The world can be an overwhelming and terrifying place. People often feel as if they are beaten, trapped, hunted—pursued by the very real monsters of mental illness, disabilities, abuse, loss, and countless other fears.

Featuring essays and interviews with some of the best writers in the horror genre, and compiled by the highly acclaimed Stoker Award winning editors Eugene Johnson and Eric J Guignard, this non-fiction anthology lets people know that no matter how dark it gets, they are not alone. Contributing authors range from NYT best sellers to indie publishers, each sharing their own personal experiences, their struggles, their coping mechanisms, and what the genre community has meant to them. Authors include Billy Martin (at the time of writing known as Poppy Z. Brite), Vince A. Liaguno, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Douglas Gwilym, Lisa Morton, John Skipp, Linda D. Addison, Stephanie Ellis, Gary A. Braunbeck, Heather Graham, Xan van Rooyen, Cindy O'Quinn, Kevin J. Anderson, Paul Tremblay, Carina Bissett, Tim Waggoner, Jamal Hodge, Matthew R. Davis, Lucy Taylor, Joe R. Lansdale, Geneve Flynn, Dan Franklin, Ramsey Campbell, Eugen Bacon, Norman Prentiss, David Wellington, David Simms, Ai Jiang, Jason Sizemore, Morgan Sylvia, Ray Garton, Mark Matthews, Del Howison, and Joe Mynhardt. Additional interior artwork has been provided by famed artist Luke Spooner.

There are more people than ever willing to voice their stories, to offer support, acceptance, and unity for others facing similar adversity. Remember to never give up hope and to never stop fighting. You’re not alone in the dark.

A portion of the proceeds generated from this book will be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Other books by Ramsey Campbell

About the author

Eric J. Guignard

Eric J. Guignard has twice won the Bram Stoker Award, won the Shirley Jackson Award, and been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and International Thriller Writers Award for his works of dark and speculative fiction. He has over one hundred stories and non-fiction author credits appearing in publications around the world; has edited multiple anthologies (including the current series, The Horror Writers Association’s HAUNTED LIBRARY OF HORROR CLASSICS with co-editor Leslie S. Klinger); and has created an ongoing series of author primers championing modern masters of the dark and macabre, EXPLORING DARK SHORT FICTION through his press, Dark Moon Books. His latest books are his short story collection, THAT WHICH GROWS WILD (Cemetery Dance) and novel, DOORWAYS TO THE DEADEYE (JournalStone). His second collection, A GRAVESIDE GALLERY: TALES OF GHOSTS AND DARK MATTERS, will be out November, 2024 (Cemetery Dance). Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, his blog: ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or Twitter: @ericjguignard.