The self-publishing world is tough as an indie horror writer, but especially a new writer. You don’t know how to navigate self-promotion and making connections can be pretty tricky. And when you’re surrounded by other writing heavyweights, well everything can get intimidating. At least that was my experience.
That’s why I’m thankful for a platform like Godless, that makes it easy for horror novelists to publish their books, meet other writers, promote their books, and connect to other horror readers.
They not only support indie writers but also publishers and even those who offer services to indie writers, such as editors and book cover designers. Godless has also created a community of horror writers and readers who can’t get enough of the craziest horror and splatterpunk fiction out there.
So, what is Godless?
Godless is an e-book distribution platform that features and promotes independent horror authors, like me! And yes, yours truly is also featured on Godless.
Pretty much, writers can upload their e-books on Godless and readers can purchase them directly on the platform. Plus, you get extra promotion on this platform. And it’s just another easy way to attract new readers.
Plus, Godless partners with Children of the Night who provides intervention to children who are victims of or are vulnerable to sex trafficking, pornography, and other forms of sexual exploitation.
When you take a quick look on the Godless website, you can see there are numerous amazing authors and books on Godless. While I barely brushed the surface, I’m listing my favorite works on Godless right here.
Okay, boring disclaimer alert. This is an honest review. I was not asked by Godless or their owner/other associates for this review. I also purchased all of these books with my own money. So when I say I truly like these books, I really SERIOUSLY like these books a lot.
A Little Bit Country (Fucking Scumbags Burn in Hell: Book 1) by Drew Stepek
I think it’s only fair to mention the Godless head honcho as the number one on this list. Face it, without Drew, none of this would exist and we writers are forever in his debt.
For this review, I decided to choose the first book from his series Fucking Scumbags Burn in Hell. I personally love this book because I’m interested in other interpretations of Hell, other than the fire-infested land with demons torturing souls and whatever else that Dante Alighieri said.
This is one of those books that start and end completely differently. You meet a deceased man we only know as Country. While in Hell, he’s assigned to turn people from Earth away from God and to the Dark Lord. However, Country, well, seriously fucks up.
As the book continues, you discover that Country is fucked up in the head, which is what landed him in Hell in the first place. I won’t go into more detail, but the book seriously ends on a cliffhanger.
I should also mention this book is completely free, so there’s absolutely no reason for you to skip out on this one.
The City by S.C.Mendes
Oh my goodness, where do I start with this one? Well as you can see from the picture, I bought a physical copy after reading the digital one on Godless. If that tells you how much I loved this book.
The story follows Max Elliot, a former detective with a serious opium problem. After the brutal death of his wife and the disappearance of his daughter, he left the force. But after similar murders occurred, the police know that Max is the only person who can solve this crime.
And solve it he does. At the crime scene, he discovers a mysterious drug. That drug is linked to one place, The City, an underground world that harbors depravity and violence. This world will unlock the reasons behind the murders and the answers to his daughter’s disappearance.
You meet a variety of colorful characters in this book. Max himself is interesting, to say the least. McCloud, another officer who’s desperately trying to work in homicide. Charlie, probably the lowest of the low type of human. Ming, a teenager who teaches Max the ropes of The City. And of course, The Mara, the thousand-year-old reptilian humanoids who run The City.
The story really enticed me, but I especially love S.C. Mendes’ writing. He reminds me of a more twisted Graham Masterton, which says a lot because I love Master of Lies. Mendes has that same air of mystery and weaves in noir-like crime fiction with enough fantasy elements to make the book unique.
Overall, your nose will be stuck in this book until the very end. This is the type of book where I felt sad that the book was over. I wanted to be stuck in The City with Max surrounded by Mara forever. I even had a dream of The Mara! Fortunately, Mendes is writing a sequel, so we won’t have to wait too long to discover what happens next.
No Escape – E.B. Lunsford
I actually just finished this book today and it’s fresh in my mind.
The book centers around two stories: Tom and Nicole. Tom is a serial killer/rapist/snuff filmmaker. He has that typical narcissism that you see with serial killers, though he lived a screwed-up life where he was sexually abused by his foster mother.
Nicole is a high school senior who has experienced nothing but tragedy in her young life. Not only did her mom die at a young age but also her boyfriend.
Now that she’s graduating, she and her friends want to have the last high school party out of town in a cabin. Unfortunately for them, this is the same area where Tom lives. And he just so happens to be looking for new “stars” in his next snuff film.
E.B. Lunsford unleashes many twists and turns in this book. I love the campiness of it; the kids partying, oblivious to the world, unaware that they’re being stalked by a ruthless killer.
The only I will say is the book starts slowly at first. But that’s necessary; we have to be annoyed by the teenagers before we get to the good stuff. But once they arrive at the cabin, you won’t be able to put this book down.
I have to say, Lunsford has excellent characterization. In classic horror sense, Nicole makes the perfect “final girl.” Her friends were too dumb and reckless to survive. Nicole has lots of fight in her and a keen ability to never give up.
But trust me when I say this book isn’t for the faint of heart. First off, there’s lots and lots and lots of rape here. I know for some, sexual abuse is a big no-no, even in horror, so this book definitely has a big trigger warning.
