4 Terrifying New Releases from Indie and Small Presses in September 2025

September is a time of lowering temperatures and a back-to-school rush. And while that might seem like a drag to some, there is a bright side.

We're one step closer to spooky season!

If you think you're prepared for a season of scares, think again. There are horrors in store you can't even imagine.

And we at The Lineup have curated the very best for you.

From tense sci-fi terrors to a harrowing haunted house, here are our most anticipated horror books from indie and small presses this September.

The Heart of Horror: How Indie Publishing Keeps the Genre Alive

This Is How a Villain Is Made

By Amanda Headlee

Beatrix Beaumont escapes her father's cruelty and flees to Yellow Creek City with nothing to her name. It seems her life might start heading in a brighter direction when she nabs a job as the caretaker for the home of a respected town leader.

Unfortunately, the dark secrets hidden in the house make for yet another oppressive prison for Bea. As she sinks into a world of illusion and control, she must decide what she's willing to become in order to escape.

This book is now available for pre-order and will be released on September 4th by Uncomfortably Dark!

Fear Her: 7 New Horror Books by Women That Will Keep You Up at Night

The Extra

By Annie Neugebauer

In this debut sci-fi horror novella, a group of 10 people set on a backpacking trip. However, that first night, 11 people set up camp.

Everyone seems to remember everyone else clearly. So who is the extra camper?

This book is now available for pre-order and will be released on September 9th by Shortwave Publishing!

The Haunting at Morsley Manor

By George Morris De'Ath

Eric Thompson was once a world-renowned paranormal investigator, but his career took a massive hit after one gruesome case left most of his camera crew dead. After his partner and best friend left Eric behind, he could do nothing but flounder.

Things change when a mysterious woman approaches Eric with a tempting offer. She has just purchased Morsley Manor, a supposedly haunted house that has been previously off-limits to paranormal investigators.

In the interest of publicity, she wants Eric to host a paranormal investigation of the grounds.

It's too good to resist, and he's not in any position to turn down anything. But as he travels to England to dig up the darkness hidden at Morsley, unspeakable horrors crop up at every turn.

Not all is as it seems at this notorious manor…

This book is now available for pre-order and will be released on September 23rd by Rising Action Publishing!

Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror

By Dianna Gunn

In this time of shifting politics and personal freedoms, 19 authors whose reproductive rights are at risk have gathered to pen stories of inspired horrors. From being forced to carry an unwanted child to seeking revenge upon a man who stole the right to choose, these stories are timely and chilling.

This book is now available for pre-order and will be released on September 30th by Renaissance Press!