Michael Bailey

FOREVER VELVETEEN, a sequel to THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, will be available December 2nd, 2025. Written by yours truly and illustrated by @vincentchong.bsky.social. Hardcover only.

You will be missed, Baker & Taylor (book distributor founded in 1828, serving libraries for nearly 2 centuries). Your loss basically leaves us with Amazon and Ingram. If only there were, you know, multi-billionaires who could chip in and keep things flowing. If only books mattered . . .

Thank you, current U.S. Administration, for changing the Affordable Care Act, which now means my health insurance (on a worse plan than before) will be close to double in 2026 what I paid in 2025. And thank you, California, for requiring me to have health insurance, lest I be penalized.

There are new guidelines for VIEWS FROM THE OVERLOOK (the anthology tie-in to @stephenking.bsky.social's THE SHINING). As @jamieflanagan.com puts it: "Listen. Learn. Adapt." Now includes a 24-hour open window, no cap in submissions, and more names revealed. jamieflanagan.com/guidelines-2

'The Shining' Anthology Yes, Today We Can Openly Discuss It!

The basics: February 1st open call, but only 500 accepted (so plan to submit early!). 3,000-5,000 words. Story timeline somewhere between 1910-1949 (pre-novel). Pays $2,000 ahead of royalties (and no, that's not a typo).

chuckpalahniuk.substack.com/p/the-shinin...

I posted about the recently announced anthology tie-in to Stephen King's THE SHINING (edited by @jamieflanagan.com) and mentioned it includes someone who shares my name. To clarify, it's me (some asked). Want to be a part of it? Check out @chuckpalahniuk.bsky.social's newsletter for more info.

Congratulations to @jamieflanagan.com and everyone involved with this anthology rooted in Stephen King's THE SHINING.

Chelsea Cain, Johnny Compton, Mike Flanagan, Christopher Golden, Justina Ireland, Ai Jiang, Alma Katsu, Brian Keene, Daniel Knauf, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Chuck Palahniuk, and me.

ANTHOLOGY BIBLIOGRAPHY

Written Backwards is perhaps best known for its anthologies (along with publishing unique collections, novels, and other unique books), so below is a complete bibliography in order of release. These books have received numerous accolades over the years and have, more…

Silent me means a busy me, but here's an update on a not-so-silent project, SILENT NIGHTMARES, co-edited with Chuck Palahniuk for Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. This incredible anthology will include illustrations by @orionzangaraart.bsky.social, so here's a teaser.

IT'S THE END IF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT (current book I'm reading, and also the state of the planet), but my copy is bound UPSIDE-DOWN! Is this by design, or did the printer know I like things a little backward? Anyone else see the same?

The first two volumes of YOU, HUMAN return to regular eBook prices soon, so you have the rest of this weekend to snag them discounted. Lots of copies moving, which is always nice and supports future books.

#1 in horror anthologies.
#1 in fiction anthologies.
#2 in science fiction anthologies

YOU, HUMAN: Get it all, digitally, for under 3 bucks. 200,000 words of dark science fiction.

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – BOOKBUB! You, Human, Vol. 2 is a BookBub deal for a limited time, now only $0.99. The first volume is also discounted at this time. Also available in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook wherever books are sold. Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover Ingram…

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – BOOKBUB!

You, Human, Vol. 2 is a BookBub deal for a limited time, now only $0.99. The first volume is also discounted at this time. Also available in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook wherever books are sold. Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes &…

YOU, HUMAN, Vol. 2 is currently a BookBub deal.

New mirror for the casa.

I really enjoyed OVERSIGHT, a collection of two novellas and a short story by @nettirw.bsky.social. The book luxuriates in sci-fi horror in the vein of BLACK MIRROR, with a strong emotional edge. There's some scary stuff, some smart speculative sci-fi, and a whole heaping of humanity. Check it out!

It's a good day to support independent press and to remember that our fight for freedom is far from over.

Happy book birthday to YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2, available today wherever books are sold, simultaneously in hardcover, paperback, and eBook. One of the most highly anticipated anthologies of dark science fiction is finally here! nettirw.com/anthologies

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – NOW AVAILABLE! One of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year is now available wherever books are sold! The book releases today, simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook. Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover Ingram: trade paperback | hardcover Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you the next volume of the You, Human series, with fiction illustrated throughout by L.A.

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – NOW AVAILABLE!

One of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year is now available wherever books are sold! The book releases today, simultaneously in hardcover, trade paperback, and eBook. Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes & Noble: trade…

Dragonfruit flower ... time to fertilize.

I am late to the game, but finally going in. If anything, this will be my favorite part of this movie, a simple splash screen giving credit where credit's due (to @paultremblay.bsky.social). And it's @mnightshyamalan.bsky.social , so it will be pretty and atmospheric and other things.

Who's a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards for anthologies? FUMPTRUCK and all its contributors, that's who.

So much fun!

Same feelings here. Scariest book I've read in decades! (and that was a @stephenking.bsky.social tale). I can't praise this book (and the audio version) enough.

Michael Bailey Explores the Power of Storytelling, Horror, and Creative Collaboration - novelistpost.com PHOTO: Michael Bailey, award-winning author, editor, and creative force behind works like Silent Nightmares and Madness and Writers, photographed in his creative space. Credit: Julie Stipes Writing Ac...

Novelist Post interview. My hair's a bit longer now, but this is an interesting read if you're curious about my process and latest creations. (I guess I'm due for new headshots).

novelistpost.com/michael-bail...

INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE, Josh Malerman: This is the rare novel that's authentically scary. I mean, this is THE EXORCIST level of scary. The audiobook version is good, too.

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – PREORDER! Yes, you can now preorder one of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year! Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey brings you the next volume of the You, Human series, with fiction illustrated throughout by L.A. Spooner, poetry illustrations by Orion Zangara, and an introduction by Maxwell I.

YOU, HUMAN: Vol. 2 – PREORDER!

Yes, you can now preorder one of the most highly anticipated anthologies of the year! Amazon: eBook | trade paperback | hardcover Barnes & Noble: trade paperback | hardcover Books-A-Million (BAM!): trade paperback | hardcover Multi-award-winning editor Michael Bailey…

See you all soon!

A friendly reminder to always do a little research / reading before sending queries or proposals. There's always a little wiggle room when becoming friends or project buddies, but there's only so much wiggle room to spare.