The Stygian Collection: An AuthorTube Anthology

by Holly Rhiannon, Bonsart Bokel, C.M. Lockhart

Do you dare confront the demons lurking in the Stygian depths of the human psyche? Step into the shadows with 24 fresh voices, each offering their own unique twist on the meaning of "Stygian". In this debut publication, you'll find yourself immersed in a diverse range of tales that explore the depths of human emotion. From dark horror and murder mysteries to surreal poetry and philosophical musings, each story is a unique journey into the unknown. Experience the vengeful poem that unleashes Dante's wild spirit, the melancholy memory of railway tracks, and the young witch who discovers the true power of flames. From the ancient past to the dystopian future, The Stygian Collection promises to take you down a dark and winding path. Where it leads? That's up to you to find out. Featured

Allen Mahan ( _UFOs in AZ_, Dead Milk = Cheese)
Bonsart Bokel ( T he Horror of Château Casquette)
Bree Buonomo (Reaper)
Brian Bruce (Watercoours)
C.M. Lockhart (Burn)
Cory N. Davis (The Planter)
Dave Aldrich (The Oarsman)
Desiree M. Ortega (Sanctum)
Hananya le Clercq (I, Dan Monroe, am Dead)
Holly Rhiannon (Dante, Graveyard Thoughts)
Ian Kirkpatrick (The Carpenter)
Ivy James (Kiss of the Lethe)
J.A. Collignon (Where the Buildings Cease to Stand)
Jeremy Fee (The Education of Henry James)
Jolene Smith (The Next To Go)
Linda Peli (Zero Good Things)
Marc Andr é B é langer (Gaia Shuddered)
Margaret Pinard (Space Ghost Heartbeat)
Mister Morningstar (Along Comes a Stranger)
O.G. Rose (Olive Leaves)
Pae Veo (Paperweight)
P.M. Brown (Empty Seat)
Samantha Green (The Ballerina)
Sheratan Mortis (Styx and Her River)

Cover and interior illustration by NIHIL
Graphic design by Shaundra Ruff
Edited by Pamela Kat Johnson

Genres: Horror

280 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2023

About the author

Holly Rhiannon is a Montreal-based author and literary creative whose work centers on dark fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural. After rediscovering her passion for writing upon relocating to Montreal in 2015, she became deeply involved in the literary world and dedicated herself to supporting human-driven storytelling.

As the founder and CEO of The Stygian Society, Holly focuses on publishing beautifully crafted books that prioritize literary talent and uphold the value of human creativity. Her commitment to author-centric publishing also extends to The Writing Craft Podcast, which she co-hosts with fellow author Jenna Streety, where the two explore topics related to writing, witchcraft, and the creative process.

Holly’s debut novel, A Time When Demons (2022), follows a rebellious witch navigating a rigid magickal society. Her contributions to The Stygian Collection (2023), 13 Haunted Nights (2024), and The Stygian Zine (2024–2025) further reflect her passion for dark themes, supernatural lore, and introspective storytelling. Her upcoming fantasy novel, Mortal Things (spring 2026), shifts into historical dark fiction, following a young Irish woman in 1894 whose quiet life unravels after an otherworldly encounter draws her into a conflict between superstition, power, and the boundaries separating the mortal and the unseen.

Beyond her publications, Holly has spent years supporting emerging writers. She served as Montreal’s Municipal Liaison for NaNoWriMo for three years, guiding participants through the writing process and creating educational and motivational content via her YouTube channel. After stepping down from NaNoWriMo in 2024 due to concerns about their stance on generative AI, she founded The Order of the Written Word, a community dedicated to preserving and celebrating human imagination.

Reviews

[Pete Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

stygian songs with a stygian sound
within these pages they are found
authortube fans are bound
to feel the undead rising from the ground

pae pae-ves the way from the start with his lyrical philosophical words
for this collection of mostly excellent works from the best youtube has to offer
lookin forward to more like this here

[Colleen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t the typical book I would pick up and read, however, look at this cover! I’ve also wanted to dip my toes in reading more anthologies, so was excited to give this book a try. I have yet to read all the stories but wanted to leave a review about the story I, Dan Monroe, am Dead. I loved this story! I thought it was an original concept (which can be hard to come by). I felt for the characters, I gasped, I laughed, and it made me think about life. It discusses the decisions we make and what those decisions mean and if/how they make us who we are. It was a fantastic read and I’m looking forward to reading more from Hananya le Clercq!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m without a doubt biased, my short story is featured in this collection. Even with that aside, this collection is sure to have something for everyone. It includes so many sub genres of horror that you should be able to leave the book finding at least one story you love.

I can’t pick one story that was my fave, but I found The Devil’s Bargain section had some of my favorites (maybe because those stories aligned with what I like so much, and yanno - I also wrote a story that went into that section lol). But overall, definitely found promising authors to follow and new Authortubers to watch.

[Holly Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with spooky and twisty good reads, this collection of poems and short stories is the perfect read for those dark and stormy nights. With characters to root for and great internal and external conflicts, these tales will keep you reading to discover what happens!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually an anthology person, but I think this collection might have changed my mind. Great variety in stories within each section, with 3-4 that really stood out and resonated with me. Will be keeping an eye out for future releases!

[John (Hey Y'all Listen Up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an enjoyable collection of stories. My favorites, in order of appearance: The Education of Henry James by Jeremy Fee, The Horror of Chateau Casquette by Bonsart Bokel, and Sanctum by Desiree M. Ortega.

[Jen Sangiovanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was eager to read this. Some of the stories are fantastic. It took me quite a while to get through, but it’s a compilation of short stories so at least there’s nothing lost in setting the book down for a while!

[Bookworm Adventure Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting project from The Stygian Society and I am happy to be part of it.
If you like darker stories and want to read a variety of writing, perhaps find a new favourite author, I say give this a try.