Ruadán Books's Avatar

Ruadán Books

@ruadanbooks.bsky.social

📚 Clever and curious reads for lovers of the strange and mysterious. https://linktr.ee/ruadanbooks https://ruadanbooks.com

1,690 Followers  |  198 Following  |  952 Posts  |  Joined: 07.08.2024
Posts Following

Posts by Ruadán Books (@ruadanbooks.bsky.social)

A noir-toned background image of a rainy city skyscape, birds flying with a backdrop of smeared neon lights, with a detective standing on a rooftop in long coat and hat with one arm raised. Right-justified text on the image reads "open call for novellas, opens: 4.01.26, closes: 4.30.26." The Ruadán Books logo is centered above the text.

A noir-toned background image of a rainy city skyscape, birds flying with a backdrop of smeared neon lights, with a detective standing on a rooftop in long coat and hat with one arm raised. Right-justified text on the image reads "open call for novellas, opens: 4.01.26, closes: 4.30.26." The Ruadán Books logo is centered above the text.

We're opening to novella manuscripts on 4/1/26! We're looking for dark thrillers, crime noir, & dark speculative fiction—if you've got a complete novella (25k-40k words) that fits, we want to hear from you.

Submission guidelines coming soon: links.ruadanbooks.com/cfs

#WriterSky #AuthorSky

05.03.2026 00:00 — 👍 53    🔁 37    💬 0    📌 1

@tadethompson.bsky.social Hey Tade! I signed an author (Naomi Eselojor) Who wrote a brilliant Steampunk alt history novella for us. She is a huge fan and I wanted to see if I could convince you to pen an introduction...awkward to chat here, happy to do email (rbwood (at) ruadanbooks (dot) com.

04.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A screencap of the Publishers Marketplace announcement of Elena Pavlova’s book deal with Ruadán Books to publish Infection Points, along with a photo of the author. Photo by Dariya Ivantsova.

A screencap of the Publishers Marketplace announcement of Elena Pavlova’s book deal with Ruadán Books to publish Infection Points, along with a photo of the author. Photo by Dariya Ivantsova.

We’re excited to announce we will be publishing Elena Pavlova’s novella INFECTION POINTS!

This eco-thriller horror story follows an ecologist embedded in an international conservation effort to protect vampires as they face a species-collapsing outbreak.

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/pavlova

#BookSky

03.03.2026 23:19 — 👍 16    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 2

I'm so proud of the essays we've published at Thoughts From the Writer's Desk. Brilliant words by brilliant people, like this essay by @dovelynnwriter.bsky.social.

28.02.2026 17:14 — 👍 6    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Mostly white graphic with black text reading: “Whatever: The Big Idea: Jeff Somers” at the top, then featuring the beginning of Jeff Somers’ essay on John Scalzi’s blog Whatever in a black-bordered white box next to the front cover image of Jeff’s book Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path. The text reads, “Five funerals may seem like a lot, but this number is actually cut down considerably from author Jeff Somers’ original idea of 26 deaths. Put on your best black tie and follow along the Big Idea for his newest choose-your-own-adventure, Five Funerals. JEFF SOMERS: WHEN I was 14 years old—chubby, prone to wearing tie-dye t-shirts for no known reason, and gifted with inexplicable levels of confidence—I wrote a novel in just under three months. Nothing’s impossible when you have no job and live on a diet of Cookie Crisp cereal and RC Cola, and the whole writing thing is so fresh and new, you haven’t yet developed a nose for your own bad writing. Writing novels sure is easy, I thought, and for a long time I actually believed that. 35 years later, I was staring up at a poster of Edward Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies…” The Ruadán Books logo appears centered at the bottom.

