The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Dresden Files), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2025 Paranormal Book Awards!
Each of these authors is already winning with their books are now featured on our high-traffic website, shared across our social media, and promoted to our newsletter subscribers. But this is just the beginning of their CIBA journey.
These titles have moved forward from the 2025 SHELLEY Paranormal Fiction Short List to the 2025 Shelley Awards Semi-Finalists. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
These titles are in the running for the Finalists of the 2025 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
AJ Humphreys – Trip: A Psychological Horror Novel
Amy S Cutler – A Shadow of Love
Diane Corso – Broken Things
E.L. Deards – The Lavender Blade
Evette Davis – The Campaign
George Petersen – The Summer of Haight
Gina Detwiler – Forever
Heather Murphy – Bring Out Your Dead
Isaac Thorne – Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
Jared TLC – Destiny Lane
Katy Nyquist – A Holy Maiden’s Guide To Getting Kidnapped
Keith Steinbaum – The Poe Consequence
Kevin S. Moul – Lander’s Gate
Lloyd Jeffries – Embers of Shadow Ages of Malice Book III
Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
Lou Pugliese – Blame It on the Moon
Louisa West – Kiss of Death
Mark Mustian – Boy with Wings
Matt Ozanich – Priestess: The Tears of Promises Book One
Matthew Minson – The Lupin Gene
Melanie Forde – Guardian of the Crossroads
Raquel Y. Levitt – The Seer
Rebekah L Webb – Burrows of Blood and Shadow
Sheila English – The Deadly Pieces
Sherri L Dodd – Moonset on Desert Sands
T.V. Holiday – Cataclysm Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 2
Tom Dolan – Boba Wars Zero
Tracy Shew – Book Group
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky pages. We try to tag all authors listed here on Facebook. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed @ChantiReviews on these platforms.
Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE! We are @ChantiReviews everywhere!
We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!
Congratulations once more to the 2024 Shelley Grand Prize Winner
Submissions for the 2026 Shelley Awards and other Speculative Fiction Divisions are open now!
Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.
April 17-19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
Join us for our annual conference and discover why!
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Dresden Files), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2025 Paranormal Book Awards!
Each of these authors is already winning with their books are now featured on our high-traffic website, shared across our social media, and promoted to our newsletter subscribers. But this is just the beginning of their CIBA journey.
These titles have moved forward from the 2025 SHELLEY Paranormal Fiction Long List to the 2025 Shelley Awards Short List. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Shelley Semi-Finalists. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
These titles are in the running for the Semi-Finalists of the 2025 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
AJ Humphreys – Trip: A Psychological Horror Novel
Amy S Cutler – A Shadow of Love
Amy S Cutler – To Have and To Hold To Love and To Kill an Agreement of Souls
Antoinette Chalmers – Midnight Stone
Bryan Alaspa – The Given
Dan Morris-Young – The Music Building
Diane Corso – Broken Things
E.L. Deards – The Lavender Blade
Evette Davis – The Campaign
George Petersen – The Summer of Haight
Gina Detwiler – Forever
H.J. Ramsay – Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead
Heather Murphy – Bring Out Your Dead
Isaac Thorne – Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
Jared TLC – Destiny Lane
Katy Nyquist – A Holy Maiden’s Guide To Getting Kidnapped
Keith Steinbaum – The Poe Consequence
Kevin S. Moul – Lander’s Gate
L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher
Lloyd Jeffries – Embers of Shadow Ages of Malice Book III
Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
Lou Pugliese – Blame It on the Moon
Louisa West – Kiss of Death
Mark Mustian – Boy with Wings
Matt Ozanich – Priestess: The Tears of Promises Book One
Matthew Minson – The Lupin Gene
Melanie Forde – Guardian of the Crossroads
Raquel Y. Levitt – The Seer
Rebekah L Webb – Burrows of Blood and Shadow
Sheila English – The Deadly Pieces
Sherri L Dodd – Moonset on Desert Sands
T.V. Holiday – Cataclysm Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 2
Tom Dolan – Boba Wars Zero
Tracy Shew – Book Group
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky pages. We try to tag all authors listed here on Facebook. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed @ChantiReviews on these platforms.
Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE! We are @ChantiReviews everywhere!
We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!
Congratulations once more to the 2024 Shelley Grand Prize Winner
Submissions for the 2026 Shelley Awards and other Speculative Fiction Divisions are open now! For other genres, we still have 25 divisions open for the 2025 CIBAs! Whether you write mystery, romance, historical fiction, or something entirely different, there’s likely a perfect fit for your work.
Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.
April 17-19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
Join us for our 14th annual conference and discover why!
Shami Stovall’s Time-Marked Warlock rewinds urban fantasy with fresh magic.
Adair Finch is the world’s most powerful warlock – and he’s done with it all. In Time-Marked Warlock, Shami Stovall crafts a brilliant urban fantasy that feels like Groundhogs Day meets Harry Dresden, delivering a take on magical investigation that will leave readers spellbound from the first page.
A reluctant mentor meets his match in a twelve-year-old witch.
After losing his brother in a case gone wrong, Finch has sworn off the paranormal world entirely. But when young Bree Blackstone pounds on his door in the middle of the night – her mother murdered, her father kidnapped – Finch wades back into the magical chaos he’d tried to escape. What starts as a favor for an old friend becomes a twisting mystery that threatens everything he thought he knew about his world.
Stovall excels at creating an unlikely partnership, one crackling with energy and humor. Bree isn’t your typical helpless child in need of rescue – she’s a young witch with questions, opinions, and magical abilities that complement Finch’s considerable power. Their banter and growing mentor-student relationship provides both emotional depth and genuine laughs throughout the investigation.
Time magic creates a game-changing twist on fantastical investigation.
The real genius of Time-Marked Warlock lies in Finch’s unique ability to rewind time and witness events as they actually happened. When someone tries to kill both Finch and Bree, his ability to see the attack unfold adds layers of complexity that keep readers guessing right alongside the characters.
Stovall uses this temporal element not as a gimmick but as a sophisticated plot device that deepens the mystery while raising the stakes. Each revelation through time manipulation reveals another clue towards conspiracy, transforming what appears to be a straightforward murder case into something even more sinister and far-reaching.
A standout series launch that reinvents urban fantasy tropes.
Time-Marked Warlock succeeds because of the originality it infuses into familiar urban fantasy elements – powerful warlocks, magical investigations, supernatural threats. The world-building feels both lived-in and vivacious, populated with complex characters whose flaws make them more compelling than perfect heroes ever could be.
Stovall’s writing sparkles with wit and energy, moving at breakneck pace while never sacrificing character development. Finch’s journey from bitter retirement to reluctant heroism feels earned, while the emotional resonance of Bree’s evolution from terrified child to capable young witch elevates the entire narrative.
As the opening volume of The Chronos Chronicles trilogy, Time-Marked Warlock establishes a magical world readers will want to revisit again and again. Fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles will find their new favorite series in Stovall’s perfect combination of urban fantasy adventure and time-bending mystery.
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Dresden Files), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2025 Paranormal Book Awards!
Each of these authors is already winning with their books are now featured on our high-traffic website, shared across our social media, and promoted to our newsletter subscribers. But this is just the beginning of their CIBA journey.
