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Posts by Ruadán Books

Copy of Spring in the City showing a small white dragon in a pink blossom tree overlooking a riverside path. In the background is trees and the river and suspension bridge in Chester, UK.

Copy of Spring in the City showing a small white dragon in a pink blossom tree overlooking a riverside path. In the background is trees and the river and suspension bridge in Chester, UK.

It's been a beautiful spring day in Chester, the setting for my story in Spring in the City from
@ruadanbooks.bsky.social - available at your favourite bookshop.

Or visit: 🌸 links.ruadanbooks.com/spring 🌸

#BookSky #HorrorSky #FolkHorror #Chester

8 hours ago 9 2 0 1
Deal announcement: Ferry-Loupers by Molly Tanzer (me!), "a speculative reimagining of the real-life historical destruction of the ancient Odin Stone on 19th-century Orkney, Scotland, in which an outsider detective must find a way to deliver justice to a communist on the brink of violence, while learning the true purpose of the nearby Standing Stones of Stenness and discovering some residents may be more than they seem.

Deal announcement: Ferry-Loupers by Molly Tanzer (me!), "a speculative reimagining of the real-life historical destruction of the ancient Odin Stone on 19th-century Orkney, Scotland, in which an outsider detective must find a way to deliver justice to a communist on the brink of violence, while learning the true purpose of the nearby Standing Stones of Stenness and discovering some residents may be more than they seem.

New historical fantasy/horror novella by me, out next year from @ruadanbooks.bsky.social!

5 days ago 48 15 4 2
A screencap of the Publishers Marketplace deal report for Molly Tanzer’s novella FERRY-LOUPERS, to be published with Ruadán Books in summer 2027, along with a photo of the author.

A screencap of the Publishers Marketplace deal report for Molly Tanzer’s novella FERRY-LOUPERS, to be published with Ruadán Books in summer 2027, along with a photo of the author.

We’re delighted to announce we will be publishing @mollytanzer.bsky.social’s speculative historical mystery FERRY-LOUPERS!

Read more about this novella inspired by the real-life destruction of the Odin Stone on 19th-century Orkney in our press release:
links.ruadanbooks.com/tanzer

#BookSky #SFF

5 days ago 9 4 0 1
Photograph of a laptop sitting on a table between a notepad and pen and a cup of coffee, with the photo repeated ad infinitum on the laptop’s screen. Original photo by Engin Akyurt with the repeating image created by Gerd Altmann. The bottom of the photograph features an inset photo of coffee and notebook representative of the author Adam T, and text reading "The Villain Within: Revising the Stories We Tell About Ourselves" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at links.ruadanbooks.com/t2.

Photograph of a laptop sitting on a table between a notepad and pen and a cup of coffee, with the photo repeated ad infinitum on the laptop’s screen. Original photo by Engin Akyurt with the repeating image created by Gerd Altmann. The bottom of the photograph features an inset photo of coffee and notebook representative of the author Adam T, and text reading "The Villain Within: Revising the Stories We Tell About Ourselves" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at links.ruadanbooks.com/t2.

"Do we only tell stories once we’ve won, or can we tell them from the messy middle, unfinished, still uncertain who the villain is?"

Adam T returns to Thoughts from the Writer's Desk with an essay on fighting rewrites for truth.

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/t2

#WriterSky #AuthorSky #writingcommunity

6 days ago 8 1 0 1
Video

Novella writers! You have just over two weeks left to submit your novella manuscript to our open call.

Remember, we're looking for dark speculative fiction, crime noir, or dark thrillers. Send us your work!

Guidelines: links.ruadanbooks.com/Novellas26

#WriterSky #writingcommunity #AuthorSky

1 week ago 11 8 0 0
Video

We understand that darkly humorous thrillers make for great bedtime stories.

@jeffsomers.bsky.social's FIVE FUNERALS is available on ereaders! You could be reading it right now and discovering what @stephenblackmoore.com calls "the best sort" of choose-your-own narrative adventure.

Sleep tight.

1 week ago 6 4 0 0
Video

Did you know we're on YouTube? We share our launch parties and other events on our channel, so head on over to watch and subscribe!

📺 youtube.com/@RuadanBooks

#BookSky #HorrorSky #darkfantasy #booklaunch

1 week ago 7 2 0 0
A greyscale background image of a bullseye reads “POP! Pre-order Gift” at the top in white text. An image of POP! by Angel Luis Colón in paperback format sits next to a photo of a POP! title refrigerator magnet. Text on a red splat above the magnet reads, “First 200 Orders” and text under it reads, “Order directly from Ruadán Books before August 18, 2026, & receive this exclusive title magnet.” The Ruadán Books logo appears in the lower left corner.