Mostly white graphic with black text reading: “Whatever: The Big Idea: Jeff Somers” at the top, then featuring the beginning of Jeff Somers’ essay on John Scalzi’s blog Whatever in a black-bordered white box next to the front cover image of Jeff’s book Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path. The text reads, “Five funerals may seem like a lot, but this number is actually cut down considerably from author Jeff Somers’ original idea of 26 deaths. Put on your best black tie and follow along the Big Idea for his newest choose-your-own-adventure, Five Funerals. JEFF SOMERS: WHEN I was 14 years old—chubby, prone to wearing tie-dye t-shirts for no known reason, and gifted with inexplicable levels of confidence—I wrote a novel in just under three months. Nothing’s impossible when you have no job and live on a diet of Cookie Crisp cereal and RC Cola, and the whole writing thing is so fresh and new, you haven’t yet developed a nose for your own bad writing. Writing novels sure is easy, I thought, and for a long time I actually believed that. 35 years later, I was staring up at a poster of Edward Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies…” The Ruadán Books logo appears centered at the bottom.

"Writing novels sure is easy, I thought, and for a long time I actually believed that."

Discover the Big Idea behind Jeff Somers' FIVE FUNERALS on John Scalzi's blog, Whatever:

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/ffbigidea

(Many thanks to @scalzi.com & Athena Scalzi for the feature!)

#BookSky #WriterSky

27.02.2026 23:44 — 👍 51    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 0
CEO Richard Wood (white shirt) in front of his table, with a big fox poster and copies of 120 Murders and my other things in the foreground. Other books too! Bring a big bag.

CEO Richard Wood (white shirt) in front of his table, with a big fox poster and copies of 120 Murders and my other things in the foreground. Other books too! Bring a big bag.

Here's the @ruadanbooks.bsky.social table at @lihorrorcon.bsky.social! Come see us for great books including 120 Murders!

I also have BillionsvsBillionaires zines and a couple copies of Perfect Crime Party and Wonder & Glory Forever!

27.02.2026 19:58 — 👍 21    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 0

NEW YORK! Come out and see Jeff Somers at the @mysteriousbookshop.com—he'll be there at 6 PM ET!

26.02.2026 22:04 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Photograph of a weathered brick wall with white, purple, and pink morning glories and green vines sprawling across it. The bottom of the photograph features an inset author photo of S.L. Dove Cooper, and text reading "Yes, You Get to Do That" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/cooper.

Photograph of a weathered brick wall with white, purple, and pink morning glories and green vines sprawling across it. The bottom of the photograph features an inset author photo of S.L. Dove Cooper, and text reading "Yes, You Get to Do That" and "Thoughts from the Writer's Desk" alongside the Ruadán Books logo. Read the essay at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/cooper.

In "Yes, You Get to Do That," @dovelynnwriter.bsky.social explores how vulnerable the process can be engaging a writer's non-English language and culture in contemporary SFF.

For those who've struggled to find their voice:
🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/cooper

#WriterSky #AuthorSky #writingcommunity

25.02.2026 22:40 — 👍 7    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 3

That's not what the hyper-competent Kate Huxtable said, Jeff.

For the lamp gospel according to Kate, we invite all of you to turn now to your copy of FIVE FUNERALS and read.

(Thanks to everyone who joined us for last night's launch party!)

25.02.2026 21:58 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Actually TONIGHT (as time has passed)

24.02.2026 17:08 — 👍 8    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 0
A large white skull with glowing red lights in its orbital sockets sits on a black background. Large white and black text at the top of the graphic reads “Ruadán at LICH” and text beneath it reads, “In the NYC area? Come see us this weekend: The Long Island Convention of Horror. Friday-Sunday, Feb 27-Mar 1 2026. Hyatt Regency Hauppauge. Meet our CEO! Score exclusive discounts!” The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower right corner.

A large white skull with glowing red lights in its orbital sockets sits on a black background. Large white and black text at the top of the graphic reads “Ruadán at LICH” and text beneath it reads, “In the NYC area? Come see us this weekend: The Long Island Convention of Horror. Friday-Sunday, Feb 27-Mar 1 2026. Hyatt Regency Hauppauge. Meet our CEO! Score exclusive discounts!” The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower right corner.

In NYC this weekend? Venture out to the Hyatt Regency Long Island & join us at @lihorrorcon.bsky.social!

