Writing in the Dark
April 30, 2023

Writing in the Dark

In this comprehensive textbook devoted to the craft of writing horror fiction, award-winning author Tim Waggoner draws on thirty years’ experience as a writer and teacher. Writing in the Dark offers advice, guidance, and insights on how to compose horror stories and novels that are original, frightening, entertaining, and well-written.

Waggoner covers a wide range of topics, among them why horror matters, building viable monsters, generating ideas and plotlines, how to stylize narratives in compelling ways, the physiology of fear, the art of suspense, avoiding clichés, marketing your horror writing, and much more. Each chapter includes tips from some of the best horror professionals working today, such as Joe Hill, Ellen Datlow, Joe R. Lansdale, Maurice Broaddus, Yvette Tan, Thomas Ligotti, Jonathan Maberry, Edward Lee, and John Shirley. There are also appendices with critical reflections, pointers on the writing process, ideas for characters and story arcs, and material for further research.

Writing in the Dark derives from Waggoner’s longtime blog of the same name. Suitable for classroom use, intensive study, and bedside reading, this essential manual will appeal to new authors at the beginning of their career as well as veterans of the horror genre who want to brush up on their technique.

Reviews:

“I was part of one of Tim’s writing workshops more years ago than I care to acknowledge. Soon after completing it, I began to sell professionally. Coincidence? I think not!”
—Dave Creek, author of 40 science fiction and mystery short stories and 14 books

“I still refer to handwritten notes I scribbled down as fast as I could during one of Tim’s horror-writing classes. Absolutely incisive insights and practical know-how.”
—Tom Leveen, Bram Stoker finalist and author of Hellworld

“As soon as I heard Waggoner was creating a book on writing craft, I knew I was buying it. His insights are gold.”
—Jay Wilburn, author of the Maidens of Zombie Kingdom trilogy

“For some years now, Tim Waggoner’s Writing in the Dark has been my go-to blog for sensible, actionable, sustainable tips for writers. Scarily good advice.”
—Lee Murray, author of The Path of Ra series

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Paperback & Hardcover

A Hunter Called Night
March 31, 2023

A Hunter Called Night

A sinister being called Night and her panther-like Harriers stalk their quarry, a man known only as Arron. Arron seeks refuge within an office building, a place Night cannot go, for it’s part of the civilized world, and she’s a creature of the Wild. To flush Arron out, she creates Blight, a reality-warping field that slowly transforms the building and its occupants in horrible and deadly ways. But unknown to Night, while she waits for the Blight to do its work, a group of survivors from a previous attempt to capture Arron are coming for her. The hunter is now the hunted.

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We Will Rise
January 31, 2023

We Will Rise

In Echo Hill, Ohio, the dead begin to reappear, manifesting in various forms, from classic ghosts and poltergeists, to physical undead and bizarre apparitions for which there is no name. These malign spirits attack the living, tormenting and ultimately killing them in order to add more recruits to their spectral ranks.

A group of survivors come together after the initial attack, all plagued by different ghostly apparitions of their own. Can they make it out of Echo Hill alive? And if so, will they still be sane? Or will they die and join the ranks of the vengeful dead?

Blurbs:

“Tim Waggoner excels in building up a surreal sense of dread, blurring the boundaries between otherworldly horror and everyday tragedy with unnerving finesse.” —City Nomads

“Tim Waggoner manages to meld surreal imagery and events with strong character work and an immersive point of view, resulting in work that shocks you on the surface and unsettles you right down to your bones.” — FEARnet

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Zombicide Invader: Planet Havoc
May 13, 2022

Zombicide Invader: Planet Havoc

Scoundrels and soldiers band together to survive the onslaught of alien-zombies spreading across the galaxy in this riotous adventure. A deserted R&D facility tempts the hungry new Guild, Leviathan, into sending a team to plunder its valuable research. The base was abandoned after a neighboring planet was devastated by an outbreak of Xenos – alien zombies – but that was a whole planet away… When the Guild ship is attacked by a quarantine patrol, both ships crash onto the deserted world. Only it isn’t as deserted as they hope: a murderous new Xeno threat awakens, desperate to escape the planet. Can the crews cooperate to destroy this new foe? Or will they be forced to sacrifice their ships and lives to protect the galaxy?

“Planet Havoc is the best of all worlds –space adventure, military SF, snarky humor, and zombies! Tim Waggoner brings the pain and all the jolts in this rollicking action horror thriller!” — Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of the Joe Ledger thrillers and Kagen the Damned

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