A greyscale background image of a bullseye reads “POP! Pre-order Gift” at the top in white text. An image of POP! by Angel Luis Colón in paperback format sits next to a photo of a POP! title refrigerator magnet. Text on a red splat above the magnet reads, “First 200 Orders” and text under it reads, “Order directly from Ruadán Books before August 18, 2026, & receive this exclusive title magnet.” The Ruadán Books logo appears in the lower left corner.

Pre-order @angelluiscolon.com's POP! and get a title magnet for your fridge!*

👑 links.ruadanbooks.com/POP

This organized crime thriller for every assistant who’s wished they could take out their incompetent boss is out 08.18.26.

*Or other magnetic surface, we're not your boss.

#BookSky #TBR

1 week ago 23 16 0 6
Blackboard background with text reading, “What Ruadán’s Editors Would Like to See” with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “What Ruadán’s Editors Would Like to See” with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Characters that feel real and lived in, with complex pasts and nuanced depiction. While deeply flawed, the flaws aren’t gratuitous. These characters should be on a journey and change over the course of the narrative.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Characters that feel real and lived in, with complex pasts and nuanced depiction. While deeply flawed, the flaws aren’t gratuitous. These characters should be on a journey and change over the course of the narrative.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Raymond Reddington (Jon Bokenkamp’s The Blacklist); Amy Dunne (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn); Una and Owen Mallory (The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow).” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Raymond Reddington (Jon Bokenkamp’s The Blacklist); Amy Dunne (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn); Una and Owen Mallory (The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow).” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “While we are looking for speculative fiction or thrillers, our beacon is beautiful, unexpected writing. Don’t get trapped by tropes, or focus on genre expectations. Remember this is a call for novellas, which demand an economy of words and tight pacing.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “While we are looking for speculative fiction or thrillers, our beacon is beautiful, unexpected writing. Don’t get trapped by tropes, or focus on genre expectations. Remember this is a call for novellas, which demand an economy of words and tight pacing.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Wondering if your novella is a good fit for us? We cracked open our editors’ skulls (metaphorically!) to bring you some insight: here are three things the Ruadán editors would like to see in your work. 1/2

Guidelines: links.ruadanbooks.com/Novellas26

#AuthorSky #writingcommunity #WriterSky

2 weeks ago 7 2 1 0
Blackboard background with text reading, “Novellas We Admire: Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones; When Among Crows by Veronica Roth; This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Novellas We Admire: Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones; When Among Crows by Veronica Roth; This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Vibrant Settings: We want to experience the settings with your characters: your writing should convey a real sense of place, an immediacy that is palpable to the reader. Don’t leave us out in the cold—unless that’s exactly where your story’s set, of course.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Vibrant Settings: We want to experience the settings with your characters: your writing should convey a real sense of place, an immediacy that is palpable to the reader. Don’t leave us out in the cold—unless that’s exactly where your story’s set, of course.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Vibrant Settings: New Orleans in J.R. Blane’s Portraits of Decay; the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s The Shining; the Orient Express in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Vibrant Settings: New Orleans in J.R. Blane’s Portraits of Decay; the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s The Shining; the Orient Express in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Open Novella Call 2026. Closes 04.30.26.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Open Novella Call 2026. Closes 04.30.26.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Bring us your best: we're accepting manuscripts through 04.30.26.

Note: no editors were harmed in the making of this post. 2/2

#WriterSky #writingcommunity #AuthorSky

2 weeks ago 3 0 0 0
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Blackboard background with text reading, “What Ruadán’s Editors Would Like to See” with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “What Ruadán’s Editors Would Like to See” with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Characters that feel real and lived in, with complex pasts and nuanced depiction. While deeply flawed, the flaws aren’t gratuitous. These characters should be on a journey and change over the course of the narrative.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Characters that feel real and lived in, with complex pasts and nuanced depiction. While deeply flawed, the flaws aren’t gratuitous. These characters should be on a journey and change over the course of the narrative.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Raymond Reddington (Jon Bokenkamp’s The Blacklist); Amy Dunne (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn); Una and Owen Mallory (The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow).” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “Compelling Characters: Raymond Reddington (Jon Bokenkamp’s The Blacklist); Amy Dunne (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn); Una and Owen Mallory (The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow).” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “While we are looking for speculative fiction or thrillers, our beacon is beautiful, unexpected writing. Don’t get trapped by tropes, or focus on genre expectations. Remember this is a call for novellas, which demand an economy of words and tight pacing.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Blackboard background with text reading, “While we are looking for speculative fiction or thrillers, our beacon is beautiful, unexpected writing. Don’t get trapped by tropes, or focus on genre expectations. Remember this is a call for novellas, which demand an economy of words and tight pacing.” The Ruadán Books logo is centered at the top of the image.

