The 2022 Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome, friends. We gather together once again, having circled the burning orb another year and finding ourselves back in the same place whence we last marked this moment. The same dark scar, the same gloom-ridden spot, the same soiled stain where we as a species have been eternally doomed: Black Friday. The dimmest of western holidays. Yet even in this shadowed place burns a light of deliverance. All is not lost. I’m delighted to introduce my ninth annual List of Lists for 2022. As with previous years, you’ll find a plethora of paraphernalia for the weird-fiction fanatic, cosmic-horror connoisseur, or mythos maniac in your life. I’ve worked to assemble a list of exceptional items for all ages and budgets. I hope you enjoy it.

The Annual Notes: All book links point to IndieBound where possible. Please do what you can to support your locals. They can get you anything the big box stores can, and it’ll help out your community, and you’ll meet cool people. Author links go to their web pages and blogs and sometimes Wikipedia. I try to avoid Amazon links, but occasionally I’ll need to link there, and I will let you know if I do—I avoid affiliate links. If you see one, let me know, and I’ll fix it. I spend 40+ hours putting this together, and it’s common for me to share my creations alongside things I find. If you want to support me, buy something of mine. If not, that’s okay too. While I’ve ordered these by price, all prices and availability are subject to change. Shipping and stock are out of my control. I’m just sharing cool stuff made by the community.

Happy shopping!


• Books • Music • Apparel • Games •
• Housewares • Miskatonic •


❄️ Books ❄️


The Tindalos Asset by Caitlin R. Kiernan
$14.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $9.99 (eBook)

The third in Kiernan’s Tinfoil Dossier series of novellas reunites the reader with The Signalman. While he and a former Dreamland agent begin to explore horrors rooted in Frank Belknap Long’s seminal Hounds of Tindalous, Kiernan takes use to much weirder and wilder places.


Chills by Mary Sangiovanni
$15.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $1.99 (eBook)

If you’re looking for an icy tale of cultic horror this winter, you can’t go wrong with Sangiovanni’s 2016 novel Chills. Dead bodies marked with strange symbols appear in the small isolated community of Colby. With a winter storm bearing down, Detective Jack Glazier and pals must find the reason behind the murders before it’s too late.


Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda
$16.95 + Shipping (Paperback) $8.98 (eBook)

Leaning into the weird in weird fiction, with a heavy dose of transgressive literature, Jawbone is a multifaceted story following the lives of two twins, both seeking extremes, their school-mates, and a teacher slowly losing her grip on reality. This novel won’t be for everyone, but it is a simmering psychological horror that will give back to those willing to put in the time.


Gleam Upon the Waves by K. M. Alexander
$16.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $5.99 (eBook)

The fourth book in my Lovecraftian urban fantasy series The Bell Forging Cycle arrived last year. Caravan Master Waldo Bell finds himself outward bound on an enormous floating casino en route to the canals of Empress, the mysterious capital of the hermit-nation Victory. There Wal will discover darkness runs deeper than he ever thought possible; reality is not what it seems, and a new apocalypse is closer than anyone predicted.


Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
$17.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $13.99 (eBook)

Set in Mexico after the Mexican Revolution, this novel follows Noemí Taboada as she seeks to help her recently married cousin Catalina in the forboding High Place—a creepy English-Manor in Mexico occupied by a strange sort. The plot quickly moves from mystery to thriller and, ultimately, horror blending aspects of gothic and cosmic in a delicious and unsettling way.


A Black and Endless Sky by Matthew Lyons
$19.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $10.49 (eBook)

Jonah and Nell, brother and sister, embark on a road trip across the American Southwest back to their hometown of Alberqueue, New Mexico. But along the way, unsettling events befall the siblings, and disturbing visions plague Nell. As an impending sense of doom begins to distort their reality, a strange figure pursues them, and they know more about Nell’s condition than they’ll let on.


The Night Before Christmas by Jason Ciaramella
$19.99 + Shipping (Board Book)

The minds behind C is for Cthulhu, and the recently released Counting, Colors & Cthulhu, retells the story within Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem “Night Before Christmas” but adds a Lovecraftian twist. It’s cute, delightful, and perfect for any young cosmic-horror fan. (And yes, there are plushies.)


West of Innsmouth by Hideyuki Kikuchi
$20.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $10.99 (eBook)

From the mind behind Vampire Hunter D comes a tale of the old west with a distinctively cosmic-horror twist. Shooter, a bounty hunter, pursues the “Dreams Made Flesh,” four outlaw gunslingers born from the fleeting thoughts of Cthulhu through the badlands of Kansas and, ultimately, history itself.


The Hollow Kind by Andy Davidson
$28.00 + Shipping (Hardcover) $14.99 (eBook)

In recent years, Davidson has become a favorite writer of mine, and his latest novel has been a standout this year. When a Nellie is willed a thousand-acre turpentine estate owned by her great-grandfather, she packs up her car and son and flees an abusive marriage. But things at Redfern Hill aren’t any better, and she discovers a monstrous evil lurking in the dark recesses of her family history. Phenomenal.


Out of Space and Time by Clark Ashton Smith
$4,000 + Shipping (One Copy Available—Sold via AbeBooks)

A rare first-edition 1942 hardcover of what Clark Ashton Smith considered some of his best work can be yours! Own a piece of cosmic-horror history, Arkham House only printed 1054 copies, making this collection of short stories extremely rare (and quite expensive).


No book catches your interest? Check out the books featured in one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Books • 2015 Books • 2016 Books • 2017 Books •
2018 Books • 2019 Books 2020 Books 2021 Books •


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❄️ Music & Audio ❄️


Lovecraft Investigations by BBC Radio 4
Free (Digital Download/Streaming)

Presented as a Serial-like production following a team of investigators delving into a mystery. It starts with the strange case of one Charles Dexter Ward but quickly spins into a larger conspiracy. Well-acted and incredibly produced, this series, written by Julian Simpson as part of his “Pleasent Green” universe, takes the original Lovecraft tales into new and compelling places while maintaining their cosmic horror character. Loads of fun and free!