These titles have moved forward in the first look rounds from all 2025 SHELLEY Paranormal Fiction entries to the 2025 Shelley Book Awards Long List. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Shelley Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
These titles are in the running for the SHORT LIST of the 2025 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
AJ Humphreys – Trip: A Psychological Horror Novel
Alexandra Pugachevsky – Lilou the Shadyside Chronicles
Amy S Cutler – A Shadow of Love
Amy S Cutler – To Have and To Hold To Love and To Kill an Agreement of Souls
Antoinette Chalmers – Midnight Stone
Bryan Alaspa – The Given
C.V. Vobh – Somnus Palace
Charlie Robinson – Bow Tie Sex
D.D. Franklin – Silver Lake Awakening
Dan Morris-Young – The Music Building
Derek Wachter – While We Wait
Diane Corso – Broken Things
E.L. Deards – The Lavender Blade
Evette Davis – The Campaign
George Petersen – The Summer of Haight
Gina Detwiler – Forever
H.J. Ramsay – Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead
Heather Murphy – Bring Out Your Dead
Isaac Thorne – Tab’s Terrible Third Eye
Jared Tlc – Destiny Lane
Jonathan Fossler – Where the Children Play
Katy Nyquist – A Holy Maiden’s Guide To Getting Kidnapped
Keith Steinbaum – The Poe Consequence
Kevin S. Moul – Lander’s Gate
L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher
Lloyd Jeffries – Embers of Shadow Ages of Malice Book III
Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
Lou Pugliese – Blame It on the Moon
Louisa West – Kiss of Death
M. Flagg – Memories of a Hunter’s Moon
Mark Mustian – Boy with Wings
Matt Ozanich – Priestess: The Tears of Promises Book One
Matthew Minson – The Lupin Gene
Melanie Forde – Guardian of the Crossroads
Raquel Y. Levitt – The Seer
Rebekah L Webb – Burrows of Blood and Shadow
Sheila English – The Deadly Pieces
Sherri L Dodd – Moonset on Desert Sands
T.V. Holiday – Cataclysm Legend of the Iron Warrior Vol. 2
Tom Dolan – Boba Wars Zero
Tracy Shew – Book Group
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky pages. We try to tag all authors listed here on Facebook. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed @ChantiReviews on these platforms.
Please click here to visit our page to LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE! We are @ChantiReviews everywhere!
We will also be promoting this list in our Newsletter, which you can sign up for here!
Congratulations once more to the 2024 Shelley Grand Prize Winner
Submissions for the 2026 Shelley Awards and other Speculative Fiction Divisions are open now! For other genres, we still have 25 divisions open for the 2025 CIBAs! Whether you write mystery, romance, historical fiction, or something entirely different, there’s likely a perfect fit for your work.
Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.
April 17-19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
Join us for our 14th annual conference and discover why!
The horror fiction genre is full of scary and scintillating sub-genres, each offering its own unique flavor of terror and suspense. From the eerie atmosphere of gothic horror to the intense, cerebral tension of psychological horror, there are sub-genres that cater to a wide range of tastes and interests. Like romance, including a little horror can elevate your story and drag the reader kicking and screaming to the next page.
The key to effective horror writing lies in choosing the right sub-genre approach for your story’s needs. Each sub-genre offers unique methods for building suspense, developing atmosphere, and connecting with readers who crave that spine-tingling experience.
Classic Foundations: Where Horror Began
Gothic Horror
Gothic horror combines atmospheric dread with romantic elements, creating stories that feel both timeless and deeply emotional. Think Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula—these foundational works established horror tropes that continue to captivate readers today. Gothic horror typically features decaying settings, family secrets, and protagonists caught between love and terror. The underlying themes often explore human nature’s darker impulses, making readers question what we’re truly capable of when pushed to our limits.
Perfect for: Historical fiction writers, romance authors seeking darker themes, or fantasy writers building atmospheric world-building.
Psychological Horror
Rather than relying on jump scares or gore, psychological horror gets under your skin by exploiting fundamental human fears: losing control, being manipulated, or questioning reality itself. This sub-genre creates tension that lingers long after readers close the book because the horror is experienced internally. When done subtly—settling into the subconscious without overt horrifying acts—it’s called “quiet horror.”
Perfect for: Literary fiction, contemporary drama, or any story exploring mental health, family dynamics, or social pressures.
