11/22/2025 Fall & Winter Author Spotlight Series: Dan Shrader
- Candace Nola
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
This series will be showcased on my Patreon first, every Friday this fall and winter, through early 2026. If you are not a patron, look for the new author spotlight to appear here on the blog every Saturday! These will be for incredibly talented, but lesser known, authors that truly deserve a spotlight on their work!
As is our mission here at Uncomfortably Dark, we want to be a community support and while how we do that may change over time, we will always find a way to shed light on the many wonderfully talented people in this space. Please check out their interviews, click on their links, and check out their work for yourself. I promise you will not be disappointed.
This week's author is Dan Shrader, a favorite of mine for a few reasons. First, he's a great author that has only gotten greater in the time that I have known him. Second, I'm his mentor and his editor and I'm beyond proud of all he's done in just a few short years. Dan is one to watch, today, tomorrow, and for years to come. Trust me.
MEET DAN SHRADER
Introduce yourself in 4 sentences or less.
I’m Dan Shrader, a horror author who thrives on writing these wicked movies I have in my head. I don’t write for your comfort. I want to take you somewhere you’ve never been. My books are vicious, grimy, and unapologetic.
Describe your style of writing in 2 sentences or less.
Beautifully brutal and elegantly rotten. I try to leave no stone unturned in the foundations of horror.
What is your favorite type of horror to write?
Cult or religious horror and anything with the body.
What is your favorite book or character you’ve written so far?
Cabin Black and the characters in it. It’s my best work so far.
Who are your top 5 favorite authors?
Edward Lee, Clive Barker, Brian Keene, Kristopher Triana and David Sodergren.
What most inspires you to keep writing when imposter syndrome hits the hardest?
The knowledge that horror is communion. Even if I feel like I don’t belong, the story itself demands to be told—and it doesn’t care about my doubts. It keeps me sane and keeps me sober.
Is there a genre, sub-genre, or trope you’ve not written, that you’d like to try?
Cosmic or Space horror. I want to write something that feels like Lovecraft did drugs in a slaughterhouse.
What is your hope for your writing career for the next five years?
To build a cult following and cement my name as a guarantee of unflinching and unforgettable horror. I want to be your escape and quick fix for the horror nostalgia you crave.
Pitch your current WIP in three sentences or less.
I have several but one I’m excited about is like Escape from New York with full on body horror and futuristic, darkly dystopian vibe. The worshipping of Political figures and how far some will go to show their devotion. It’s a wild ride so far.
Where can we find you online and where can readers see you next?
I have a website for book mail, and all the links are on there to my Goodreads, merch, and Amazon stuff. (Link below) I’m currently starting up a Substack with fun short stories and exclusive stuff and active on Facebook and Instagram.
AUTHOR BIO:
Dan Shrader is a horror author hailing from Southern Indiana with a penchant for the macabre. He delves into the realms of Splatterpunk and Extreme, leaving no stone unturned in his twisted tales. His passion for writing ignited when he stumbled upon a treasure trove of VHS tapes at his grandparents. Within the confines of that box, he discovered a diverse collection of horror movie titles, including classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, C.H.U.D, Black Christmas, and Night of the Demons.
Since publishing in February of 2024, he has gained a following and received three horror award nominations for his novella “The Devil’s Rite” and debut collection “Those Who Live in Darkness.” Shrader is also known for his popular “Full Nasty” series and bestselling short story “Craven’s Freaks.”
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