Writer of Dark Fiction and Twisty Tales

Welcome to my website!

As an avid reader, I’ve always enjoyed stories that are just a little “off.” A few years ago, I began creating my own tales. See the Short Fiction tab for a full listing of my published work. 

My most recent short story, “Bottomless,” was published in the Books of Horror Community Anthology, Volume 5, Part 1, released January 2026. Sylvia hits bottom and agrees to help a gnome regain stolen treasure in exchange for a cut of the loot. But can a gnome be trusted? 

I’m excited to announce the publication of my first short story collection, Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice, released on October 17, 2025. Feedback has been very positive. Read some of the comments below! 

Don’t forget to check out my novel, a supernatural thriller titled The Vanishing Twin. 

Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice is my debut collection of short fiction. I had great fun putting the collection together, and early readers have enjoyed it.

I’ve structured the collection as a menu with eight courses, each containing a pair of like stories. Bartley Penfold is a character in one of the included stories, and acts as the maitre’d for the collection. Here’s the menu:

• APPETIZER – Myths & Legends

• SOUP COURSE – Cursed Objects

• SALAD COURSE – Plants & Fungi

• PALATE CLEANSER – Evil Children

• FISH COURSE – Mermaids & Pirates

• MEAT COURSE – Creatures Great & Small

• CHEESE COURSE – Wee Folk

• DESSERT – The After Times

The collection was released on October 17, 2025. It’s available in e-book (including KU) and paperback. Find it HERE. 

Praise for Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice

“A menagerie of hungry familiars perfectly paired with rich, evolving bouquets. From Asti to Reisling, Williams pours her readers into the sprawling branches of Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice. Intoxicating!” – L. E. Daniels, Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker Award® finalist, author of Serpent’s Wake: A Tale for the Bitten

“Each story a delectable taste, Valerie Williams delivers a fine menu of fiction whimsical and dark, funny and sad. Each story brings its own contribution to a most enjoyable palate.” – Patrick Freivald, Bram Stoker Award® finalist

“From haunted heirlooms to sinister swamp cryptids, Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice will satisfy your appetite for horror and leave you craving more. It’s easy to see why Valerie B. Williams is sought after by many a curator of short stories; prepare to savor every page of her latest.” – Christa Carmen, author of The Daughters of Block Island and How to Fake a Haunting

“With her stylish narrative voice, Valerie Williams brings you a delicious assortment of frights (complete with wine pairings). With its courses rooted in history, mythology, childhood nightmares, and pure adult dread, Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice will satiate your cravings but likely leave you hungry for more. The perfect option for late-night when you’re feeling peckish.” – Stephen Mark Rainey, author of The House at Black Tooth Pond, Fugue Devil Resurgence, The Nightmare Frontier, and many others

“Valerie Williams creates a feast of fear with course after course of monsters and mayhem. Her voice is clear and her knife is sharp. This collection deserves a place on every horror reader’s shelf.” – Donna J. W. Munro, author of the Poppet Cycle Series

“Add three parts of scares and a dash of wicked fun for Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice, a culinary delight of Horror tales for sinister, ghastly, and gruesome palates.” – Eric J. Guignard, Bram Stoker Award® and Shirley Jackson Award winner, author of A Graveside Gallery

“In Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice, Valerie B. Williams serves up a full meal of speculative fiction: cursed mirrors that offer glimpses of lost loved ones, fungi that discover the boys hunting them, mermaids hidden in barrels of salt pork, and gnomes with an appetite for more than grave goods. With Penfold himself as a sly, unsettling host, these stories had me lingering over this literary feast. Perfect for readers who savor speculative tales spiced with folklore, gothic dread, and a wicked grin. I loved every word.” – Angela Yuriko Smith, Two-time Bram Stoker Award® winner, publisher of Space and Time magazine

“Valerie Williams hands readers an enticing eight course meal of exquisite tales in Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice. Sixteen dark and fantastic stories with a range that spread from the Appetizer (Myths and Legends) and Soup (Cursed Objects) to the main chow of meaty goodness (Creatures Great and Small). Who is Penfold and why is this sumptuous platter of sixteen stories worth carving up, slowly to enjoy the author’s fine grasp of the fantastic that simmers in the shadows? Grab your fork and knife to read about this titular character and the effect he has on this wonderful collection. Williams, like Penfold, has magic up her sleeves in the best, and darkest, ways. Sit down and crack this one open—and bring your appetite. Recommended reading. – David Simms, Cemetery Dance and author of Fear The Reaper

“Replete with monsters, goddesses, cursed objects, and one very hungry giant boar, Valerie B. Williams’ Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice is an otherworldly delight! This is a feast that has something that will please every horror reader.” – Douglas Ford, author of Let’s Cut Up Dad! and Other Stories of Transgressive Madness

“With this collection of delectable dark delights, Valerie B. Williams proves herself to be horror fiction’s equivalent of a culinary virtuoso, and these wonderful stories will make a rich banquet for readers!” – Tim Waggoner, Four-Time Bram Stoker Award® winner and author of The World Turns Red