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Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales
California is more than beaches, sunshine, and vineyards. Two dozen horror authors are about to drag you into their nightmares, taking you on a wild tour behind the sun-soaked glamour, promising chills and thrills that linger long after the last page. With stories ranging from cosmic to body horror, to the comedic and the strange, Dread SoCal Horror Tales is a descent into the darkest corners of Southern California. These pages carry the whispers of sinister secrets in the Hollywood Hills, ancient evils stirring beneath the sands, and twisted tales behind San Diego’s sun-soaked streets, making this anthology the perfect read for lovers of the macabre. Twenty-four writers, including New York Times bestselling authors, Peter Clines, Jonathan Maberry, and Scott Sigler; and USA Today bestselling author Luke Dumas will be your guides … to the shadowy side of the Golden State.
And the best part? Your terror helps others. Proceeds from sales go to support the vital recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Edited by Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant
Participating authors
David Agranoff, Kevin David Anderson, Brian Asman, Peter Clines, Jon Cohn, Ronald Coleman, Dennis K. Crosby, Luke Dumas, S. Faxon, K.C. Grifant, Indigo Halverson, Theresa Halvorsen, Henry Herz, Elle Jauffret, James Jensen, T.J. Kang, Lisa Kastner, Jonathan Maberry, Greg Mollin, C.D. Oakes, Scott Sigler, Benjamin Spada, Chad Stroup, Rose Winter
And the best part? Your terror helps others. Proceeds from sales go to support the vital recovery work from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Edited by Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant
Participating authors
David Agranoff, Kevin David Anderson, Brian Asman, Peter Clines, Jon Cohn, Ronald Coleman, Dennis K. Crosby, Luke Dumas, S. Faxon, K.C. Grifant, Indigo Halverson, Theresa Halvorsen, Henry Herz, Elle Jauffret, James Jensen, T.J. Kang, Lisa Kastner, Jonathan Maberry, Greg Mollin, C.D. Oakes, Scott Sigler, Benjamin Spada, Chad Stroup, Rose Winter
366 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2025
About the author
Dennis K. Crosby
25 books119 followersDennis Crosby grew up in Oak Park, IL and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. With a degree in Criminal Justice he spent six years working as a Private Investigator and during that time developed an affinity for writing poetry. While working on a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology, Dennis transitioned into social service. Dennis has spent the last thirteen years working with adult men and women experiencing challenges with mental health and addiction. He currently serves as Director of Apprenticeship Programs for a non-profit organization in San Diego.
With a lifelong passion for writing, Dennis wrote dozens of short stories, tapping into his creative side, but did not pursue the finer points of the craft until later in life. After leaving Chicago and transitioning to San Diego, California, Dennis had the opportunity to get more involved in the writing community where he strengthened his skills. After attending the workshops of San Diego Writer’s Ink, and regular attendance at the Writer’s Coffeehouse, an open workshop for writers of all genres, Dennis slowly learned to find his voice and direct it into long form writing.
To further augment his writing skills, Dennis completed an MFA program at National University.
A self-proclaimed geek and lover of pop culture, Dennis still lives and writes in San Diego, CA.
With a lifelong passion for writing, Dennis wrote dozens of short stories, tapping into his creative side, but did not pursue the finer points of the craft until later in life. After leaving Chicago and transitioning to San Diego, California, Dennis had the opportunity to get more involved in the writing community where he strengthened his skills. After attending the workshops of San Diego Writer’s Ink, and regular attendance at the Writer’s Coffeehouse, an open workshop for writers of all genres, Dennis slowly learned to find his voice and direct it into long form writing.
To further augment his writing skills, Dennis completed an MFA program at National University.
A self-proclaimed geek and lover of pop culture, Dennis still lives and writes in San Diego, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2025
I have a story in this anthology so at the risk of sounding biased- fantastic collection of stories from so Cal about So Cal. Full review and podcast coverage...
A few years back, it was announced that StokerCon was coming to San Diego. At the time, I had been mulling over the idea of joining the local Horror Writers Association, having had experience putting on cons and similar large events, and I thought that I could be useful. One of the things we often talked about in meetings was this project that would eventually become Dread Coast. A Southern California or San Diego-based anthology, and the majority of the authors in this book are from San Diego.