Action-Driven Horror: High Stakes and High Fear
Slasher Horror
When a slasher is on the loose, no one is safe. These antagonists hunt methodically, treating their victims like prey in stories designed to keep readers on edge. The appeal lies in the relentless pursuit and the question of who, if anyone, will survive. A newer variation, “splatter horror,” emphasizes excessive blood and gore as integral story elements—messy, shocking, and viscerally terrifying.
Survival horror places characters in environments where death lurks constantly—whether from supernatural beings, natural disasters, or post-apocalyptic scenarios. The key is creating relatable situations that could theoretically happen to anyone, then amplifying the danger beyond normal human experience. Zombie fiction falls into this category, with its methodical, unstoppable threats that transform familiar environments into deadly landscapes.
This sub-genre ventures beyond known reality into realms of magic, spirits, and otherworldly phenomena. Characters face threats they can’t fully understand or prepare for—extrasensory perception, ghostly encounters, cryptozoology, and unexplained phenomena that leave everyone tenuously off-balance. While similar to gothic horror, paranormal horror often features contemporary settings and modern characters encountering ancient or otherworldly forces.
Perfect for: Fantasy writers, urban fantasy, or contemporary fiction with magical elements.
Science Fiction Horror
Sci-fi horror blends familiar horror elements with scientific complexity, introducing innovative threats that make readers question what’s possible. H.P. Lovecraft mastered this fusion, creating cosmic horror that made humanity feel insignificant against vast, unknowable forces. Modern sci-fi horror might explore AI gone rogue, genetic manipulation, or extraterrestrial threats that view humans as nothing more than obstacles.
Perfect for: Science fiction writers, dystopian fiction, or stories exploring technological advancement’s dark side.
Dark Fantasy
When horror meets fantasy worlds, anything becomes a potential threat. Witches, shapeshifters, dark wizards—these antagonists wield magic that defies conventional solutions. Characters face seemingly insurmountable odds against supernatural powers, creating terror through the unknown capabilities of magical threats. The fantasy setting allows for creative freedom in crafting unique, otherworldly fears.
Perfect for: Fantasy writers seeking darker themes, fairy tale retellings, or urban fantasy with horror elements.
Specialized Horror Approaches
Body Horror
Body horror exploits our fundamental fear of physical transformation and decay. From Oscar Wilde’s The Portrait of Dorian Gray (accelerated aging) to Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (human-to-insect transformation), this sub-genre makes the human body itself the source of terror. Modern body horror might explore medical experimentation, genetic mutation, or loss of physical control.
Occult Horror
Satan, demons, and religious corruption dominate occult horror. Stories like Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby blend supernatural terror with religious themes, creating atmosphere through familiar spiritual concepts turned malevolent. The power of faith—and its potential corruption—provides rich material for exploring good versus evil.
Eco Horror
Environmental catastrophes and nature’s revenge characterize eco horror, serving as metaphors for real-world ecological crises. Samanta Schweblin’s Fever Dream exemplifies this sub-genre, combining maternal anxiety with environmental pollution. Common elements include deadly toxins, mutated creatures, animated plants, and killer viruses—all reflecting our complex relationship with the natural world.
Techno Horror
When technology becomes the enemy, techno horror explores our dependence on systems we don’t fully understand. AI malfunctions, computer viruses, and rogue robots create scenarios where characters must fight threats beyond their technical capabilities. This sub-genre resonates particularly well in our increasingly digital world.
Hybrid and Flexible Approaches
Comedy Horror
Sometimes writers want chuckles instead of screams. Comedy horror takes terrifying elements and places them in absurd situations, creating three distinct approaches: black comedy, parody, and spoof. Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow demonstrates how humor can actually enhance horror by making readers lower their guard before delivering genuine scares.
Teen Horror
Stephen King’s Carrie perfectly exemplifies teen horror, where adolescent experiences—physical changes, social pressures, identity formation—intersect with supernatural or horrific elements. This sub-genre recognizes that teenage years already feel terrifying to many people, then amplifies those fears through genre elements.
