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IT’S DARK IN HERE: a collection of horror poetry and art
Step into a world where nightmares breathe, shadows whisper, and the dark is always watching. It’s Dark In Here is a collection of deeply disturbing horror poetry and haunting artwork that drags your fears into the light—so they can watch you squirm. From horrific clowns to cursed forests, from tooth faeries who take more than teeth to undead souls screaming beneath the dirt, this book doesn’t ask if you’re afraid of the dark… it shows you why you should be. Open the door to darkness if you dare—but know that something may be looking back at you from within.
With contributions from a stunning lineup of artists, these poems don't just haunt — they breathe.
Read if you dare…
But don’t expect to leave the same.
Standout
It’s Dark In Here – atmospheric, anxious, and gut-punching.The Dying Undead – absolutely harrowing representation of conscious rot.Cursed – feral, poetic, folkloric horror at its best.La Petite Mort – erotic, grotesque, intimate, and lyrical.Art Christy Aldridge, Jesse D’Angelo, James D. Mabe, Lula Von Goth, Alexandrea Christianson, Brianna Raine, Thomas Stewart, Megan Russ, T.R. Sharrow, Taylor Gibbs, Danielle Sundby, Jadrienne Atkins, Cross-Eyed Morgan, J. Lazell, Joella Schubbe, Daria Khramova and Lara Croft.
With contributions from a stunning lineup of artists, these poems don't just haunt — they breathe.
Read if you dare…
But don’t expect to leave the same.
Standout
It’s Dark In Here – atmospheric, anxious, and gut-punching.The Dying Undead – absolutely harrowing representation of conscious rot.Cursed – feral, poetic, folkloric horror at its best.La Petite Mort – erotic, grotesque, intimate, and lyrical.Art Christy Aldridge, Jesse D’Angelo, James D. Mabe, Lula Von Goth, Alexandrea Christianson, Brianna Raine, Thomas Stewart, Megan Russ, T.R. Sharrow, Taylor Gibbs, Danielle Sundby, Jadrienne Atkins, Cross-Eyed Morgan, J. Lazell, Joella Schubbe, Daria Khramova and Lara Croft.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
About the author
Amanda Ruzsa
41 books153 followersAmanda lives in Minnesota with her husband, three children, a dog and two cats. When she isn’t buried in a spooky book, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family— usually watching creepy movies or playing outrageous board games. In her free time, she enjoys collecting Halloween decor, writing macabre poetry, reorganizing her books and coming up with ways to surprise and amuse her friends and family. It has been a lifelong joke among her friends and family that Amanda is a member of the ‘grammar police.’ Writing and reading have always played a huge part in her life, stemming from growing up idolizing the talents of her Mother: a novelist, artist and journalist. Amanda began creating stories and crafting poems at a young age and never stopped. Now, reading and writing is still a huge part of her everyday life, and she feels blessed to be able to share her love of spooky stories with so many.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 3, 2025
Poetry and art???? Both in one book? Sure, sign me up.
dark poetry.
creepy artwork.
I wasn't sure how the quality of the photos would work with my Kindle, but it looked very nice. I also love that there was a link to view all the artwork in color (because my Kindle is a black/white ink reader).....
dark poetry.
creepy artwork.
I wasn't sure how the quality of the photos would work with my Kindle, but it looked very nice. I also love that there was a link to view all the artwork in color (because my Kindle is a black/white ink reader).....
July 11, 2025
I love Amanda’s poetry!! The addition of the art in the book is great, I really enjoyed the photos associated with the poems. These dark poems will make you feel trapped, watched, and generally unnerved, each one its own unique tale to give you the creeps.
August 18, 2025
I’ve always loved poetry but fell a bit out of it in the last decade. Well, since finding Amanda’s poetry, I found my love for it again, so I had to read this collection!
Her poetry is always harrowing, raw and haunting, even more so as these poems stem from fears, unexplainable things and whatever exists in the darkest places.