At the Mountains of Madness by Cosmic Nightmares
$4.00 USD (Digital Download)

If you love horror—especially horror movies—you’re familiar with synth and the synth-wave sound. It’s the music of classic 80s horror, led primarily by composer (and filmmaker) John Carpenter. So it fits that Argentinian-based Cosmic Nightmare has stepped up and produced a compelling synth album based on Lovecraft’s icy tale of arctic terror, and they do a damn fine job of it along the way.


Vitsk​ä​r S​ü​den by Vitsk​ä​r S​ü​den
$7.00 (Digital Download)

Rooted in dark fantasy and cosmic horror, this psychedelic prog-rock album from 2020 resonated with me when I first listened to it earlier this year. Layers of melodic sound work together in unexpected yet captivating ways, and the tales woven therein build upon a mythos that is fresh yet all too familiar.


Heathen Hof by Sons of Perdition
$7.00 (Digital Download)

How to describe this one? Okay, so take an experimental atmospheric sound, but blend it with a narrative Americana and murder-ballad folk. On top of that, add a healthy dose of doom druids but mix them with a doom-rock, gothic-country influence, and you’ll get close to describing the sound of Sons of Perdition. Or you won’t. It could be the madness talking.


People of the Black Circle by People of the Black Circle
10.00 ($10.27 USD) + Shipping (CD) (Digital Download Avl.)

I’ve appreciated this resurgent in cosmic-horror-influenced psychedelic rock, especially if it’s willing to blend the metal, synth, and dark ambient sounds that have defined Lovecraftian music. People of the Black Circle and this self-titled album (named after a Robert E. Howard Conan story) is a phenomenal and compelling cohesion of those sounds. Engaging as it is haunting.


Bog Phosphors by The Cube of Unknowing
$11.00 + Shipping (Cassette) $7.00 (Digital Download)

This is the year of weird-fiction synth, and this release under composer Franic Heely’s Cube of Unknowing project focuses on the bogland plains of Ireland’s county Galways and the inherent cosmic otherworldliness one can experience therein. It’s a resonant grounding of astral dread in a real-world local, as engaging and personal as it is haunting as esoteric.


Haunted by Confusion Master
€16 ($16.64 USD) + Shipping (Vinyl) (Digital Download Avl.)

Suppose you’re a fan of the early-70s Black Sabbath but want an even grungier, doomier, and sludgier feel. Well, I am happy to say the German rock quartet Confusion Master is here to fill that void and add a healthy dose of cosmic horror to the mix. It works in that warmly nostalgic and strangely maddening feel. (The price above reflects the standard vinyl edition. There are loads to choose from here.)


Not finding any music or audio that interests you? Check out one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Music • 2015 Music • 2016 Music • 2017 Music •
 2018 Music • 2019 Music 2020 Music 2021 Music •


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❄️ Apparel ❄️


Cthulhu Sleep Mask
$16.99 + Shipping

More like cute-tulhu, am I right? (I am.) This super soft, cotton fabric mask will help you keep you dreaming in comfort even through the brightest light. You don’t even need to be buried in a dead city to appericate it! (Slumber may not be protected from New Zealand-based and terrified armored steam-yacht crews.)


Cthulhu Slippers
$34.99 + Shipping
(Limited Availability)

It’s cold deep beneath the ocean, so why not be cozy with these sleeper slippers? Few will mess with you when you come stumbling out of the bedroom adorned in these grumpy recently-awoken fellas. Recommended fit is men’s sizes 9-12. (If they sell out here, google ’em, they’re available all over.)


The Shadow Out of Time Mechanical Pocket Watch
$45.00 + Shipping

This mechanical pocket watch is created by and for Lovecraftian fans, anyone intrigued by ancient astronauts, the mysteries of the cosmos, and the universe in general. Inspired by the Great Race of Yith introduced in H. P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Shadow Out of Time,” this 46.5 mm “antique” pocket watch is inscribed with mysterious totems and scripts that may be the devices used by the Yithians to travel across time. Mysterious yet delightfully elegant.


Cthulhu Baby Gift Set
$61.93 + Shipping

Suppose you’re looking for a great little gift for the wee one in your life that pays proper tribute to the greatest of great old ones, the Great Dreamer, the Sleeper of R’lyeh. Well, look no further. Not only do you get a (customizable) organic cotton body suit, but you also get a super adorable crocheted rattle to compliment (and possibly call) Ol’ Mr. Cthulhu himself.


Carcosa Tie Clip
€75.00
($77.00 USD) + Shipping

Most of us aren’t wearing ties daily anymore. But for those times when one wants to gussy up, why not let a little classy cosmic horror don your visage? Borrowing from the True Detective King in Yellow aesthetic, this sterling silver tie clip is elegant enough to blend in but strange enough to catch the eye.


Re-Animator Sweater
$84.99 + Shipping

Like it or not, everyone expects an ugly holiday sweater at this time of year. It’s become a tradition as much as trees and lights and cookies. So when you get invited to your next ugly sweater party, at least lean into your cosmic horror fandom and choose Herbert West. (HR may get upset at the reverse side, but that’s on you, pal.)


Cthulhu Masquerade Mask
$125 + Shipping (Limited Availability)

This heavily textured and quite disturbing masquerade mask features Mr. Deathy Dreaming himself front and center, but from his horrible visage, corruption spreads. Made from a variety of recyclable parts and materials. Give yourself time for this order. It’ll be worth it. (Missed this particular mask? There’s plenty more to choose from.)


