Behind The Scenes: My Radical New Approach to Horror Publishing

The book world has changed since 2021, when I first published my eco horror Earthly Bodies. But many things are the same, too. The slowness of traditional publishing is still very much in place, while more and more authors are realising self-publishing has more autonomy, the ability to jump on trends, and more money from the sale of each book.

Crucially, this means there is an ever-increasing number of books being published, every day. This unprecedented volume makes launching a new book increasingly challenging.

The harsh reality? Publishing a book is no longer special enough on its own to capture readers' attention.

On the plus side, there are also more way to bring a book to market.

This is why crowdfunding could be the perfect solution for indie horror writers like me.

What Exactly is Kickstarter?

Essentially, Kickstarter is a type of pre-order for items that usually have some exclusivity around production or type.

You, the Reader, are pledging money to order something in advance. Your money only gets taken if the project reaches the funding target. Then the Creator of the Kickstarter campaign (obviously me, in this case) takes that money and uses it to order the products, therefore fulfilling the pre-order.

Kickstarter has been going since 2009 and has been used by a huge number of creators. Some which are well-known and are huge brands already, and some which weren't household names at the time of their campaign but have since gone onto huge things - Hello Phoebe Waller-Bridge with an early iteration of Fleabag.

Now, I'm not saying ending up in a film with Harrison Ford is my long term goal (or am I?). I am saying Kickstarter is a place for creative projects, and you can safely input your payment details (I'm looking at you, Mum and Dad). You only pay the amount you pledge, and only if the campaign successfully meets its target amount.

If the campaign is fully funded, those who have pledged receive a form via email, where they can fill in their address details to make sure they receive what they ordered. Kickstarter does not collect or store your shipping information during the pledging process.

The artist in me still wants to create something truly special. This is where Kickstarter changes the game. Through crowdfunding, I can offer beautiful special editions in hardback.

The Mental Toll of Modern Author Life

Personally too, there have been many changes, home life and location, children and their needs, and my own ADHD diagnosis. I've also discovered something crucial about my creative process. The constant switching between writing and marketing—a necessity in today's publishing landscape—simply doesn't work for my brain.

As someone with ADHD, the traditional expectation to simultaneously write and promote is particularly challenging. My brain doesn't thrive with constant task-switching and the scattered focus it requires. I need clearer boundaries and more structured approaches to creative work.

I've realised I operate in distinct modes:

Drafting + Editing Mode: I become a complete hermit, disappearing from both real life and social media to burrow deep into my metaphorical cave. This is where the words flow and the horrors take shape. I still send a newsletter, but perhaps not as consistently.

Promotion Mode: With a shiny new creation ready, I emerge to share it enthusiastically with the world.

For years, I've attempted to juggle both simultaneously. The result? Everything takes longer because I'm never fully immersed in either mode. My ADHD brain needs the clarity of a single focus to perform at its best.

A Better Way Forward

Kickstarter allows me to separate these modes completely. I can focus entirely on creating the best horror novel I can, then shift completely into promotion when the project is ready to launch. This batch processing approach works infinitely better for my neuro-divergent thinking style.

This isn't just about funding a book—it's about finding a sustainable approach to my craft that honours how my creative mind actually works.

I hope you'll join me on this journey. The campaign waiting list is here. I can't wait to share what terrors I've been brewing in my cave.