The idea was a charity anthology, so the headache of paying two dozen authors would be taken out of the equation. Early on, talk was that it should be a California cause. When the Wildfires happened in LA, it seemed a no-brainer to support relief efforts. Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant, who led much of the efforts on Stokercon, continued to lead by editing this book. Publishing duties have been well handled by local author Theresa Halvorsen and her publishing arm No Bad Books Press.
There are, of course, stories that are stand-outs, and I will highlight those, but there are no duds. I enjoyed reading this one cover to cover. I often skip around, but I was curious how the stories were placed. The book opens with a squirmer from bestselling author Luke Dumas. A great kick-off for the collection, and having a story set on the beach is perfect. This one gets inside you and wiggles around. The Suitcase from newcomer C.D. Oakes is a powerful one. Probably the best most powerful prose of the collection comes from bookseller Greg Mollin (shout-out Artifact Books) whose story Growing Darkness packs a punch. Brian Asman and Jon Cohn have funny stories that make use of real settings. Chad Stroup’s story takes place in the universe of his criminally underrated Secrets of the Weird. Closing out the collection is Jonathan Maberry’s powerful vampire story.
Dread Coast is a must-read for So-Cal horror fans, but I think horror fans in all regions will enjoy this one.
A few years back, it was announced that StokerCon was coming to San Diego. At the time, I had been mulling over the idea of joining the local Horror Writers Association, having had experience putting on cons and similar large events, and I thought that I could be useful. One of the things we often talked about in meetings was this project that would eventually become Dread Coast. A Southern California or San Diego-based anthology, and the majority of the authors in this book are from San Diego.
The idea was a charity anthology, so the headache of paying two dozen authors would be taken out of the equation. Early on, talk was that it should be a California cause. When the Wildfires happened in LA, it seemed a no-brainer to support relief efforts. Dennis K. Crosby and KC Grifant, who led much of the efforts on Stokercon, continued to lead by editing this book. Publishing duties have been well handled by local author Theresa Halvorsen and her publishing arm No Bad Books Press.
There are, of course, stories that are stand-outs, and I will highlight those, but there are no duds. I enjoyed reading this one cover to cover. I often skip around, but I was curious how the stories were placed. The book opens with a squirmer from bestselling author Luke Dumas. A great kick-off for the collection, and having a story set on the beach is perfect. This one gets inside you and wiggles around. The Suitcase from newcomer C.D. Oakes is a powerful one. Probably the best most powerful prose of the collection comes from bookseller Greg Mollin (shout-out Artifact Books) whose story Growing Darkness packs a punch. Brian Asman and Jon Cohn have funny stories that make use of real settings. Chad Stroup’s story takes place in the universe of his criminally underrated Secrets of the Weird. Closing out the collection is Jonathan Maberry’s powerful vampire story.
Dread Coast is a must-read for So-Cal horror fans, but I think horror fans in all regions will enjoy this one.
April 10, 2026
This anthology is great! It has a wide-range of horror flavor, so something for everyone. As a San Diegan, I appreciated how these stories were all set in SoCal. I applaud the editors, Dennis Crosby and KC Grifant, for assembling fantastic authors and stories for this charity anthology.
I found something to enjoy about every story, and here are a few of my favorite:
The View From Here by Elle Jauffret
Skin in the Game by Brian Asman
Acheron Gas & Co by Dennis Crosby
Birds of Prey by KC Grifant
Flesh Trade by Peter Clines
and
Growing Darkness by Greg Mollin (This was my favorite story. Moody, atmospheric, beautifully-written.)
I found something to enjoy about every story, and here are a few of my favorite:
The View From Here by Elle Jauffret
Skin in the Game by Brian Asman
Acheron Gas & Co by Dennis Crosby
Birds of Prey by KC Grifant
Flesh Trade by Peter Clines
and
Growing Darkness by Greg Mollin (This was my favorite story. Moody, atmospheric, beautifully-written.)
November 26, 2025
Entertaining collection of horror / thriller tales set in various locales of Southern California. The voices of the authors varied widely, from softer, sometimes guarded stories of ghosts and vampires, to darker ones about the occult and cults. Everything from the more realistic horror to fantastic a la Lovecraft.
September 18, 2025
Great collection of horror! I had a blast reading this. Highly reccomend!
February 25, 2026
A fun collection for a great cause. Greg Mollin's story, Growing Darkness, was particularly haunting and excellent.
March 24, 2026
✔️ Rainy Day, by Scott Sigler 03/24/2026
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews