Picture an American storyteller who spins tales that keep you up all night, heart pounding and lights on—meet Michaelbrent Collings! This former lawyer turned horror maestro has carved a unique path in the indie publishing world, blending adrenaline-fueled narratives with raw emotion. From his bestselling novels to his screenplays, Collings’s work captivates readers and writers alike with its versatility and intensity.
Born into a creative family, Collings was destined to tell stories. His father, a creative writing professor, nurtured his talent from a young age, sparking a lifelong passion for crafting worlds that thrill and terrify. Today, he’s a beacon for indie authors, proving you don’t need a traditional publisher to make waves in the literary world.
The Making of Michaelbrent Collings
Michaelbrent Collings started writing at age four, guided by his father, Michael R. Collings, a literature professor at Pepperdine University. Growing up in a household where storytelling was king, he honed his craft early, publishing his first story at fifteen in a local paper. After earning a law degree and practicing as a construction contract litigator, Collings returned to his first love: writing. His leap into self-publishing with Run in 2010 was a game-changer, hitting bestseller lists without marketing and launching his career as a full-time author.
Michaelbrent Collings’s Unforgettable Stories
Collings is best known for horror, but his pen knows no bounds, dipping into thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, young adult, and even Western romance under the pseudonym Angelica Hart. His novel Strangers traps a family in their home with a madman, weaving themes of isolation and secrets into a chilling narrative. The Deep, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, plunges readers into an oceanic nightmare, blending science and terror. The Colony: Genesis kicks off an apocalyptic series with relentless zombie action, showcasing his knack for high-octane pacing. Apparition tackles the haunting topic of filicide, delivering emotional depth alongside scares.
His writing style is cinematic, with vivid imagery and breakneck pacing that mirrors his screenwriting roots, evident in films like Barricade (2012). Collings’s stories often explore family, loss, and resilience, drawing from personal experiences, including the tragic loss of a child. Critics praise his ability to subvert expectations, with Publishers Weekly calling his work “gripping” and “visceral.”
Why Michaelbrent Collings Matters
Michaelbrent Collings has redefined indie horror, earning accolades like multiple Bram Stoker and Dragon Award nominations, a feat unmatched by any other author. His success, built on over 80 novels, inspires aspiring writers, especially through his Bestseller Life course, where he mentors storytellers to become “storysellers.” As a mental health advocate and TEDx speaker, Collings openly discusses his struggles with depression, connecting with readers on a human level. His influence extends beyond books, shaping the indie publishing landscape and proving that talent and persistence can outshine traditional gatekeepers.
- Born: October 29, 1974
- Key Works: Strangers, The Deep, The Colony: Genesis, Apparition
- Awards: Bram Stoker Award finalist (2016), Dragon Award finalist (2020, 2021)
- Fun Fact: Collings is a martial artist, adding authenticity to his action scenes.
Snag Strangers or dive into The Deep for a thrilling ride into Michaelbrent Collings’s world of horror and heart!