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07/05/2025 Exclusive Cover Reveal: THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE by Amanda Headlee

  • Writer: Candace Nola
    Candace Nola
  • Jul 5
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 6

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Presented by Uncomfortably Dark Horror, Amanda Headlee's THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE, is sure to deliver a satisfying read full of terror, feminine rage, and female empowerment.


Story Synopsis:

Fleeing her father's cruelty, Beatrix Beaumont arrives in Yellow Creek City with little more than a name and a will to survive. When she lands work as a caretaker in the home of a respected town leader, it seems like a stroke of luck.


But the house holds dark secrets—and Bea is no longer free.


As she's drawn deeper into a twisted world of control and illusion, Bea must confront the shadows within and around her. To escape, she'll have to decide what she's willing to endure… and who she's willing to become.



Pre-order link:


EARLY PRAISE FOR THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE!


"A fierce and gripping "Good for her" story. Headlee's characters are mesmerizing and have you holding your breath--and clutching your throat--until the very last page. I loved it." ---Sonora Taylor, award-winning author of Little Paranoias: Stories and Without Condition



"Amanda Headlee is one of the most insightful writers of her generation. This is How a Villain is Made is direct, brutal, and a masterclass in tension-filled storytelling. This book shows us that though we fear the villain, we should loathe the circumstances that made them." ---Somer Canon, author of You're Mine



"We didn't start out this way. This is how we were made!"

Image depicts book cover for THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE by Amanda Headlee. Foreground depicts a woman wearing a pale-yellow dress, standing in a light brown prairie, with an old-fashioned train in the distance, background shows pale blue cloudy sky, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Title font is pale yellow with author name in white font.
Image depicts book cover for THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE by Amanda Headlee. Foreground depicts a woman wearing a pale-yellow dress, standing in a light brown prairie, with an old-fashioned train in the distance, background shows pale blue cloudy sky, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Title font is pale yellow with author name in white font.

Pre-order link:


Image depicts book cover for THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE by Amanda Headlee. Foreground depicts a woman wearing a pale-yellow dress, standing in a light brown prairie; background shows pale blue cloudy sky, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Title font is pale yellow with author name in white font.
Image depicts book cover for THIS IS HOW A VILLAIN IS MADE by Amanda Headlee. Foreground depicts a woman wearing a pale-yellow dress, standing in a light brown prairie; background shows pale blue cloudy sky, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Title font is pale yellow with author name in white font.

OTHER DETAILS:

Net Galley placement pending for reviewers. Will be announced in mid-July.


Godless Release on August 21, Amazon (wide) release on Sept. 4.


Online Launch Party: Details pending, stay tuned!


Cover Design by Don Noble of Rooster Republic.


MEET THE AUTHOR: AMANDA HEADLEE


Hello to all you lovers of dark fiction,

I’m Amanda Headlee, and I am beyond thrilled to announce that my novella, This is How a Villain is Made, will be published later this year by Uncomfortably Dark Horror.


This isn’t just a publishing milestone—it’s a full-circle moment. I’ve been a fan of Uncomfortably Dark since day one, and I’ve known Candace for years. To have her bring this particular story to life is deeply meaningful. This book represents something much bigger than a release—it’s a declaration.


For too long, I sidelined my creative voice to meet others’ expectations, sacrificing my writing for what felt “safe” or “acceptable.” I’ve spent years hearing the doubts— “you’re not good enough,” “writing won’t pay the bills”—and for too long, I believed them. But not anymore.


I’m calling this my villain phase—not because I’m turning to the dark side, but because I’m finally stepping into my power. I’m unapologetically prioritizing me: my craft, my vision, my voice. This is How a Villain is Made is a reflection of that transformation. It’s about shedding limitations and choosing to become who you were always meant to be, even if it means rewriting the rules and acting outside the norm.


I’m not new to the writing world—my debut novel, Till We Become Monsters, came out in 2021, followed by Madness and Greatness Can Share the Same Face in 2023, both published by Woodhall Press. My short fiction has found homes in several anthologies, but the story that holds a special place in my heart is “Lark,” featured in Strange New Moons earlier this year.


Beyond the page, I’m a devoted dog and plant mom—my pup Sprout even stars in her own segment in my Substack newsletter, From the Paws of Sprout the Horror Pup. I live for long gravel bike rides deep into the Appalachian forests and have learned to let go of the competitive edge I once had in racing. These days, it’s about being present, enjoying the journey, and trusting the process.


Also? I’m obsessed with tacos, ice cream, and my sacred morning ritual of witch’s brew: a magical mix of half coffee, half chocolate milk—a little chaos in a cup, just how I like it.


This is me, fully stepping into my era—with fire, with intention, and with a pen in hand. Let the villain rise.


In ink,

Amanda


Instagram/Threads: @amandaheadlee

Facebook: @authorAmandaHeadlee

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Owner: Candace Nola

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