The combination of poetry and art is simply amazing with the poems coming to life through the beautiful but equally haunting drawings. The illustrations captured the heart of the poems so well, that I think this collection wouldn’t be as powerful without them.
I think that horror fans wanting to try some poetry would find this a captivating collection, as the illustrations enhance the poems, whilst making poetry more accessible.
Her poetry is always harrowing, raw and haunting, even more so as these poems stem from fears, unexplainable things and whatever exists in the darkest places.
The combination of poetry and art is simply amazing with the poems coming to life through the beautiful but equally haunting drawings. The illustrations captured the heart of the poems so well, that I think this collection wouldn’t be as powerful without them.
I think that horror fans wanting to try some poetry would find this a captivating collection, as the illustrations enhance the poems, whilst making poetry more accessible.
July 26, 2025
I received this poetry collection, IT'S DARK IN HERE, as an advance review copy. Here are my thoughts on each piece. The poems were all done by author Amanda Ruzsa, who warns that the horrors won't stay on the page. Art was done by contributing artists.
IT’S DARK IN HERE - I like how this builds from a Gothic tone poem to an actual nightmare
art by Taylor Gibbs - Creepy and nightmare-inducing. Love the eyes and shadowed mouth!
FEED - Simple, but might be more effective in a comic format.
CLOWN - I liked this, but wanted more, feels like the creepy is just starting.
art by Thomas Stewart - Didn't appeal to me as it felt child-like.
PARALYSIS - Very heartfelt and emotional, with only one minor repetition.
art by Cross-Eyed Morgan - The more you look at it, the more upsetting it gets.
BLIND - There are elements of good here, but it needed more to flesh it out.
DEMENTIA - Ouch, this one hurts. I hope I never experience this.
art by Jadrienne Atkins - A bit too sketchy for my taste.
TRAPPED - Starts strong, and I liked the 'tiny pockets of air', but I wanted more.
art by J. Lazell - Cool! I liked the shading on the background piece here.
ATTIC - Not bad, I liked the idea of personification of things, and the last line.
art by T.R. Sharrow - Would go well with a creepypasta or indie horror videogame
BENT NECK LADY - Standout poem! I thought it was over halfway through, but the ending is creepytastic.
art by Taylor Gibbs - *SCREAMING*
SHE EATS THE DARK - Short and potent, like a licorice jelly bean.
art by Danielle Sundby - From an indie art show where you get murdered at the end!
FALL FROM GRACE - Interesting storytelling, I think it would benefit from a different construction.
art by Megan Russ - That one time at the strip club you'll never forget.
BOUND -I like the visuals here, but one line near the end doesn't fit as well.
art by James D. Mabe - I don't care where you found it, PUT IT BACK! O.0
DARKNESS - The last line is interesting, but I needed more storytelling here.
SPIDERS - *MORE SCREAMING*
art by Brianna Raine - I hate spiders so much, this DOES NOT help
HEIGHTS - Nice! I liked the rise and fall (heh) of this piece. Very clever!
SOMETHING - Expertly done! I loved the shadows line, the storytelling, and the twist!
HUNG - Oooh, this poem's imagery is fantastic, and the ending sneaks up on you.
THE DYING UNDEAD - I wanted to like this more than I did. It has some interesting ideas, but I found myself thinking its structure makes it sound a bit like musical theater.
art by Jesse D’Angelo - Jesus, this makes my skin itch. I'd like to quit this jungle cruise, please.
FEEDING THE VOID - Some shreds of story in here are compelling.
art by Christy Aldridge - Would make an awesome album cover!
DEAD LAND - Where's the rest of it?
UNDYING LOVE - Sounds like a poem that creepy kid in class wrote for Valentine's Day.
BE MINE - Not enough to lift it past 'lyrics' for me.
art by Lula Von Goth - This piece did not appeal to me.
THEY FEED - Not bad, I liked the promise/seasoned lines.
art by Alexandrea Christianson - That weird girl in high school wants to show you her drawings, before she rips your heart out.
UNKNOWN - Bro, that LAST LINE!
