Michael Bailey's Blog

Simon & Schuster officially announced today, so here we go! Silent Nightmares: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year, co-edited by Chuck Palahniuk and Michael Bailey, is now available for pre-order everywhere books are sold.

A chilling anthology of tales centered around the longest nights of the year, paying homage to the time-honored Victorian tradition of ghost stories. Tales that promise nostalgia and dread, reminding us that sometimes the most silent nights can be the deadliest.

Coming September 29th from Saga Press in hardcover (end papers, deckled edges, the works), but available now for pre-order. Get them before they’re gone! Featuring all-new fiction by the following cast:

Foreword (by Michael Bailey)
* Father Christmas – Brian Evenson
* Cause and Effect – Alma Katsu
* Always Winter – Mari Ness
* Tidings – Ramsey Campbell
* Shine a Light – Zoje Stage
* A Season for Reflection – Wil Dalton
* Kingston – Chuck Palahniuk
* We Have Always Been Red – Annie Neugebauer
* A Life Not Lived – Joe R. Lansdale
* Circle Back – Neil Krolicki
* The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Joe Hart
* God’s Wife – Lisa Morton
* Loki’s Story – Eugen Bacon
* The Cheapest State of Loving Grace – Gary A. Braunbeck
* Rapture – Michael Bailey
* Christmas in Goblin – Josh Malerman
* Steam – Krissy Eliot
* Lost Hearts – Cynthia Pelayo
* The Singing Children – Gabino Iglesias
* Yuletide Games with the Suicide Kings – Jonathan Maberry
Afterword (by Chuck Palahniuk)

With illustrations throughout by Orion Zangara Art:

Cover and endpaper designs by Melody Newcomb (@melodynewcomb).

Cover illustration by Sam Dunn (@xsamdunnx).

Additional artwork by Ben Baldwin.

Wait . . . end papers and deckled edges? Yes. The hardback is gorgeous inside and out.

 

Best to pre-order now, yeah? It’s not available until September 29th, 2026, but pre-orders bring life to books, and likewise keep them alive (and also help tremendously with sales rankings and whatnot).

The Velveteen Rabbit lives on! Margery Williams’ classic tale continues with a tender exploration of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of love. FOREVER VELVETEEN, a direct sequel written by Michael Bailey and illustrated by Vincent Chong, captures the timeless magic of the original story while expanding its themes with emotional depth and richness. Also includes “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams (1881 – 1944), illustrated by William Nicholson (1872 – 1949).

Ingram: hardcover
Amazon: hardcover
Barnes & Noble: hardcover
Books-A-Million (BAM!): hardcover

Now available from Written Backwards, only in hardcover. [image error]

The Velveteen Rabbit lives on! Margery Williams’ classic tale continues with a tender exploration of resilience, identity, and the enduring power of love. FOREVER VELVETEEN, a direct sequel written by Michael Bailey and illustrated by Vincent Chong, captures the timeless magic of the original story while expanding its themes with emotional depth and richness. Also includes “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams (1881 – 1944), illustrated by William Nicholson (1872 – 1949).

Ingram: hardcover
Amazon: hardcover
Barnes & Noble: hardcover
Books-A-Million (BAM!): hardcover

Available December 2nd from Written Backwards, only in hardcover. [image error]

Written Backwards is perhaps best known for its anthologies (along with publishing collections, novels, and other unique books), so below is a complete bibliography in order of release. These books have received numerous accolades over the years and have, more importantly, helped bring light to new literary voices otherwise hidden in the dark.

Are you missing any? The images below link to Amazon (because that’s where a majority of avid readers purchase books, unfortunately), but you can check out the Anthologies page for a full list of links to other retailers, or to purchase directly from the publisher, which is always appreciated.

For a full list of Written Backwards titles, check out the main tabs at nettirw.com.

 

 

You, Human, Vol. 2 is a BookBub deal for a limited time, now only $0.99. The first volume is also discounted at this time.

Also available in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook wherever books are sold.

Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover

Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover

Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover

Ingram: trade paperback | hardcover

Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you the next volume of the You, Human series, with fiction illustrated throughout by L.A. Spooner, poetry illustrations by Orion Zangara, and an introduction by Maxwell I. Gold. Volume 2 contains poetry by Linda D. Addison on the Three Laws of Humanity, along with a novella and 11 novelettes by today’s masters (and a few newcomers) of dark science fiction.

Poetry illustrated by Orion Zangara.

Table of Contents:

00. “Introduction” by Maxwell I. Gold

“Three Laws of Humanity” poetry by Linda D. Addison leads each of the book’s 3 parts:

I. Being I

01. “The Spotter” by Josh Malerman
02. “One Brown Mouse” by Gary A. Braunbeck
03. “When Did It Happen?” by Erinn L. Kemper
03. “Under the Skin” by J. Lincoln Fenn

II. Watching You

05. “Doubt” by Will McMahon
06. “Immortalized” by Ngo Binh Anh Khoa
07. “A Hollow Where the Screams Have Gone” by Hailey Piper
08. “AI Chronicles: Properties of a Human Curse” by Eugen Bacon

III. They Become One

09. “Time for a (R)Evolution!: A Documentary” by Sachin Baliga
10. “All the Names You Didn’t Choose” by Ai Jiang
11. “The Touch of an Old Friend’s Hand” by Scott Edelman
12. “Emergence” by Bruce Golden

Fiction illustrated by L.A. Spooner.

