Current News
Justin Phillips (An Author Spotlight Interview - August 2026)
In this Author Spotlight interview, American Limoncello author Justin Phillips invites us into a creative world shaped by curiosity, unconventional inspiration, and a fascination with the grey areas of human behaviour. From an unforgettable first week working as a valet in Las Vegas to becoming a debut novelist, Justin reflects on the experiences and influences that shaped his writing journey. He shares his thoughts on flawed heroes, philosophical villains, emotional storytelling, creative chaos, and why writers shouldn’t let an onslaught of “necessary” rules drain the joy from their craft. Influenced by comic books, Raymond E. Feist, S. A. Cosby, and Grace D. Li, Justin’s approach to storytelling is captured in one simple philosophy: just start, get better, get weird, and repeat.
Wicked Ink Publishing Falls Head Over Heels Again for Waverly O'Brian's “The Art of Intention” in a New Three-Book Deal
We are thrilled to continue our publishing journey with contemporary romance author Waverly O'Brian in a brand-new three-book deal, beginning with The Art of Intention, releasing July 2027. Set against the windswept coast of Ireland, this heartfelt romance follows Iris as a disastrous artist residency leads to unexpected friendships, rediscovered dreams, and a charming Irishman who was never part of the plan. Filled with slow-burn chemistry, found family, humour, and heart, The Art of Intention marks an exciting new chapter for Waverly and Wicked Ink Publishing, with two more swoon-worthy romances still to come. Stay tuned for the cover reveal, preorder details, and more!
L. C. Walters (An Author Spotlight Interview - August 2026)
With Dust, the second book in the Nostaliem Trilogy, now available, author L. C. Walters returns to discuss how her dystopian world has evolved from survival to rebellion. In this exclusive Author Spotlight interview, Walters explores the deeply personal journey behind Krevax and Dust, the changing relationships between Charlie, Tinik, and their community, and the challenges of expanding the story beyond the underground city. She also reveals how themes of memory, connection, trauma, and healing have shaped the trilogy, while offering a glimpse toward its final chapter, Glass. A fascinating return to the world of Nostaliem and the question at its heart: what comes after dystopia?
The Nightmare Continues: S. N. Short Returns to Wicked Ink Publishing with “The Rocking Horse”
We are thrilled to continue our publishing journey with horror author S. N. Short, who returns with her second supernatural horror novel, The Rocking Horse, coming Fall 2027. Following the chilling terror of A White Death, Short trades the frozen isolation of Canada’s High Arctic for a nightmare much closer to home, where an innocent vintage rocking horse carries a dark history that refuses to stay buried. Filled with supernatural terror, a decades-old tragedy, mounting dread, and a past that refuses to be forgotten, The Rocking Horse marks an exciting new chapter for S. N. Short and Wicked Ink Publishing. Stay tuned for the cover reveal, preorder details, and more!
A New Legend Begins: Wicked Ink Publishing Signs J.R. Carter’s Tales of the Black Knight Fantasy Series
Wicked Ink Publishing is thrilled to welcome fantasy author J.R. Carter with An Impossible Debt, the first book in Tales of the Black Knight. Inspired by ancient and medieval history, this gritty fantasy adventure follows seventeen-year-old Sonny Venshae as his quest for vengeance against the legendary Black Knight leads him across an unforgiving world alongside a colourful band of mercenaries. Filled with dangerous journeys, bloody battles, unlikely heroes, and unexpected heart, An Impossible Debt launches an exciting new fantasy series where vengeance always comes at a price.
Submissions Reopen on September 1, 2026
Are you ready to take the next step in your publishing journey? We’re thrilled to announce that manuscript submissions will reopen on September 1, 2026! This is your opportunity to submit your work to an independent publisher that values bold storytelling, diverse voices, and innovative ideas.
Will Cooper (An Author Spotlight Interview - April 2026)
In this Author Spotlight interview, speculative fiction author Will Cooper invites us into a creative world shaped by curiosity, introspection, and an enduring belief in the power of stories. From a childhood spent exploring the woods and losing himself in books to early mornings dedicated to writing before the rest of the world wakes, Will reflects on the experiences, habits, and ideas that have shaped his journey as a writer. He shares his thoughts on finding an authentic voice, embracing doubt as part of the creative process, and using emotional vulnerability to forge deeper connections with readers. Influenced by the psychological depth and precision of Ian McEwan, Vladimir Nabokov, and J. M. Coetzee, Will explores questions of freedom, knowledge, human consciousness, and our evolving relationship with technology, themes that continue to shape The Lotus Trilogy. Through it all, his storytelling remains grounded in optimism and the belief that fiction can do more than reflect the world around us; it can help us imagine what might come next.
