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Crystal Lake Publishing

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About

Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books. In 2023, Crystal Lake officially transitioned into an entertainment company, joining several other divisions, genres, and imprints, including Torrid Waters, Crystal Lake Comics, Crystal Lake Games, Crystal Lake Kids, and many more.

While we strive to present only the highest quality fiction and entertainment, we also endeavor to support authors along their writing journey. We offer our time and experience in non-fiction projects, as well as author mentoring and services, at competitive prices.

With several Bram Stoker Award wins and many other wins and nominations (including the HWA’s Specialty Press Award), Crystal Lake puts integrity, honor, and respect at the forefront of our publishing operations.

We strive for each book and outreach program we spearhead to not only entertain and touch or comment on issues that affect our readers, but also to strengthen and support the Dark Fiction field and its authors.

Not only do we find and publish authors we believe are destined for greatness, but we strive to work with men and women who endeavor to be decent human beings who care more for others than themselves, while still being hard-working, driven, and passionate artists and storytellers.

Crystal Lake is and will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. We endeavor to know each and every one of our readers, while building personal relationships with our authors, reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, bookstores, and libraries.

We will be as trustworthy, forthright, and transparent as any business can be, while also keeping most of the headaches away from our authors, since it’s our job to solve the problems so they can stay in a creative mind. Which of course also means paying our authors.

We do not just publish books, we present to you worlds within your world, doors within your mind, from talented authors who sacrifice so much for a moment of your time.

Country of Publication

South Africa

Publication Media

Audio Publication Audio Publication
Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
Print Publication Print Publication

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed
5 members set this publisher as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Faster
Crystal Lake Publishing's overall average response time is faster than most publishers.
Learn more about our statistics

Fiction Temp Closed

Looking for great stories: dark fiction, suspense, mystery, supernatural, horror, thriller, fantasy. Science Fiction is welcome if it forms part of the before-mentioned genres. So no hard SF.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres
Horror Open to all/most Subgenres
Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres
Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres
Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most Subgenres

Lengths:

Novella: 30,000 - 40,000 words.
Novel: No specific word count limits known (our definition: more than 40000 words).

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Dark, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

Unknown advance + Unknown royalties Unknown advance. Unknown royalties. Details: 40% royalties on digital and print; 50% royalties on audio.

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Crystal Lake Publishing

Go to publisher's website

Report:
Submission/Query
Correction/Update
New Cover Art

Social:
Facebook Facebook
Instagram @crystal_lake_publishing
X (Twitter) @crystallakepub

Support this Publisher:
Buy Book(s)
Support on Patreon

For the Editor(s):
Request Interview
Duosuma Submission Manager
Link to Duotrope

Crystal Lake Publishing Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

Filter:
Accuracy
We have received 6 reports from 6 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported
26 min | 32.5 mean avg | 33.0 median | 41 max days (5.6 std dev)

Other Information

Most recent response reported was received on 30 Oct 2025.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 25 Sep 2025.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:46 UTC (less than a minute ago).

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Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • For book publishers, it is standard to submit a cover letter, synopsis, and sample instead of the full manuscript. Do this unless otherwise instructed.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 12 Aug 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.

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