The Shadow Over Innsmouth Boots
$157.99 + Free Shipping (US)

The boots are made for walkin’… away from your musty hotel room and out of town as quickly as possible! Are those FISH PEOPLE? Made of vegan leather, these lace-up combat boots feature everyone’s favorite Oberlin alumn on one side and the strange inhabitants of Devil’s Reef on the other. If Innsmouth isn’t to your liking, the shop features a few other Cthulhu-themed boots as well.


Not finding apparel you like? Check out the apparel on one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Apparel • 2015 Apparel • 2016 Apparel • 2017 Apparel •
 2018 Apparel • 2019 Apparel2020 Apparel 2021 Apparel •


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❄️ Games ❄️


Blackout: The Darkest Night
$5.99
(Digital Download – PC/Mac) $5.99 (Kindle)

You have been part of something terrible, something so unspeakable that caused you to blackout and forget all recent events. Now you have the choice of pursuing this dark truth or trying to bury it in the past in this non-linear interactive fiction game set in a dark modern universe. (Also available in a choose-your-own-adventure style Kindle eBook.)


Gates of Delirium
$9.00 + Shipping

Take on the role of a researcher, seeking the truth behind the scattered tomes that speak of evil monstrosities. Travel worldwide in this cut-throat card game that pits you against 2-3 other players. Discover lost manuscript pages and ancient maps that reveal more of the ancient evil while you struggle not to be driven mad in the process.


The Great Old One: Playing Cards
$15.00 + Shipping

Created by and for Lovecraftian fans. This 54-card poker deck features exclusive Cthulhu-themed artworks based on Lovecraftian characters and scenes depicted. Beautifully designed, featuring less noisy artwork, giving the cards a classier overall look that’s still rich in details. The background mimics old textured paper and adds a vintage touch. Poker night? Solitaire? Cribbage?


Tiny Cthulhu
$17.99 (PDF Download) $24.99–34.99 (Physical Formats)

Face off against unknowable horrors as classic Lovecraftian protagonists in this cosmic-horror-focused ruleset from Gallant Knight Games’ popular “Tiny” series of tabletop RPGs. Using a minimalist D6-focused ruleset allows you to spend more time fighting the denizens of the darkness and less time pouring over complex rules.


Grey Dawn
$19.99
(Digital Download – PC)

Christmas Eve in 1920, Father Abraham seeks to solve the mystery of a missing altar boy while confronting the face he might be the man who killed him in the first place. A first-person puzzle-focused psychological (and often very weird) thriller set in a gothic-inspired Eastern European world that is as beautiful as it is horrifying.


Shadows Over Normandie
$39.97 + Free Shipping (Amazon)

It’s 1944, and the heroes of the Allied forces are about to face an unexpected threat. Fanatic cultists from the Order of the Black Sun are laboring to unleash demonic forces on Normandy’s World War II battlefields. Only a battalion of Rangers and their heroic allies can stop them and save the world from an endless era of despair. Compatible with Heroes of Normandie.


Empty Faces: The Woods Box Set
$99.99 + Shipping

In the isolated forests of West Virginia, a young woman from a family of witches lies unconscious, afflicted by an ancient evil. Comb through her possessions and correspondence to figure out what happened to her and reconstruct her life in the months before she fell ill. (Includes all five episodes. No subscription required.)


Not finding a game you’d enjoy? Check out the games on one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Games • 2015 Games • 2016 Games • 2017 Games •
 2018 Games • 2019 Games 2020 Games 2021 Games •


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❄️ Housewares & Collectables ❄️


Lovecraft-Inspired Vintage Postcard Set
$8.63 + Shipping (Limited Stock)

I’m a sucker for beautifully designed ephemera. So, I was drawn to this set of postcards based on Lovecraft’s most famous locations. The sort of thing one might happen across in an out-of-the-way store in a remote part of Essex County. Seven postcards are included: Arkham, Arkham Asylum, Miskatonic University, four views of Miskatonic University, Dunwich, Innsmouth, and Innsmouth Harbour, with a suitable vintage rear side.


Cedric's Eatery 11oz. Mug

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug
$16.00 + Shipping

The weather outside is frightful, and you need a new mug for a warm beverage. Why not pick up a classic diner mug from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery, located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. (Breakfast served all day.) An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s favorite hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of lousy coffee, your favorite tea, or something more substantial. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]


Mythos Inspired Hot Sauce Bundle
$17.98–$26.97 + Shipping

“You Will Not Survive.” Terrorize your tastebuds with these mythos-inspired hot sauces. Do you dare experience the Caribbean flavors of the mild King in Yellow Habanero pepper sauce? Or perhaps you prefer the boldness mid-spice level of the Dagon-themed unhallowed jalapeño sauce? Or maybe you are willing to face madness and partake of the over 500,000-Scoville-unit ghost pepper-infused Cthulhu Mind Flayer? Only you can decide.


Moth & Myth ‘Kraken’ Octopus Set
$18.00 + Shipping

This beautiful 6″x5″ Caribbean Reef Octopus features a brilliant display of colors each octopi holds in life. Each cephalopod is accompanied by two tiny babies, just beginning their transformations into one of the most unique creatures in the sea. The Moth & Myth Wunderkammer Ornament series comes on a beautiful 5.5″x8.5″ backing, double-sided on pearlescent card stock. These are perfect for safekeeping or shared as a lovely gift.


Cthulhu Cocktail Bar Stirring Spoon
$19.99 + Shipping

Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits, mixing a mean martini and a sublime sazerac. Rumor has it he can whip up a nifty negroni as well. (Yay, cocktail-themed alliteration!) So, join the High Priest of Great Old One mixology and make your drinks, using his likeness to stir the elements with this 12″ long cocktail spoon.


