Note to our Booktober readers and contributing authors:
Late one October evening, we were dreaming about the world as it could be and conceptualized Booktober almost as a joke, hardly thinking we’d move forward with such a project. The world was chaotic, creative fires were burning low, and with so many impending changes looming over our heads, we didn’t really think pulling together another anthology was feasible.
But the idea was there, the seed planted. Over the coming months as we continued to hash out ideas of what we wanted this project to be about for the long term—because we wanted Booktober to be more than just a one-off—it became harder to dismiss.
From the beginning, three things were important to us. One, we wanted the proceeds to benefit a charity. Two, we wanted the works inside it to represent a diverse group of relationship dynamics (couples, menages, and RH, including LGBTQIA+ relationships). Three, we wanted both established and emerging authors represented in this anthology.
“Screw it,” we said. “We’re doing this thing.”
And Booktober was born.
As soon as we announced the project, authors started jumping on board. Pretty soon, we found ourselves in the company of a host of brilliant writers, some of which were entirely new to the paranormal romance genre. We’ve worked with talented designers, struggled through competing deadlines and real-life priorities, and watched this project shape up into something we are remarkably proud of.
Before we set out on this adventure, we want to say thank you to our contributing authors for taking this leap of faith. Thank you for your time, for your words, and for your presence. This dream wouldn’t be real without you. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside you and get to know your unique styles, voices, and storytelling skills.
Secondly, we hope that this has become a project that you are equally proud of. You each contributed something beautiful—if also dirty, nasty, and steamy—to the world with your words. Some of you did so under immense pressure.
You rock, word witches.
And, finally, we want to extend a special thanks to our readers. You’ve already been sharing our teasers, joining our ARC teams, and generally cheering this project on. Now it’s finally in your hot little hands. We hope it steams up your spooky season in ALL the right ways.
Miri Stone - Feral for You
K.O. Newman - Dog Days
Mariah Thayer - Defiance
Marlee P. Louis - Siren’s Song
Emilia Rose & A.S. Sparks - Princess and the Wolf King
Raven Woodward - Dances with Devils
Mercy Desmone - The NecroDancer
Ebony Olson - The Grave Keeper
Marina Garcia - Hunter’s Mark
Shelly Ferguson - Ada
Quell T. Fox - Halloween Hook-Up