📍LICH, Hyatt Regency Hauppauge
📅 Friday—Sunday, Feb 27-Mar 1, 2026
🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/LICH

We'll be at the table with the the deliciously dark books, maybe next to @nmamatas.bsky.social.

24.02.2026 01:49 — 👍 4    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
Post image

I will answer any question asked. Except for the ones my lawyer advises me not to. Yes, my lawyer is a stuffed bear. What of it?

24.02.2026 00:55 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
A textured black background displays text reading, “Five Funerals Online Launch Party” in white and red. Beneath a thick line, the text continues, “February 24, 2026 at 8 PM ET.” A photograph of the Five Funerals paperback sits to the right of two circular black and white photos (one of Jeff Somers, one of Nick Mamatas). An illustrated Grim Reaper by Ruth Ann Sellars hovers behind them. Text beneath their photos reads, “Jeff Comers, reading and Q&A with Nick Mamatas.” The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower left. Sign up for the launch party at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLaunch.

A textured black background displays text reading, “Five Funerals Online Launch Party” in white and red. Beneath a thick line, the text continues, “February 24, 2026 at 8 PM ET.” A photograph of the Five Funerals paperback sits to the right of two circular black and white photos (one of Jeff Somers, one of Nick Mamatas). An illustrated Grim Reaper by Ruth Ann Sellars hovers behind them. Text beneath their photos reads, “Jeff Comers, reading and Q&A with Nick Mamatas.” The Ruadán Books logo is in the lower left. Sign up for the launch party at https://links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLaunch.

TOMORROW NIGHT! Join us for the FIVE FUNERALS launch party at 8 PM ET on Zoom.

@jeffsomers.bsky.social will read from his darkly funny book, and @nmamatas.bsky.social will pepper him with questions. Perhaps even YOUR questions, so be sure to register!

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLaunch

#BookSky

24.02.2026 00:13 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 1

Thank you! Let us know what you think of the yearbook.

23.02.2026 22:42 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Post image Post image Post image

So excited to get the latest book by @jeffsomers.bsky.social published by @ruadanbooks.bsky.social !

23.02.2026 22:36 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 3    📌 0
Video thumbnail

We're excited to announce that FIVE FUNERALS by @jeffsomers.bsky.social is narrated by L.J. Ganser!

In this clip, meet Neville: he's having a rough time.

Feed this to your ears NOW—it's available at most retailers & will be everywhere soon.

🎧 links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLibro

#BookSky #ThrillerSky

23.02.2026 22:31 — 👍 7    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

I had such a blast reading this book.

Folks need to pick it up ASAP.

22.02.2026 22:29 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Photograph of the Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path by Jeff Somers paperback sitting on the ground among withered plants, against the siding of a house. Photo by Jeff Somers.

Photograph of the Five Funerals: Choose Your Own Perilous Path by Jeff Somers paperback sitting on the ground among withered plants, against the siding of a house. Photo by Jeff Somers.

Graphic displaying two 5-star reviews of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “Funny, dark, and macabre, Five Funerals is a delightful full-length novel companion to Edward Gorey's creepy alphabet book The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Despite its grim subject matter, I immensely enjoyed diving headfirst into the story of the ill-fated party thrown by the senior class of Bishop Carlbus Prep and the fate of all twenty-six graduates. Despite some of the more outlandish ends of Gorey's children, Somers integrates callbacks to the original source material without descending into slapstick.”—Elizabeth B., Librarian and “This book is exquisite. Not only is it extremely well written, it’s also funny, interesting, and inventive. It’s rare to find a well done choose your own path book...and this one is written in such a fun way, with the use of footnotes making the reading process feel like an inside joke between friends. I am so glad to have found this book, it’s earned its place as the best I’ve read this year.”—Rhianna S., Bookseller

