04/26/2025 Uncomfortably Dark Report
- Candace Nola
- 21 hours ago
- 13 min read
News & More from around the industry!
Last weekend, we did our April recap so let's get to the updates and all the other good news we have for you today, from Uncomfortably Dark as well as from around the indie community!
Just a couple of reminders for the below items in case you missed it:
Pre-orders are open now for the limited-edition of FULL THROTTLE and for OIOS LYKOS from Mike Ennebach! Links for those are below!
New Anthology project announced only for self-published authors- see more below!
New & Next Release from Uncomfortably Dark
NEW
Uncomfortably Dark Presents Full Throttle: A Dark Dozen Anthology.
Award-winning author and editor Candace Nola is back with another Dark Dozen Anthology. This time around, Full Throttle brings you twelve pedal to the metal stories of extreme, hardcore horror sure to knock your socks off! The turbo-charged line-up includes some of the hardest hitters in the industry, both well-known and rising stars of indie horror.
Authors include Wrath James White, Christine Morgan, Kristopher Rufty, Sylvester Barzey, Lisa Vasquez, Eric Butler, R.J. Joseph, M. Ennenbach, Jeremy Megargee, Felix I.D. Dimaro, Angelique Jordonna, and Lucas Milliron. With an introduction from Candace Nola and a foreword by Jonathan Tripp.
These authors were given one guideline only: bring your most brutal stories with no depictions of sexual assault. They delivered in epic fashion!
This one is dedicated to the survivors. I see you.
PRE-ORDERS NOW OPEN FOR THE LIMITED-EDITION HARDCOVER!
Orders must be placed by May 15, 2025, in order to receive this special edition!
There will only be one printing of this collector's version of the anthology.
As in prior years, it will be printed on glossy black paper with white font. It will contain the author interviews and has a special hand-drawn title page for each story.
Orders MUST be placed on the website at the below link. Be sure to choose the right option.
There are three options:
Hardcover only-$50.00
Hardcover with eBook-$55.00
Hardcover with paperback-$65.00
Shop Link to Order:
NEXT
OIOS LYKOS
by M Ennenbach
OIOS LYKOS is a unique story done as only M Ennenbach can. Expect themes of small-town horror, isolation, myth, cyberpunk, and bizarro (with a musical number thrown in!).
"When I say that Mike is a stellar storyteller, I mean that in every sense of the word. He IS his own genre. There's no one like him and there never will be." -- Warn Iverson, from the Yeti Reads and Reviews.
Pre-order here:
In Case You Missed It
BIG NEWS FOR SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS!
SELF (S)CARES: Best of self-published horror of 2025 anthology project announced by Uncomfortably Dark and Paul Carro!
Details will be posted on the Anthology Page of the Uncomfortably Dark website as they become available.
This will be a paid opportunity.
This will use a blind submission process.
Nominations are NOT required. Authors will self-submit their work for consideration.
Submission guidelines and submission window details will be posted soon. Follow us on social media or here on the blog for updates.
Do NOT submit anything at this time as it will NOT be accepted.
Uncomfortably Dark will be the official publisher for this project.
Press Release:
Uncomfortably Dark Anthology Page
JUMP SCARES BLOG BY EMILY HUGHES
Be sure to sign up for this awesome blog and newsletter from Emily Hughes as she compiles monthly lists of all the new horror books that are being released within that month. she also writes several other blogs throughout the month on writing and for those less into gore, check out her "Horror for Weenies" posts!
APRIL'S LIST
MARCH LIST
Be sure to subscribe if you check out her lists. Awesome resource to have.
THIS IS HORROR AWARDS 2024
Author and Podcaster Michael David Wilson, creator of the THIS IS HORROR podcast, has his annual awards. Voting is now open, so be sure to pop over there to vote.
Vote Here:
While you are there, be sure to sign up to his newsletter, podcast, and more. He has tons of information on his site and in his newsletters from around the horror industry.
News Round-up Week Ending April 25, 2025
Subscribe to This Is Horror (link is on the home page):
STORY ORIGIN: Newsletter builder & Author Tools
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I have been using Story Origin since they started about five years ago and I cannot recommend them enough. I do group promotions weekly with tons of other authors, join newsletter swaps, send out my ARCS and even my Patreon perks using all of the tools they have available.
They are more cost-effective than Book Funnel, much more user-friendly, especially for new authors and have tons of tutorials on their site to help you get started. Also, the creator of the platform, Evan, is hands-on, provides personal support at all times, and is very focused on creating tools to help authors at an affordable cost.
Check them out below to get started:
FOR THE GAMERS!
Our resident writer and gamer fan Besu Tadesse is back with a brand-new game review!
HOMEBODY
Published in June 2023, Homebody is a puzzle survival horror game developed
by Game Grumps, the comedy/gaming company made famous for their ongoing
YouTube channel.
