Latest
News update
Book launch day: Greg F. Gifune’s MIDNIGHT SOLITAIRE
It's book launch day again! This is the rerelease of Greg F. Gifune's MIDNIGHT SOLITAIRE, formerly published by Bloodshot Books. The Devil is in the details. But then, so is God. As a massive blizzard descends on New England, four troubled strangers find themselves stranded at an old roadside motel on a desolate highway in the middle of nowhere. But there's a killer on the road. Something is...
Cover Reveal for The Morass by Zachary Ashford
Artwork by Ben Baldwin. Zachary Ashford's THE MORASS will be out July 14th.
Unspeakable Horror 3 now on pre-order!
Kindle pre-order now available right here (paperback and hardcover to come) The third terrifying volume in the award-winning anthology series of original queer horror. Like the final girl in a slasher film, the LGBTQIA community knows first-hand what it’s like to fight for its survival. Beaten and bloodied after an extended chase scene through modern-day politics and the courts, we think we’ve...
Pound of Flesh by D. Alexander Ward
A few months ago we announced Crystal Lake Publishing’s acquisition of almost forty books from Bloodshot Books. We’ll release these titles individually throughout the year. Here’s the first one: POUND OF FLESH by D. Alexander Ward Some things are beyond forgiveness. When Noah Belton's father loses his job, the young man's roots are ripped from the ground as he's forced to move away from...
The Kindle pre-order for IT HAUNTS THE MIND is live!
Paperback, hardcover, and audio to come. Out June 16th.From Nick Roberts, the best-selling author of The Exorcist's House and Anathema, comes fifteen dark tales that are as horrific as they are moving.“Come for the horror, stay for the heartbreaking emotion that bleeds into every page. Roberts really shows his range here, and it’s obvious early on in these stories that they will stick with you...

Since its founding in 2012, Crystal Lake’s authors, books, artists, and editors have walked away with 58 prestigious awards and nominations from institutions like The Bram Stoker Awards (including the HWA’s Specialty Press award), Shirley Jackson Awards, This Is Horror, and Imadjinn Awards. That’s quality guaranteed.
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“It’s always a pleasure working with Crystal Lake Publishing, an independent press whose professionalism mirrors the high quality of their work. If you’re looking for an independent press at the top of their game, then congratulations you’ve just found them—long live Crystal Lake Publishing.”
Michael David Wilson, This Is Horror
“Crystal Lake are good people doing fine work. Always worth watching for their latest.”
Jack Ketchum, The Girl Next Door and Off-Season
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“One look at Crystal Lake’s track record (as well as the stellar titles in their forthcoming lineup) and you know they’re the real deal. CLP are here to stay and for the ultimate horror fan, that’s a reason to rejoice!”
Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Turtle Boy, Kin, and Sour Candy
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“Crystal Lake Publishing have been a real pleasure to work with – professional, prompt, and with a true passion for the genre.”
Tim Lebbon, The Silence and The Rage War
About
Crystal Lake Publishing
Tales from the Darkest Depths.
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake Publishing has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books in print, eBook, and audio formats.
While we strive to present only the highest quality fiction and entertainment, we also endeavour to support authors along their writing journey. We offer our time and experience in non-fiction projects, as well as author mentoring and services, at competitive prices.
With several Bram Stoker Award wins (including the HWA’s Specialty Press Award) and many other wins and nominations, Crystal Lake Publishing puts integrity, honor, and respect at the forefront of our publishing operations.
We strive for each book and outreach program we spearhead to not only entertain and touch or comment on issues that affect our readers, but also to strengthen and support the Dark Fiction field and its authors.
Not only do we find and publish authors we believe are destined for greatness, but we strive to work with men and woman who endeavour to be decent human beings who care more for others than themselves, while still being hard working, driven, and passionate artists and storytellers.
Crystal Lake Publishing is and will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. We endeavour to know each and every one of our readers, while building personal relationships with our authors, reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, bookstores, and libraries.
We will be as trustworthy, forthright, and transparent as any business can be, while also keeping most of the headaches away from our authors, since it’s our job to solve the problems so they can stay in a creative mind. Which of course also means paying our authors.
We do not just publish books, we present to you worlds within your world, doors within your mind, from talented authors who sacrifice so much for a moment of your time.
There are some amazing small presses out there, and through collaboration and open forums we will continue to support other presses in the goal of helping authors and showing the world what quality small presses are capable of accomplishing. No one wins when a small press goes down, so we will always be there to support hardworking, legitimate presses and their authors. We don’t see Crystal Lake as the best press out there, but we will always strive to be the best, strive to be the most interactive and grateful, and even blessed press around. No matter what happens over time, we will also take our mission very seriously while appreciating where we are and enjoying the journey.
What do we offer our authors that they can’t do for themselves through self-publishing?
We are big supporters of self-publishing (especially hybrid publishing), if done with care, patience, and planning. However, not every author has the time or inclination to do market research, advertise, and set up book launch strategies. Although a lot of authors are successful in doing it all, strong small presses will always be there for the authors who just want to do what they do best: write.
