Why Eastern Kentucky Is Featured So Prominently in My Books

One question I’ve been asked a few times is why so many of my stories are set in Eastern Kentucky.

The answer is actually pretty simple.

It’s home.

I was born and raised in Floyd County and still call Pike County home. Even during the time I lived away from here, Eastern Kentucky was always home.

These mountains, the winding back roads, the creeks, the forests, and the people who call this place home have shaped who I am. They’re places I know, places I’ve explored, and places that have inspired my imagination for as long as I can remember.

When I write, I don’t have to invent that feeling.

I know what the fog looks like rolling through a holler before sunrise. I know how quiet a mountain can become once the sun goes down. I know the stories that get passed from one generation to the next, the ghost stories, the strange encounters, the local legends that make you glance over your shoulder even when you know they probably aren’t true.

Those places deserve to be characters in my stories just as much as the people who live there.

Whether it’s the werewolves of Howling Moon, the faeries of Fairywood Falls, or the horror of Widow’s Ridge, Eastern Kentucky isn’t just a backdrop. It shapes the people, the choices they make, and the stories that unfold.

I also think this region deserves to be represented in fiction more often. Too many stories set in Appalachia focus only on stereotypes. While our region has certainly faced its share of hardships, it’s also filled with beauty, resilience, rich traditions, and generations of storytellers.

I hope that, in some small way, my stories reflect both the struggles and the spirit of the place I’ve always called home.

I imagine I’ll always write stories that return to these mountains.

After all, every writer has a place they keep coming back to.

For me, it’s Eastern Kentucky.

I’m excited to announce that I’ll once again be attending Possumfest!

📅 September 4–5, 2026
📍 Cumberland, Kentucky

This will be my second year setting up as a vendor, and I’m looking forward to another great year. I’ll have copies of all of my published books available, so whether you’re looking to pick up something new or just want to stop by and chat, I’d love to see you.

If you’re planning to attend Possumfest, be sure to come by my booth and say hello!

You can learn more about the festival here:
https://www.tricitieskymainstreet.com/possumfest

I’m also working on something special for my Patreon supporters to celebrate the event, so keep an eye out over the coming weeks. I can’t wait to share more!

Last night I had a new experience in my journey as an author.

A local book club chose Fairywood Falls as their January read and invited me to join them for a Q&A. There wasn’t a long panel or a formal presentation. Just readers, questions, and a conversation about the book and my journey as a writer.

It’s a strange and meaningful thing to answer questions about a story that once only existed in my head. When I was writing Fairywood Falls, it was just me and the page. The characters felt real to me, the setting felt lived in, but it was private. Quiet. Solitary. Sitting in a room with readers asking about the choices I made, the things they picked up on, and the journey of bringing the story together made it all feel… tangible.

What hit me most is how thoughtfully they engaged with the story.

It was humbling. Encouraging. A little surreal, if I’m being honest.

I’m incredibly grateful to the Cosmic Book Club for inviting me and for spending part of their year in Fairywood Falls. Experiences like that remind me why I keep writing.

— Steven Paul Watson

https://www.patreon.com/cw/stevenpaulwatson

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I’ll Be at the Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival!

I’m excited to officially announce that I’ll be attending the Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival on Saturday, May 30th in Stanton, Kentucky!

If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know Appalachia isn’t just a setting for me — it’s a character. The hills, the folklore, the strange stories whispered after dark — that spirit runs through everything I write. So being part of a festival celebrating Bigfoot in the Gorge feels right at home.

I’ll have signed copies of my books available, including titles from the Howling Moon series and other Appalachian dark-fantasy works.

But that’s not all.

I’ll also be bringing:

• Bigfoot canvas art
• Horror-themed canvas pieces
• Handmade woodworking items
• And a few other surprises for those who love the strange and unusual

If you enjoy mountain folklore, cryptids, handcrafted pieces, or just good conversation about monsters in the woods — come find my booth.

Whether you’re local or just looking for an excuse to spend a Saturday in one of Kentucky’s most beautiful and mysterious regions, I’d love to see you there.

Let’s celebrate the wild side of the mountains.

See you in Stanton.

— Steven Paul Watson

So this is running a little over a month behind, but here it is—Happy New Year!

I can’t say 2025 was my most productive year, because it wasn’t. Instead, I focused more on editing and polishing existing projects rather than writing a lot of new material. That was intentional. The goal was to set myself up for what I’m hoping will be a very busy few years ahead.

As many of you know, I have a lot of works in progress. I love writing. Editing and polishing, on the other hand… not so much. But that work has to be done, and I’m glad I spent the time doing it.

So what can you expect from me in the coming year?

At least two projects…

No details just yet—at least none I’m ready to put out into public consumption. That said, if you swing by my Patreon, you’ll probably get a pretty good idea of what’s coming, not just this year but over the next few as well.

Events…

Right now, my goal is to do a few more events this year than I did last year. As soon as I’m accepted into any, I’ll be sure to post updates.

For now, I just hope the new year is a great one for everyone. Thanks for reading, and thanks for sticking with me.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147515594?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

PossumFest!  September 6th!  I will have a lot of copies of Widows Ridge!  Just in time for spooky season!

“The hills of Harlan County are full of majestic beauty, hidden mysteries, and haunting tales that Dustin and Jacob grew up hearing. Widows Ridge was one of those terrifying tales. Widows Ridge, a story of a long-forgotten holler and the mesmerizing spider-like woman preying on anyone who would be tempted to trespass.

Dustin is to be married, but not before these two lifelong friends embark on his last hooray hunting trip that causes them to cross a web of trails that are long forgotten. They quickly learned the fabled stories that haunted their youth weren’t stories. What should have been a night of bonding for two old friends becomes a nightmare as the Widow seeks her prey.”

Broken Blood Moon is out!!!

The 3rd installment in the Howling Moon series!!!

Emily Meyer struggles every day with what she has become but had found a sort of peace with a pack of werewolves. A life of the unexpected, she has gained some control over the part of her that wants to run wild under the full moon.

A man from her past comes hounding after her, Hastings is now dealing with the same reality as her and wants answers. But Emily runs short of time when a distress call from home will force her to face her own nightmare. She must return to Appalachia to her ailing mother’s side and her vengeful best friend Ashley putting everyone at risk.

Broken Blood Moon picks up where Full Wolf Moon ends forcing Emily to return home with all her demons and a vengeful enemy following along.

https://a.co/d/cVcAD2g

Just quick post to start the New Year! If you’re a fan of my Howling Moon series…this is going to be the year for you!!

Broken Blood Moon is set to come out in May!!! You can preorder the ebook now!

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Blood-Moon-Howling-Book-ebook

I’m also planning on releasing a Novella starring Ashley in the coming year to let readers know exactly what she was up to while Emily was away….

I started the new year writing on book 4…

And of course there is the spin off which you can read the rough version of on my patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/c/stevenpaulwatson

Feather in a Gaslamp is now out! It’s on paperback, ebook and Kindle Unlimited!!!

I often get asked what is my favorite thing i’ve wrote….or what do I consider my best work…this is it. And for that very reason i’m also the most nervous about this release. It’s not a big genre like my Horror or Urban Fantasy where most of my other works fall.

I’ve loved steampunk for a very long time. Since my first dragon con I’ve loved the costumes and all the possibilities that come with ir!

So if you’re interested in something a little different! Give this a shot! I would greatly appreciate it!

3 Days until Feather in a Gaslamp comes out!!

As a youth Mia was pulled between two different ways of life and struggled to find a place to belong. She was met by violence and hatred by many until she met Logan. He pushed away the doubts and anger that plagued her.

Mia is hired to protect a young girl with connections to a wealthy family that will bring her closer to finding her missing husband. But when an invention comes into being, she will soon be pulled into a new extraordinary world, aboard the airship Ulysses.

With Logan no longer at her side, her issues begin to surface as she is pulled into a world of impossibility. Mia will cross paths with an old adversary, new alliances, gun slingers and an alluring man who may cause her to question her loyalties. Somewhere among them someone wants her and the young ward dead.

Still available for pre-order and it is also going to be on Kindle Unlimited!

https://a.co/d/aH6Y9vN