Pulp Horror
Fast-paced and lurid, pulp horror embraces accessibility and entertainment value. Born in the late 19th century and popularized in the 1950s, pulp horror delivers quick thrills through sex, drugs, violence, and supernatural elements. It’s horror designed for pure entertainment rather than deep psychological exploration.
Finding Your Horror Approach
The beauty of horror sub-genres lies in their flexibility. Writers can blend multiple approaches—combining psychological elements with supernatural threats, or mixing sci-fi concepts with body horror. The goal isn’t purity but effectiveness: which horror elements serve your story’s emotional core?
Consider your primary genre first, then identify which horror sub-genre complements your story’s needs. A romance writer might find gothic horror perfect for historical settings, while a contemporary fiction author could use psychological horror to explore family trauma.
With all these fun and frightening horror sub-genres, writers can mix and match them or go heavy one specific theme. With a goal to twist their readers into knots with plots that will keep them up at night, these stories will have you questioning every noise you hear and every shadow that passes your way.
Thanks for reading about these spooky Horror Sub-genres, and don’t be scared of that beast under your bed tonight!
Whether you’re writing pure horror or incorporating horrific elements into other genres, professional recognition celebrates the craft behind effective fear. The Chanticleer International Book Awards recognize outstanding speculative fiction across multiple divisions that welcome horror elements:
The 2025 deadline is June 30th—less than a week away! These awards recognize the skillful blending of genres that creates memorable, impactful fiction.
Horror isn’t about shocking readers—it’s about creating emotional experiences that resonate long after the final page. Whatever your primary genre, the right horror elements can transform good stories into unforgettable ones.
Submit before June 30th and let professional judges recognize your skill in crafting compelling, genre-blending fiction.
Masterclass Instructor, USA Today Bestselling Author, and Chanticleer Keynote Kim Hornsby invites you to join her on the next adventure!
Realize your book-to-screen dreams in Greece this fall!
When your mission is to Discover Today’s Best Books, you come across good news regarding authors!
Kim Hornsby came to Chanticleer as a First Place Winner for the Paranormal Awards (now Shelley Awards) almost a decade ago for her book Dream Jumper, which has been optioned for film. She gave the Friday keynote at the last Chanticleer Authors Conference where she shared insights from her journey from bestselling novelist to produced screenwriter—and she’s ready to show authors how to follow in her footsteps.
Hornsby’s family adventure film Braving Rapids launched May 15th across streaming platforms, bringing her rafting screenplay to life with what she describes as “a darling puppy” and a heartwarming story about a grieving family’s healing journey. And the good news keeps coming as her Lifetime Thriller, Secret Life of My Other Wife recently premiered on LMN!
Authors can learn to write a screenplay while staring at the cerulean Aegean Sea, and already one Chanticleer author has signed up for the adventure. For authors dreaming of seeing their stories on screen, this is a rare opportunity to learn from someone who’s actually done it. From her island home off Seattle, Hornsby has transformed her Chanticleer-recognized paranormal fiction into a multimedia success spanning streaming platforms, cable networks, and film options.
Don’t miss out! Several Chanticleer International Book Award divisions have deadlines fast approaching. Kim’s journey from Shelley Award winner to produced screenwriter shows exactly what recognition can launch. Whether you’re crafting paranormal fiction for our Shelley Awards or working in any of our genre divisions, professional recognition opens doors to opportunities you might never have imagined.
The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.
V.C. Andrews, born Cleo Virginia Andrews on June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, VA, faced a secluded life in her parent’s home, but that didn’t stop her from creating several series with unique characters and plots that will keep you up at night.
From Personal Struggle to Gothic Masterpiece
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews follows the lives of four children whose mother kept them imprisoned in an attic for years in order to collect an inheritance. Released in 1979, it became an instant sensation and led her to write four more books in the Dollanganger Family Series. Its dark themes of family strife and isolation reflected a similar scenario playing out in Andrews’ own life, and she used her experience to speak through the character Cathy Dollanganger, who narrates the story.
