What is Dark Fates?

It’s the complete collected fictions of industry legend Stanley Wiater. Wiater pulls the curtain to reveal the intimate Dark Truths of the life he’s lived. The book contains all of Wiater’s short fiction, highlighted by the award-winning “The Toucher”, which was entered into a nationwide competition and judged by none other than Stephen King himself, thereby catapulting Wiater’s career in journalism into lasting friendships with some of Horror’s greatest. Think of it as a time capsule of Wiater’s life and times.

This isn’t going to be your standard hardcover offering or even a run of the mill collectors edition. Dark Fates will be crafted with the highest quality materials even at the base Deluxe level. Each will be 9inch x 12inch with a special collectors case.

Editions

•  Deluxe: 50 numbered copies signed by Stanley Wiater with a custom slipcase.
   
•  Super Deluxe Limited: 50 numbered signed by most of the artists involved and Stanley Wiater with a custom slipcase.
   
•  Ultra Deluxe Lettered Limited: Only 10 will ever be made! Signed by most of the included artists and authors and Stanley Wiater, complete with a custom made traycase.
   
• Each edition will have an original and unique full wraparound cover.
   
•  110 available with 3 extra special giveaways totaling 113 available to the public.
          The 3 highest donations during the campaign will receive snakeskin covered special copies with Dark surprises included, available in no other edition. Each of the 3 special editions will receive a handwritten note from Stanley Wiater.

About the Author

A virtuoso of all things horror, STANLEY WIATER is a three-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author, and the creator and host of DARK DREAMERS ™ the television series and DARK DREAMERS ™ the podcast. His first published short story was the sole winner of a competition judged by Stephen King in 1980. Among his books are DARK DREAMERS: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MASTERS OF HORROR (Stoker Award ® winner), DARK VISIONS: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MASTERS OF THE HORROR FILM (Stoker Award ® finalist), DARK DREAMERS: FACING THE MASTERS OF FEAR (Stoker Award ® winner), and DARK DREAMERS: ON WRITING (Stoker Award® winner). He has spent half a century actively attempting to register and trademark the word “Dark.” (LOL)
 

Here is a small list of the works you can expect. There will be more Dark surprises to come as the project grows and nears completion!

Included Author’s Appreciations

Dark Fates: Collected Fictions of Stanley Wiater will contain exclusive and never before seen appreciations, correspondence, and facsimiles between Wiater and the biggest names in the business.

• Ray Bradbury  
• Jack Ketchum 
• Stephen King 
• Joe R. Lansdale 
• David Morrell 
• Peter Straub 
• Whitley Strieber
• and many more Dark surprises to be announced.

Original Artwork

This tome will be brimming with original full-color artwork from many of the artists that have touched Stanley’s life throughout his career.

• Jill Bauman
• Stephen Bissette
• Glenn Chadbourne
• Alan M. Clark
• Richard Corben
• Lynne Hansen
• Max Wedner
• Gahan Wilson
• and many more Dark surprises to be announced.

Previously Unpublished Photographs

This unique collection will also contain previously unpublished photographs, many from Wiater’s archives featuring Stanley himself and Stephen King, Wes Craven, and more. Some of the featured photographers include:

• Beth Gwinn
• J.K. Potter
• Iris D. Wiater
• and more Dark surprises to be announced.

Behind the Scenes: The Scrapbook

• 3 original strips from TMNT daily comic strip
• 3 original Xmas cards from Gahan Wilson
• 1 previously unpublished illo from DARK DREAMERS show
• 1 previously unpublished typescript from Robert E. Howard story.
• 3 covers of TMNT comic book featuring “Monsterex”
• 3 original illo from two different TMNT scripts
• 1 original cel from TMNT
• Facsimiles of unpublished letters by Stephen King to the Author from the 1980s.
• Facsimile reproduction of the initial publication of “The Toucher” sole winner in a competition judged by Stephen King.
• Facsimile reproduction of an unpublished letter by Peter Straub.
• Two previously unpublished notes by Ray Bradbury to the Author.
• Facsimile inscribed page of ‘SALEM’S LOT from King to Wiater.
• Facsimile reproduction of Xmas greetings card drawn by Peter Laird and designed by the Author.

Support

Note: All items listed as “personally inscribed” will include a unique handwritten inscription and autograph from Stanley Wiater himself!

** All Copies of the Book will be limited to ONE per household due to the limited amount available to the public. Thank you for understanding!

Pledge $6 or More

The Marked Ones

A personally inscribed Dark Fates Bookmark and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $13 or More

A Glimpse into the Void

A personally inscribed 4-page zine (front cover to back cover) featuring an excerpt (or full story) from Wiater’s work in the book and original artwork, and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $13 or More

Kickstarter Exclusive Dark Fates Ebook

Only available for 10 days! Exclusive Ebook version of Dark Fates. It will contain the short stories found within the hardcover and special Dark surprises! You will also get your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page! 

