Hey, Ritualists! Another week, another stack of genre goodness. I’ve scoured the shelves and the streams for the best new (and classic) horror, sci-fi, and fantasy—plus a few tracks and news bites to keep your brain buzzing. If you’ve got a mug in hand and a wild story in your heart, you’re in the right place.
Books: Fresh Ink & Indie Standouts
- “The Dead Take the A Train” by Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey (Urban Fantasy)
- “A Song for Quiet” by Cassandra Khaw (Indie Horror Novella)
- Blues, eldritch horror, and Southern Gothic vibes. Short, sharp, and packs a punch.
- Goodreads
- “The Salt Grows Heavy” by Cassandra Khaw (Dark Fantasy/Horror Novella)
- Mermaids, body horror, and fairy tale nightmares.
- Goodreads
If you’ve got a favorite indie or small press book that deserves a shout, drop it in the comments. I’m always hunting for the next deep cut!
Movies: What to Stream (or Scream)
- “The Last Broadcast” (1998, Indie Horror, Streaming on Shudder)
- Found footage before “Blair Witch” made it cool. Jersey Devil, true crime, and DIY terror.
- Watch on Shudder
- “This one made me double-check my old VHS tapes. If you love lo-fi scares, it’s essential.”
- “Atlas” (2024, Sci-Fi Blockbuster, Netflix)
- Jennifer Lopez vs. rogue AI in a dystopian future. It’s big, glossy, and surprisingly sharp.
- Watch on Netflix
- Poll: Do you prefer your sci-fi with spectacle, or do you stick to indie mind-benders? Vote below!
- “The Green Knight” (2021, Fantasy/Art-House, Various Platforms)
- Arthurian legend, but make it trippy.
- A24 Films Page | YouTube Rental
Music: Your New Soundtrack
- “Past Midnight” by Witching Hour (Indie Darkwave/Metal)
- Atmospheric, synthy, and perfect for writing—or summoning something you probably shouldn’t.
- Listen on Bandcamp
- “I put this on while editing horror submissions last week and lost track of time. That’s either a compliment or a warning.”
- “STATIC DREAMS” by N3on/ghost (Synthwave)
- All the vibes of a midnight drive through a rain-soaked city you’ve never seen.
- Listen on Spotify
News & Industry Chatter
Our “Authors & Allies” Summer Series is live! Check out the latest blog post for interviews with indie writers and genre innovators.
Indie Horror Sales on the Rise
Indie publishers are seeing major growth—check out Publishers Weekly’s spotlight on Fast-Growing Indie Publishers. No exact “30%” stat, but the indie boom is real.
Solarpunk Futures Are Trending
Solarpunk anthologies and stories are everywhere, with new collections like “Solarpunk Futures” gaining steam. (No Hugo longlist for “Futures Rewired” yet, but the buzz is real—see Solarpunk Futures.)
Mind on Fire’s Own News:
Our “Authors & Allies” Summer Series is live! Check out the latest blog post for interviews with indie writers and genre innovators.
That’s the Ritual Roundup for this week! What are you reading, watching, or listening to? Drop your recs in the comments—bonus points for anything weird, wild, or just plain unclassifiable. Share this roundup with your genre-loving friends, and if you’ve got a hot tip, a new release, or a weird anecdote about haunted camcorders, tag us on socials (@Book_Ritual).
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