William Cook

Along with Stephen King and Hammer Horror, Fangoria magazine was one of the earliest influences on my obsession with Horror in all its various forms. I scored a binder filled with the first 12 issues when I was 14 and became a devout subscriber. 40+ years later, Fangoria’s transformation from a struggling print magazine into a multimedia powerhouse is a story of resilience, innovation, and strategic growth. Their journey provides valuable insights for anyone in the horror business – whether you’re running a small indie publishing house, starting a podcast, or looking to scale your horror-themed merchandise line. Let’s break down Fangoria’s rise to success, the strategies that set it apart, and why it’s the ultimate business model for horrorpreneurs at any level. Fangoria’s launch Fangoria began as a print magazine focused on sci-fi and fantasy under the name Fantastica . This title was short-lived due to its similarity to  Fantastic Films  magazine, and it was forced to cea...

Dear Readers, First, let me say how truly grateful I am for your ongoing support as subscribers to my personal website here at www.williamcookwriter.com . Your enthusiasm for my writing means the world to me, and I’m excited to share a brand-new chapter with you. I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new Substack newsletter, Grey Matter Dispatch .   Grey Matter Dispatch  is for readers, writers, and collectors who share my passion for the macabre. Each post is designed to give you something new — whether it’s a story update, horror news, or a trip into the genre’s rich history. Dark stories, strange finds, and a peek into my world as a horror writer — all delivered to your inbox. Here’s what you can look forward to: Updates on my writing projects – news on my upcoming horror fiction, poetry, and releases. Insights into the horror world – posts about horror culture, films, and the genre’s darker corners. Publishing and writing tips – advice, behind-the-scenes notes...

This article outlines the pros and cons of being an indie horror author on Amazon.com. Hey, fellow writers! If you’ve got a penchant for writing spine-tingling stories and you’re ready to dive into the world of indie horror publishing on Amazon.com, this article is for you.  After ten years of part-time indie publishing with the ‘zon, I’ve learnt a few things along the way. I’m still not at the stage where I’m able to support my family with the profits from my writing, but I’m seeing results (and $) and I hope to go full-time before the end of 2024.  Before switching to independent (‘indie’) publishing, I’d had limited success going down the traditional publishing route. The freedom to control the packaging, marketing, and publishing schedule was the biggest drawcard for me to switch to self-publishing.  When I started making monthly profits from my efforts, without the massive royalty cuts the traditional publishers took from me in the past, my decision was validated and...