We can’t stress enough, this is the ONLY time Dark Fates will be available as an Ebook!

Pledge $20 or More

Goodie Bag of Horror

A personally inscribed Dark Fates bookmark, plus a set of Dark Fates, Dark Dreamers, and Crimson Creek Press stickers, and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $25 or More

Dark Archives

A personally inscribed facsimile of a page directly from the book, plus your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $40 or More

Crimson Cult Follower

An exclusive Crimson Creek Press mug and coaster set, and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $50 or More

Crimson Cult Devotee

An exclusive Crimson Creek Press t-shirt plus The Marked Ones tier personally inscribed bookmark and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $50 or More

The Sounds of Darkness

A personally inscribed copy of the Intimate Strangers CD, Dark Fates Bookmark, and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Intimate Strangers contains four of the stories found in Dark Fates,  performed by actors in a radio show format. The perfect companion to Dark Fates and signed by Stanley Wiater himself!

Pledge $75 or More

Dark Dreamer Initiate

A swag bag of merchandise from Stanley Wiater’s Dark Dreamers brand, including a t-shirt, coffee mug, vinyl pin set, and sticker collection. Plus,  your name on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $125 or More

Crimson Cult Mastermind

An exclusive Crimson Creek Press coffee mug and coaster set and hoodie or t-shirt, plus your choice of reward from the A Glimpse into the Void or Dark Archives reward tiers and your name on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $113 or More

Written in Blood

A custom Dark Dreamers-brand fountain pen plus a personally inscribed custom journal featuring the Dark Fates cover art, plus your name on the fan recognition page!

Pledge $250 or More

Whispers From the Shadows

Exclusive one-on-one 20-minute Zoom meeting with the author, Stanley Wiater, and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Reward cap at 3

Pledge $250 or More

Visions of Darkness

One of a kind and will only be produced for this fundraising event. Receive a metal Displate print of the Deluxe Dark Fates cover art, signed by the artist, Brian Scutt, and Stanley Wiater! Also, receive your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $500 or More

Dark Dreamer’s Dark Dreams

Exclusive Dark Dreamers-brand pillow, throw blanket, wall clock, and wall tapestry to deck out your bedroom with dark dreams, plus your choice of reward from The Marked Ones, A Glimpse into the Void, or Dark Archives reward tiers and your name on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $666 or More

Dark Fates Deluxe Edition

Deluxe hardcover of Dark Fates: Collected Fictions of Stanley Wiater numbered and signed by Stanley. Each copy will come complete with a slipcase with your name foil stamped, exclusive to supporters of the Dark Fates Kickstarter. Only 50 copies will ever be produced!

Includes a Dark Fates bookmark and your name is included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $1,666 or More

Dark Fates Super Deluxe Numbered Limited Edition

Super Deluxe hardcover of Dark Fates: Collected Fictions of Stanley Wiater numbered and signed by Stanley Wiater and a selection of the contributing artists. Each copy will come complete with a slipcase with your name foil stamped, exclusive to supporters of the Dark Fates Kickstarter. Only 50 copies will ever be produced.

 Includes a Dark Fates bookmark and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

Pledge $2,666 or More

Dark Fates Ultra Deluxe Lettered Limited Edition

Ultra Deluxe Lettered hardcover of Dark Fates: Collected Fictions of Stanley Wiater lettered and signed by Stanley Wiater and a special selection of the included artist and authors.  Each copy will come complete with a custom traycase with your name foil stamped, exclusive to supporters of the Dark Fates Kickstarter.  Only 13 will be made with 10 available to the public for sale! 

Includes a Dark Fates bookmark and your name included on the fan and supporter recognition page!

About The Press

The Crimson Creek Team

Brandon Scott scribbles tales of supernatural suspense from the mountains of Western North Carolina. He is an Active Member of the Horror Writers Association as well as co-founder of Crimson Creek Press. He has been featured in various anthologies such as Killers Inside, 19 Gates of Hell, and Abandoned. His debut novel, Vodou, was released in 2019 by Devil Dog Press.

Brian Scutt is a Navy veteran who spent five years on an Ohio-Class nuclear submarine before returning to civilian life. Now he is a family man, author, and graphic artist living in the Adirondack foothills. He is also a co-founder of Crimson Creek Press and Hollow Creek Designs. He prides himself on being an advocate for authors and artists and their importance in today’s society.

Sarah Scutt is a graphic artist, musician, and mother who studied creative writing from a ridiculously liberal college and decided to dive face-first into the literary world, praying she didn’t smash her skull on the hidden rocks. She has published short stories ranging from horror to science fiction to comedy and is currently working on a paranormal horror novel.

Alexander Shedd is an editor and writer living in the mountains of southwest Virginia, where he spends most of his time reading and playing with his cat and dog. A recent graduate of George Mason University, Alex is the newest addition to Crimson Creek Press and looks forward to continued partnerships and new contracts. He is wary of Swiss scientists, haunted houses surrounded by hills, and five and a half-minute hallways.