Who are we?
- Explore the Shadows: Specializing in dark fantasy, horror, and dark romance, we embrace subgenres and themes that push boundaries and immerse readers in unforgettable experiences. We seek stories that not only entertain but also provoke reflection on the human condition and the creatures within.
- Crafting Excellence: We are committed to publishing stories that balance compelling characters, intricate plots, and powerful themes with accessibility. We believe in narratives that “show more than tell,” focusing on suspense and psychological depth over gratuitous shock value, ensuring each story resonates deeply with readers.
- Empower Authors: We are dedicated to guiding authors through their publishing journey. Offering both Traditional and Royalty Forward contracts, we provide editing, design, marketing, and support services tailored to help our authors thrive. Our active Discord community fosters collaboration and connection among writers who share our passion for the darker genres.
- Connect With Readers: Grendel Press is more than a publisher; we are a hub for readers and writers alike. Through events, conferences, and an engaging online presence, we aim to build a community that celebrates the power of storytelling in all its haunting beauty.
How did you choose your name?
Why Grendel?
The name “Grendel” carries deep significance for us, inspired by the legendary antagonist of Beowulf. Grendel represents so much more than just a monster in the shadows; he embodies the concept of otherness, the misunderstood, and the feared. In the classic tale, Grendel is an outsider—a creature driven by pain and anger, yet seen only through the eyes of those who fear him.
By choosing this name, we pay homage to the complexity of Grendel’s character and the questions his existence raises. What defines a monster? Who gets to tell the story? And what happens when we step into the darkness to see the world from a different perspective?
At Grendel Press, we embrace the stories that challenge conventional notions of good and evil, that delve into the nuances of human and monstrous natures, and that explore the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface. Grendel is not just a name; it’s a mission—a commitment to stories that unsettle, inspire, and expand our understanding of what it means to be human (or otherwise).
Our Vision
We just want to shine a light in the dark and see what stares back at us… then we want to print it so you can see it too.
Attending Events & Conferences
- November - Author Nation (Formerly 20 BOOKS VEGAS)
- More coming soon
Meet Team GP
Susan Russell, Editor-in-Chief
Hi there! I’m Susan, the proud founder of Grendel Press.
Like so many perpetual learners, I tucked away my English and Creative Writing degree, thinking it would never see the light of day. Instead, I went back to school for an IT degree and dove headfirst into a corporate career.
But in 2020, after a round of bank layoffs, I had a lightbulb moment: if the worst had already happened, why not take a leap toward something I truly love? So, I turned back to the passion I’d carried with me since high school—storytelling—and dusted off that expensive college education.
I started editing with a team of international writers for a gaming website, picking up freelance editing work on the side. That’s when I fell in love with the process of untangling stories, finding their beautiful bones, and thinking, I can fix this.
It wasn’t long before I noticed a trend: self-publishing was booming, but so many of the books I read could have been elevated with the right editor. So, I started small, offering my services to authors who, over time, became not only my clients but also my biggest supporters.
Now, I’m taking the next step with Grendel Press—a home for the dark and daring stories we love. My goal? To elevate the quality of our favorite genres and build a catalog of books that you’ll treasure. It’s a dream I’ve nurtured for years, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you!
Rachael Swanson, Editor
Hello! My name's Rachael, and I've been an editor for a little over a year now. I've always been a big reader, but it wasn't until July of 2021, after I'd been beta reading for a while, that I realized how much I loved helping authors with their books.
Getting to be part of the process was exciting, and I'd very quickly decided that I wanted to make that my career. So I found some classes online, signed up, and have been working as an editor ever since. On top of being a freelance editor, I work part-time at an editing company and spend the rest of my time with my husband, kids, and two cats, Pippin and Arwen. When I have free time, I love to read, play video games, go on hikes, and play D&D.
A few additional things about me: my favorite genres to read are fantasy, horror, and romance, my favorite video game is Red Dead Redemption 2 (I could talk about that game forever), and my favorite kind of food is Mexican.
Kasey Kubica, Editor
Kasey has been a copy editor for three years, though it was a lifetime ago that she decided it was where she wanted to be; it just took fifteen years to get there. She works in all genres, but especially loves fantasy and sci-fi.
She is an author herself, having opted for self-publishing a short stack of books, including a nonfiction travelogue, three smutty romances, and one romance novella, with a supernatural thriller on the way.
She spends her free time playing video games, traveling, reading, cooking, fiber arting, and spending time with her partner.
LL Garland, Editor
LL Garland enjoys gaming, writing dark fiction and exploring forbidden woods. She’s been called ‘disturbingly competitive’ at all three. She lives in a house with three dogs and two libraries – a fancy one for show and a hidden one for the weird stuff.
Her horror and dark fantasy short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies such as MetaStellar, Deathcap & Hemlock and Dragon Gems. She is also a member of the Horror Writers Association and a managing editor of the The Maul magazine.
Clay Vermulm, Editor & Media Assistant
Born on the frigid, windswept plains of Cut Bank, Montana, Clay has now set down proverbial roots in the Pacific Northwest where he likes to climb rocks on the days it's not raining. For the other ninety-eight percent of the year, he enjoys writing, reading, and playing board games with his partner Deanna as his cat criticizes his every life decision from her carpeted tree palace.
David S. Pittsenberger, Assistant Editor
Hello! I’m David, the resident peon. Through my work here, I seek to improve my craft and help the editors achieve their vision. In addition to submitting work to various contests and publications, I am writing my first full-length novel, Temple of the Dragon God. In my writing, I am devoted to bringing back the stories of old: the heart-pounding adventure, the high, personal stakes. My characters aren't interested in saving the world, but sometimes that happens anyway.
I write mostly fantasy, often dark, with the occasional sci-fi or horror story thrown in. I live in Arizona with my wife, two teenagers, and Winston, a loyal companion with a single brain cell bouncing around in his noggin.
Anthony Goodwin, Editorial Assistant
Anthony is a freelance writer from Washington, Missouri. As a card-carrying father, LGBTIA+ member, and creator, he enjoys being asked to make decisions, being unable to make decisions, and just making something up on the spot instead.
Stuart Docherty, Editorial Assistant
Stuart is a British writer, poet, and editor based in Tokyo, where he writes, eats too much, and pretends to speak Japanese. You can find his work at ergot., Maudlin House, and Black Hare Press.
He has been volunteering at Grendel Press since 2023 and previously worked as a first reader for The Dread Machine.
Sabrina Hunter, Editorial Assistant
Sabrina is a 2023 graduate from the University of California, Riverside. She aspires to become an editor full-time, and in the meantime is gaining work experience, her aspirations bringing her to volunteering for Grendel Press. She enjoys writing poetry and hopes to publish some in the future.