Cemetery Dance Publications

Cemetery Dance Publications is an American independent specialty press associated with horror and dark suspense fiction. The company grew out of Cemetery Dance magazine, which Richard Chizmar founded in 1988 while completing his final year at the University of Maryland's College of Journalism. Chizmar named the magazine after one of his own short stories and conceived it as a venue for the kind of unsettling, imaginative fiction represented by programs such as The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. The first issue appeared in December 1988 after an inexpensive but broad promotional effort aimed at genre magazines and other affordable outlets. The magazine initially operated on a limited schedule, but the publisher decided in 1990 to move to quarterly publication. Its editorial network expanded from direct outreach to writers' organizations and publishing contacts into a stream of unsolicited submissions and agent-represented work. The magazine helped establish Cemetery Dance as a recognizable name in contemporary horror publishing. A particularly important early milestone came with the publication of Stephen King's short story "Chattery Teeth" in the magazine's fourteenth issue, beginning a long association between the Cemetery Dance imprint and King's work. Cemetery Dance Publications' book-publishing operation was launched in 1992. Chizmar has described the decision as an opportunity to issue hardcover books by authors he admired, with the company's initial list emphasizing horror and suspense writers whose work could benefit from carefully produced collectible editions. The first book was Ed Gorman's Prisoners & Other Stories, which included an afterword by Dean Koontz. During its early years the book division released roughly two or three hardcovers annually; production increased as the company developed its sales, editorial, and manufacturing experience. The imprint became especially associated with premium hardcover publishing. Its editions have commonly included signed limited editions and more restricted lettered editions, combining genre fiction with elaborate design, collectible production values, author signatures, and, in some cases, illustrations. The catalog has included novels, novellas, short-story collections, anthologies, illustrated books, and special editions by writers such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, Douglas Clegg, Norman Partridge, Richard Laymon, and others. Cemetery Dance has also published or distributed works connected with major horror awards and influential genre authors. Its Stephen King-related publications have been among its most visible projects. These include limited editions of Full Dark, No Stars, From a Buick 8, and It, as well as original or specially presented works such as Blockade Billy, The Secretary of Dreams, The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem, and the first Cemetery Dance publication of Gwendy's Button Box, co-written by King and Richard Chizmar. The company has also issued major anthologies and collections, including October Dreams: A Celebration of Halloween, Shivers-related volumes, 999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense, and Robert Bloch's Psychos. Cemetery Dance's reputation has been reinforced by recognition received by its magazine, publisher, authors, and books. The magazine won World Fantasy Awards in 1990 and 1992, while Richard Chizmar received a World Fantasy Award in 1999 in connection with Cemetery Dance Publications. Books and works published by the press have received Bram Stoker Award wins or nominations, including Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge, Fearful Symmetries by Thomas F. Monteleone, The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon, and several anthology, collection, short-fiction, and nonfiction projects. In 2007 the company moved to Forest Hill, Maryland. In addition to book publishing and the magazine, the Cemetery Dance brand has included a website providing horror-literature news, interviews, reviews, and related infor…

Cemetery Dance began as a literary magazine rather than a book imprint. Richard Chizmar founded it in 1988 during his final year at the University of Maryland's College of Journalism. He wanted to create a publication for dark, imaginative fiction influenced by the atmosphere of The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. The first issue was released in December 1988, following promotion in genre publications and other low-cost advertising channels. Chizmar initially expected the magazine to appear no more than twice a year, but the operation moved to a quarterly schedule in 1990. Early submissions were solicited through writers' organizations and publishing contacts. As the magazine became more established, it attracted direct submissions from authors and work represented by literary agents. Publication of Stephen King's short story "Chattery Teeth" in the fourteenth issue was a significant editorial milestone and helped connect the Cemetery Dance name with one of the most important authors in horror fiction. The book-publishing arm, Cemetery Dance Publications, was formed in 1992. Its first title was Ed Gorman's Prisoners & Other Stories, which featured an afterword by Dean Koontz. The imprint initially released only a few hardcovers each year, but expanded its output as the business gained experience and readership. Rather than competing primarily as a mass-market publisher, Cemetery Dance developed a specialty-press model centered on carefully produced hardcovers, signed limited editions, and highly restricted lettered editions. Over time, its list broadened across novels, novellas, collections, anthologies, illustrated works, and special editions. The publisher worked with numerous notable horror and suspense writers, including Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, Douglas Clegg, Norman Partridge, Richard Laymon, and others. The Stephen King program became particularly prominent, encompassing limited editions of previously published novels and collections as well as original or specially commissioned projects. Examples include From a Buick 8, Full Dark, No Stars, It: The 25th Anniversary Edition, The Secretary of Dreams, Blockade Billy, The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem, and Gwendy's Button Box. The imprint's editorial and production profile was reinforced by award recognition. Cemetery Dance magazine won World Fantasy Awards in 1990 and 1992, and Richard Chizmar received a World Fantasy Award in 1999. Books and works appearing through the imprint received Bram Stoker Award wins and nominations in categories including novel, long fiction, short fiction, fiction collection, anthology, alternative forms, and nonfiction. Notable recognized titles included Norman Partridge's Dark Harvest, Thomas F. Monteleone's Fearful Symmetries, Richard Laymon's The Traveling Vampire Show, and several anthologies and collections edited or published by the company. In 2007 Cemetery Dance moved to Forest Hill, Maryland. The broader brand has continued to encompass the magazine, the book-publishing operation, and an online presence covering horror news, interviews, and reviews. Its historical identity is that of a founder-led, independent genre specialist whose appeal rests on literary horror, author relationships, durable physical editions, and collectible publishing formats.