Cthulhu Chia Pet
$21.99 + Free Shipping (Amazon)

How can you tell that cosmic horror has gone mainstream? Well, one surefire way is checking to see if the primary mascot has a chia pet version. Well, lucky for us, that’s finally happened. Now weird fiction fans can grow our favorite eldritch terror. It’s easy! Just spread the seeds, water, and watch the cosmic chaos grow.


Color Out of Space Candle
$37.24 + Free Shipping

The indescribable color is probably paired with an indescribable smell, right? But what if it isn’t? What if that strange color smelled like rhubarb and black plum? Delicious, yeah? And what if I told you that smell could be contained in this 35-hour+ burning soy candle? You’d think me mad. But, reader, I am soberly lucid. Decorated with tentacles and floral shapes, this candle makes a perfect gift for any horror fanatic or mythos enthusiast!


‘Welcome to Arkham’ Wooden Sign
$85.00 + Shipping

Arkham, Massachusetts, a bustling academic town, home to Miskatonic University and the site of many strange, unsettling, and inexplicable occurrences. Arkham has revealed many dark secrets over the years, and it certainly has more to tell. Available in a variety of colors. The perfect piece to decorate your home, confuse your neighbors, or attract mysterious strangers. (Innsmouth signs are also available if you lean more Esoteric Order and less Miskatonic booster.)


Call of Cthulhu Classic Gamer Prop Set
$109.00 + Shipping

HPLHS always makes quality stuff, and this collection of deluxe, ultra-realistic props was assembled to celebrate Call of Cthulhu’s® 40th anniversary and help add an air of authenticity to your next classic tabletop RPG campaign. The complete set includes all 94 props named in the classic supplements, plus a whole bunch more! Over 120 individual props, all organized into handy folders with full instructions.


Cthulhu Lamp
$139.00 + Shipping
(Limited Availability)

This 4.25″ x 5.75″ resin lamp is perfect for your creepy castle wall, your more secret sanctum sanctorum, or your very ordinary bathroom. Perhaps those are all the same place. You do you. We don’t judge in this gift guide. No matter where you need light, this lamp is there to provide it, in all its sorta-creepy glory.


Who Goes There? Deluxe Edition
$735.00 + Free US Shipping
(Limited to 50 copies)

The John W. Campbell book that became John Carpenter’s horror classic The Thing is back in a VERY limited edition. This run of 50 is half-bound in cold blue book cloth with a blind emboss and supple tan leather spine. Each is stored in a custom-designed and cloth-bound portfolio containing a triptych of Antarctica with notes and sketches from the expedition and holding five frame-ready letterpress prints from the story. Embedded in the portfolio’s cover is a distinctive hand-cast, painted resin medallion of the expedition’s emblem—a true collectors edition. Angel Bomb’s attention to detail is masterful.


Not finding a houseware item you like?
Check out the housewares from one of the previous guides.
• 2016 Housewares • 2017 Housewares • 2018 Housewares •
2019 Housewares 2020 Housewares 2021 Housewares •


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❄️ Miskatonic University ❄️


Miskatonic University Library Staff Pin
$9.95 + Shipping

The stacks are filled with treasures, and only one group knows the ins and outs of the strange, sometimes alien system in which every tome is organized. Join the ever-diligent Library Staff of Miskatonic University and show your school spirit with this 1.25″ soft enamel pin with double pin-back rubber backing and remember, knowledge above all!


Personalized Miskatonic University Diploma Set
$29.99 + Free Shipping

I’ve seen a lot of Miskatonic Diploma Sets, but none has yet to go as far to feel as authentic as this. Not only does this diploma look like an actual diploma, including foil seals, but it also includes the alums’ personalized name, studies, and graduation year. A purchase here also consists of a lifetime listing of the Alumni on the Miskatonic University website. (See the full listing on Etsy for details.)


Miskatonic Cocktail Club Work Shirt
$44.99 + Shipping

Even cultists take a break for a cocktail or two. Look sharp in this red and black work shirt. The front pocket features the Miskatonic Cocktail Club insignia in white. The back is printed with a larger version in white with the phrase “the stars are always right… for a drink”. This black work shirt is accented with side panels in red for an eye-catching pop of color. Perfect for poker night. Or bowling. Or esoteric investigations.


Miskatonic Tibetan Hoodie
$50.00 + Shipping

Miskatonic is a university willing to send its faculty and students to strange, far places in its relentless pursuit of knowledge. You may not know much about M.U.’s 1926 expedition to Tibet, but you will once you own this garment – it comes with two props that bring clarity to the expedition’s goals and its outcome. The hoodie proudly displays the expedition’s logo on the front left breast.


Miskatonic 3.0 Hockey Sweater
$119 + Shipping

Geeky Jerseys has been making a Miskatonic University hockey sweater for a while now, and I’ve featured them in the past. This third rendition takes ol’ MU in a new direction while maintaining that modern college hockey feel. Every Geeky Jersey will feature high-quality embroidered crests, sublimated patterns, plus a custom cut and stitched name and number. (In this case, “Cthulhu” and the #28—someday I hope we can make these custom.)


Not finding any Miskatonic University gear you like?
Check out the Miskatonic University items from one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Miskatonic • 2015 Miskatonic • 2016 Miskatonic • 2017 Miskatonic •
2018 Miskatonic • 2019 Miskatonic 2020 Miskatonic 2021 Miskatonic •


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 ❄️ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ❄️

Whelp, there we have it, folks. All good things must eventually end. The ninth annual List of Lists is in the bag. Hopefully, you found a few necessaries and were able to check a few people off your shopping list.

