Tiff's Top 10 Authors You Should Know

Now Editing: Where Dark Things Rise by Andrew K. Clark

Now Reading: The Stars are Dying by Chloe C. Penaranda

Now Drafting: Death's Revelation

Now Listening: "FWYTYK" by I Prevail

It's another Tiff's Top 10! Today, we're going to explore ten authors you ABSOLUTELY need to know across a variety of genres. If you've heard of any of these incredible humans, drop a comment and let me know your favorite story! If not, check them out!

And now, in no particular order.......

Cassandra L. Thompson's books on display

Cassandra L. Thompson - Poet. Author. Publisher (Quill & Crow Publishing House). Lover of all things dark and macabre. Cassandra's prose is witty and sharp; her characters are nuanced, complicated, and so well-developed you'll feel like they're in the room with you. Cassandra's The Ancient Ones reawakened my love for vampires, and I've subsequently devoured everything she's published since. Do not sleep on her poetry - Rise of the Dark Goddess is an exceptional collection.

Andrew K. Clark - Andrew's debut novel, Where Dark Things Grow, has lived rent-free in my head since I finished reading it a few weeks ago. The Appalachian horror has the perfect spooky, creepy vibe, and his characters are fantastically written, flawed and realistic. I currently have the absolute privilege of working with him on his next book, Where Dark Things Rise. Trust me when I tell you that there is no one on this planet who can tug on my heartstrings and then strike fear into the depths of my soul like Andrew.

Wendy Dalrymple - Pink. Horror. Wendy's femme-focused, terror-filled stories manage to bring my fears to life in vivid detail. My favorite? Pageant, a psychological pink horror that had me reminiscing about my childhood and feeling extremely grateful that I had a very different experience from Tiffany Baldwin. Wendy brings out the best of my nostalgia and the worst of my fears, and I love it.

Nisha J. Tuli - I am a HUGE fangirl for Nisha J. Tuli. She writes exceptional romantasy, and she recently branched out with a contemporary romance (Not Safe for Work), which I had the privilege of reading through an advance reader copy. She's an auto-buy author for me (Fairyloot was probably real excited to see me coming when they released the Artefacts of Ouranos special edition hardcovers at the end of January). You should absolutely check her out if you love romance and fantasy.

Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune - These incredibly lovely ladies write excellent, dark, spicy books. Their Hades and Persephone trilogy (with a Melinoe and Helios novella that ties into the final book) is sexy, smart, and SO FUN. I got a sneak peek of Blood & Betrayals, their next book, on Valentine's Day, and good GODS have they done something fantastic here.

Amber V. Nicole - Amber's Gods & Monsters series is not finished yet, but I'm eagerly counting the days until book four releases. The Book of Azrael's cover drew me in when I saw it on Kindle Unlimited, and Amber quickly became one of my favorite authors EVER. She writes complicated characters, and Dianna is the best fire mommy. Forever obsessed with her books.

Rosalyn Briar - I was introduced to Rosalyn when she submitted Her Dark Enchantments to Quill & Crow. I fell in love with her characters and the lush, eloquent way she writes her prose. I've since purchased every book she's released. Dark fantasy with romantic and gothic elements woven throughout, Rosalyn's stories are exquisite.

E.J. Mellow - E.J. is an author I stumbled upon because her book cover for Song of the Forever Rains drew me in. Her dark fantasy romances are incredible and haunting, the stories following me for weeks after reading.

There Ought to be Shadows by Krissie K. Williams

Krissie K. Williams - I had the privilege of editing Krissie's debut novel, There Ought to be Shadows for Quill & Crow Publishing House, and the story haunts me TO THIS DAY. Her Southern Gothic story, filled with ghosts, demons, and deals with the Devil is truly excellent, and she is easily one of the nicest humans I've had the pleasure of meeting. I adore her, and I think you will, too.

Rian Adara - It wouldn't be a true Tiff's Top 10 if I didn't include my fave dark, smutty author, Rian Adara! A Thing Divine is a truly divine dark fantasy romance novella with wide open doors and exceptionally steamy smut. Vampires, reincarnation, fate... It's a magnificent quick read. Stay tuned for her Project Titan duology - the first book is releasing later this year!

There you have it, dear readers! My top 10 authors you absolutely should know! I hope you'll check out some of their incredible works of fiction (and poetry, too).

May all your reads be five stars!

-Tiff