Dead Ink Books on the Eden Book Society

With Halloween in the air, we ventured into the history of the Eden Book Society, the horror novella subscription whose story is more mysterious than meets the eye

Feature by Heather McDaid | 23 Oct 2018

“Established in 1919, the Eden Book Society was a private subscription of what can only be described as horror novellas,” explains a representative of the mysterious and elusive horror community. “Each year they would release six books, and these would be sent out to their subscribers. How one became a subscriber has never been clear as there are no records of fees or any clues as to how it was  promoted.

“For a long time these books have been obsessed over by horror fanatics, and owning a complete collection - it ran for nearly 100 years - has become the holy grail of the genre. The internet is rife with theories on what was really going on with the Eden Society, and it isn’t even clear who wrote the books. Many seem to be written under pseudonyms, whilst others seem to be genuine writers – albeit obscure ones. There are plenty of people who have tried to connect the dots between pseudonyms and well-known authors of the day.”

Six bitesize horror books a year, with roots going back decades. But why are they important in the 21st century? “At the moment there is a real danger that we can get lost in the past. Nostalgia is comforting, and offers us security, but ultimately it is a fantasy - or a glamour. Eden reminds us that the past wasn’t everything we remember it to be. For nearly 100 years, the Eden writers mined the fears, paranoia, and cruelty of the time. What we’re presented with in retrospect is perhaps more familiar to us than we would like to believe.”

It's the perfect subscription service to get involved with, as Halloween season is upon us. Their two latest titles, Holt House and Judderman, are an (un)welcome greeting into dark worlds: in the former, a young man finds himself drawn back to a house he once stayed overnight – something terrified him then, and he’s been trying to cope with that fear since; the latter is a story of London’s terrors, mysteries, intrigues and dark secrets. Makes the hairs on your arms stand up, right? The Eden Book Society is creepy, it’s a wonder for horror fans, and its legacy is incredibly interesting. Also – it’s entirely fictional.

Surprise.

Indie publishers Dead Ink were bored with the way publishing works. They wanted to shake up the rules and create their own folklore. Nathan Connolly, publisher and mysterious representative of the Society, remembers being in primary school and obsessing over films, books and games that he wasn’t allowed to watch – “The Exorcist had a reputation that preceded it that was far more terrifying than the film was when we eventually saw it. The same goes for Candyman, where we would dare each other to go into the bathroom, turn off the lights, and repeat his name three times in front of the mirror. There was something in the idea of horror where we wilfully buy into the unbelievability of it all in order to thrill ourselves. The ideas expanded outwards and we were able to take part in it as participants rather than just consumers.

“As I grew older it felt like that magic was being lost.”

And so the Eden Book Society was born, capturing both the fun and that magic that had been lost. The authors involved all write under pseudonyms, but they share that unifying love of horror.

“I’ve always loved being able to experience and confront fear, both as a reader and as a writer,” says Aliya Whiteley. “The heightened awareness it brings, and the realisation that anything might happen - including the lack of any happy ending - is fascinating to me. It’s a heady mixture of freedom and captivity.”

Gary Budden adds, “Like many people, I enjoy the sensation of being afraid in a controlled environment – within the confines of a novel, a short story, a novella, or a film. I think horror is a way for us to examine and interrogate the fears that consume us, both as individuals and on a collective level. Horror, at its best, can get to a different truth than strictly realist fiction, and really examine what unsettles us.”

“I think the broad concept of horror as a genre is perhaps the most powerful storytelling tool we have for processing difficult subjects,” continues Nathan. “The old trope is that it is a safe imaginary space for us to explore our very real fears. I would say that it goes beyond that though. The genre isn’t just a tool for exorcism, but can also be used for exploration and reconciliation. Right now I think horror is one of the best ways for us to make sense of the mess we are in.”

As for the future of the Society, it’s more books. “We have a really brilliant folk-horror coming up with Starve Acre. It is dark, foreboding and will legitimately get your heart racing. Then there is The Castle which reminds me of the Goosebumps series – there is a real sense of wonder, fantasy and fun to it. I half suspect A Dedicated Friend was written by Alfred Hitchcock, and Plunge Hill is a real slow-burning, melancholy gothic tale.”

The Eden Book Society is the perfect antidote for those who wish Halloween was a year-round celebration, who like horror and spook at every turn. Nathan notes that the whole process has been incredibly fun, and that he hopes readers continue to enjoy themselves and jump in wholeheartedly while knowing the truth of the Society’s origins.

As we grow up, the magic in things we love may be lost from time to time; but, suspend your belief once in a while, dive into a new world, and you’ll find that the magic of horror remains well and truly alive.

Find out more about the Eden Book Society at edenbooksociety.com and deadinkbooks.com