Wondering if your novella is a good fit for us? We cracked open our editors’ skulls (metaphorically!) to bring you some insight: here are three things the Ruadán editors would like to see in your work. 1/2

Guidelines: links.ruadanbooks.com/Novellas26

#AuthorSky #writingcommunity #WriterSky

2 weeks ago 7 2 1 0

If you’re in Chicago you can come by Solemn Oath Brewery from 1-6pm tomorrow and grab a signed copy. Otherwise, you can pick up a copy from ruadanbooks.com and anywhere else books are sold. #buymybooks #horrorbooks #indiebooks #bookworms

2 weeks ago 9 3 0 0
An image of the paperback of Portraits of Decay by J.R. Blanes is centered against a dark green and black background. Text above the book reads, “‘Perfect combination of creepy and addictive.’—Annie M., Reviewer.” Five stars appear below the text. The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower right corner of the graphic.

An image of the paperback of Portraits of Decay by J.R. Blanes is centered against a dark green and black background. Text above the book reads, “‘Perfect combination of creepy and addictive.’—Annie M., Reviewer.” Five stars appear below the text. The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower right corner of the graphic.

Have you picked up this "perfect combination of creepy and addictive" yet?

We love a Southern Gothic. Add pitch perfect New Orleans, deeply flawed characters, & wicked body horror, & you've got PORTRAITS OF DECAY by @jrblanes.bsky.social.

Order direct:
links.ruadanbooks.com/pod

#BookSky #Horror

2 weeks ago 6 1 0 1

"Sometimes I think the story disappeared because I killed it. Maybe it needed to exist for him, not for me. Maybe stories are like promises, you break them, and something breaks elsewhere, quietly."

Must-read is an understatement. This is so full.

3 weeks ago 7 2 0 0
Video

We are open to novella manuscripts! We're looking for dark thrillers, crime noir, & dark speculative fiction—if you've got a complete novella (25k-40k words) that fits, we want to hear from you.

Submission guidelines here:
links.ruadanbooks.com/Novellas26

#WriterSky #AuthorSky #writingcommunity

2 weeks ago 19 17 2 0

For this call, 25k is a hard minimum. Thanks for asking!

2 weeks ago 2 0 1 0
Preview
Smart Search List of the Day The Smart Search List of the Day is: Mainstream Fantasy Fiction feat. @cosmicrootsonline.bsky.social @themetaworker.bsky.social @scribeworth.bsky.social @ruadanbooks.bsky.social @adventitiouswords.bsky.social et al. https://duotrope.com/search/smart/fiction/mainstream-fantasy-fiction-N6vae4g2

The Smart Search List of the Day is: Mainstream Fantasy Fiction feat. @cosmicrootsonline.bsky.social @themetaworker.bsky.social @scribeworth.bsky.social @ruadanbooks.bsky.social @adventitiouswords.bsky.social et al. https://duotrope.com

2 weeks ago 3 2 0 0

NYC! This is tonight. In less than two hours, actually. Come on out to see @jeffsomers.bsky.social and other authors with @mysterywriters.bsky.social's NYC chapter!

#Soho #NewYork #ThrillerSky #BookSky

3 weeks ago 6 0 0 0
Photo of a man’s hand holding a paperback copy of Spring in the City: A Collection of Dark Speculative Fiction, edited by R. B. Wood and Anna Koon. The book is held up in front of a scene in Lower Manhattan, showing the street and traffic in front of Trinity Church & St. Paul’s Chapel juxtaposed with newer, taller buildings in the background. Photo by Jeff Enos, a contributor to the anthology.

Photo of a man’s hand holding a paperback copy of Spring in the City: A Collection of Dark Speculative Fiction, edited by R. B. Wood and Anna Koon. The book is held up in front of a scene in Lower Manhattan, showing the street and traffic in front of Trinity Church & St. Paul’s Chapel juxtaposed with newer, taller buildings in the background. Photo by Jeff Enos, a contributor to the anthology.

Spring gets everywhere these days.

Grab your own copy of Spring in the City, edited by R. B. Wood and Anna Koon, wherever books are sold!

Or direct here:
🌸 links.ruadanbooks.com/spring

NYC Photo by contributor Jeff Enos.

#BookSky #urbanfantasy #LowerManhattan #NewYork

3 weeks ago 3 0 0 0

Beautiful

3 weeks ago 7 4 0 0
Advertisement
Photograph of a shiny motorcycle engine. Photo by Porebski Fotografie. The bottom of the photograph features an inset author photo of Fendy S. Tulodo, and text reading "How to Kill a Story Before It Breathes" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at links.ruadanbooks.com/tulodo2.

Photograph of a shiny motorcycle engine. Photo by Porebski Fotografie. The bottom of the photograph features an inset author photo of Fendy S. Tulodo, and text reading "How to Kill a Story Before It Breathes" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at links.ruadanbooks.com/tulodo2.