As always, thank you to everyone who has suggested items in the past to help me pad out this list. Your efforts are welcome. I always appreciate the help. Do you have a book, game, album, or other weird fiction-related items I should feature in 2023’s Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below with links to your favorite goodies for others to see, or send me an email as a potential submission for next year!


Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to ensure it’s not spammy and contains interesting and relevant information. Sign Up Today →

Open Call for 2022 Cosmic Horror Items

Oh, you know it’s coming back.

Every year since 2014, I have assembled a holiday gift guide focused on cosmic-horror goodies. It’s become one of my favorite annual projects. Our little corner of the horror world is full of talented creators, and I like to use the gift guide to highlight some of the fabulous weird-fiction-related items I’ve discovered throughout the year. 2022 will be no different. (I’ll link to previous guides below so you can see what I’ve featured previously.)

That said, I am but one man, and there’s always cool stuff out there I missed. I could use your help. As I have for the last several years, I’m getting an early jump on assembling the guide. And it’s always worthwhile to do an open call and see what else lurks in the internet’s shadowed corners. This is that open call! Link me cool stuff! What have you found, dear reader? I want to know about it, and I’m sure others do too.

As always, the categories are:

  • Books (I generally have this covered)
  • Music
  • Apparel (no teeshirts—there’s a bajillion of them)
  • Games
  • Housewares
  • Miskatonic University

You can leave a comment below (I approve all non-bot comments), tweet me, or drop me an email. Let me know what you’ve found that would be perfect for this year’s Gift Guide! Not everything submitted will be featured. I curate the heck out of this.

Thanks in advance!


Previous Cosmic Horror Gift Guides

As promised, below are links to the guides from the last seven years. Some of the products were one-offs, are out of print, or just aren’t sold anymore. Don’t be shocked if you find broken links, especially in those earlier guides. It happens. Still, loads of cool stuff to check out.

❄️ 202120202019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 ❄️


The annual 2022 Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide arrives on Black Friday, the darkest and most vile winter “holiday.” Return here in a few weeks to see this year’s thematic selection. Tell your friends! Share with your family! Shout it from the rooftops! It’s going to be a good one. 🦑

The 2021 Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide

And lo, like a creature from beyond our understanding the darkest of holidays has arrived: Black Friday. But all is not lost! I’m delighted to introduce my eighth annual List of Lists for 2021. In it, you’ll find a plethora of paraphernalia for the weird-fiction fanatic, cosmic-horror connoisseur, or mythos maniac in your life. As with previous years, I’ve worked to assemble a list of exceptional items for all ages and budgets.

A few notes: as of last year I’m now linking to IndieBound for all books where possible. Please do what you can to support your locals. They can get you anything the big box stores can, and it’ll help out your community. Author links go to their web pages and blogs. While I’ve ordered these by price, the prices and availability are subject to change. Shipping is out of my control. I’m just sharing cool stuff made by cool people.

Happy shopping!


• Books • Music • Apparel • Games •
• Housewares • Miskatonic •


❄️ Books ❄️


Beneath the Rising by Premee Mohamed
$11.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $6.99 (eBook)

A new clean energy source might sound perfect until it awakens an ancient evil set on subjecting humanity. Now it’s up to the inventor, technological genius Johnny Chambers, and her pal Nick to stop it in this coming-of-age cosmic horror tale.


The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley
$12.95 + Shipping (Paperback) $1.99 (eBook)

A darkly twisted yet thought-provoking heart-of-mankind story about our shared history, the formation of myth, and the stories we tell. While the narrative hints at an allegory, it’s not burdensome. A small but powerful novel that is very much worth your time.


Jagannath by Karin Tidbeck
$16.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $9.99 (eBook)

I read this collection of stories by Tidbeck back in 2014 and I still think about the tales of genre-blending weirdness scattered throughout its pages. A must-have for the bookshelf of anyone calling themselves a weird-fiction aficionado. When the late and great Ursula K. Le Guin blurbs a book you know it’s got to be fantastic.


Gleam Upon the Waves by K. M. Alexander
$16.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $5.99 (eBook)

Why, yes. It’s out. The fourth book in my Lovecraftian urban fantasy series The Bell Forging Cycle is finally here. Waldo Bell finds himself outward bound on an enormous floating casino en route to the canals of Empress, the mysterious capital of the hermit-nation Victory. There Wal will discover darkness runs deeper than he ever thought possible; reality is not what it seems, and a new apocalypse is closer than anyone predicted.


Monstrous Heart by Claire McKenna
$16.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $7.99 (eBook)

I’m currently reading this 2020 debut and I’m loving it. Phenomenal language, solid worldbuilding, and an engaging plot. The story follows a lighthouse keeper sent to keep the light burning to protect the sailors of the salt-swept port of Vigil. While rumors that her neighbor might be more monstrous than the mighty creatures of the deep. Bits of steampunk, gothic romance, and gaslight fantasy. It’s good.


Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
$19.99 + Shipping (Hardcover) $10.99 (eBook)

On the heels of Birth of a Nation rides the Klan, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even the monstrous Ku Kluxes can die. It’s up to Maryse Boudreaux and her friend to stand in their way, and they will stop at nothing to defeat the Klan before they can end the world.


Children of the Fang and Other Genealogies by John Langan
$19.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $9.99 (eBook)

In this new collection of loosely interconnected stories, horror-master John Langan maps the branches of his literary family tree, tracing his connections to the writers whose dark fictions have inspired his own. A surreal anthology that will entertain as much as it’ll frighten.


Sweet Dreams Cthulhu by Jason Ciaramella
$19.99 + Shipping (Board Book)

In his house at R’Lyeh, Cthulhu can’t sleep! So it’s up to his pal Howard to help him get back to the land of slumber in this adorable little board book for the tiny cosmic horror enthusiasts in your life. From the creators of C is for Cthulhu and the recently released Counting, Colors & Cthulhu. Be sure to check out their plushies as well.


