Category: Articles

Articles / For Readers

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 05/16/2025

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Tuesday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

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Articles

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Industry Insider Alert: Learn the Art of Writing for Franchises with Tim Waggoner’s New Guide and Live Workshop

Industry Insider Alert: Learn the Art of Writing for Franchises with Tim Waggoner’s New Guide and Live Workshop

What do Alien, Resident Evil, Doctor Who, Grimm, Transformers, Supernatural, and Terrifier all have in common?

Aside from being beloved (and occasionally blood-soaked) cornerstones of genre fandom, they’ve all had stories brought to life by Tim Waggoner, an author who’s not just survived but thrived in the world of media tie-ins.

Now, for the first time, Waggoner is sharing exactly how he did it.
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Articles / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: Death at the Playhouses by Stuart Douglas

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Death at the Playhouses
Author: Stuart Douglas
Genre: Crime Fiction
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication date: 18th March, 2025

Synopsis: A second witty, fun, 1970s-set whodunnit in the Lowe and Le Breton mysteries series, featuring two ageing actors attempting to solve a murder after their famous co-star is found dead in a doorway outside the theatre in which they’re performing. Nostalgic cozy crime that’s perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club and Death & Croissants.

It’s 1971 and, in between filming seasons of Floggit and Leggit, ageing actors Edward Lowe and John Le Breton sign up for a short run of Shakespearean tragedies at the Bolton Playhouse. But, once in Lancashire, they discover they have been invited to join the theatre’s repertory company for two reasons – because the company manager is keen to take advantage of the publicity surrounding their successful BBC comedy series, and because Sir Nathaniel Thompson, the much-lauded star of the show and knight of the realm, has been sacked for drunkenness.

John fears an awkward scene, should Thompson – who he knew during the war – return to reclaim his job, but when the great actor’s body is found, bludgeoned to death in a nearby alleyway, the unlikely crime-solving duo find themselves investigating another fiendish mystery that takes them from the northwest of England to the Netherlands, and which, rather inconveniently, seems to have John’s ex-wife Sally at its heart.

Death at the Playhouses is the second in The Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries series.

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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Salt In The Veins

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Salt In The Veins

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Articles / Guest Post

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The Importance Of The First Line

The Importance Of The First Line

By Joel McKay

“Jack Torrance thought: Officious little prick.”  (King, The Shining, 3).

That’s the first line in, arguably, Stephen King’s most well-known scare fest, 1977’s The Shining.

Terrifying? Not at all.

Engaging? You bet your ass it is, and, more than that, it immediately reveals Jack’s deep-seeded self-confidence issues that manifest as rage, which underpins the entire novel.

So far as first lines go, it’s a stand-out. Let’s review a few more:

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Articles / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: We Like It Cherry by Jacy Morris

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: We Like It Cherry
Author: Jacy Morris
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Publisher: Tenebrous Press
Publication date: 31st July, 2025

Synopsis: Ezra Montbanc is burned out. The reality series he hosts—immersing himself into the cultures and celebrations of Indigenous tribes—borders on pure exploitation and has been relegated to tax write-off status by the network; this was not the prestigious journalism career he had long envisioned.
Everything changes when Ezra receives an invitation to document the rites of a mysterious, hitherto unknown tribe: the Winoquin, who reside in the harrowing, inhospitable Arctic. Ezra and his crew depart immediately for the home of the Winoquin, only to find themselves in a bloody battle for survival against a mythical horror with a serious grudge against modern man.
We Like It Cherry is a story about identity and the quest for success, splashed with supernatural slasher vibes and the nail-biting relentlessness of survival horror.

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Articles / For Readers

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 05/09/2025

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Tuesday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

(more…)

Articles

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10 Ghoulish Gourmet Horror Reads for the Brave Foodie

10 Ghoulish Gourmet Reads for the Brave Foodie

If you consider yourself a foodie with a taste for the macabre, then you are in for a treat. These ten ghoulish gourmet reads combine culinary delights with chilling tales that will satisfy your appetite for both food and horror. Not only will these books entertain you, but they will also inspire your next culinary adventure, allowing you to explore the darker side of cooking and dining. Embrace the eerie and discover how these unique narratives can enhance your culinary creativity.

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