4 Terrifying New Releases from Indie and Small Presses This December

Stuff your stocking with screams.

december indie and small press releases
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  • Photo Credit: Yan Ots/Unsplash

Whether you're looking to treat yourself this Christmas or just want to end the year right, December brings with it some incredible horror reads. And no horror books are as unique and terrifying as the ones coming out of small and independent presses. Whether you like anthologies or novels, demonic frights or ancient sea monsters, there's something for everyone this holiday season. Here are four must-read horror books coming to indie and small presses this December!

dead letters

Dead Letters: Episodes of Epistolary Horror

By Jacob Steven Mohr

Epistolary horror cemented itself with the Bram Stoker classic Dracula and reinvented itself with the modern hit Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca. Now this anthology collects 21 chilling tales of epistolary horror in one place. From a video game walkthrough hiding dark secrets to an email chain that stands as the sole piece of evidence one young woman ever existed, these short stories will linger long after you've finished. With work from Gemma Files, Ai Jiang, J.A.W. McCarthy, and more, you'll never stop screaming.

This book is available now from Crystal Lake Publishing!

lumberjack

Lumberjack

By Anthony Engebretson

In Nebraska City in 1901, a curse hangs over Arbor Lodge. This well-respected home is being reclaimed by a dangerous demon, and the desperation of statesman J. Sterling Morton is a big opportunity for lumberjack Neville. Neville wants nothing more than to prove himself as a man, and if he can hunt down and slaughter this elusive creature, he will become a legend. If he fails, he'll lose much more than just his pride.

This book is available now from Tenebrous Press!

epiphany

Epiphany

By J.V. Gachs

Eva has hanged herself from an oak tree, and her pregnant wife Estela refuses to believe it was done willingly. Eva was a journalist investigating the horrific crimes of the Garden of Horrors, and before her death, she was set to release a podcast about the convicted killer, Coral. Coral herself always insisted she was innocent, that her murdered family and missing newborn were victims of an evil forest spirit. Now as Estela rifles through the materials Eva left behind, she will have to face terrible truths that may threaten not only her life, but that of her unborn baby.

This book is now available for pre-order, and will be released on December 9th by Off Limits Press!

elogana

Elogona

By Samantha Kolesnik

This post-apocalyptic sapphic love story takes readers into a world that is ruled by religious zealots and terrorized by supernatural creatures. When an ancient sea creature awakes to lay claim over one of the few remaining human settlements, Verna must risk everything to fight against the powers that be, both monstrous and man. But as she protects her family, she finds herself drawn to a mainland refugee, Audrey.

This book is now available for pre-order, and will be released on December 15th by Weird Punk Books!

Featured image: Yan Ots/Unsplash