The dark tale of children kept locked away in an attic somewhat mirrored Andrews’ own life. Born the youngest child and only daughter of three children, she suffered a devastating fall from a stairwell at school as a teen. The accident required several surgeries and resulted in crippling arthritis that left her wheelchair bound and in the care of her mother for much of her life. Just as with many children, that close relationship with her emotionally distant mother, even as she fully supported her daughter’s writing career, proved difficult at times and, when her father passed away in 1957, Andrews used the commissions from her art sales to support her family.
The Fast-Paced Formula That Hooked Millions
Later in life, Andrews turned to writing, beginning with a science fiction novel in 1972 titled Gods of Green Mountain, which was published posthumously in 2004 as an ebook. In 1975, Andrews completed the manuscript for Flowers in the Attic in two weeks, only to have the novel returned with a note to “spice up” and expand the story. Published in 1979, it was an instant success, reaching the top of the bestseller lists in just two weeks. Andrews published a new novel every year after that, earning Andrews larger advances and a growing readership.
“I think I tell a whopping good story. And I don’t drift away from it a great deal into descriptive material,” she stated in Faces of Fear in 1985. “When I read, if a book doesn’t hold my interest in what’s going to happen next, I put it down and don’t finish it. So, I’m not going to let anybody put one of my books down and not finish it. My stuff is a very fast read.”
A Literary Legacy That Defies Death
V.C. Andrews wrote novels that combine Gothic horror and family saga, often revolving around family secrets and forbidden love. Her best-known novel, Flowers in the Attic, was the catalyst to a career that spanned decades, with stories exploring those same themes. Today, her fans have 104 books and 27 series that continue to enthrall readers and inspire Hollywood filmmakers.
After Andrews’s death from breast cancer in 1986, ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman was hired, initially, to complete two unfinished works, Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts that were published soon after. It’s these two novels that are considered the last novels to be almost completely written by Andrews herself, but many more books inspired by her writing and written by Neiderman continued to be published. Forty years later, Andrews’ literary legacy continues to grow, inspiring not only the ghostwriter who continues her stories, but also the many readers who have escaped into her world of family drama and isolation—making Andrews one of the most beloved modern horror writers today.
Gothic Art Meets Family Nightmares
When I think of Andrews’ novels, particularly Flowers in the Attic, I’m reminded of the famous artwork, American Gothic by Grant Wood—family dynamics painted with a nod to the type of horror that penetrates and unsettles the family dynamic. Surely, Andrews must have pulled from her own conflicted emotions about her family to create a novel that resonates with the love/hate relationships we all grapple with. — Dena Weigel
Happy Birthday to V.C. Andrews, an author whose legacy in horror extends beyond her life to entertain and unsettle readers for years to come!
Does Your Gothic Horror Deserve the Same Recognition?
The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.
If your horror novel carries themes of family secrets, supernatural elements, psychological terror, or gothic atmosphere like Andrews’ masterworks, the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) Shelley Division wants to discover it. Our judges understand the nuances that separate good horror from unforgettable horror—the kind that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
You know you want it…
The 2025 Shelley deadline is June 30th—just weeks away!Whether your work explores paranormal romance, supernatural powers, unexplained phenomena, or psychological horror, professional recognition through the Shelley Awards gives your book the credibility boost that social media alone cannot provide.
For suspense and thriller authors, don’t overlook our Clue Awards division, perfect for works that blend mystery with darker elements.
Submit to the Shelley Awards before the June 30th deadline and join the ranks of professionally recognized horror and paranormal fiction.
Check back next week as we’ll be featuring several articles about outstanding paranormal fiction and the authors who master this challenging genre!
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!
These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction SEMI-FINALISTS to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards FINALISTS. FINALISTS will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025Chanticleer Authors Conference.