1. 2017Gwendy's Button Box is first published by the imprint

   The novella by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar appears through Cemetery Dance Publications.

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2. 2011It anniversary edition is published

   The company issues a signed limited edition commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of Stephen King's It.

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3. 2010Blockade Billy is published

   Cemetery Dance publishes Stephen King's original novella Blockade Billy.

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4. 2007Operations move to Forest Hill

   The company relocates to Forest Hill, Maryland.

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5. 1999Richard Chizmar receives a World Fantasy Award

   Chizmar is recognized with a World Fantasy Award associated with Cemetery Dance Publications.

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6. 1992Book-publishing division is formed

   Cemetery Dance Publications begins issuing books, starting with Prisoners & Other Stories by Ed Gorman.

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7. 1992Second World Fantasy Award for the magazine

   The Cemetery Dance magazine wins another World Fantasy Award.

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8. 1990Magazine adopts a quarterly schedule

   The publication increases its planned frequency from a limited schedule to four issues per year.

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9. 1990First World Fantasy Award for the magazine

   Cemetery Dance magazine receives a World Fantasy Award.

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10. 1988Cemetery Dance magazine is founded

    Richard Chizmar establishes the horror and dark-fiction magazine during his final year at the University of Maryland.

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11. 1988First magazine issue appears

    The inaugural issue of Cemetery Dance is published in December.

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An independent specialty press for horror and dark suspense, differentiated by premium hardcover production, signed and limited editions, literary genre credibility, and relationships with prominent horror authors.

• Cemetery Dance magazineHorror literary magazine1988

  The original Cemetery Dance publication is a literary magazine devoted to horror, dark fiction, and suspense. It publishes fiction and genre-related material and has also featured interviews, reviews, and other coverage. Its editorial history includes work by established horror writers, including Stephen King's short story "Chattery Teeth."

• Signed limited-edition hardcoversCollectible books1992

  Cemetery Dance is particularly identified with premium hardcover editions that may be signed by the author and produced in restricted quantities. These editions are aimed at collectors and genre readers who value physical design, scarcity, and author involvement in addition to the underlying fiction.

• The Secretary of DreamsIllustrated horror collection2006

  This two-volume Stephen King project, illustrated by Glenn Chadbourne, presents King's short fiction in a premium illustrated format. It exemplifies the imprint's approach to combining well-known authors, visual artwork, and collectible hardcover production.

• Blockade BillyHorror novella2010

  Blockade Billy is an original novella by Stephen King first printed by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2010. Its release demonstrated the imprint's ability to serve as a first publisher for new work by a major horror author while presenting the title as a specialty collectible.

• Gwendy's Button BoxHorror novella2017

  Written by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar, Gwendy's Button Box was first published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2017. The title is an example of the imprint's role in launching original horror fiction associated with prominent authors.

• It: The 25th Anniversary EditionSigned limited-edition novel2011

  Cemetery Dance issued a signed limited edition of Stephen King's It to mark the novel's twenty-fifth anniversary. The project reflects the publisher's emphasis on anniversary presentations and premium editions of important horror titles.

• October Dreams: A Celebration of HalloweenHorror anthology2000

  Edited by Richard Chizmar with Robert Morrish, this anthology collects Halloween-themed horror fiction and represents the publisher's longstanding interest in seasonal anthologies and multi-author genre collections.

• 2007Move operations to Forest Hill, MarylandOther

  The company continued expanding its publishing activities and established a new operating location.

  What changed. Cemetery Dance moved to Forest Hill, Maryland.

  Aftermath. The relocation became the company's documented Maryland base.

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• 1992Launch a book-publishing imprintStrategy

  After establishing the magazine, Richard Chizmar identified an opportunity to publish favored horror and suspense authors in hardcover.

  What changed. The company created Cemetery Dance Publications and began with a small annual list of hardcover titles.

  Aftermath. The imprint grew into a specialist publisher known for premium, signed, limited, and lettered editions.

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• 1990Increase the magazine to quarterly publicationStrategy

  The magazine's initial plan called for no more than two issues annually, but growing activity and opportunity led the company to consider a more frequent schedule.

  What changed. Cemetery Dance moved to four issues per year.

  Aftermath. The change supported the magazine's development as a continuing genre publication and expanded its opportunities to publish horror writers.

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• 2017Cemetery Dance publishes Gwendy's Button Box

  The imprint first published the novella Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar.

  Product launch
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• 2010Cemetery Dance publishes Blockade Billy

  The publisher issued Stephen King's original novella Blockade Billy, adding a prominent new work to its horror-focused catalog.

  Product launch
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• 2007Cemetery Dance relocates to Forest Hill, Maryland

  The publisher moved its operations to Forest Hill, Maryland.

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• 1992Cemetery Dance launches its book-publishing division

  The company established its book imprint after the development of Cemetery Dance magazine, beginning with a hardcover collection by Ed Gorman.

  Product launch
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1. Cemetery Dance Publications
2. Cemetery Dance Publications official website