northern Weirdoes.

Just had the pleasure of shouting “get a life” at a group of losers waving flags outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. Not only is it daft and fuelled by racism, but it’s Friday night, so perhaps it’s you who should ‘go home’.

A few edits on one story done. A contract signed for another story coming *very* soon. Things are happening. Now cracking on reading The Shining (which, somewhat obviously, is very good!).

Here is my TOP READS of 2025! Featuring @adrianmgibson.bsky.social @elfordalley.bsky.social @kermichele.bsky.social @stejhoward.bsky.social @mikemollman.bsky.social @toddkeisling.com @shortwavebooks.bsky.social @jamesldulin.bsky.social #FanFiAddict fanfiaddict.com/c-j-daleys-t...

The brilliant & unique NORTHERN WIERD PROJECT series of novellas from @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social is broken down & analysed in my latest long form article for @horrordna.bsky.social. All winners & no duffers! Perfect for Christmas gifts. www.horrordna.com/features/the...

20. This house isn’t haunted but we are by @stejhoward.bsky.social www.goodreads.com/review/show/... 20/20

There are very few films that get to me the way the Horror in the High Desert films do. Brilliant found footage work that’s building its own mythos, number 4 really starts tying a few things together. But it’s also as wildly tense as the first three instalments. Loved it.

This morning, @dutchmarich.bsky.social surprise dropped HORROR IN THE HIGH DESERT 4: MAJESTY on Amazon and Apple TV. I was lucky enough to get an early peek. Here's my @dreadcentral.bsky.social review of another great piece of this found footage puzzle:

I feel like I want to tackle vampires in a novel length work soon. No ideas yet, but definitely more of the grungey, underground sort than rich aristocrats.

A cheeky anthology acceptance in my inbox this morning 👀 Details when allowed. 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️🌳🚕

Roooooooooooooooooooot! That will be all. #EngvsAus #TheAshes

Some pretty cool news re This House Isn’t Haunted But We Are 👀

First ever awards eligibility post! If you’ve read something of mine this year and enjoyed it, please keep it in mind. 🖤 And big thanks to my publishers @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social @infestedpublishing.bsky.social too. 🖤

My latest profound contribution to literary discourse: the Milky Way Crispy Roll is to chocolate what Shakespeare is to literature.

So the best wife ever got me the best birthday present ever… here we come, My Chemical Romance!

Delighted to see That This House Isn't Haunted But We Are by @stejhoward.bsky.social has made the long list! Have you read it yet? Ghost stories are perfect for winter time 🎄👻

A surprise ebook drop from the Batcave - @tcparker.bsky.social's first story collection, THE NINE O'CLOCK HORSES! No ARCs, no blurbs, not so much as a whisper of PR for this one... we're going all-in on word of mouth Check it out - and help us spread the word! tinyurl.com/4z45pbb9

My debut folk horror audio drama is now available! Enter a world immersed in Shropshire Folklore, ruled by Devil Himself. There's something very strange afoot up the stiperstones! buzzsprout.com/411730/12499890 buzzsprout.com/411730/12600423

Gosh this was so good! Looking forward to chatting about it at book club next week.

A short story on my website has inexplicably been viewed 30 times this month and I’ve no idea why. It’s a classic Kids on Bikes with a few doses of creepy and gruesome. Check it out: stephenhowardblog.wordpress.com/2022/02/06/c...

Oh I checked out Black Phone 2 last week. Really good. Slow burn first half, kicks on the second. Some cool references. Liked it more than the first.

A short story on my website has inexplicably been viewed 30 times this month and I’ve no idea why. It’s a classic Kids on Bikes with a few doses of creepy and gruesome. Check it out: stephenhowardblog.wordpress.com/2022/02/06/c...

a title change for the debut novel forthcoming with @titanbooks.bsky.social in 2026 👀‼️ 🎭🪷☁️AN EMPIRE IN THE CLOUDS ☁️🪷🎭 a Chinese-inspired science fantasy set on a drowning continent of royal siblings striving to survive in a climate of murder and corruption.

✨2025 Awards Eligiblity Post✨ if anyone needs a copy of anything for awards consideration, do reach out! 🙆🏻‍♀️🤍🙇🏻‍♀️

Really enjoyed A Gun Through Time at the Chester Storyhouse, a wonderful and interesting new show by @davidolusoga.bsky.social detailing the history of four influential firearms in our sordid history.

Had a great afternoon watching Jon Ronson’s Psychopath Night 2025 at the Chester Storyhouse. As fun as it sounds. And the book inspired the novel I’m currently querying, so extra fun!

@stejhoward.bsky.social @mattjwesolowski.bsky.social Here’s the link to order! doylestownbookshop.com/marguerites-...

THE FINAL BOOK IN THE NORTHERN WEIRD PROJECT IS HERE! Turbine 34 by Katherine Clements🧡 🖤 Camped out alone at Turbine 34, an unnamed scientist soon discovers signs of the devastation and begins to see things that shouldn’t be there... www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/turb...

Finally watched The Black Phone and liked it. Great performances, well put together. Tickets booked for the sequel.

Likewise! 👇

So, so good. I’m on such a roll of fantastic books at the moment. If you have any interest in true crime as a genre (and the ethics of it), give this a look.

The sun peeked out, sold a few books, drank a few coffees, bought some macarons. A good day!

Say it with me: rain, rain, go away, please come back another day!

Hey friends! I have a Backerkit Campaign coming Real Soon™ as part of #BookBazaar25. The goal will be to bring The Dark Side of Super to life as an audio book! #BookSky, help me spread the word! Sign up and follow! I'd love to smash getting 50 people on there. www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...

Very much enjoyed Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue. A fun, twisty thriller, well-made, well-performed. Definitely worth a look.

Rewatched The Haunting of Bly Manor and enjoyed it even more second time round. A beautiful, creepy love story.

I’m ready to query this novel.

If you're a writer/other creator in the United States, consider creating an LLC for your business and then signing up for a local area Chamber of Commerce. Many of them have health insurance plans that pool their members and members of other CoCs to create insurance efficiencies relative to ACA.

RELEASE DAY! This World of Vile Wonder: Horror Tales of the Scientific Revolution is out now. Nine tales! Appreciate any help spreading the word. Mybook.to/vilewonder

Not fully got going with a couple of books recently, so it was nice to pick up something that entranced me immediately. Highly recommended!

Just going to remind you that you can find this useful introduction to the work women were doing in the early Gothic here! Come hear me talk about the diverse work women were undertaking in all aspects of the Gothic youtu.be/ZYXmHoErwL8

‼️ COVER REVEAL DAY ‼️ This werewolf anthology benefits the Lakota Wolf Preserve. It includes my debut piece of fiction, which blends my moms stories about growing up in Texas and a dash of @sgj.bsky.social Mongrels It also includes a special surprise story from @claymcleod.bsky.social 🐺

Got a note in my phone that says: Cat story - I am a cat. I think I *might* be a genius.

Beautiful story about longing, belonging, and the passage of time by @sillysyntax.bsky.social - highly recommended. www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/there-be-m...

200 ratings! Pretty wild. Keep on trucking, little fella.

Author interview with @talkscaredpod.bsky.social is LIVE! We chat about Good Boy, fighting the good fight, love stories in horror, and of course, Ted. I love this story so much, and I’m so fortunate to know someone like Neil, a powerful story teller and a wonderful soul. Links to listen: