In the Shadow of their Dying shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award!

Last Updated on July 17, 2025

It’s the little novella that just keeps on kicking goals. The success of In the Shadow of their Dying by Anna Smith Spark and Michael R. Fletcher saw us able to start an actual novella line of publications, with Casthen Gain by Essa Hansen releasing on the 28th of July and The Scour coming from Richard Swan in October. It was picked up by W.F. Howes and narrated by Emma Gregory for audio production (check out a sample here) and turned in to a 1,000 copy signed limited hardcover with sprayed edges by the legends at The Broken Binding (special edition shown below because it’s utterly gorgeous).

And now, a year and a bit since being published after four long years of development, In the Shadow of their Dying finds itself nominated for a World Fantasy Award for best novella of 2024. And when you consider the other novellas on the shortlist, it’s a pretty awesome achievement to have landed amongst some of the best novella writers in the business.

The full best novella shortlist

The best novella shortlist is an incredibly impressive one, and I am stoked our little book is a part of it. Just look at those authors. Our team stand amongst some amazing authors and publishers:

Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud (Tor Nightfire/Titan Books)In the Shadow of Their Dying by Michael F. Fletcher and Anna Smith Spark (Grimdark Magazine)Yoke of Stars by R. B. Lemberg (Tachyon Publications)The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo (Tordotcom)The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom/Titan Books UK)

We’ve published reviews of books by Nathan Ballingrud, Lee Mandelo, and Premee Mohamed and their works often make our best of and most anticipated lists, so I certainly will be finding something or someone to sacrifice to the publishing gods on Anna and Fletch’s behalf.

Read In the Shadow of their Dying

Haven’t read our awesome little novella yet? Do yourself a favour and grab a copy below.

Read on Amazon

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