You play as Emily, an agoraphobic young lady on a getaway with longtime friends to the rented home of a reclusive and eccentric author that peppers the house with puzzle locks and other contraptions. Emily struggles to reconnect with them, as she has been shut away for a long time due to her perpetual anxiety. Eventually, a murderous stabby man appears and stalks every person in the house, killing them.
As the game progresses, Emily finds herself in a time loop, reliving the moments of her night with friends over and over, unable to break free from the pre-canned comments. She must find the way to unlock the house’s secrets and release herself from the cycle.
The game harkens back to the original PlayStation era of polygons and crazy sound design,
as well as meta-commentary on the nature of horror, anxiety, and video
game logic as a whole. The puzzles are not terribly difficult, but the time when the
monster is released moves earlier as you successfully find ways to solve each section.
Emily has no means of defense other than hiding and running (which relies on your
adeptness with controls), adding to the survival nature of the gameplay. In those
moments that become too crazy, you can even take a moment to read full copies of
Bram Stoker’s Dracula or Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
One of the interesting aspects of the game is how you become immersed in the
entire affair. With each loop, I found myself moving faster and more smoothly as the
safe time to solve the house shrank. Eventually, it became second nature – click this
button, open this door, grab this item.
When you eventually solve it, you realize how easy it had been the whole time to escape
with a little help and infinite time. In many ways, the gameplay itself mimics the journey of escaping a cycle of anxiety and depression, realizing that you have support and being patient with yourself in learning the puzzles and giving yourself time. And after all of that pain and anxiety, the ending is cathartic.
Homebody is available on all major gaming platforms, so be sure to include this
as part of your library.
About Besu Tadesse:
Besu Tadesse is an emerging horror author and musician. He enjoys reading works of his favorite contemporary colleagues, as well as performing as a musician. He currently resides in Maryland.
Be sure to check out his work.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: ANGEL RAMON
Interviewed by author Zach Martin
GENERAL AUTHOR QUESTIONS
1. At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
When they start putting words on paper whether it’s ink on paper or typing out words. However, it can’t just be a one and done thing, they have to keep a schedule and stay disciplined.
2. What difference do you see between a writer and an author?
A writer writes for the art, which is just fine if that’s what they want to do just for fun. An author is one who is paid for their work and one who is ready to work on the business side of creating stories.
3. Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
I actually did for my historical fiction works. I used the name Angelus Maximus, but it was more to separate my horror stuff from my historical fiction on Amazon.
4. What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Burnout and the need to rest a bit before continuing to write more. I’m not the biggest believer in writer’s block. I truly believe sometimes we just try too hard and become burned out.
5. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I don’t read my reviews too often. Authors will get all kinds of reviews. Besides, it’s good to get a mix of different reviews as it shows real readers have read your book and new readers will trust your book more.
6. Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
Yes, since I know how they are, it makes it easier to write. Also, it makes the story much more relatable.
7. What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Starting the book, but once I get it started the rest usually falls into place.
8. How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I’ve been an author since 2017. I’ve been writing since Junior High School. All I can say is, it’s been one hell of a ride, in a good way of course.
9. What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Make sure you’re having fun with what you’re writing. If readers can tell you’re having fun, they will be more inclined on reading the book when it releases. Nothing is better than reading a book where the author had a great time writing.
10. What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
Good storytelling. I rather have less than perfect technical writing and one that keeps me engaged. I know some people will disagree and I understand. However, I love a good story considering I grew up with video games. For me, good writing is also keeping info-dumping to a minimum and weaving in the backstory through the actual story. There’s nothing worse than a chapter of pure info-dumping.
11. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
The plot because as I write I tend to change things. Once I get the plot in my head, I can develop the characters accurately.
12. How do you develop your plot and characters?
I start off with the plot with a rough outline where I give myself liberty to go outside should I need to. Same thing with the characters.
13. When did you first call yourself a writer?
Back in Junior High School when I used to write Resident Evil fan-fiction. I considered myself an ‘author’ in 2017 when I started to treat it like a business.
14. How do you use social media as an author?
I try to be as human as possible, hehe. I enjoy talking about what I’m reading and what I’m working on. Social media consists of going into all the horror groups and try to start meaningful conversations about horror books. Also, I’m a huge supporter of indie horror and I’m proud of that.
15. What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
Favorite part is writing the story while my least favorite is editing.
16. What would you say to an author who wanted to design their own cover?
Unless you have a degree in graphic design or are willing to learn about book covers, don’t be ashamed to outsource it to an artist. The cover is the most important marketing tool out there, don’t treat it like an afterthought. There are plenty of cheap cover designers who are willing to work on your budget.
BOOK & STORY QUESTIONS
1. How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
Over 20… My favorite was Frogs and Margaritas.
2. What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
The beginning as I wanted to weave the reader into the action without going right into it without context.
