Help Bring Cryptic Fates to Life – A Cryptid Horror Novel Inspired by True Encounters

Two years ago, I took a trip to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. I stood in front of the towering Mothman statue—the same legend that sparked panic, wonder, and fascination back in the late 1960s. That trip didn’t just leave me with photos and memories… it lit a fire.

I’ve always loved cryptids. From the Jersey Devil to Skinwalkers to the Black-Eyed Children, these stories have followed me my whole life. Not just as folklore—but as inspiration.

That love grew into something more: a horror novel… or more accurately, an entire universe of interconnected paranormal stories.”

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About the Book: Cryptic Fates

Cryptic Fates is a horror novel set in the aftermath of a cryptid outbreak. It draws heavily from real-life legends and modern myth—like the Mothman sightings, Appalachian horror stories, the Chernobyl disaster, and even local legends native to my home of Indiana —to create a grounded but terrifying world where humanity is no longer at the top of the food chain.

This isn’t just a monster book. It’s about survival, government cover-ups, psychological horror, and what happens when the legends we dismiss as bedtime stories start clawing their way into reality.

I’ve spent the past year building this universe—writing, refining, and expanding a story that now includes multiple planned novels, spinoffs, and even animation and visual media.

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Where the Funds Go

Your support will help me self-publish Cryptic Fates with the quality and care it deserves—without relying on predatory publishers or overpriced services. I’m handling the editing and formatting directly with the help of AI tools and expert feedback to ensure the story is clean, terrifying, and true to its vision.

Here’s what the funds will help cover:

• Developmental & Copy Editing Support – refining the story, grammar, and flow with AI-assisted tools

• Professional Formatting – for seamless print and eBook publishing

• ISBN & Distribution Costs – to get Cryptic Fates officially registered and available across platforms like Amazon

• Cover Art – haunting and professional, to make it stand out in the horror section

• Visual Assets & Promotion – including AI-generated art, short animations, or thumbnails to help build visibility online

• Print Copies – physical editions for readers, giveaways, and conventions

• Creative Tools & Software – to support the expansion of the Cryptid Fates universe into future books, games, and visual content

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Why This Matters

This isn’t just a book—it’s a dream. One that blends my love for horror, storytelling, and all the strange things lurking just beyond our understanding. By supporting this project, you’re helping an indie creator bring something fresh to the world of horror fiction—something grounded in real legends but told in a way you’ve never seen before.

Whether you’re here for the monsters, the conspiracies, or just to support a writer trying to turn a passion into a published work—I’m grateful you’re here.

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Thank You

Even if you can’t contribute, just sharing this campaign means the world.

Let’s make Cryptic Fates a reality—and open the floodgates for what comes next.