Lunsford also doesn’t hold back on the detail. If Tom is torturing a victim, you’ll know how bad it hurts. If they’re restrained, you’ll know how it affects their body and mind. She doesn’t hold back when killing her characters and makes them die the most brutal deaths imaginable.
A Gift of Death by Daniel J. Volpe
This book definitely hit a soft spot of mine: the metal scene.
I’ve been a longtime metal fan, as long as I’ve been a horror fan, and I’ve been a music journalist for nearly 10 years. I was actually recommended Daniel J. Volpe’s work long before Godless emerged. When I saw that Volpe was on Godless, I had to read his work.
The book opens up at a concert. One girl is watching the show when a mysterious thrash metal band called A Gift of Death enters the stage. The first victim, Trina, is enticed by them.
She meets up with the band after the show, thinking she’s going to have some fun lesbian action with the two female members of the band. Instead, she’s brutally murdered by them. That’s because they’re vampires.
The book not only focuses on the band but also two other stories. Cameron, a loner high school boy who loves the band so much, he’s willing to become one of them. And two private detectives who are secret vampire hunters.
I love this book for many reasons other than the metal band aspect. It’s a unique idea and one that left me amused for the duration of the book.
Volpe also writes in a way that’s brutal but you also feel for the characters. For this book, you especially sympathize with Cameron, whose constant bullying and crappy home life make him think that death is his only option.
Cucumbers and Comforters by Nikki Noir
I think out of all of the books on this list, Cucumbers and Comforters is the most fun. The book centers around a teenage girl, Jen, and her missing friend. Turns out, there’s more to her missing friend than monsters in the lake.
Nikki Noir truly proves she’s one of the most imaginative horror writers today with this book. If you would ever tell me that lake monsters would be so brutal, then I would look more into the Nessie theories.
There’s also a larger mystery here at play. Even though it’s a short story, Noir covers a ton of details here. If you’re in the mood for a short and fun yet brutal read, then definitely pick up this book.
Love Stumped by Lindsay Crook
Man, such a short read yet so fucked up. I know there are some weird fetishes out there, but a fetish of amputated limbs? Yikes. Well, that’s what you get when you read Love Stumped.
As you can tell, this story revolves around a psychopath named Dirk who kidnaps women and cuts off their limbs for his sexual gratification. However, he’s not ready for what his next “victim,” a woman named Wren, has to offer him.
This story is brutal and crazy, probably one of the goriest I ever read. But you won’t regret reading this one.
Mukbang Princess by Rayne Havok
Speaking of short yet fucked up reads, everyone should add Rayne Havok’s Mukbang Princess to this list. Don’t let the pretty pink cover fool you. This is probably one of the most deranged, graphic, and disgusting books I’ve ever read. And I loved every second of it.
The story centers around two girls who are trying to make money on social media. They come across mukbang, which are those weird videos of people eating (I seriously don’t know why people watch them).
Anyway, the girls find Mukbang Princess and she charges a steep price to watch her videos. The girls buy one to see what it’s about. However, they could never prepare themselves for the horrors that will unfold.
Mukbang Princess is a splatterpunk story for the modern audience. Social media and weird internet trends are the perfect setting for a horror story, and this short proves it.
But Havok goes even deeper, bringing out the nightmarish qualities of these types of videos. You may not wanna go online after reading this story. I know I didn’t.
Death Metal by Armand Rosamilia
Another book inspired by the metal scene! But this is another book that totally surprised me.
Let’s go into the basic premise of the book. It centers around Daniel Cahill, who most know as a young adult writer. What most don’t know is his secret identity as an extreme metal musician.
After years of making music, Daniel would rather focus on writing books. Unfortunately, some of his craziest fans don’t like that idea and will go as far as to harm his family if he doesn’t continue releasing albums.
Again, this book has many surprises that will leave you at the edge of your seat. It’s only 130 pages long, but it’s also so in-depth with a complex backstory and a twist ending. I finished this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down.
Gob & Nob by Simon McHardy
Man, where do I start? I mean, you’ll never truly read another book like Gob & Nob. If you want to read a book that doesn’t hold back on the bloodshed, then definitely pick up this one.
And that’s not all this book features. One of its main characters is, well, a talking penis. Yes, I said that right. A talking penis. As you can see, it’s a fun and short read. Definitely one I knocked out quickly, perfect if you want several good laughs.
FYI, this is another book that features rape. Again, I know there are even brutal horror fans sensitive to that, so figured a trigger warning was necessary.
Dolls by K.J. Moore
If you like your horror kinky, then definitely check out this book!
The book centers around Gabe and his female companion as they travel to various countries to solve the murder of their friend, Ben. But in order to get there, they have to endure a dominatrix, various gimp masks, and the worst crime ever within the boundaries of Thailand.
I definitely lost myself in this book. K.J. Moore has a way of not only maintaining the intensity but also building it perfectly. The sexual and kinky themes added an extra edge to the book.
The only thing I have to say is the two main characters are American, yet they’re speaking in British slang. Not a huge deal, just thought it was kind of funny. Otherwise, I recommend this book if you want a unique horror story with a healthy dose of fetishism!