3. What part of the book was the most fun to write?
The dungeons/temples as that’s where most of my creative ideas really shined. I’m a huge Legend of Zelda fan and took some inspiration from that game series.
4. Which of the characters do you relate to the most and why?
I relate to Matt in the Frogs and Margaritas series. He’s a huge nerd just like me but knows when it’s time to ‘man up’ and defend himself. He’s also not afraid to tell things like they are while trying to remain as diplomatic as possible.
5. If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
Frogs and Margaritas has four books in the series and will be completed. However, I plan to do a spinoff series since sales for the series were great. It will take place five years after the OG series.
6. What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?
It sounds much tighter, and I added several scenes that were not in the first draft that I felt were needed to help drive the story effectively.
7. What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?
When a reader gets deeper into the series, they will see how the Taino Indians were treated when the Spanish came to conquer Puerto Rico. The history of Puerto Rico is actually pretty dark if you dig far enough.
8. What inspired the idea for your book?
I might have said it already, but The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and its dungeons.
9. How would you describe your books ideal reader?
Somebody who enjoys folk horror and is willing to learn about a long-lost culture. Not to mention, a reader who loves frogs.
10. How much research did you need to do for your book?
Plenty as I had to research the history of the Taino Indians and their dark past. I even studied their mythology, which took me a bit since for the most part it’s poorly documented.
11. How important was professional editing to your book’s development?
Very important as it improved its voice and there were plenty of dumb mistakes that would have not been caught.
12. What was your hardest scene to write and why?
The hardest scene was where the characters learn about the ancient Taino curse. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t info-dumping too much, but I wanted the reader to truly understand what was going on since it would be important as they get through the rest of the series.
13. What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?
Justin, Chisto, and Matt are loosely based on people I know on Facebook and in real life.
14. How long did it take you to write your book?
It took me about three months to write and a month to edit it. I gave myself a couple of months to properly market and promote it as well.
15. How did you come up with the title for your book?
I used to be a big drinker, so I figured I would have fun with it. No worries, I’ve sobered up quite nicely now. Besides, Margaritas and Puerto Rico are a perfect match, hehe.
16. Would you and your main character get along?
Perhaps since we share some of the same traits. Perhaps Chisto would be the one I would have trouble getting along with. BTW, this is Chisto in my book, not in real life. He’s a good dude in real life, so we can clear that up, lol.
17. If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
FOR THE FROG!
Fun Author Interview Questions
1. What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a hybrid. Although, I tend to be more of a pantser once I have a rough outline.
2. What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Music on and TV off.
3. If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?
None, as I plan to do a spinoff with new generation characters set five years later. While there might be references to the characters from the original series, the spinoff will be its own story with its own characters.
4. If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Tough question. I have so many authors I would love to spend the day with. However, if I had to choose one, it would be Stephen King, because why not!
5. What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I usually write in the mornings since that is the best time for my creativity to shine and it’s quiet during the hours of 8 AM to 2PM.
6. Have you ever traveled as research for your book?
I’ve been to the rainforest here in Puerto Rico, beaches, and caves. Let’s just say it’s been a fun experience!
7. What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
Water mostly. I’m not big into snacks since they tend to be very distracting when I write. However, I do take breaks to snack, and I love peanut butter cookies mostly.
8. How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I celebrate by taking a nap because I know how much work it took, lol. Then I go out for ice cream later in the day.
9. What do you think of NaNoWriMo? Worth it?
For the absolute newbie, maybe. Otherwise, I don’t really need a site to help me stay disciplined.
10. What is your kryptonite as a writer?
Real life. Sometimes I have to go out and take my parents or elderly neighbors to their appointment, which cuts into my writing time. If I feel up to it, I’ll write when I get home or later in the day to make up for the lost time.
11. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
I went from zombie horror in 2020 to historical fiction LitRPG and it did very well for me. When I got burned out from historical fiction in 2023, I decided to back into horror. However, I didn’t go back to writing zombie horror, I went to creature horror. It’s given birth to two successful series. Pina Coladas and Rats along with Frogs and Margaritas.
12. When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
I’ve never done it. Never thought of doing it lol.
13. Which of your characters are most likely to be an activist, and what kind?
Matt from Frogs and Margaritas, he would mostly be a environmentalist and a person who would be in favor of trying to preserve history without whitewashing it.
14. Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
Hell yeah. I listen to a variety of music. It really depends on my mood and what scene I’m writing.
15. Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
I don’t have pets as I take care of my folks mostly so I wouldn’t have much time for a pet.
16. If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?
Tough question. But I know I would love Harrison Ford to play Justin, albeit young Ford lol.
17. Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Yes, in my series Betrayal of the Arcani, that’s under my Angelus Maximus pen name I killed off a bard. Some people didn’t like it, haha.
UNCOMFORTABLY DARK: 2025 JULY-SEPTEMBER RELEASES
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