The Hounds of Tindalos by Frank Belknap Long
$1,051.83 + Shipping (One Copy Available—Sold via AbeBooks)

Own a piece of history with this first edition, first printing, presentation copy, of Frank Belknap Long’s infamous collection. The author inscribed this limited and softly-worn edition on the front free endpaper to American writer and editor Richard E. Hughes. Many more details are in the listing.


No book catches your interest? Check out the books featured in one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Books • 2015 Books • 2016 Books • 2017 Books •
2018 Books • 2019 Books 2020 Books


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❄️ Music & Audio ❄️


The Nameless City by Third Person Lurkin
Name Your Own Price (Digital Download)

Cosmic horror and trip-hop are generally two genres you wouldn’t expect to go together. But, this 2010 Third Person Lurkin release manages to walk that razor edge, bringing a sound as haunting, ethereal, and mysterious as it is chill.


The Outer Ones by Revocation
$8.99 (Digital Download)

This 2018 release from the Boston prog-thrash-death-metal band Revocation goes heavier on death metal compared to their earlier albums, which is fitting for a collection of songs so steeped in the lore of cosmic horror. But, like R’lyeh of old, those earlier prog and thrash elements remain, and The Outer Ones has become a favorite of many Lovecraftian death-metal fans.


Great Old Ones by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
$10.00 CAD (Digital Download)

You’ve probably heard that the Nineties are back, which means now is a perfect time to return to the 1996 sophomore album of the infamous mythos-influenced rock band, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Punk and Cthulu with a heavy dose of that prevalent 90s-grunge sound. What’s not to love?


Sense Impacts by Chad Fifer
$14.99 (Digital Download)

The Venn Diagram of TTRPG players and Lovecraft Enthisasist is nearly a circle, so I’m sure most of you are familiar with Call of Cthulhu publisher Chaosium. Well, to aid in creating the proper atmosphere for your next gaming session, they’ve partnered with Chad Fifer (of H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcraft fame) to assemble a soundtrack of ambient soundscapes to enhance your tabletop experience.


Yig by Cryo Chamber
$19.00 + Shipping (CD) $9.00 (Digital Download)

Whenever readers ask me what music I write to, some of the first words that come out of my mouth will always be “Cryo Chamber’s stuff.” From my first to my most recent novel, the albums from this incredibly talented collective have added a dark ambient soundtrack that my brain craves when I’m carving out weird fiction. If loving a record label is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.


H. P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth 4X LP Set
$89.00 + Shipping (Vinyl, Limited Pressings)

I’ve featured many limited vinyl releases from Cadabra Records before. (In fact, some of the rare hate mail I’ve gotten was when I didn’t feature a Cadabra release.) They make incredible collector editions of some classic cosmic horror. This 4X LP Set of Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth is read by Andrew Leman and scored by Chris Bozzone. Be sure to check out Cadabra’s other LP offerings as well.


Not finding any music or audio that interests you? Check out one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Music • 2015 Music • 2016 Music • 2017 Music •
 2018 Music • 2019 Music 2020 Music


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❄️ Apparel ❄️


Elder Party Lapel Pin
$10.00 + Shipping

The history is murky, but it’s believed that Richard Nixon was the first US President to wear an American Flag lapel pin. Since then, and for some odd reason, it’s become expected by a subset of Americans that anyone running for office will wear a similar pin. And, they take great offense when you don’t. So, next time you run for political office in the US, get yourself a flag pin that does double duty and satisfies the whims of both the terrestrial and extraterrestrial.


Lovecraftian Netsuke
$28.00 + Shipping
(Limited Availability)

Providence sculptor Gage Prentiss has created a series of Lovecraftian netsuke for your kimono (or feel free to enjoy without.) Choose a Cat of Ulthar, one of the Deep Ones, ol’ Dagon on Whale, a Ghoul with Bone, or an Elder Thing. Or, better yet, collect all five!


Rage of Cthulhu Sweater
$34.99-$39.99 + Shipping

Ugly Sweater Contests are now ingrained in the zeitgeist of Western Christmas Culture, but just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you can find a sweater that allows your cosmic horror side to show a little bit. Look, if it drives your office into a sacrificial frenzy, that’s on you. It’s the downside when you slap the visage of a Great Old One on your chest. Upside: more eggnog for you.


Tentacle Cuff Links
#34.99 + Free Shipping
(US)

If you’re looking for a more subdued nod toward the cosmic horror fandom, these elegant tentacle cufflinks add a touch of weird to any fancy french cuff. One-inch wide and cast in pewter, these cufflinks aren’t tiny, but they are large enough to add a touch of weird to any fancy dress occasion.


Re-Animator Flannel
$75.00 + Shipping

Weird fiction and cosmic horror already have a cult status (in more ways than one), but Stuart Gordon’s 1985 comedy-horror Re-Animator (based on the Lovecraft short story) double-dips into that cult status. So, it’s hard not to appericate a 100% cotton flannel in glowing reagent-green created as a nod toward the classic film—featuring some subtle design accents under the pockets, cuffs, and collar.


Cthulhu Kigurumi
$79.99 + Shipping

Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn!” Winter is a time for coziness—and dreaming—so why not toss that old flannel pajama set away and opt for a thematically appropriate onesie created in the appearance of everyone’s favorite Lovecraftian horror: Cthulhu! Look, I know it’s adorable, and as a person coming from a household with several Kigurumi, I wouldn’t blame you for owning several.


