Page Street Publishing will make its first foray into adult fiction with a new line of horror books, set to launch in 2025.
The Salem, Mass.–based publisher of nonfiction, YA, and picture books has appointed editor Alexandra Murphy to acquire for the line. Its two inaugural titles are Hester Steel's debut novel The Faceless Thing We Adore, set for spring 2025, and Robert Brockway's I Will Kill Your Imaginary Friend for $200, set for fall 2025.
The Faceless Thing We Adore is described by the publisher as "a deliciously dark and queer cosmic horror" that follows a recently heartbroken young woman who "finds a sex-fueled commune in the midst of freeing a very powerful, very hungry god," and I Will Kill Your Imaginary Friend for $200 as a "dual-narrative story" about young girl who "starts committing sinister acts at the behest of her unhinged 'imaginary friend,'" prompting her single mother to seek the services of "a scam-likely freelance exorcist."
As part of its nonfiction publishing program, Page Street will also publish the follow-up to Sadie Hartmann's Bram Stoker Award–winning 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered in spring 2025, coinciding with the launch of the horror fiction line.
“I’m looking for stories that expand readers’ expectations of what horror can achieve, especially emotionally," said Murphy in a statement. "I love stories that are analogous to real-world fears and terrors; explore cultures and perspectives from around the world; take risks and experiment with genre/form; and/or blend in other genres in inventive ways, so long as the horror is still at the forefront.” (Murphy's Manuscript Wish List can be found here.)
“Horror is a perfect fit for the Page Street approach," said Page Street publisher William Kiester in a statement. "For us, it won’t be about big names, it will be high-concept books with presentations that speak to fans of the different sub-genres in horror all while showcasing original cover artwork that really brings out the intrigue of each story.”
The new horror line marks the latest development in Page Street's ongoing expansion; last year, the publisher launched its YA imprint, doubling its number of annual releases in 2024.