What we offer is experience, industry knowledge, contacts and trust built up over years. And due to our strong brand and trusting fanbase, every Crystal Lake Publishing book comes with weight of respect. In time our fans begin to trust our judgment and will try a new author purely based on our support of said author.
To date we’ve published around 100 books, and with each launch we strive to fine-tune our approach, learn from our mistakes, and increase our reach. We continue to assure our authors that we’re here for them and that we’ll carry the weight of the launch and dealing with third parties while they focus on their strengths—be it writing, interviews, blogs, signings, etc.
We also offer several mentoring packages to authors that include knowledge and skills they can use in both traditional and self-publishing endeavours.
We look forward to launching many new careers.
This is what we believe in. What we stand for. This will be our legacy.
Who we are
JOE MYNHARDT
Founder, Owner, Editor, Publisher
Joe Mynhardt is a Bram Stoker Award-winning South African publisher, editor, and mentor. Joe founded Crystal Lake Publishing in August of 2012 while teaching primary school. He became a full time publisher and work-from-home-dad in 2016.
Jaco Nieuwoudt
Business Development Manager
Jaco lives a quiet life in Bloemfontein, South Africa with his two bunnies. Jaco is an experienced retail regional manager and tech guru who loves books, television series, and people with a dark sense of humor.
MONIQUE SNYMAN
Division Manager / Editor-in-Chief / Public Liaison / Mentor
Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her husband and an adorable Chihuahua. She’s the author of the Bram Stoker Award® nominated novel, The Night Weaver, which is the first installment in a dark fantasy series for young adults.
NACHING T. KASSA
Assistant
Naching T. Kassa is a wife, mother, and horror writer. She lives in Eastern Washington State with her husband Dan Kassa and their three children. Naching is a member of the Horror Writers Association, an assistant at Crystal Lake Publishing, and Head of Publishing at HorrorAddicts.net.
BEN BALDWIN
Artist
Ben Baldwin works with traditional and digital media and had won several awards for his art. He has been published around the world and has produced book covers for many writers including Stephen King, Clive Barker and Joe Lansdale. He lives and works in Sussex with his partner and two sons.
LORI MICHELLE
Interior formatting
Lori Michelle is the co-owner of Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing and the editor-in-chief of Dark Moon Digest magazine. She formats books for several publishers and freelancers. In the evening, she is Ms. Lori, dance teacher extraordinaire. She lives in San Antonio with her life partner, son, and two dogs. www.theauthorsalley.com
PAULA LIMBAUGH
Marketing Agent
Paula hails from the Chicagoland area. She is known as the weird grandma to her nine grandkids. She and her dog TwoFace have earned the nickname grave walkers since they can be found most morns exploring the local cemeteries. Being of Mexican descent, Día de Muertos is her favorite holiday!
GUY MEDLEY
Marketing Agent
Guy Medley is the author of short fiction in a variety of genres, though dark horror seems to be his sweet spot. He writes mostly to entertain himself and his friends. Guy lives in the solitude of California’s Mojave Desert, where the extreme heat has, without doubt, affected his mind.
JASPER BARK
Spokesperson
Jasper Bark is infectious—and there’s no known cure. There’s no itching or unfortunate rashes, but you’ll become obsessed with his books, from the award winning collections Dead Air and Stuck on You and Other Prime Cuts, to cult novels like The Final Cut and acclaimed graphic novels such as Bloodfellas and Beyond Lovecraft.
LUKE SPOONER
Artist
Luke Spooner / Carrion House is an artist and illustrator from the South East of England. He has produced bespoke illustrations for the following Crystal Lake Publishing Titles: Gutted, Behold, Where the Dead Go to Die, and Ugly Little Things.
THERESA DERWIN
"Write On" interviews
Theresa Derwin writes Horror & comedy. She has over fifty anthology acceptances and is in her final year MA Creative Writing. She’s published four collections, edited over nine anthologies. Her forthcoming books include ‘God’s Vengeance’ from CLP. She is the 2019 HWA Mary Shelley Scholarship recipient. Follow her on:
BEN EADS
Mentoring Program
Ben’s short fiction has appeared in magazines or anthologies by: Crystal Lake Publishing, Shroud Magazine, and Seventh Star Press. His first novella, Cracked Sky, was published in 2015 by the Bram Stoker Award® Winning press Omnium Gatherum. His latest book, Hollow Heart, is now available from Crystal Lake Publishing.
FRANK CERNIK
Mentoring Program
Shortly after his Fulbright teaching grant, Frank Cernik switched from editing literary magazines to developing novels. Since then, he has worked with independent authors in every genre from workplace comedy to space opera to medical suspense and horror. The two things he wants now are to strengthen literary communities and a sweet ghost tattoo.
STEPHANIE M. WYTOVICH
Mentoring Program
Stephanie M. Wytovich is the Poetry Editor for Raw Dog Screaming Press, an adjunct at Western Connecticut State University and Point Park University, and a mentor with Crystal Lake Publishing. Her Bram Stoker Award-winning poetry collection, Brothel, earned a home with Raw Dog Screaming Press. Her debut novel, The Eighth, is published with Dark Regions Press.
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Tales from the Darkest Depths.
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