Greetings Darklings:

Crows are causing a ruckus outside, perching on tree branches. My cat blissfully sleeps, either unaware or uncaring of them. The sky is overcast, a typical Maritime day. The overcast sky, fog and lively crows hint at fall’s arrival. The next turn in the Wheel of the year is the autumn equinox. Autumn is creeping in…

I updated my writing desk. I measured the length and width of the desk and bought a meter and a half of black broadcloth. I arranged it on my desk and I laid a lovely black spiderweb tablecloth on top. My skull who I call Hamlet, sits on my desk next to my pen organizers and my computer, coffee cup (used! of course), books, gemstones, and my keyboard and mouse pad. The desk looks more gothic now. I love it, and my witch broom from the Ukraine and my black bat figurine hang on the wall next to the window. A very inspiring writing desk area! I love it. 

Two months from now, Aracnhall will come to life again. Dreamweaver Press, the imprint of Twisted Dreams Press, is re-publishing my gothic spidery horror novella, The Cult of the Spider People. I am excited, knowing this horror story will once again be building spiderwebs on bookshelves or on Amazon! 

Before you open those pages, armed with a smoking hot coffee and a comfy spot to read, here are four things to know before entering Arachnall if you hope to leave alive! 

Four Things to know Before Entering Arachnall

Arachnall is accessible by first entering a portal

When Piper and Cory accidentally stumble on the spider-infested and horrifc world of Arachnall, Cory’s inhaler lies just past the portal, the black door. Piper is forbidden to enter the portal. When her father leaves town on a work trip for the weekend, she defies her father and learns the hard way what lies past the forbidden door. Then her and Cory must find a way to escape with their lives. 

Arachnall is a deadly and darkly magical world.

Forget Labyrinth or your favorite Grimm Brothers stories. Arachnall is a world where the Human Centipide may feel right at home. Here is an excerpt from Cult of the Spider People: 

“An enormous black spiderweb, extending twenty feet, reached across the cavern’s roof. Weird spidery creatures crept across the web woven of solid silk. They rebuilt and wove new webs and cocoons. More minor nets fastened to the central one. Viscious cocoons large enough to hold an adult human being hung suspended from the gruesome web. Piper gasped, frozen in fright. “It’s a hive,”. It’s a hellish sight and all I want to do is run.

Here is another excerpt from the book: “Something struggled in a cocoon above their heads. She wanted to run from the cavern but her limbs were leaden. The creatures beat the cocoon with their large, powerful legs. Piper’s heart lurched. Terrified screams rang out from inside the cocoons. She stepped forward but Cory restrained her. He pointed above them to where a cocoon swayed dangerously. She hoped the creatures would miss them. A pitch-black creature appeared above, suspended from a glossy strand of silk. They exchanged fearful glances, frozen in place. Piper held her breath, sure the creature  would hear the hammering of her heart. The monstrous limbs beat the cocoons. Its prisoner howled in terror. The movement rippled through the webbing and the cocoons rocked back and forth. Another cry rang out in the air.” 

Arachnall is ruled by an overlord, the Spider King, greedy, beyond evil and possesed with a bloodthirst who makes Shelob from Lord of the Rings look like a pansy. Here is an excerpt from the book: 

“She didn’t want to look at him, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away. He was more awful than any she had previously seen. A face carved from death, painted with fresh blood, a body so terrible. Piper hoped to wake from this nightmare and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them, he was still there and he laughed. Piper’s blouse was damp with sweat and mildew from the slimy cocoon. She cringed from the odor and the clamminess. Roth, the Spider King, bowed his head in greeting to the other creatures. His gaze penetrated through the grisly cavern. He sniffed the air. The creature’s eyes were twin orbs of true pitch-darkness. He wore a black crown of spiders. His cheekbones were sunken, and his hide was charcoal black. Dried blood matted his lower jaw. Eight bristly angular legs protruded from his cephalothorax. His sardonic laughter permeated the cavern.” 

Roth, the Spider King, covets Piper and he plans to make her his new queen. He has chained the Spider Queen, trapping her in her own lair which is even more deadly than the cavern. Aranya, the Spider Queen, refuses to share her pure blood/ venom with Roth and the other Arachnas. Piper has other plans. 

No one emerges from Arachnall alive. 

“The lair of the Spider Queen was a hundred times worse. An enormous black web spanned twenty meters swaying like a spectral ghost. The lair was replete with decrepit skeletons. Dead insects, humans and animals hung from the web like baubles. Spiderling Arachnas wove silk cocoons, eager for an unwary victim. The stench of blood permeated the lair.” 

That is enough to give the most jaded horror fan nightmares. 

 Most of the unlucky victims find themselves in the portal and hardly remember how they got there. Then they are confined to cocoons, literally waiting for their turn to die. The way they die is well … you have to read the book to learn more. 

The Cult of the Spider People will be available in October 2026. Follow this blog for more horror and shivery dark delights!

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Blessings, Spiderwitch