I've been writing a novella heavily inspired by the classic 'Doom' games I grew up on in the 90s. Recreating that unique mix of horror, action, and sci-fi has been pretty damn fun. Will prob just put it out on amazon since I doubt any publisher would be interested. Coming soon...

You can read my entire Doom-inspired Novella "Dread" for free on my website! freenightmares.me/doom-novella/ Awesome cover art by 𝕸𝖆𝖙𝖙 𝖂𝖎𝖑𝖉𝖆𝖘𝖎𝖓, whose story 'Gore' inspired this one.

No one ever talks about it but 'The Borribles' trilogy is one of the greatest fantasy series ever written..

I never really advertised it on here but earlier this year I experimentally self-published my second novel 'Carve your Soul to Pieces'. It has been pretty well received by those who've read it, so if you like demons, dark magic and horror... amazon.com.au/Carve-Your-Sou…

'I saw the TV Glow' Holy shit that messed me up. What a movie! That uncanny 90s vibe is something else, too. Creepy.

This week in google searches I did for writing purposes: 'How do bodies rot in coffins?'

They say when you're writing a book it's good to go for long walks or meditate but I'm a big fan of staring wide eyed at the ceiling at 3am with my heart beating really fast

New novella (novellette?) coming out on Halloween! stay tuned!

Keen as hell to finally have something coming out again! Get ready... In the mean time check out this badass cover by the great Elderlemon Design! If you like bittersweet, noir horror, pre-order here: acesse.one/mw164

For anyone who cares to know, I am lately fairly active on instagram and bluesky as benpienaarhorror and benpienaar...

I've been working at the same liquor store for almost twelve years, and in that time I wrote 10 horror novels and published the last 3. Selling delicious poison is fun, but it's stories that feed my soul, and one day, that will be all I do. Here's to 10 more!

Dancing for the Gods officially released! Enjoy my latest 'slice of horror'... "Pienaar shackles you to his story with razor-wire tension... This page-turning slice of horror will keep you at the mercy of his tale. Zachary Ashford - author of Polyphemus shorturl.at/qP0qm

Horror and Noir are such a great blend. Who does it best? Besides Silvia Moreno Garcia of course - I'm already reading everything of hers...

Books I just bought: Coffin Moon - Keith Rosson Rest Stop - Nat Cassidy Necroscope - Brian Lumly Crypt of the Moon Spider - Nathan Ballingrud Darkness that Comes Before - R.Scott Bakker A Game in Yellow - Hailey Piper

You ever keep reading a book despite it's many flaws because you enjoy the 'flavour' so much? Like, this is not great but it reminds me so much of X movie/book/song/general vibe that I now love it?

I know I can't really complain, but why must the coolest and most exciting story ideas occur to me at 3am just as I'm trying to get to sleep?? Anyone else have this problem?

Writers always talk about writing a minimum amount of words daily, but I also think it's good to limit yourself. I know if I let myself write more than 1500 words I'll be burned out the next day and not want to write. If you stop when you want to keep going, the fire stays lit.

The Reflecting Skin (1990) is a damn weird movie. But it's one of those ones where you think you didn't like it, and then days go by and you keep thinking about it until you realise that actually you did like it after all.

Remember, writers, always use active prose! Never say 'the crack of dawn' when you could say 'Dawn's crack'

Currently working on a fantasy novella that I'm thinking of as some weird mashup of Firefly and Mad Max. Not the kind of thing I usually write, but when a fun idea comes knocking, I don't ask questions...