These titles are in the running for the FIRST PLACE and GRAND PRIZE WINNERS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
Evette Davis – The Gift
Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
AA DaSilva – Periphery
Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
Evette Davis – The Others
Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!
These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction SHORT LIST to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards SEMI-FINALISTS. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025Chanticleer Authors Conference.
These titles are in the running for the FINALISTS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
E.S. Magill – Magica Book Rise of the Cult
Evette Davis – The Gift
Charles Allen – Maid of the Feast
Kristin Homer – A Taste for Fear
Miki Mitayn – Heated Earth Aedgar Moves In
Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
Jenny Allen – The Lotus Tree Book 3 in the Lilith Adams Series
C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
Gracie Dix – Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School
Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
Beth Castrodale – The Inhabitants
AA DaSilva – Periphery
Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
Mark Sabbas – The Monarchs
Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
Evette Davis – The Others
Brian Blackwood – Fractured
Bradford Tatum – Hot Berry Punch
LS Delorme – Bright Midnights
Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Haunted Hoard
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
The Shelley Awards were formerly known as the Paranormal Awards. We are delighted to be able to honor the mother of science fiction with this award!
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, weird other-worldly stories, super humans (ex. Jessica Jones, Wonder Woman), magical beings & supernatural entities (ex. Harry Potter), vampires & werewolves (ex. Twilight), angels & demons, fairies & mythological beings, magical systems and elements. We will put them to the test and discover the best among them for the 2024 Paranormal Book Awards!
These titles have moved forward from the 2024 Shelley Supernatural Fiction LONG LIST to the 2024 Shelley Book Awards SHORT LIST. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.
We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 5th, 2025 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the Bellingham Yacht Club sponsored by the 2025Chanticleer Authors Conference.
These titles are in the running for the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2024 Shelley Book Awards novel competition for Paranormal Fiction!
Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!
Stephanie Edwards – Lowcountry Charm
Jennifer Anne Gordon – Pretty Ugly
E.S. Magill – Magica Book Rise of the Cult
Evette Davis – The Gift
Charles Allen – Maid of the Feast
Kristin Homer – A Taste for Fear
Miki Mitayn – Heated Earth Aedgar Moves In
Peter B. Dedek – Possessed
Jenny Allen – The Lotus Tree Book 3 in the Lilith Adams Series
C.W. James – Mindfield: a Paranormal Thriller for Teens
Alexander Fernandez – Above the Ashes
Gracie Dix – Vork Chronicles Welcome to Superhero School
Keith Steinbaum – In Lieu of Flowers
Tim Facciola – Ghosts of Rheynia
Beth Castrodale – The Inhabitants
AA DaSilva – Periphery
Anika Savoy – Mayhem in Disguise
Charles Allen – A Graveyard of Ships
E. L. Werbitsky – The Marsh Keeper
Mark Sabbas – The Monarchs
Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle – Vein Pursuits
Sharon Barnes – Shanghai Sunset
Evette Davis – The Others
Brian Blackwood – Fractured
Mike Fiorito – For All We Know: A UFO Manifesto
W.B.J. Williams – Johnny Talon and the Goddess of Love and War
Sherri L Dodd – Murder Under Redwood Moon
Bradford Tatum – Hot Berry Punch
LS Delorme – Bright Midnights
Dennis D. Skirvin – Nicholas Knocker
Joy Ross Davis – The Singer Sisters
Shami Stovall – Time-Marked Warlock
L. J. Aldon – Riddle of the Haunted Hoard
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
PROMOTING OUR AUTHORS!
This post has been posted on the Chanticleer Facebook Page. We try to tag all authors listed here in the Facebook post. However, it is easier for us to tag authors when they have Liked and Followed us on Facebook.
Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.
The Shelley Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal Fiction. The Shelley Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).
Shami Stovall’s Time-Marked Warlock rewinds urban fantasy with fresh magic.
