Newsletter Jan-Feb 2023

SubStack is the actual shit.

I’ve always wanted to do a newsletter/blog hybrid but never found a platform to service those needs. Websites like Mailchimp seem like a fit until you realize they have an aggressive “pay to play” strategy in place as your newsletter grows. Substack checks a lot of boxes and appears to be geared toward the needs of writers while also downplaying algorithms and vanity numbers. I love that.

So I have a little catching up to do in order to finish the year with regular, monthly newsletters. So here we go! A quick update on what 2023 has been for me so far.

The biggest development always is 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered. MY BOOK! It will be released on August 8th of this year and as we creep closer and closer to this date, more things keep HAPPENING.

The cover reveal

We announced the artist (Marco Fontanili) and that the book is fully illustrated

Josh finished the foreword (and it made me cry)

We got some amazing, unexpected blurbs back

and then this from one of my favorite authors, P. Djèlí Clark

“Move over Necronomicon--in 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered (or perhaps sometimes thereafter), our own Mother Horror brings us a new dark compendium. From cosmic horror to body horror, to slashers and serial killers and straight-up creepy-ass kids, Sadie Hartmann offers up recommendations for some of the most memorable works of horror in our times. A fantastic guide for anyone looking to feed the devouring empty void in their soul--or fill up a bookshelf. Either way, a great addition to your collection.”

P. Djèlí Clark

These endorsements mean the world to me. I can’t explain how surreal it all is. Not to mention the physical ARC has been sent to Stephen King. I am an actual ghost…my soul has left this physical body and I’m just an unbelieving shell of a human who doesn’t understand life and its strange occurrences.

My hollowed-out corpse-body will be on tour this summer as well and this is exciting because I cannot wait to talk to people about the book and horror books but at the same time, WHO DO I THINK I AM??

Apparently, someone who meets her favorite author.

And went to Hawaii for the first time

And entered into her 4th year of business selling HORROR BOOKS with her best friend.

I’m reading and writing more than ever. The less time I spend on social media the more time I get to spend navigating the genre I love so much! Here are the 60 books I’ve read so far this year:
You can follow me on Goodreads

I’m currently hosting a read-a-long of WATERSHIP DOWN

Just jump in and finish by the 24th. I started a PATREON it’s going very well.

Feel free to join me over there too, different schedule than what I’m offering here. Anyhoodles, that’s it for now. I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for agreeing to build something special on Substack, I’m excited.

xo

Sadie