The Innsmouth Look Mask
$550.00 + Free Shipping (Made to Order)

It’s a face only Obed Marsh could love (and maybe Dagon). But if you’re looking to take your Deep-One cosplay to the next level, look no further. This handcrafted, made-to-order silicone mask takes the Innsmouth-look in a stunningly creepy direction and allows you to apply your own custom paint scheme. Horrifying holiday fun.


Not finding apparel you like? Check out the apparel on one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Apparel • 2015 Apparel • 2016 Apparel • 2017 Apparel •
 2018 Apparel • 2019 Apparel2020 Apparel


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❄️ Games ❄️


The Well
$1.99 (Digital Download – PC/Mac)

This unnerving yet compact one-button horror game enthralled me from start to finish. Based on a poem of Lovecraft’s, the story follows a pair of laborers as they attempt to clear out an old farm after a gruesome murder. If you like this one, be sure to check out Yames’ other Secret Games.


The Shore
$11.99 (Digital Download – PC)

A walking simulator (with a few combat sequences) that oozes atmosphere, The Shore puts the player in the shoes of Andrew, a father searching for his lost daughter, on a mysterious island that will feel eerily familiar. Solve mind-bending puzzles, encourage strange creatures, and help Andrew as he fights to save his daughter’s life while uncovering the secrets to his sanity.


Miskatonic University – The Restricted Collection
$24.99 + Shipping

A set-collection card game from the world of Call of Cthulhu created by Reiner Knizia. Take on the role of a student of Miskatonic University vying against other players for the prestigious position of Head of the Library Committee. To do so, you’ll need to help Professor Armitage by exploring the Restricted Collection for items he needs. But the journey is perilous, and venturing too far can lead to madness.


Conarium
$19.99
(Digital Download – PC/Mac)

Set after the events from Lovecraft’s At The Mountains of Madness, Conarium put you in the role of Frank Gilman, a scientist and explorer, who wakes with very little memory except knowing you’re inside the Antarctic base of Upuaut. What follows is a suspense-filled tale that takes you deeper into the Antarctic and even into dreams themselves.


Unfathomable
$79.95 + Shipping
(Pre Order)

The year is 1913. The steamship SS Atlantica is two days out from port on its voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. You and your friends play as one of the passengers on board. But some among you are traitors. It’s up to you to uncover the traitors (or sink the ship) before making port! (Some places this is available, some places this is on preorder, it sounds fantastic regardless.)


Nyarlathotep
$329.99 + Shipping (Two Shipments)

I’m a big fan of the Mysterious Package Company. It’s no secret. They take the customized gaming experience to a whole new level, and they have only gotten better over the years. Their latest experience, Nyarlathotep, weaves a creepy puzzle-heavy story over two dense mailings and includes a bunch of digital/augmented reality for only the most deductive of Kakuet employees.


Not finding a game you’d enjoy? Check out the games on one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Games • 2015 Games • 2016 Games • 2017 Games •
 2018 Games • 2019 Games 2020 Games


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❄️ Housewares & Collectables ❄️


Cthulhu Perfume Oil
$4.60 – $19.75 + Shipping

The very popular Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab asks a fantastic question: who wouldn’t want to smell like their favorite sleeping old one? To find out, they created a creeping, wet, slithering scent dripping with seaweed, oceanic plants, and dark, unfathomable waters. A nautical impression of their extensive Picnic In Arkham collection.


Cedric's Eatery 11oz. Mug

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug
$16.00 + Shipping

The weather outside is frightful, and you need a new mug for a warm beverage. Why not pick up a classic diner mug from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. (Breakfast served all day.) An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s favorite hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of lousy coffee, your favorite tea, or something more substantial. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]


Tentacle Stocking
$32.50 + Free Shipping

You knew it was coming. Somehow we all did. But what is the Christmas season without stockings? And who is to say that stockings should always be shaped like human feet? How boring! This fabulous Tentacle Stocking from HPLHS adds a bit of pizzazz to your mantle, measures almost 33-inches, and has a pleasing bumpy texture. (Yeah, I featured it in the Gift Guide header image.)


“Rainy in R’lyeh” Cthulhu Umbrella
$80.00 + Shipping

This stunningly detailed umbrella features a ton of wonderfully weird touches to add an air of understated authenticity. The umbrella has a subtle silhouette that is printed on the underside of the canopy, a gilded handle of zinc alloy in the shape of the Sleeper himself, and fancy end tips molded into the form of a tentacle. It’s all downplayed but classy stuff.


Octopus Door Handle
$110.00 + Shipping

Tentacles and cosmic horror are now eternally intertwined. We fans can’t escape it, so we should embrace it. On the plus side, they can be subtle enough to hide in plain sight without necessarily drawing attention. Case in point these fantastic made-to-order brass and resin door handles. Creepy with that restrained elegance.


Lady of Innsmouth Bust
$190.00 + Free Shipping (Supplies are limited.)

This 8½” tall resin and bronze bust takes the Innsmouth look in a very different direction away from the hideous and fish-like beings with strange unblinking eyes. If you can’t tell, this year I’m into more downplayed yet thoroughly Lovecraftian art, and this Sheryl Westleigh piece fits the bill nicely. The sort of piece that can be displayed without comment but tells a deeper story when the viewer lingers on the details.


Innsmouth Apothecary Jar
$525.00 + Free Shipping (Only One Available)

This one-of-a-kind, hand-made, porcelain apothecary style jar comes from Berlin Sculpture and features sculpted elements inspired by the H.P. Lovecraft story, The Shadow Over Innsmouth. It stands at 9″ tall and is perfect for storing either sinister dry goods or more mundane normal ones. A rare collectible.