Need to catch up? Vol. 1 is available as well.

One of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year is now available wherever books are sold! The book releases today, simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook.

Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover

Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover

Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover

Ingram: trade paperback | hardcover

Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you the next volume of the You, Human series, with fiction illustrated throughout by L.A. Spooner, poetry illustrations by Orion Zangara, and an introduction by Maxwell I. Gold. Volume 2 contains poetry by Linda D. Addison on the Three Laws of Humanity, along with a novella and 11 novelettes by today’s masters (and a few newcomers) of dark science fiction.

Now available!

Poetry illustrated by Orion Zangara.

Table of Contents:

00. “Introduction” by Maxwell I. Gold

“Three Laws of Humanity” poetry by Linda D. Addison leads each of the book’s 3 parts:

I. Being I

01. “The Spotter” by Josh Malerman
02. “One Brown Mouse” by Gary A. Braunbeck
03. “When Did It Happen?” by Erinn L. Kemper
03. “Under the Skin” by J. Lincoln Fenn

II. Watching You

05. “Doubt” by Will McMahon
06. “Immortalized” by Ngo Binh Anh Khoa
07. “A Hollow Where the Screams Have Gone” by Hailey Piper
08. “AI Chronicles: Properties of a Human Curse” by Eugen Bacon

III. They Become One

09. “Time for a (R)Evolution!: A Documentary” by Sachin Baliga
10. “All the Names You Didn’t Choose” by Ai Jiang
11. “The Touch of an Old Friend’s Hand” by Scott Edelman
12. “Emergence” by Bruce Golden

Fiction illustrated by L.A. Spooner.

Need to catch up? Vol. 1 is available as well.

Yes, you can now preorder one of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year!

Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover

Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover

Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover

Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you the next volume of the You, Human series, with fiction illustrated throughout by L.A. Spooner, poetry illustrations by Orion Zangara, and an introduction by Maxwell I. Gold. Volume 2 contains poetry by Linda D. Addison on the Three Laws of Humanity, along with a novella and 11 novelettes by today’s masters (and a few newcomers) of dark science fiction.

Available July 3, 2025!

 

Poetry illustrated by Orion Zangara.

Table of Contents:

00. “Introduction” by Maxwell I. Gold

“Three Laws of Humanity” poetry by Linda D. Addison leads each of the book’s 3 parts:

I. Being I

01. “The Spotter” by Josh Malerman
02. “One Brown Mouse” by Gary A. Braunbeck
03. “When Did It Happen?” by Erinn L. Kemper
03. “Under the Skin” by J. Lincoln Fenn

II. Watching You

05. “Doubt” by Will McMahon
06. “Immortalized” by Ngo Binh Anh Khoa
07. “A Hollow Where the Screams Have Gone” by Hailey Piper
08. “AI Chronicles: Properties of a Human Curse” by Eugen Bacon

III. They Become One

09. “Time for a (R)Evolution!: A Documentary” by Sachin Baliga
10. “All the Names You Didn’t Choose” by Ai Jiang
11. “The Touch of an Old Friend’s Hand” by Scott Edelman
12. “Emergence” by Bruce Golden

Fiction illustrated by L.A. Spooner.

Need to catch up? Vol. 1 is available as well.

Chuck Palahniuk (Shock Induction, Fight Club) and Michael Bailey (Psychotropic Dragon, The Library of the Dead) bring you: SILENT NIGHTMARES: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year. This anthology of entirely original dark holiday horrors will be published in the autumn of 2026 by Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. 

Along with a number of invited writers (and new fiction by both editors), they opened a small window of opportunity by way of an open call for submissions during the month of December, 2024. During that time, 2,138 short stories avalanched upon them before the end of the year. The goal? Choosing 6* wonderfully disturbing stories.

Table of Contents: 

“Father Christmas” – Brian Evenson
“Cause and Effect” – Alma Katsu
“Always Winter” – Mari Ness*
“Tidings” – Ramsey Campbell
“Shine a Light” – Zoje Stage
“A Season of Reflection” – Wil Dalton*
“Kingston” – Chuck Palahniuk
“We Have Always Been Red” – Annie Neugebauer*
“A Life Not Lived” – Joe R. Lansdale
“Circle Back” – Neil Krolicki*
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Joe Hart*
“God’s Wife” – Lisa Morton
“Loki’s Story” – Eugen Bacon
“The Cheapest State of Perfect Grace” – Gary A. Braunbeck
“Rapture” – Michael Bailey
“Christmas in Goblin” – Josh Malerman
“Steam” – Krissy Eliot*
“Lost Hearts” – Cynthia Pelayo
“The Singing Children” – Gabino Iglesias
“Yuletide Games with the Suicide Kings” – Jonathan Maberry

If you see a star (snowflake?) next to the names above, know that their writing was in the top 0.28-ish% of all submissions received, which is saying something. Be sure to seek them out. 

