Shining a Light on Diversity in Horror: DarkLit Press Partners with Third Estate Books

In an industry often overshadowed by mainstream giants, the real magic happens at the edges. This is where DarkLit Press and Third Estate Books are making waves. Their recent partnership isn’t just a business move; it’s a manifesto for change in the horror genre.

Third Estate Books, based in Western Massachusetts, isn’t your typical publishing cooperative. They champion voices that the mainstream too often overlooks: Queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent, disabled, and working-class authors. Their catalog, including Spectrum: An Autistic Horror Anthology and the upcoming The Monologist by Aquino Loayza, pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo.

Why does this matter? Because horror has always been a genre for trailblazers, for those willing to explore the fringes of human experience. Aquino Loayza, Editor in Chief at Third Estate Books, encapsulates this spirit perfectly: “I most look forward to creating a community out of an industry. Horror has historically been a genre for trailblazing, and it feels natural to me that this partnership is just part of a long lineage of progress for disenfranchised voices.”

DarkLit Press shares this vision of community and inclusivity. Caitlin Marceau, their Editor in Chief, reflects on the legacy they are building on: “Andrew Robert, the former Editor in Chief, believed wholeheartedly that the true measure of any publisher’s success was the community it fostered. While DarkLit Press has changed hands, its values haven’t. We believe this partnership with Third Estate Books is not just a step towards solidarity and equity in publishing, but the continuation of Robert’s legacy of community building.”

This partnership is more than just an agreement; it’s a declaration. It’s about fostering a literary landscape where diverse voices aren’t just heard—they’re celebrated. It’s about redefining success not by sales numbers but by the strength and inclusivity of the community we build.

So, keep an eye on what’s happening at the fringes. That’s where the real innovation is taking place. DarkLit Press and Third Estate Books are not just publishing stories; they’re crafting a new narrative for the industry—one that’s inclusive, equitable, and fiercely independent.