Velvet Obsidian Books: A New Chapter Begins for Indie Horror
Shaun M Jooste 
Moira Ashe has officially rebranded Black Envelope Books as Velvet Obsidian Books, ushering in an exciting new chapter for her growing indie horror initiative. While the name has changed, the mission remains exactly the same: helping readers discover exceptional independent horror authors and giving talented writers another platform to reach new audiences.
For followers of the project, this marks the beginning of a fresh identity that embraces the dark elegance and atmosphere at the heart of horror fiction.
A New Name for an Evolving Vision
When Black Envelope Books was first introduced, it set out with a simple but powerful goal: connect horror readers with outstanding indie authors who deserve greater recognition. Since then, the project has continued to grow, attracting interest from both readers and writers within the independent publishing community.
As the brand evolved, Moira Ashe recognised the opportunity to give the project an identity that better reflected its long-term vision. The result is Velvet Obsidian Books, a name that evokes mystery, sophistication, and the darker side of storytelling.
The rebrand represents an exciting step forward rather than a change in direction. Readers can still expect the same passion for indie horror that made Black Envelope Books such an exciting project to follow.
Helping Readers Discover Indie Horror
The new brand proudly carries the tagline:
Helping Readers Discover Indie Horror, One Dark Tale at a Time.
Those words perfectly capture what Velvet Obsidian Books hopes to achieve. Independent horror is filled with remarkable authors producing unforgettable stories across supernatural horror, psychological thrillers, folk horror, creature features, and countless other subgenres.
Velvet Obsidian Books exists to help readers uncover those hidden gems while giving deserving authors another opportunity to place their work in front of passionate horror fans.
As the platform grows, readers can look forward to discovering new voices, exciting recommendations, and carefully curated selections from across the indie horror landscape.
Why Strong Branding Matters
A memorable brand does more than provide a recognisable name. It creates an identity that readers immediately associate with a particular experience and helps build trust within a community.
Velvet Obsidian Books reflects the dark beauty, mystery, and elegance that horror readers often seek. The refreshed branding creates a strong visual and thematic identity while remaining true to the project’s original purpose.
As the indie publishing world becomes increasingly competitive, having a distinctive brand helps readers remember where they discovered their next favourite author.
Author Shaun M Jooste Featured by Velvet Obsidian Books
Among the authors already featured by Velvet Obsidian Books is Celenic Earth Publications CEO Shaun M Jooste, whose passion for atmospheric horror and dark storytelling continues to resonate with readers around the world. As both an independent publisher and award-winning author, Shaun has long championed the indie publishing community while crafting stories that blend psychological tension, supernatural horror, and emotional depth.
His feature on Velvet Obsidian Books reflects the project’s commitment to showcasing talented independent voices and introducing readers to compelling horror they may not otherwise discover. It’s a collaboration built on a shared appreciation for quality storytelling and a desire to help indie authors reach wider audiences.
As Velvet Obsidian Books enters this exciting new chapter, we’re proud to see one of our own authors included among the growing collection of featured writers. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Moira Ashe as she builds an even stronger platform for discovering outstanding indie horror.
Looking Ahead
At Celenic Earth Publications, we’re excited to see Black Envelope Books evolve into Velvet Obsidian Books and look forward to watching the brand continue to grow. Moira Ashe’s passion for supporting independent horror authors remains as strong as ever, and this refreshed identity provides an excellent foundation for the future.
We encourage our readers to follow Velvet Obsidian Books as it continues helping readers discover indie horror, one dark tale at a time. Here’s to an exciting new chapter and many more chilling stories waiting to be discovered.
