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One year ago today, we launched 47North, the science fiction, fantasy, and horror imprint for Amazon Publishing. Celebrating in October is especially easy for genre fans"”hello, horror! This is the one month where the general populace feels comfortable letting loose their inner ghoul. In fact, you may already be a horror fan--you just don't know it yet. This is where 47North hopes to come in.
In July, we cast a dark shadow over everyday beach reads when we published Ania Ahlborn's Seed, a Southern Gothic horror novel about a man who realizes he can never outrun the demon who haunts his past. It proved so terrifying that Amazon Studios recently optioned the book to develop into a film. After Seed, readers wanted more, and what better way to feed that hunger than with the insatiable undead? In September, we launched Stant Litore's Zombie Bible series with Death Has Come Up into Our Windows and What Our Eyes Have Witnessed, and the new installment, Strangers in the Land releases this month. This serious, frightening, clever series reimagines biblical times infused with zombies. The Walking Dead fans will appreciate Litore's sense of dread and unflinching violence.
Readers who appreciate action over gore should look no further than Melissa F. Olson's Dead Spots, a debut urban fantasy featuring Scarlett Bernard, a "null" who has the power to diffuse any supernatural being or activity in her vicinity (e.g. vampires and werewolves are forced back into human states in her presence). Olson deftly blends paranormal with mystery and a healthy dose of Buffy-style wit in this start of her new series.
Speaking of Buffy (we try to, regularly), we will publish Buffy: The Making of a Slayer this December, celebrating the 15th anniversary of Joss Whedon's beloved television series. This retrospective comes housed in a special slipcase that also includes rare in-world artifacts from the Bufferyverse.
Readers who like their stories in TV episode-style installments will love Z 2134, our new Kindle Serial. Every two weeks, subscribers will receive a new chapter in the story of a media-obsessed world driven mad by zombie hordes"”so mad that citizens are pitted against the undead for televised sport.
Thank you to readers who have made our first 12 months of publishing science fiction, fantasy, and horror so rewarding. While we love that our anniversary falls in October, our emphasis on horror is not limited to one month. Stand by for more chills and thrills every month, and please let us know how we're doing at www.amazon.com/47North.
--Alex