Waverly O’Brian (An Author Spotlight Interview - April 2026)
In this Author Spotlight interview, contemporary romance author Waverly O’Brian invites us into the heart of her creative journey, where emotion, routine, and quiet moments collide to form stories that feel strikingly real. From an unexpected beginning in structured academic writing to discovering her voice through storytelling, Waverly reflects on the habits, discipline, and creative instincts that shaped her debut novel, The Deskmate Dilemma. She shares her approach to writing authentic relationships, building tension through “almost” moments, and embracing an organized chaos that keeps her creativity flowing. Influenced by the character-driven charm of Rick Riordan and the heartfelt romance of Ali Hazelwood and Katherine Center, Waverly explores themes of identity, love, and belonging, crafting stories that aim to make readers laugh, ache, and fall in love right alongside her characters.
Jonas Gülstorff (An Author Spotlight Interview - February 2026)
In this Author Spotlight interview, psychological thriller writer Jonas Gülstorff takes us inside the craft, discipline, and emotional undercurrents that shape his storytelling. From his early beginnings in radio, television, and songwriting to publishing poetry and gripping fiction, Jonas reflects on how form may change—but the drive to explore the human condition remains constant. He shares his thoughts on creative momentum, writing through doubt, the importance of strong openings, and why empathy sits at the heart of every compelling character. Influenced by the quiet intensity of Haruki Murakami and the enduring power of character-driven narratives, Jonas reveals how he builds stories that simmer beneath the surface, inviting readers into worlds where tension lingers and nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems.
When Ghosts Whisper: A New Cozy Mystery Series Launches with Funeral Vows by Gaya Koljay at Wicked Ink Publishing
Wicked Ink Publishing is excited to announce the signing of Gaya Koljay for her cozy mystery Funeral Vows, the first book in The Funeral Home Mysteries. Set in the coastal town of Mangawhai, the novel follows Ida, an Austrian expatriate funeral director who, after a near-death experience, discovers she can see ghosts and is drawn into a suspicious death involving missing relatives and disrupted funeral plans. As Ida teams up with Constable Dean Mackay to uncover the truth before a scheduled cremation, Funeral Vows blends warmth, wit, romance, and gentle suspense. Informed by Koljay’s international background and extensive publishing career, Wicked Ink Publishing is thrilled to welcome her and share this charming new cozy mystery series with readers.
Epic Fantasy Rooted in Egyptian Myth: Wicked Ink Publishing Signs Secrets In The Hieroglyphs
Wicked Ink Publishing is proud to announce the signing of Kareem El-Baradie for his debut epic Egyptian fantasy novel, Children Of The Wind, the first book in the Secrets In The Hieroglyphs series, a sweeping mythological tale set in a world ruled by gods where destiny moves like the desert wind. Drawing deeply from ancient Egyptian mythology, the novel follows Heqaib, the last orphaned lion cub, as civil war fractures the realm and ancient powers stir, forcing him to confront betrayal, grief, and the question of whether purpose is inherited or chosen. Kareem brings a rare blend of passion and precision to his storytelling, shaped by a lifelong love of Egyptian myth and a seven-year career in the video game industry at Ubisoft Toronto, where he contributed to major titles including Far Cry 6 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Those experiences now fuel a richly immersive fantasy series that reimagines ancient Egypt as a living world of gods, magic, and moral consequence, and we are thrilled to welcome Kareem El-Baradie to Wicked Ink Publishing.
A World Beyond the Wall Awaits: Kara Toews Joins Wicked Ink with Where The Fire Burns, Book One of The Fifth Order Trilogy
Wicked Ink Publishing is thrilled to welcome Kara Toews with her breathtaking debut fantasy novel, Where The Fire Burns, Book One of The Fifth Order Trilogy. Set in a realm divided by an ancient Wall and bound by prophecy, the story follows Ren Sorra, a young woman whose forbidden journey awakens the power to summon violet fire, magic that could unite or destroy her world. Blending lyrical prose, emotional depth, and elemental magic, Toews’s debut ignites a sweeping new fantasy series where every choice burns.
Jeff Medhurst (An Author Spotlight Interview - November 2025)
In this author spotlight interview, debut YA author Jeff Medhurst takes us inside The Sidekick, a gripping and heartfelt superhero story that redefines what it means to stand in the shadow of greatness. The first book in The Vinton Chronicles, it explores courage, loyalty, and the blurred lines between good and evil in a city teetering on collapse. Medhurst shares how his lifelong love of storytelling—from childhood picture books to comic book epics—shaped his voice, why music is essential to his writing process, and how teaching, fatherhood, and creative discipline fuel his imagination. With cinematic action and emotional depth, The Sidekick delivers a fresh, character-driven take on heroism, proving that sometimes the most powerful stories belong to those who were never meant to take the spotlight.
