Hi all!
It has been a hell of a year. Professionally, politically, and personally 2025 had higher highs and lower lows than any year I can remember. The publication, launch, and promotion of Profane Beasts is easily one of the greatest peaks not just of this year, but of all my journeys around the sun. Profane Beasts had a successful launch at the wonderful Abi’s Books and Brews, was discussed on the excellent ‘Drinks in the Library’ podcast, was featured on a curated Ingram Spark list for horror around Halloween, and was one of Ingram Spark’s Horror Selections for their Editorial list sitting alongside other horror standouts like Nat Cassidy and Phillip Fracassi!(OMG)
Other highlights included participating in Shelf Life RVA’s BrewHoHo with ten other incredible writers, discussing Profane Beasts with a book club, and seeing my book on the shelves at independent bookstore stalwarts in Richmond like Fountain Bookstore and Shelf Life Books RVA. Taken together, I can’t call the publication of Profane Beasts anything but an overwhelming success. It feels so good to make the move from someone who is ‘working on a book’ to someone who is ‘available now in local bookstores!’
None of this, and I mean none of this, would be possible without the thriving local bookstore scene in Richmond. As billionaires and tech barons continue to try and become the only game in town when it comes to all expression of human creativity, Richmond’s independent bookstores remain a source of light. With the internet drowning in all forms of AI sludge, and monopolies tightening their grip on the distribution process, now more than ever I think it is important to meet together at these spots to laugh, argue, and embrace books.
As for the future, I sincerely hope that Profane Beasts is not the end of my authorial journey, but instead a beginning. Right now, two projects have my attention. I can’t say much more, but for now let’s call them SciFi Project #1 and SciFi Project #2. Don’t worry horror fans, both projects are heavily influenced by some of my favorite outer space haunted houses (The Nostromo, the Ishimura, the 343 Guilty Spark Level in Halo and so much more!) I’m beyond excited for both of these projects, and have hope that at least one of them will be ready sometime in 2026!
That’s not to say Profane Beasts is in the rearview. Copies are availible locally at Abi’s Books and Brews and available in store and to order at Fountain Bookstore and Shelf Life Books RVA. An e-book version is also in the works so stay tuned for further announcements!
Alright, I have to stop here before I overpromise. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past year. You have given me a gift I can never repay, and here’s looking forward to 2026 and all the years to come.
Nathan Buchholz 