Graphic displaying two 5-star reviews of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “Funny, dark, and macabre, Five Funerals is a delightful full-length novel companion to Edward Gorey's creepy alphabet book The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Despite its grim subject matter, I immensely enjoyed diving headfirst into the story of the ill-fated party thrown by the senior class of Bishop Carlbus Prep and the fate of all twenty-six graduates. Despite some of the more outlandish ends of Gorey's children, Somers integrates callbacks to the original source material without descending into slapstick.”—Elizabeth B., Librarian and “This book is exquisite. Not only is it extremely well written, it’s also funny, interesting, and inventive. It’s rare to find a well done choose your own path book...and this one is written in such a fun way, with the use of footnotes making the reading process feel like an inside joke between friends. I am so glad to have found this book, it’s earned its place as the best I’ve read this year.”—Rhianna S., Bookseller

Graphic displaying a 5-star review of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “Oh my goodness. Obsessed with this book. ... Give me wrong side of the tracks NJ with a private almost-elite high school and a prank that goes horribly, horribly wrong and I'm in. Survivor's Guilt? No thank you. These characters are messy disasters. The format—phenomenal. It's not a classic Choose Your Own Adventure, but it jumps between the present and the stories of each characters death. It's an unorthodox style and it really works with the narrative. You can read it front to back, but I recommend reading the Death Scenes in between, otherwise the story ends and you're left with little slice of death stories. Which is also more than acceptable. Who needs a slice of life when you can have a slice of death? This was an absolute delight—and I think Edward Gorey would agree.”—Alexandra D., Librarian

Graphic displaying a 5-star review of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “Oh my goodness. Obsessed with this book. ... Give me wrong side of the tracks NJ with a private almost-elite high school and a prank that goes horribly, horribly wrong and I'm in. Survivor's Guilt? No thank you. These characters are messy disasters. The format—phenomenal. It's not a classic Choose Your Own Adventure, but it jumps between the present and the stories of each characters death. It's an unorthodox style and it really works with the narrative. You can read it front to back, but I recommend reading the Death Scenes in between, otherwise the story ends and you're left with little slice of death stories. Which is also more than acceptable. Who needs a slice of life when you can have a slice of death? This was an absolute delight—and I think Edward Gorey would agree.”—Alexandra D., Librarian

Graphic displaying a 5-star review of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “I literally want to shout from the rooftops about how FUN this book was!! It’s like a choose your own adventure for adults, with horror elements and enough interactivity to keep you wanting more! The author says you can read this however you choose, but I started at the beginning and jumped back and forth with each footnote that directed me to another chapter. ... Jeff Somers does a fantastic job of weaving a story that has mystery, horror, and humor all rolled into one. This is one of the few books that I genuinely wished would not end! It was so much fun reading a bit more of the plot and then seeing a footnote that sent me on another journey to see how our next doomed character would kick the bucket. This book needs to be on everyone’s radar! It was unique and fun, and I can’t recommend this one enough!”—Mandy E., Reviewer

Graphic displaying a 5-star review of Five Funerals by Jeff Somers, reading: “I literally want to shout from the rooftops about how FUN this book was!! It’s like a choose your own adventure for adults, with horror elements and enough interactivity to keep you wanting more! The author says you can read this however you choose, but I started at the beginning and jumped back and forth with each footnote that directed me to another chapter. ... Jeff Somers does a fantastic job of weaving a story that has mystery, horror, and humor all rolled into one. This is one of the few books that I genuinely wished would not end! It was so much fun reading a bit more of the plot and then seeing a footnote that sent me on another journey to see how our next doomed character would kick the bucket. This book needs to be on everyone’s radar! It was unique and fun, and I can’t recommend this one enough!”—Mandy E., Reviewer

Happy book birthday to FIVE FUNERALS by @jeffsomers.bsky.social!

Grab your copy of this dark, funny novel wherever books are sold.

Order direct: links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

Join our launch party 2/24! Hosted by @nmamatas.bsky.social:
links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLaunch

#BookSky #ThrillerSky #HorrorSky

22.02.2026 18:47 — 👍 8    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 2
Video thumbnail

OUT TOMORROW! Have you pre-ordered @jeffsomers.bsky.social's FIVE FUNERALS yet?

