SHAKESPEARE IN BLOOD!
Monstrous Books’ SHAKESPEARE UNLEASHED to be published on July 28, 2023
From the blood of Macbeth and the ghosts of Hamlet, to the dark fantasy of The Tempest and the twisted love of Romeo and Juliet, SHAKESPEARE UNLEASHED reimagines the Bard’s greatest works as short horror stories…as well as horror sonnets.
The follow-up to the Rondo Hatton Award winning CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED, edited by James Aquilone, features 25 new stories by Joe R. Lansdale & Kasey Lansdale, Ian Doescher, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Lee Murray, Steve Rasnic Tem, Gemma Files, Tim Waggoner, John Palisano, Lisa Morton, Gene Flynn, Hailey Piper, Philip Fracassi, Gwendolyn Kiste, and others.
The 380-page book also features illustrations by J.K. Woodward, sonnets by Linda D. Addison, Alessandro Manzetti, Jessica McHugh, Sara Tantlinger, Stephanie M. Wytovich, and Lucy A. Snyder, among others, as well as an introduction by Weston Ochse.
“Shakespeare Unleashed follows in our tradition, started with Classic Monsters Unleashed, of exploring different literary universes and giving them our unique and horrifying spin,” says editor James Aquilone.
“Shakespeare saw the human condition in all its glory and its pain,” says 11-time Bram Stoker Award winner Joe R. Lansdale, who has written a Macbeth-inspired story in a collaboration with his daughter Kasey. “He saw the horror in the shadows, and the mystery in human loss and ambition.”
“As a horror fan and a lover of Shakespeare, I’m excited to be part of this project,” says Ian Doescher, the author of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars. “Like a demon being summoned, my contribution—based on the comedy Twelfth Night—will channel the Bard’s darker side and show how happily ever after can end up in terror, tears, and tragedy.”
SHAKESPEARE UNLEASHED
Published by Monstrous Books in paperback, hardcover. Ebook published in partnership with Crystal Lake Publishing.
Release date: July 28.
About the Publishers:
Monstrous Books was founded by editor and writer James Aquilone, whose anthologies Classic Monsters Unleashed and Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary both won Rondo Hatton Awards this year. Kolchak: The Night Stalker is also nominated for Best Graphic Novel at the 2023 Bram Stoker Awards. James has raised $250,000 through crowdfunding since 2021. Visit monstrousbooks.com.
Crystal Lake Publishing quickly became one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror since its founding in 2012. With over fifty major award wins and nominations, this South African press will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. Come join the adventure at www.crystallakepub.com.
