The Haunting of Chavez Ravine: A Novella

The Haunting of Chavez Ravine, a novella about La Llorona, is now out in the world. The title is apt. While I never lived in Chavez Ravine, it’s haunted me through the years.

I have two other books set in the old neighborhoods of […]

The Spore Queen and Brujeria

My new book is out today! The Spore Queen is a psychological, fungal horror story (some people call it “sporrer!”) featuring mystery and family secrets. But what you won’t see mentioned in the summary of The Spore Queen is brujeria, or Mexican witchcraft. It does play a part […]

Forest. Fungi. Family Secrets: The Spore Queen

Here’s a first look at the summary of my upcoming new book release, The Spore Queen. It’s my first venture into fungal and psychological horror and the sixth novel in the Dark Earth Rising series. The standalone books can be read in any order. 

The Spore Queen […]

La Llorona Sightings Of My L.A. Childhood

You’ve probably heard of La Llorona, the legendary phantom woman who weeps for her lost children. While researching La Llorona for my next story, I made an amazing discovery, one that connects her to the same street in Boyle Heights, East L.A. where I spent most weekends at […]

The Spore Queen Cover Reveal

Cover reveal for The Spore Queen, the sixth book in my Dark Earth Rising series of standalone books.

It’s my first venture into fungal and psychological horror!

I’m planning for an April 25, 2024 release. There will be a brief discounted pre-order for the ebook about […]

Dark Earth Rising

With three books and counting in the Dark Earth Rising series, an explanation is a bit overdue! So here it is:

Dark Earth Rising is the title of my series of standalone horror books that can be read in any order.

~So far, there are no […]

The Root Witch After Halloween

It turns out, there is life after Halloween for The Root Witch!

Several wonderful things happened for my eco-horror novel set in a spooky aspen forest in Utah.

Book Riot included it in a list of plant-based horror titles.

Which was so amazing! I didn’t […]

Which Witch?

If you read The Root Witch: An Urban Legend Caught on Tape short story, I thank you! If you left a review saying the story was too short and wanted more, as many did, you got your wish!

Those comments rattled around in my head. But could […]

You have questions? I have answers!

First off, thanks for stopping by. I’m going to do my best to update this as often as time allows. The purpose is to answer any questions you might have. If it doesn’t, shoot me an email at debracastaneda831@gmail.com.  I may write scary books, but I’m a friendly […]

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