MEET THE BATS
We are a female-owned independent publisher specialising in queer horror, crime and dark fiction.
TC Parker is Nefarious Bat's Editor-in-Chief.
The author of 13 books (... and counting...) including Saltblood, Salvation Spring, the Long Con trilogy and the Hummingbird series, she's worked in editorial in various capacities for almost 20 years: freelance, and in-house as lead copywriter and editor for a UK comms agency.
For the last decade, when not otherwise occupied with writing and publishing things, she's been the Managing Director of a semiotics, discourse analysis and cultural insight consultancy: a job that mostly entails her asking, "what does [x] mean, and how is it changing?" And then going off into the world to find out.
She has two kids, an audiobook habit and a PhD in media, politics and cultural studies; she likes critical theory, Terry Pratchett and the Ancient Near East, and dislikes conservatism in almost every form.
She's especially interested in hearing from queer writers, BIPOC British writers, neurodivergent writers, and any and all combinations of the above.
Hers is a salted caramel cheesecake.
Shauna Mc Eleney is the Managing Director of Nefarious Bat Press.
The author of Awake in the Night and the upcoming Where the Bluebells Lie, she hails from county Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. She holds a degree in English Lit, a degree in Business, and a masters in Film.
She likes designing book covers, listening to sad music and stressing about things that will likely never happen. She dislikes badly run small presses and people taking advantage of indie authors.
She enjoys reading strong female MCs, slow-burn dread, grief and nuanced characterisation; small towns, dark comedy and horror with heart. She's a total sucker for a seaside setting.
If you're at the bar, hers is a gin and tonic and a wee box of Pringles, thanks.
Coming soon from Nefarious Bat Press
1993: The sleepy coastal town of Glen Carrick wakes up to news of a body in the woods. Before long, there are three more. The one thing they all have in common: the ring of bluebells left at each scene.
2023: Maggie travels home to see her dad. She doesn't go back often - it's hard, even after 30 years. She doesn't plan to stay long. But then the killings start again, and Maggie is swept up in the investigation.
Glen Carrick has its secrets, and it's kept them well. Deadly secrets, laced with old fears and even older superstitions.
Unearthing them may be the only way for Maggie to stay alive.
Can she unravel her own memories and the mystery of the bluebells - or is history doomed to repeat itself?
Our very first call will be open from September 16th to October 31st. Join our mailing list or follow us on social media - links below.
What we're looking for:
~ Female or non binary author
~ Novella between 25k - 40k words
~ Genre: Horror/ Dark Fiction
~ Theme: author's choice.
What Nefarious Bat is offering:
~ $250 advance (USD)
~ 3 year contract
~ 50/50 royalty split
