Exclusives
Rising Horror Author Jonathan Janz Signs 3-Book Deal with Active Film & TV Developments at Weird Tales
If you read horror, and you don’t know Jonathan Janz‘s work yet, that’s about to change.
The author’s star has risen quite a bit in the past three years with books like Children of the Dark and its sequel, as well as last year’s acclaimed sci-fi horror book Veil. Now, the next phase of Janz’s career is set, and we’re likely to be seeing his stories on the big and small screen very soon.
Bloody Disgusting can exclusively report today that Janz has signed a new three-book deal with Weird Tales and Blackstone Publishing, making him part of a growing stable of Weird Tales book imprint authors that already includes Jonathan Maberry and Johnny Compton. The books run the gamut of horror subgenres, and all of them are in development right now for film and television through Weird Tales and Lit Entertainment.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership. Weird Tales is a fantastic house, and I’m honored to be published alongside writers like Jonathan Maberry, Johnny Compton, and Kevin J. Anderson,” Janz told Bloody Disgusting. “I’m also beyond thrilled to have Lit Entertainment (and Weird Tales) developing MARLA for television and THE STARS HAVE LEFT THE SKIES and PANOPTICON for film. I’m so proud of these novels and can’t wait for readers and viewers to experience them!”
The first book in the new deal, Marla, hits stores this June, and follows a reclusive young woman embroiled in a series of grisly murders. Next up will be The Stars Have Left The Skies, a winter horror story billed as “The Thing meets The Mist.” And finally, there’s Panopticon, a “subterranean folk horror” book written by Janz and based on a concept from Lit Entertainment’s own Patrick White.
Marla is in development for television, while both The Stars Have Left The Skies and Panopticon are headed for the big screen. The deal comes through Janz’s literary agent, Lane Heymont, and literary manager, Adam Kolbrenner.
“Across these three novels, Jonathan has crafted relentlessly compelling, cinematic horror stories that subvert expectations and reward readers with bold, mind-bending storytelling,” Lit Entertainment Group’s Adam Kolbrenner and Patrick Whitesaid in a statement. “With its storied legacy of championing inventive and boundary-pushing work from legendary genre authors, Weird Tales is the perfect home for these books. Working with Jonathan and Weird Tales has been a blast, and we’re thrilled to continue collaborating to bring these stories to life on screen.”
A teacher and basketball coach by day, Janz has been cranking out indie horror releases for years, building a loyal readership that reached new heights with his two Children of the Dark novels and Veil. Now, as one of the fastest-rising stars in the horror lit space, he’s poised to reach the next level.
Author Jonathan Janz
Exclusives
‘Home Bodies’ Image & Poster Introduce Isolated Twins in Sci-Fi Nightmare [Fantasia 2026]
Sci-fi thriller Home Bodies is set to unsettle audiences at the 30th edition of Fantasia, and our exclusive image introduces a peculiar pair of twins at the center.
Home Bodies makes its World Premiere July 23, at 9:30 PM at Cinéma du Musée in Montreal, with the filmmakers and cast in attendance.
An eerie new poster created by Justin Erickson of Phantom City Creative heralds the film’s premiere.
In the film, “Red and Blue, twins raised in total isolation by an automated house, live according to the rules set by Papa, a disembodied voice behind a locked door who provides food, shelter, entertainment, and order. Their carefully controlled world is disrupted by the arrival of Pal, an enigmatic humanoid stranger whose presence begins to fracture the only life the twins have ever known.”
It’s a premise that calls another Canadian creeper to mind and has us intrigued: Pin.
Emma Ho, Ian Ho, and Ess Hödlmoser star.
Home Bodies is directed and produced by Casey Walker, who returns to Fantasia more than a decade after his horror-comedy A Little Bit Zombie screened at the festival in 2012. He’s since gone on to produce a number of defining Canadian genre films like In a Violent Nature, The Void, and Pyewacket.
“I started my career in Montreal and Fantasia has been part of my life ever since,” said Walker. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to return to where it all started and share Home Bodies on such a special anniversary of the festival.“
Karen Harnisch (Infinity Pool, Sleeping Giant) also produces. Executive producers are Todd Brown (The Raid, Mandy) and Chad Archibald (undertone).
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