Small Press Interviews: Meet Inky Bones Press

Tell us a little bit about your press and what inspired you to start it up.

Inky Bones Press is named after some of my loves: writing & bones. Prior to starting IBP, a writer friend and I had a book review podcast, and we also published a handful of anthologies. I fell in love with the process and wanted to continue when our collaboration ended. I’ve loved reading and writing since I was very young, so it’s a dream come true to create books as well as meet and promote other authors. 

What kind of horror do you publish?

Inky Bones Press primarily falls under the speculative fiction umbrella: a backbone of horror with flavors of science fiction and fantasy. Creatures, monsters, creepy settings, and oddities are my jam, so that’s what I gravitate to when I’m curating an anthology. I look for stories that bring fear to the forefront. I love stories that give visceral reactions. I’m currently plotting my next anthology for 2027, so I should be posting a new open call in the next few months. 

We all know the small publisher is a champion for marginalized voices. How does your press help uplift these voices? 

I’m a huge believer in supporting others and lifting them up. I’d love for Inky Bones Press to be a place for writers with marginalized voices to feel safe and to trust me to publish and promote their work.

What are some common things that will get a quick rejection from your press? On the flip side, what are some things that make a submission stand out?

I’m sure I’m not alone with this answer: not following submission guidelines. The biggest one for me is word count. If a story is over what I’ve requested, I don’t read it.

Submissions stand out for me if they have been edited well. I do love to edit, and despite the cleanliness of the copy there can be some minor things. Each time I’ve seen a well-written story that’s clean, it puts a smile on my face—especially if the story meets the requirements and entices me.

What is one of the biggest challenges your press is facing these days?

Getting enough publicity outside of my own circle. I’m hoping to branch out and promote to readers who have never heard of Inky Bones Press or even know much about small presses. It takes time and funding to do certain things, and as a one-person crew it’s a slow process. 

What projects do you have coming out soon? 

I recently published a creature feature anthology called Of Beasts & Bones. Now, I’m focused on re-releasing two anthologies whose rights I acquired when my past collaboration ended. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with the contributors and getting their stories, poems, and art & photography out in the world again. The anthologies are Still of Winter and Hope Screams Eternal. I’m also in the process of going wide so I can get my books into local and small bookstores. 

Where can authors find you?

Website:
https://www.robinknabel.com/

IBP page on website:
https://www.robinknabel.com/inkybonespress

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/robinknabel/

Linktree: 
https://linktr.ee/robinknabel


My website is www.robinknabel.com, and I’m @robinknabel on Instagram and most socials. You can find links to all my favorite haunts on Linktree.