Meet the Team
Stephen Black
Founder & CEO
He/Him
Stephen has over 20 years experience as a technical report writer and editor in the public services sector. He is the author of the critically acclaimed ‘Kirkwood Scott Chronicles’ fantasy series and his latest novel, ‘The Famine Witch’, is a dark historical fantasy set in Victorian era Belfast. He is currently working on a dark fantasy trilogy set during Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’.
As an editor, Stephen specializes in dark fantasy and gothic horror manuscripts, although he is open to working with good writers, whatever the genre. He prides himself in providing clients with a high quality and personable editing service.
Stephen is married, with three children, and lives in the rolling Northern Irish countryside, where he can often be found thinking his black thoughts. In his limited spare time, he is a recovering marathon runner and long-suffering supporter of mediocre professional football, rugby, and NFL teams.
Olivia Brooks
Managing Editor
She/Her
Olivia Brooks is an avid reader and writer. She has a bachelor's degree in Editing, Writing, and Media and is currently working on a master's degree in Rhetoric and Composition, working as both a writing consultant and graduate teaching assistant at her university.
Olivia is the founder of Chronicles & Coffee, a site to promote and help authors on their writing journey. She has been the Editorial Assistant for Thin Veil Press and worked with the Florida State University English Department. Currently, she also works as the Young Adult Editor for Southeast Review, and as an Editor for the comic book company Submarine Treehouse as well.
She specializes in fantasy and dark fiction, which are both her favorite genres to read and write. Currently editing an urban fantasy novel alongside a co-authored dystopian novel, she aspires to both help other writers while creating words to publish on her own.
Lucy Smith
Assistant Editor
She/Her
Lucy Smith is a forensic psychology researcher by day and dark fantasy author by night. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, with future aspirations to obtain a PhD in research, providing her with years of experience in report writing and skills in refining the details.
As a total book nerd and devoted writer, Luce has a keen eye for worldbuilding, character depth and plot development. She specialises in darker stories, including fantasy, romantasy, dystopian, gothic horror and elements of sci-fi. Alongside editing and writing her debut dark fantasy series, she also enjoys writing lyrics, creating music, and spending her paychecks on tattoos.
Olivia Brooks
Managing Editor
She/Her
Olivia Brooks is an avid reader and writer. She has a bachelor's degree in Editing, Writing, and Media and is currently working on a master's degree in Rhetoric and Composition, working as both a writing consultant and graduate teaching assistant at her university.
Olivia is the founder of Chronicles & Coffee, a site to promote and help authors on their writing journey. She has been the Editorial Assistant for Thin Veil Press and worked with the Florida State University English Department. Currently, she also works as the Young Adult Editor for Southeast Review, and as an Editor for the comic book company Submarine Treehouse as well.
She specializes in fantasy and dark fiction, which are both her favorite genres to read and write. Currently editing an urban fantasy novel alongside a co-authored dystopian novel, she aspires to both help other writers while creating words to publish on her own.
Kate Anjou
Developmental Editor
She/Her
Kate Anjou’s greatest passion in life is books and with a thirst for all things dark and decadent, the horror genre is one she feels most at home.
With qualifications in English, Film, and Journalism, she has recently put her talents into podcasting and is the host and showrunner of several shows, including the limited indie book series, “Kate Anjou’s Book Reviews”.
Kate is a champion of the indie book community, supporting authors worldwide, across social media and YouTube. In her spare time, she loves being with her daughter, reading, watching horror movies, and can be found either in a coffee shop, goth and pagan boutiques or wandering the local forests.