We hope this will be the first of many volumes of Silent Nightmares. 

All contracts are signed, so I can formally announce the final Table of Contents for YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2, as well as the updated cover. Out of the millions of words received (all novelettes), here’s the line-up and structure of the anthology:

“Three Laws of Humanity” poetry by Linda D. Addison
Poetry illustrations by Orion Zangara
Fiction illustrations by L.A. Spooner

00. “Introduction” by Maxwell I. Gold

I. Being I

01. “TBA” by Josh Malerman
02. “One Brown Mouse” by Gary A. Braunbeck
03. “Under the Skin” by J. Lincoln Fenn
04. “When Did It Happen?” by Erinn L. Kemper

II. Watching You

05. “Doubt” by Will McMahon
06. “Immortalized” by Ngô Bình Anh Khoa
07. “A Hollow Where the Screams Have Gone” by Hailey Piper
08. “AI Chronicles: Properties of a Human Curse” by Eugen Bacon

III. They Become One

09. “Time for a (R)Evolution!: A Documentary” by Sachin Baliga
10. “All the Names You Didn’t Choose” by Ai Jiang
11. “The Touch of an Old Friend’s Hand” by Scott Edelman
12. “Emergence” by Bruce Golden

The plan is to have the anthology out by Summer, 2025.

If you need to catch up on the original volume of You, Human . . .

Bram Stoker Award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you a genre-bending anthology of dark science fiction and poetry, with fiction illustrated beautifully throughout by world-renowned artist L.A. Spooner, poetry and spot illustrations by the always-impressive Orion Zangara, and an incredible introduction on humanness by New York Times bestselling author F. Paul Wilson. Cover artwork by George C. Cotronis. Also features the Bram Stoker Award-nominated short story “Jupiter Drop” by Josh Malerman.

Amazon: eBook | trade paperback. Also available in the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and a part of Kindle Unlimited where available.

Barnes & Noble: trade paperback.

Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback

Ingram: trade paperback

 

Limited posts mean busy, busy, busy, but below are a few updates on various projects.

SILENT NIGHTMARES: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year (edited by Chuck Palahniuk & Michael Bailey)

Chuck Palahniuk and I are planning to release our anthology through one of the biggest publishers in the world. More news on this soon. Out of 2,138 submissions, we have narrowed down our “best of the slush” to 45, which means those are in the top 2-3% of all stories submitted. All non-acceptances have now gone out, and the maybes know they are maybes. We hope to have a final Table of Contents ready in April. Who were the invited? Here’s a taste (in alphabetical order by last name):

Eugen BaconGary A. BraunbeckRamsey CampbellBrian EvensonGabino IglesiasAlma KatsuOwen KingJoe R. LansdaleJosh MalermanJonathan MaberryLisa MortonCynthia PelayoZoje Stage

YOU, HUMAN, Vol. 2 (edited by Michael Bailey)

This anthology of dark science fiction is slated for mid- to late-2025. The book will feature illustrations by Orion Zangara (for the poetry, such as the featured artwork in this post) and L.A. Spooner (for the fiction), and an introduction by Maxwell I. Gold. Along with three poems, the book will contain anywhere from 10 to 12 novelettes (around 100,000 words total). I currently have 7 in the “maybe pile,” a few of which will end up in the Final Table of Contents with the following (in no particular order):

“Being I” / “Watching You” / “They Become One” by Linda D Addison (poetry)“AI Chronicles: Properties of a Human Curse” by Eugen Bacon“Time for a (R)Evolution! – A Documentary” by Sachin Baliga“One Brown Mouse” by Gary A. Braunbeck“The Touch of an Old Friend’s Hand” by Scott Edelman“A Hollow Where the Screams Have Gone” by Hailey Piper“When Did It Happen?” by Erinn L. Kemper“All the Names You Didn’t Choose” by Ai Jiang“TBA” by Josh Malerman

LONG DIVISION: Stories of Social Decay, Societal Collapse & Bad Manners (edited by Doug Murano & Michael Bailey)

This anthology is available now through Bad Hand Books, and is currently on the Preliminary Ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement in an Anthology. Laird Barron’s story “Versus Versus” is also on the ballot for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction. Have you read it?

CHAOTIC STATES (novel by Michael Bailey)

Yes, I am writing a new novel. It’s something different.

MADNESS & WRITERS: The Untold Truth. Maybe? (creative documentary series)

This is still in production. More news soon! See madnessandwriters.com for details.

There are other projects in development (books, film, etc.), but they are either buried under nondisclosure agreements or not quite ready to discuss at this point.