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Shadows & Ink Blog: Revitalizing Your Writing Career
Every author experiences moments when their career feels stagnant. Perhaps your latest manuscript isn’t flowing, or you’re stuck in the same routine that isn’t yielding the results you desire. When faced with these challenges, it’s essential to remember that growth often comes from change. Here are some strategies to help you break free and revitalize your writing career. 1. Change Your Location...
This month’s Flash Contest’s theme is…
Author Jyl Glenn won last month’s contest and has agreed to host. Here is the new theme (and we’ll be accepting submissions throughout November and December): “A deserted hallway, an abandoned amusement park, or a mist-covered subway platform at midnight—a place where reality blurs with the surreal—then twists into terror. These places are familiar, yet something is…off. Disembodied whispers,...
Sequel announced!
I'm happy to report that the sequel to Jonathan Fortin's Lilitu novel has been signed, with more books in the works. I truly believe this world Jonathan's created has the potential for a great series. Out next year (be sure to pick up book 1 before then).
Since its founding in 2012, Crystal Lake’s authors, books, artists, and editors have walked away with 79 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, 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.”
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 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
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books. In 2023, Crystal Lake officially transitioned into an entertainment company, joining several other divisions, genres, and imprints, including Torrid Waters, Crystal Lake Comics, Crystal Lake Games, Crystal Lake Kids, and many more.
While we strive to present only the highest quality fiction and entertainment, we also endeavor 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 and many other wins and nominations (including the HWA’s Specialty Press Award), Crystal Lake 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 women who endeavor 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 is and will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. We endeavor 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 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 200 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 deal 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 endeavors.
We look forward to launching many new careers.
This is what we believe in. What we stand for. This will be our legacy.
Welcome to Crystal Lake.
Who we are
JOE MYNHARDT
Founder & CEO
Joe Mynhardt is a Bram Stoker Award-winning South African publisher, editor, author, and mentor. Joe founded Crystal Lake in August 2012 and is currently the CEO.
Jaco Nieuwoudt
Managing Director and Publisher
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.
NACHING T. KASSA
Talent Relations
Naching T. Kassa is a wife, mother, and writer. She is Head of Talent Relations at Crystal Lake Publishing and a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association and several Sherlock Holmes scions.
James Aquilone
Crystal Lake Comics
James Aquilone is the owner of Monstrous Books, writer of the Dead Jack, Zombie Detective series, and editor of the anthologies Classic Monsters Unleashed, Shakespeare Unleashed, and the 50th anniversary Kolchak: The Night Stalker graphic novel. He’s won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel and two Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.
Anita Stewart
Media Manager
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada, A.F. Stewart is an author of all things dark and stabby, trailing a long list of novels, novellas, and story collections, as well as poetry. In addition, she is an interviewer, having hosted the shows Between the Pages Book Chat and Words That Kill.
Kenneth W. Cain
Torrid Waters imprint / Publisher
An author of horror/dark fiction and freelance editor, Kenneth W. Cain is a member of the HWA and the SFWA. He has had over one hundred short stories published, as well as thirteen novels/novellas, and he has edited ten anthologies. You can find his full publishing history at kennethwcain.com.
Jaime Powell
Editor-in-Chief
J.P. Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of Crystal Lake Publishing, as well as an established freelance editor. In 2022 she was named one of Reedsy’s top performing professionals. She is a lover of all things dark, including books, movies, and humor.
Jacque Day Pallone
Jacque Day is co-editor of the Carnage House horror web ‘zine and a freelancer for Memento Mori Ink Magazine, a Crystal Lake partner. She lives in her home state of Pennsylvania, USA, with her scientist husband, and edits the HWA Pennsylvania chapter newsletter. Jacque served as the longtime managing editor for the New Madrid journal of contemporary literature.
Lisa Vasquez
Lisa Vasquez is partner and editor-in-chief for Memento Mori Ink Magazine with over 15 years of industry experience in publishing, writing, mentoring and helping to build the indie, dark fiction community one page at a time.
Lisa Lee
Lisa Lee is a full-time freelance editor, a bibliophile, and a book critic. She is the Managing Editor for Memento Mori Magazine and runs the review site Bibliophilia Templum.
CHARLENE DU TOIT
SA Talent Relations, Social Media
Charlene du Toit is a wife and mother of three based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. An avid reader and businesswoman, she’s a creative force not to be messed with.
MONIQUE BENCE
Graphic Design, Marketing
Monique Bence, owner of MB Creations, specializes in social media marketing, graphic design, and photography. She creates logos and marketing designs, and effortlessly manages social media accounts to build your brand.
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