THE MAN IN THE WOODS - Good storytelling ends too abruptly to satisfy.
DEATH - Ends before it starts, and the end rings hollow.
SMALL SPACES - There's a good core here, but it needs more to make me feel.
art by T.R. Sharrow - Haunting. The mirror's looking at me, and smoking. Hey guys, maybe we should stay somewhere else?
HOME INVASION - Short, sweet, and terrifying. Great storytelling with not a lot of words.
SNAKE - Feels like the start of something, I'd be interested to see how this could be continued.
art by Joella Schubbe - Would make a cute tattoo.
CURSED - Loved it! Another standout from this collection!
LA PETITE MORT - Ruzsa is really cooking something juicy here. Would make a hell of a Goth song!
art by Daria Khramova - What you don't want to see on your dentist's wall, or anywhere, good lord that's freaky!
SCRIBBLE - This poem does a good job of creating doubt and dread in equal measure
art by Lara Croft - Does not even come close to doing the poem justice.
WHERE THE ASHES BLOOM - Decent, I liked the lore building here.
SHE PLAYED FOR THE DEVIL - This is the longest poem of Ruzsa's collection and her storytelling skills shine here. It reflects the collection as a whole, because some parts of this poem feel undercooked, while other parts are geniunely chilling.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys darker kinds of poetry and art. While ultimately uneven, the high points are more than enough to reward a close read.
IT’S DARK IN HERE - I like how this builds from a Gothic tone poem to an actual nightmare
art by Taylor Gibbs - Creepy and nightmare-inducing. Love the eyes and shadowed mouth!
FEED - Simple, but might be more effective in a comic format.
CLOWN - I liked this, but wanted more, feels like the creepy is just starting.
art by Thomas Stewart - Didn't appeal to me as it felt child-like.
PARALYSIS - Very heartfelt and emotional, with only one minor repetition.
art by Cross-Eyed Morgan - The more you look at it, the more upsetting it gets.
BLIND - There are elements of good here, but it needed more to flesh it out.
DEMENTIA - Ouch, this one hurts. I hope I never experience this.
art by Jadrienne Atkins - A bit too sketchy for my taste.
TRAPPED - Starts strong, and I liked the 'tiny pockets of air', but I wanted more.
art by J. Lazell - Cool! I liked the shading on the background piece here.
ATTIC - Not bad, I liked the idea of personification of things, and the last line.
art by T.R. Sharrow - Would go well with a creepypasta or indie horror videogame
BENT NECK LADY - Standout poem! I thought it was over halfway through, but the ending is creepytastic.
art by Taylor Gibbs - *SCREAMING*
SHE EATS THE DARK - Short and potent, like a licorice jelly bean.
art by Danielle Sundby - From an indie art show where you get murdered at the end!
FALL FROM GRACE - Interesting storytelling, I think it would benefit from a different construction.
art by Megan Russ - That one time at the strip club you'll never forget.
BOUND -I like the visuals here, but one line near the end doesn't fit as well.
art by James D. Mabe - I don't care where you found it, PUT IT BACK! O.0
DARKNESS - The last line is interesting, but I needed more storytelling here.
SPIDERS - *MORE SCREAMING*
art by Brianna Raine - I hate spiders so much, this DOES NOT help
HEIGHTS - Nice! I liked the rise and fall (heh) of this piece. Very clever!
SOMETHING - Expertly done! I loved the shadows line, the storytelling, and the twist!
HUNG - Oooh, this poem's imagery is fantastic, and the ending sneaks up on you.
THE DYING UNDEAD - I wanted to like this more than I did. It has some interesting ideas, but I found myself thinking its structure makes it sound a bit like musical theater.
art by Jesse D’Angelo - Jesus, this makes my skin itch. I'd like to quit this jungle cruise, please.
FEEDING THE VOID - Some shreds of story in here are compelling.
art by Christy Aldridge - Would make an awesome album cover!
DEAD LAND - Where's the rest of it?
UNDYING LOVE - Sounds like a poem that creepy kid in class wrote for Valentine's Day.