Not finding a houseware item you like?
Check out the housewares from one of the previous guides.
• 2016 Housewares • 2017 Housewares • 2018 Housewares •
2019 Housewares 2020 Housewares


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❄️ Miskatonic University ❄️


Miskatonic University Pin
$10.00 + Shipping

Class is still in session, for now, but the winter break looms on the snow-dusted horizon. Why not show you school pride by pinning this new University pin on your hat, bag, jersey, or letterman’s jacket—or anywhere else you want to pin your pin. A lovely 1″ red enamel and black metal design will have you shouting, “Onward, Miskatonic – on to victory!”


Miskatonic University Totebag
$13.30 + Free Shipping

Totebags are always welcome in our house, and the weirder, the better. You can’t get more bizarre than the grandaddy of mysterious collegiate excellence, Miskatonic University. Need a bag for groceries? No problem. Beach Day go you down? This bag will help. Found strange artifacts on an Antarctic exploration? You won’t find a better specimen bag anywhere.


Well-Dressed Miskatonic Alumni (4pc set)
$79.99 + Shipping

This set has it all—first, a lapel pin to satisfy those weirdos who demand lapel pins. Second the proper alumni cufflinks to stay classy. Third, a tie Clip because no one—especially the Old Ones—likes ties flopping everywhere. And fourth, a necklace because school pride should be the last thing you remove. Truly a collection for only the most dedicated. (Also available individually.)


Gold Lovecraft Miskatonic Key Set
$497.00 + Shipping (Includes 20″ gold chain)

What lock does the key unlock? What door does it open? This elegant and subtle nod to everyone’s favorite higher education institution is 15mm in size and is hand-made in Sofia Zakia’s Montreal studio out of solid 14K gold. It comes by itself or on a 16 or 20″ chain.


Not finding any Miskatonic University gear you like?
Check out the Miskatonic University items from one of the previous guides.
• 2014 Miskatonic • 2015 Miskatonic • 2016 Miskatonic • 2017 Miskatonic •
2018 Miskatonic • 2019 Miskatonic 2020 Miskatonic


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 ❄️ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ❄️

So, that wraps up the eighth annual List of Lists. Hopefully, it fills all your wriggly needs. Big thank you to everyone who has suggested items in the past to help me pad out this list. Y’all rule. If I didn’t get to your submission, fret not. There are many more holidays ahead. I always appreciate the help.

Do you have a book, game, album, or other weird fiction-related items I should feature in 2022’s Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below with links to your favorite goodies for others to see, or send me an email as a potential submission for next year!


Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to ensure it’s not spammy and contains interesting and relevant information. Sign Up Today →

Open Call for Unutterable Cosmic Horror Items

Every year since 2014, I have assembled a holiday gift guide filled with cosmic-horror goodies. It’s become one of my favorite annual projects. Our little corner of the horror world is full of talented creators, and I like to use the gift guide as a way to highlight some of the fabulous weird-fiction-related items I’ve discovered throughout the year. 2021 will be no different. (I’ll link to previous guides below so you can see what I’ve featured previously.)

That said, I am but one man, and there’s always cool stuff out there I missed. I could use your help. As I have for the last several years, I’m getting an early jump on assembling the guide. And it’s always worthwhile to do an open call and see what else lurks in the internet’s shadowed corners. This is that open call! Link me cool stuff! What have you found, dear reader? I want to know about it, and I’m sure others do too.

As always, the categories are:

  • Books (I generally have this covered)
  • Music
  • Apparel (no teeshirts—there’s a bajillion of them)
  • Games (no, I will not feature Bloodborne, it gets plenty of love already)
  • Housewares
  • Miskatonic University

You can leave a comment below (I approve all non-bot comments), tweet at me, or just drop me an email. Let me know what you’ve found that would be perfect for this year’s Gift Guide! Thanks in advance.


Previous Cosmic Horror Gift Guides

As promised, below are links to the guides from the last seven years. Some of the products were one-offs, are out of print, or just aren’t sold anymore. Don’t be shocked if you find some broken links. Especially in those earlier guide. It happens. Still, loads of cool stuff.

❄️ 20202019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 ❄️


The eighth annual 2021 Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide arrives on Black Friday, the darkest and most vile winter holiday. So, be sure to return here to see this year’s thematic selection. Tell your friends! Share with your family! Shout it from the rooftops! It’s going to be a good one. 🦑

Check Out My SPFM Interview!

September was Self Published Fantasy Month, and I was lucky enough to participate and I gave an interview with the crew there. It’s varied, and much is discussed from my reasoning for indie publishing, how I celebrate the wins, common pitfalls for new writers, some of my favorite indie books, and I describe a tavern in Lovat—The Marsh Bed—a place I now consider canon. Click the button below and read it today.



While you’re there, be sure to follow/bookmark the SPFM blog. They’re a great site with a ton of content. It’s a solid place to find a fantastic collection of indie titles to fill out your TBR list. They’re also active on Twitter and Instagram. So give ’em a follow across the web, and you’ll be set when the next Self Published Fantasy Month rolls around.


🎙 Interviews & Articles

Looking for further conversations with me? Perhaps you’re interested in articles I’ve written elsewhere? You can find all of this and more at my About Page. There’s a lot of great stuff with posts going back as far as 2013.


The Indie Pub

Let’s Visit the Indie Pub

It’s Saint Patrick’s Day, and it’s tradition to make a trip to the local pub. But that’s not entirely feasible since we’re still dealing with a pandemic—so why not join me and my pal, fellow writer, and travel buddy J. Rushing for the inaugural episode of his new podcast, The Indie Pub! Episode one is out today, I’m the first guest, and you can listen to it below.

I had a lot of fun chatting with Jim, and I think that comes through. I hope I get another chance to visit the pub in the future. His plan is to start releasing new episodes every other week and he’ll be discussing all aspects of indie publishing with a whole swath of great guests. So tell your pals, drop him a review, and subscribe to the Indie Pub from any of the links below.



Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Enjoy the podcast.