"I used to think stories were like engines. You give them fuel, you push a button, and they start. But they’re not."

Fendy S. Tulodo's back on Thoughts from the Writer's Desk with the powerful "How to Kill a Story Before It Breathes."

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/tulodo2

#AuthorSky #writingcommunity

3 weeks ago 11 1 0 2
Video

Just what is hiding in these pages? We've wrested a few secrets loose to tempt you, but these cities hold their mysteries close.

Do you want to hold onto Winter just a bit longer?

Available wherever books are sold, or direct:
❄️ links.ruadanbooks.com/winter

#BookSky #urbanfantasy #darkfantasy #TBR

3 weeks ago 8 2 0 0
Video

In NYC? Where will you be the night of Tuesday, 3/31? We'll tell you: Join @jeffsomers.bsky.social & the @mysterywriters.bsky.social NYC chapter for Reading & Mingling in Soho.

Find out more: links.ruadanbooks.com/MWANYC

It's a good alibi; not at all Lamp behavior.

#BookSky #ThrillerSky #NewYork

3 weeks ago 6 2 1 1
Image features the paperback of Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path by Jeff Somers against a dark textured background. Text reads, “A set of modern fables for those hitting the mid-life, Five Funerals flawlessly & hilariously stitches together the final fates of people that, well, sort of deserved it."—Angel Luis Colón, Award-winning Author of Infested. The words “Available Now” appear centered at the bottom, with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top.

Image features the paperback of Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path by Jeff Somers against a dark textured background. Text reads, “A set of modern fables for those hitting the mid-life, Five Funerals flawlessly & hilariously stitches together the final fates of people that, well, sort of deserved it."—Angel Luis Colón, Award-winning Author of Infested. The words “Available Now” appear centered at the bottom, with the Ruadán Books logo centered at the top.

And for the reader, perhaps an entertainingly interwoven cavalcade of calamity? Available wherever books are sold.

FIVE FUNERALS by @jeffsomers.bsky.social—for fans of: Edward Gorey, unique narrative structures, footnotes, and 1000 WAYS TO DIE.

Buy direct: links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

#BookSky #TBR

3 weeks ago 4 1 0 0
Text image headlined "Ruadán Books Partners with IPG and Versa Press." Text quotes parts of the press release that can be read at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/partners. Features images of the Ruadán Books, IPG, and Versa Press logos in the lower right.

Text image headlined "Ruadán Books Partners with IPG and Versa Press." Text quotes parts of the press release that can be read at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/partners. Features images of the Ruadán Books, IPG, and Versa Press logos in the lower right.

Ruadán Books is thrilled to be working with @ipgbook.bsky.social for distribution and Versa Press for printing, allowing us to widen our reach in bringing you the best in deliciously dark fiction!

Read more: links.ruadanbooks.com/partners

#BookSky #indiepublishing #smallpress

3 weeks ago 11 2 0 0
Video

Just remember, kids: the next pocket you pick might be cursed. So good luck with that.

Haven’t picked up Sinister Societies yet? Paperback available wherever books are sold, or direct:
🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/buyS6

Illustration by Kip Ayers from @inkwellmonster.bsky.social's Cult of the Rat King.

4 weeks ago 5 1 0 0
Post image

📖 Taking Submissions
Ruadán Books Novella Call
📅 April 1 to April 30, 2026
💰 10¢ per word (pro rate)
📏 25k to 40k words
🌑 Dark speculative fiction
Bring us flawed characters, tension, and the darkness within.
Details
horrortree.com/ruadan-books...
From @ruadanbooks.bsky.social
#WritingSubmissions

4 weeks ago 18 8 1 0

@angelluiscolon.com is so talented and so underrated. His new book POP! is coming soon !

1 month ago 30 4 0 0
Advertisement
A noir-toned background image of a rainy city skyscape, birds flying with a backdrop of smeared neon lights, with a detective standing on a rooftop in long coat and hat. Left-justified text on the image reads "open call for novellas, opens: 4.01.26, closes: 4.30.26." The Ruadán Books logo is centered above the text.

A noir-toned background image of a rainy city skyscape, birds flying with a backdrop of smeared neon lights, with a detective standing on a rooftop in long coat and hat. Left-justified text on the image reads "open call for novellas, opens: 4.01.26, closes: 4.30.26." The Ruadán Books logo is centered above the text.

We open to novella manuscripts on 4/1! We're looking for dark thrillers, crime noir, & dark speculative fiction—if you've got a complete novella (25k-40k words) that fits, we want to hear from you.

Submission guidelines here: links.ruadanbooks.com/Novellas26

#WriterSky #AuthorSky #writingcommunity

1 month ago 17 14 0 1

And for the evening crowd, perhaps an exclusive cover reveal? The vintage is "artisanal organized crime thriller." Music by Kevin MacLeod!

1 month ago 2 0 0 0