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

Time is fleeting, as are pre-order benefits—order direct from us TODAY to get the discount & pocket-sized yearbook with art by @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social.

#BookSky #ThrillerSky #horror

21.02.2026 22:13 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 1
Video thumbnail

TUESDAY, @jeffsomers.bsky.social kicks off his author tour with a FIVE FUNERALS LAUNCH PARTY!

links.ruadanbooks.com/FFLaunch

Join us 2/24, 8 PM ET, for a Zoom full of words, fictional funerals, &... sketch comedy? Or maybe he promised NOT to do sketch comedy. Hm.

Host: @nmamatas.bsky.social

#TBR

21.02.2026 01:53 — 👍 4    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0

TWO DAYS! Not three. Increase your excitement appropriately.

20.02.2026 21:42 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Video thumbnail

3 DAYS TO FIVE FUNERALS, THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Oh, right, there's also a new protagonist somewhere: Meet Ida Tanner.

Pre-order by 2/22 for a great sales price & the pocket-sized yearbook gift!

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

Words: @jeffsomers.bsky.social; art: @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social

#BookSky

20.02.2026 21:29 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 2
Video thumbnail

3 DAYS TO FIVE FUNERALS, and we've got a pair of protagonists today: Meet Titus and Winnie Sandford.

Death didn't do it their way.

Get FIVE FUNERALS on sale with the yearbook gift before 2/22: links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

Words: @jeffsomers.bsky.social; art: @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social

#BookSky

19.02.2026 21:51 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1

Shooting my shot for my short story DETROIT inside SPRING IN THE CITY. There are so many talented writers in this DARK SPECULATIVE SSF ANTHOLOGY that deserve recognition ❤️
@ruadanbooks.bsky.social

19.02.2026 00:11 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Thoughts from the Writer’s Desk - Ruadán Books

If you're nominating non-fiction work for All the Awards, please take a moment to read the wonderful work published at Thoughts From the Writer's Desk on the @ruadanbooks.bsky.social website. We really pub'd some amazing words by so many amazing writers last year.

ruadanbooks.com/category/tho...

19.02.2026 17:10 — 👍 16    🔁 9    💬 1    📌 0
Video thumbnail

4 DAYS TO FIVE FUNERALS, and it'd be Smart of us to introduce this character: Meet Leo Barone.

His convenience is your time.

Get FIVE FUNERALS on sale with the yearbook pre-order gift by 2/22! Words: @jeffsomers.bsky.social, art: @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social!

🔗 links.ruadanbooks.com/FF

#BookSky

18.02.2026 22:54 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 1
Video thumbnail

5 DAYS TO FIVE FUNERALS by @jeffsomers.bsky.social, we'd like you to meet Kate Huxtable.

Just get out of her way.

Pre-order wherever books are sold, or direct (& get the pocket-sized yearbook illus. by @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social): links.ruadanbooks.com/FF.

#BookSky #ThrillerSky #HorrorSky #TBR

17.02.2026 22:53 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

We believe in honesty in advertising.

17.02.2026 00:50 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Video thumbnail

6 DAYS TO FIVE FUNERALS by @jeffsomers.bsky.social, we'd like to present to you Victor Drummond.

Don't get attached.

Pre-order wherever books are sold, or direct (& get the pocket-sized yearbook illus. by @barnaclesandmoss.bsky.social): links.ruadanbooks.com/FF.

#BookSky #ThrillerSky #HorrorSky

17.02.2026 00:28 — 👍 6    🔁 4    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
csecooney - Twitch The Phoenix Quill Tavern — Stories Written in Fire!

"Any inaccuracies are HIGHLY intentional." -- @erricknunnally.bsky.social, on "Josephine Baker Against the Island of Horrors" in @ruadanbooks.bsky.social's new anthology SINISTER SOCIETIES. This is the first of six Josephine Baker (reimagined!) novellas!
See him read RIGHT NOW on twitch.tv/csecooney

16.02.2026 23:58 — 👍 7    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0