The Flame Begins: Wicked Ink Signs Edy Graziani’s YA Fantasy Trilogy, Book One – The Last Ember
Wicked Ink Publishing is thrilled to welcome acclaimed YA author Edy (E.) Graziani, known for her award-winning Alice of the Rocks duology, with her newest fantasy romantasy, The Last Ember, Book One in the Of Fire and Sky trilogy. A tale of forbidden love, vengeance, and destiny, it follows Lila, the last heir of a fallen house, and Kellan, a soldier bound to her enemies, as they uncover a prophecy that could save their world, or burn it to ash. The Last Ember is coming soon from Wicked Ink Publishing.
Morrigan Ellis (An Author Spotlight Interview - October 2025)
In this exclusive author spotlight interview, debut horror author Morrigan Ellis takes us inside Repression, a chilling and emotionally charged psychological horror that blurs the line between memory and madness. Set in a small town haunted by loss and buried secrets, the novel delves into grief, guilt, and the haunting power of what we refuse to face. Ellis opens up about her creative journey from lifelong horror fan to published author, her writing rituals fueled by late-night sessions and eerie soundtracks, and her belief that true terror lies in our emotions—not just the monsters outside, but the ones we carry within. Thought-provoking, atmospheric, and deeply human, Repression is a must-read for anyone drawn to the shadows of the mind and the ghosts that linger there.
Emily Grey (An Author Spotlight Interview - October 2025)
In this exclusive author spotlight interview, debut fantasy author Emily Grey takes us inside Merchant’s Book, a heartfelt and enchanting romantasy that blends rich worldbuilding with deeply human emotion. Set in a vividly imagined world where magic meets meaning, the novel explores themes of equality, identity, and the quiet strength found in connection and compassion. Grey opens up about her creative journey from art and theatre to writing, the role of empathy in her storytelling, and how her signature “organized chaos” of sticky notes and binders helps bring her worlds to life. A beautifully crafted story of love, courage, and self-discovery, Merchant’s Book is a must-read for anyone who believes that even in the most magical realms, the heart remains the truest source of power.
Kyle Scarlett (An Author Spotlight Interview - September 2025)
In this exclusive author spotlight interview, debut fantasy author Kyle Scarlett takes us inside Dawn of Crimson, an ambitious, character-driven epic that blends sweeping worldbuilding with emotional depth. Set in the richly imagined realm of Aerturiel, the novel explores power, corruption, and the inner battles of expectation, doubt, and identity. Scarlett opens up about how years of crafting Dungeons & Dragons campaigns shaped his storytelling, why themes like toxic masculinity and imposter syndrome matter in fantasy, and how history itself bleeds into every corner of his world. A gripping tale of survival, sacrifice, and legacy, Dawn of Crimson is a must-read for fans of immersive fantasy that challenges both its heroes and its readers with equal intensity.
Daniel Goy (An Author Spotlight Interview - August 2025)
In this exclusive author spotlight interview, author Daniel Goy takes us inside Time Travel 101: Intro To Eternity—a sharp, heartfelt, and hilarious sci-fi debut that twists time travel into something deeply personal. Ahead of the book’s August 12 release, Goy opens up about the emotional core of the story, how neurodivergence and grief shaped his protagonist’s journey, and why flawed characters matter in a world full of paradoxes and peril. A genre-bending adventure packed with humour, heart, and high-stakes chaos, Time Travel 101 is a must-read for fans of emotionally driven speculative fiction with brains, bravery, and a whole lot of heart.
Patrick Bryce Wright (An Author Spotlight Interview - July 2025)
In this exclusive pre-release interview, author Patrick Bryce Wright takes us inside The God Slayers—a bold, genre-defying fantasy where science, magic, and faith collide in a battle for identity and survival. Ahead of the book’s July 29 release, Wright discusses the personal roots of the Manifestation Magician series, how his lived experiences shaped its characters and world, and the deeper themes of belief, rebellion, and transformation woven throughout the story. A powerful debut that blends dystopian tension with queer magic and myth, The God Slayers is a must-read for fans of thought-provoking, emotionally rich speculative fiction.
Behind the Pages: Chris Harrison Makes Chilling Appearance on "Poe Unplugged"
Our very own Chris Harrison joins Poe Unplugged for a special feature in their 6 Degrees of Edgar Allan Poe series! Tune in as the hosts dive into the legacy of the master of gothic fiction and explore how Poe’s influence continues to shape today’s horror writers.