BE MINE - Not enough to lift it past 'lyrics' for me.
art by Lula Von Goth - This piece did not appeal to me.
THEY FEED - Not bad, I liked the promise/seasoned lines.
art by Alexandrea Christianson - That weird girl in high school wants to show you her drawings, before she rips your heart out.
UNKNOWN - Bro, that LAST LINE!
THE MAN IN THE WOODS - Good storytelling ends too abruptly to satisfy.
DEATH - Ends before it starts, and the end rings hollow.
SMALL SPACES - There's a good core here, but it needs more to make me feel.
art by T.R. Sharrow - Haunting. The mirror's looking at me, and smoking. Hey guys, maybe we should stay somewhere else?
HOME INVASION - Short, sweet, and terrifying. Great storytelling with not a lot of words.
SNAKE - Feels like the start of something, I'd be interested to see how this could be continued.
art by Joella Schubbe - Would make a cute tattoo.
CURSED - Loved it! Another standout from this collection!
LA PETITE MORT - Ruzsa is really cooking something juicy here. Would make a hell of a Goth song!
art by Daria Khramova - What you don't want to see on your dentist's wall, or anywhere, good lord that's freaky!
SCRIBBLE - This poem does a good job of creating doubt and dread in equal measure
art by Lara Croft - Does not even come close to doing the poem justice.
WHERE THE ASHES BLOOM - Decent, I liked the lore building here.
SHE PLAYED FOR THE DEVIL - This is the longest poem of Ruzsa's collection and her storytelling skills shine here. It reflects the collection as a whole, because some parts of this poem feel undercooked, while other parts are geniunely chilling.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys darker kinds of poetry and art. While ultimately uneven, the high points are more than enough to reward a close read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2025
I enjoyed how unsettling this poetry book was, the creepy poems paired with art work created an unnerving feel as you read on it gets darker and more unnerving. some of the poems I wanted more from to be longer but this is just my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
I am a huge fan of poetry. I have been since middle school, and, both writing, and, reading it to be very therapeutic. I have, also, been a huge fan of the dark, and, macabre art, for just as long. This book really hit those notes, for me. This collection, from the beginning poem, "It's Dark in Here" until, the grand finale, of, "She Played for the Devil"(amazing work of art, and, one of my personal favorites, by the way), you are treated to poems, that, do not feel like what you would consider poetry, but, short, spooky stories, in their own right. Stories that deal with the fear of the dark, in many different aspects. From poems about fears of the metaphysical/supernatural("Cursed", "They Feed", and, "Scribble"), to fears of the unknown("Dementia", "Snake", and, "Unknown"), the darkness in humanity("Be Mine", "The Man in the Woods", and, "Home Invasion"), the question of mortality("Death", and, "Heights"), fear of being surrounded by darkness("Blind", and, "Small Spaces"), and, also, embracing it("La Petite Mort", which is my favorite poem from the book!). I absolutely loved this read, and, it was a refreshing break from the usual novel. I highly recommend it if you love dark poetry, and, spooky, and, macabre art!
5/5⭐
5/5⭐
July 27, 2025
definitely lives up to its title. the poems are steeped in darkness, touching on fear, isolation, and the eerie parts of the human mind. The artwork adds a nice visual layer to the mood, making the experience feel immersive.
That said, some of the poems felt a bit repetitive or vague, and a few didn’t land emotionally for me. I was hoping for more variety in tone or a stronger narrative thread across the collection. Still, there are a handful of standout pieces that stuck with me, especially paired with the illustrations.
Worth checking out if you’re into horror poetry with an artistic twist, but it didn’t fully grab me from start to finish.
That said, some of the poems felt a bit repetitive or vague, and a few didn’t land emotionally for me. I was hoping for more variety in tone or a stronger narrative thread across the collection. Still, there are a handful of standout pieces that stuck with me, especially paired with the illustrations.
Worth checking out if you’re into horror poetry with an artistic twist, but it didn’t fully grab me from start to finish.
July 13, 2025
Amanda’s horror poetry is top notch! I absolutely loved the poems and the art work that goes along with the poems is also stunning. It’s perfect how they coincide with each other. I’m not a poetry person usually but these poems were pure art.
July 16, 2025
I absolutely love these poems, and the art was a wonderful touch 🖤
August 4, 2025
Short but terrifying! These poems are scary, creepy and sad. Huge shout out to the art also oh my! I loved these poems so much! Be sure to sleep with the lights on!
January 31, 2026
I was gifted this for Xmas and OMG the art the poetry. Thank you Amanda for putting this together. I had read a short by Amanda before this and didn't know she had poetry. I can't wait for the next collection 10 stars...all the stars.
September 3, 2025
I’ve never been a poetry reader until I discovered horror poetry and Amanda Ruzsa does it beautifully
January 3, 2026
It’s Dark in Here by Amanda Rusza is a striking collection that blends creepy, unsettling poems with evocative artwork to create a deeply unnerving atmosphere. The pieces don’t feel like traditional poetry so much as short, spooky stories, each one steeped in darkness and quiet dread.
Touching on fear, isolation, and the eerie corners of the human mind, the poems are enhanced by the accompanying art, which adds a strong visual layer and makes the whole experience feel immersive. It’s a refreshing break from the usual novel format and a great pick for readers who enjoy dark, moody, and unconventional storytelling.
Touching on fear, isolation, and the eerie corners of the human mind, the poems are enhanced by the accompanying art, which adds a strong visual layer and makes the whole experience feel immersive. It’s a refreshing break from the usual novel format and a great pick for readers who enjoy dark, moody, and unconventional storytelling.
February 18, 2026
Found in a mini library. This was so cool and holy cow is it dark. Loved the ups and downs of the emotions that Amanda brought to the poetry. Also the art inside was fascinating, some of it was very curious while the others were gorgeously done.
I will return it to the mini library for another to enjoy.
I will return it to the mini library for another to enjoy.
December 25, 2025
Wow, this poem book is magnificent and the artwork really helps to express the feelings of the poems. I really enjoyed them and highly recommend.
February 6, 2026
Very much enjoyed this combination of poetry and art...some of the poems struck me very deeply, feeling an underlying meaning behind them. At least, in my interpretation I felt the underlying meaning...not sure if the author and my feelings aligned, but that is the beauty of poetry. All left up to interpretation. Definitely all darker in nature, which I loved, but may not be for everyone. I will be reading more of the authors works for sure.
July 26, 2025
Beautiful poetry, and exquisite art work. Amanda Ruzsa rips open her heart and spills it onto the page with each dark prose.
Each poem is unique and her style is like no other. The pictures she creates with her twists of phrase are mind-blowing.
The artwork is creative in both style the different imaginings of the poems by the artists.
I look forward to whatever Amanda has coming next!
Each poem is unique and her style is like no other. The pictures she creates with her twists of phrase are mind-blowing.
The artwork is creative in both style the different imaginings of the poems by the artists.
I look forward to whatever Amanda has coming next!
August 18, 2025
Haunting creepy and captivating! This was such a joy to read, in the moment wrapped in passion, delicately dark and mysterious. Some was thought provoking and some emotional. Such a delightful read and different style for me I really enjoyed this.
October 12, 2025
An amazing collection of creepy poetry. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great read for spooky season!
September 25, 2025
This is poetry book is hauntingly beautiful but also dark & disturbing. The horrors in this book won’t stage on the page but they will stay in your mind so sleep with one eye open tonight.
The art in the book adds a visual element brings the poems to life. This whole book is layered in darkness from isolation to the dark eerie parts of one’s mind to folklore & lore
If you want dark, gruesome grotesque horror poetry give this one a read.
The art in the book adds a visual element brings the poems to life. This whole book is layered in darkness from isolation to the dark eerie parts of one’s mind to folklore & lore
If you want dark, gruesome grotesque horror poetry give this one a read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews