The Other Cover, Another Extra Cover, Bestseller Banners, and Bleeding Release Dates

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Annie Neugebauer

I’m so excited to share the cover for The Other, the second installment in The Outsiders Sequence.

It’s not a sequel. It’s next in the sequence…

A couple meet their doppelgangers on a hiking trail while camping and are soon tested on how well they truly know the other.

Releasing June 9th. Preorders are open now!

What’s more, how about an extra edition of The Extra?!? Now that my publisher has distribution through Simon & Schuster—which means my books will now be easily available in major stores!—they’re releasing an updated version of the first book in The Outsiders Sequence. Now with the series title, that killer Wall Street Jornal blurb, and matching the second book:

Ten people head out on a backpacking trip, but the first night eleven set up camp. Everyone remembers everyone else. Who is the extra?

Second edition preorders are open now!

[Please note that preorders opening for this second edition also means that the first edition is no longer available for order. You might find some copies floating around here and there, but otherwise will need to preorder this one. But don’t worry, it’ll be released on March 24, so you won’t have to wait long!]

While we’re at it, here’s some amazing news about The Extra! It’s now Shortwave’s 3rd bestselling title ever!! That’s absolutely unbelievable to me. It’s only been out for five months. If you click through to the publisher’s catalog page for the book, you’ll see that now it has a “bestseller” banner. 😀 Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported this little novella! Your preorders, reviews, and word of mouth are truly invaluable!

For those of you who’ve preordered my debut collection, You Have to Let Them Bleed, I want to thank you for your patience. That publisher *also* acquired major distribution (again, bookstores–YAY!), so we decided to push back the release date to utilize that. And since we had to hop over The Extra, it meant pushing it to this year. And now minor printing delays have caused us to bump it to March 17. (Final answer!!) Honestly, given the absolute chaos of the world and especially my corner of it, I’m not mad at a few extra weeks to catch up.

SO. If you’re up here near The Twin Cities, please stop by Next Chapter Booksellers at 6pm on March 17th for my launch event! And if you’re elsewhere, feel free to use these last few weeks to get in your preorders. If you order directly from Bad Hand Books, your copy will come with a signed bookplate while supplies last.

It’s a busy, busy few months for me. I hope to see you in the stacks!

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A Year of Long-Awaited Firsts

Posted on December 28, 2025 by Annie Neugebauer

It might come as no surprise that when I reflect on 2025, it’s largely shiny because it was full of firsts. I held *both* of my first two books in my hands for the first time. I received *all* of my first blurbs for them. I signed oodles of book plates. I moved out of my home state of Texas to Minnesota. I had my first launch party. I saw my books in-stores for the first time, with a shelf talker, a signed sticker, a local author sticker. I had my first in-person book signing. I was reviewed in some amazing publications, including The Wall Street Journal to high praise. Any way I slice it, it’s been an incredibly fulfilling year writing-wise, with so many firsts that were long held dreams come true.

It wasn’t just sitting back and enjoying the ride, though. This year was also packed with work. I published The Extra with Shortwave Publishing, a novella and my debut book. This included my first audibook, read by the talented Sean Patrick Hopkins. I also published two original short stories: “A Song of Being Left Behind” in F(r)iction Issue #25: Fairytales and “The Grief Machines” in Swing Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 1. One original poem came out: “The Bundles” in the Horror Writers Association’s Poetry Showcase XII. And I had a foreign language translation with “So Sings the Siren” being translated into Spanish: “Así Canta la Sirena” in Déjate Caer, La Tuerca Andante.

I also sold my first sequels! Shortwave loved my pitches for The Other and The Spare, which together with The Extra we’re calling The Outsiders Sequence. I had one story accepted in an incredibly competative anthology called Silent Nightmares: Haunting Stories to Be Told on the Longest Night of the Year, edited by Michael Bailey and Chuck Palahniuk, with Saga (Simon & Schuster). And I was invited to write a story for another anthology, announcement forthcoming. Of those sold, I wrote all but “We Have Always Been Red” this same year that I sold them, for somewhere around 55,000 words of fresh fiction.

Not bad for a world on fire, selling a house, moving across the country, starting a part-time volunteer job, and moving into a new home.

Next year, I’d love for the non-writing stuff to calm down, but the writing stuff looks just as full if not more so. My collection You Have to Let Them Bleed comes out soon, in February, with an in-person launch event planned for 2/17. The Extra’s second edition/re-release with Simon & Schuster distribution is in March. And The Other comes out in June. Not to mention the stories I sold, and whatever other bookish mischief I can get up to. It’s a cool job, and I’m grateful to do it every day. No matter what is happening around me, being able to turn (and return) to writing is one of my most steadfast gifts.

I hope that your year has had beautiful things in it, and that you face the coming one with hope and something to look forward to.

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Reverse Murder Mysteries, Laying an Egg, Shark Statistics, and Terrifying Babies: 2025 Award Eligible Work

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Annie Neugebauer

It’s yet again that season that all authors love to loathe: when we offer up our published works for the year in hopes that some ordinary literary hero will read them, nominate them, and vote for them in the major awards. Reader, I am no different. Humbly, my works from 2025:

The Extra
The Outsiders Sequence Book #1

long fiction/novella (24,600 words)

psychological horror, science fiction, thriller, suspense

Shortwave Publishing

Ten people head out on a backpacking trip,
but the first night eleven set up camp. Everyone remembers everyone else. Who is the extra?

“A Song of Being Left Behind”

short fiction (4,100 words)

horror, fantasy, weird, literary fiction

F(r)iction Issue #25: Fairytales

A woman who’s lost her partner in an unfathomable accident lays an egg, and must then contend with the wonder and horror of what, exactly, one does with an egg.

“The Grief Machines”

short fiction (6,200 words)

literary fiction

Swing Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 1

When Melanie Breck’s partner dies in a shark attack, she’s left floundering in grief that everyone else seems to know how to navigate. Caught in the machinery of others’ traditions, she has to find her own way to cope with the loss of her love.

“The Bundles”

poem (35 lines)

horror, dark fantasy

HWA Poetry Showcase XII

Driving home in the wee hours of the night, our narrator sees an exodus of figures from the houses in their neighborhood, each one carrying or pulling along a child-sized bundle. The figures walk in a trance to some unknown destination, and the narrator rushes home hoping to find their babies safe.

It’s been a true joy to have these works reach readers this year.

If you’re a nominating/voting member of an organization that runs any of the major awards and would like a digital copy of one of my works for consideration, please reach out with your email! And for anyone who’s interested in these works in general, just click on the cover images to find where you can order a copy.

Thank you so much!

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Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Psyching Out at #1, Sales Up by 400%, and a Glowing Review in The Wall Street Journal

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Annie Neugebauer

I’ve received enough amazing news lately from my publisher and beyond that I thought it’s time for an update here. How have things been going with the debut, you ask? Well, friends, let me tell you.

At launch, The Extra hit #1 on Ingram’s sales charts in a couple of categories: psychological horror and sci-fi. All of science ficiton. (!) In fact, it’s STILL #1 on Ingram’s Psychological Horror charts! (I will resist discussing genre for now, but to give you a broad perspective, Goodreads readers have shelved it most commonly in these terms: horror, science fiction, novella, thriller, fiction, mystery, audiobook, adult, suspense, favorites :D)

In the less than two months since release (September 9th), The Extra sales have increased nearly 400% over launch day sales totals! That means the magic thing that all authors hope for: word is spreading. People are talking. The book is gaining traction after launch rather than losing steam.

My publisher also shared that The Extra is nearing Shortwave’s Top 5 All-Time Bestsellers list. This is stellar news not just because I want the book to do well for my sake (duh), but also because I want it to be successful for my publisher! They’ve taken a huge chance on me, a debut, with not one but THREE novellas in The Outsiders Sequence, so this is validating and encouraging.

And in a plot twist I never saw coming, The Wall Street Journal reviewed The Extra in their paper (digital and print!!) with glowing praise. Some highlights:

“Annie Neugebauer’s The Extra offers a short, sharp shock; a combination of logistical and existential dread makes it feel like a much longer (and more frightening) experience.”

“Ms. Neugebauer is a poet and speculative-fiction writer who is no stranger to tales of horror. With The Extra she has written a nearly perfect, claustrophobic novella with a very effective countdown clock.”

“If you have time for only one terrifying tale this spooky season, make room for The Extra.”

All of this feels overwhelming, surreal, and slightly unbelievable to me as I gather it together for a blog update. It may not be an instant international bestseller, but damn, this is good stuff. Some more odds and ends to share:

I joined in on Next Chapter Bookseller’s Bookstore Horror Day here in Minneapolis–Saint Paul this weekend, and I sold out of The Extra before my hour was up! I met so many cool readers, tabled with fellow Shortwave author Patrick Barb, and had a blast. If you’re in the Twin Citities, be sure to check out Next Chapter.

My dear longtime writing friend and critique partner Lisa Bubert hosted me in her wonderful newsletter sharing some more behind-the-scenes writerly stuff about The Extra, including submission stats! If you’re not already subscribed to Lisa’s newletter, go sign up!

We broke through 100 written reviews on Goodreads and are well over 300 ratings! 50 on Amazon. Only a couple on Barnes & Noble. We need more everywhere! If you’ve enjoyed the book, please do consider copy-pasting a sentence or two saying why into your favorite sites. It really helps new readers take the leap.

Other free ways to help boost the book: mention it at your local bookstores. Request it through your library. Talk about it with your friends. Suggest it for your book club. Share posts online. So many of you have already done so much of this, and all I can say is thank you. It’s helping!!

I had a fabulous launch party. I’ve seen my book on library shelves. I’ve seen my book on bookstore shelves. I’ve seen my book with a shelf talker. I’ve signed my book for readers who’ve read it and loved it. Basically, I’m having the time of my life and savoring every single second of this ride. I have no idea what the future holds, but right now this part of things is an absolute blast.

Thank you to everyone who is celebrating with me, boosting the signal, and, of course, reading the book! I’m so grateful for you all.

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Activate Launch Day: THE EXTRA Has Arrived

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Annie Neugebauer

Why is it that days that feel like they’ll never get here always end up sneaking up on you?

Today is the day my first book officially releases, although for weeks now support and early reads and reviews have been rolling in like a tidal wave of joy. And now the day–9/9–is finally here and I am swept away in it. Truly, it feels like a dream come true.

It all started with a high concept idea. What if, instead of someone going missing, there was an extra?

Ten people head out on a backpacking trip,
but the first night eleven set up camp.
Everyone remembers everyone else.
Who is the extra?

Well, that idea has grown up to become my debut book, a novella called The Extra that you can now buy wherever you buy your books. Paperback direct from my publisher, ebook, audiobook from Audible (narrated by the talented Sean Patrick Hopkins), or ordered from most major chains or independent bookstores!

Not sold yet? Here’s what some award-winning and bestselling authors have to say:

And reviewers:

Want to know what you’re getting into, exactly? Here’s what you’ll find inside:

And if you’re thinking that a slim little novella just isn’t enough, you’re in luck, because The Extra is book #1 in The Outsiders Sequence, a trilogy of shared-world novellas. The Other comes out next year, and The Spare in 2027, so make sure you get your copy of The Extra now.

I would love so much if you’d join us to celebrate at the virtual launch party tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 6pm CST. You can come whether you’ve read the book yet or not, or even upgrade your free ticket to one that includes a personalized print copy mailed to you. It will include readings by the audiobook narrators, Q&A, and a teaser of book #2! It’s being hosted by my wonderful publisher Alan Lastufka and fantastic agent Alec Shane, and it’s going to be a blast! Just look at this crew!

And last but not least, if you’re a writer who’s been following me on my blog, or anyone who’s intersted in the “behind the scenes” of the writing life, I’m back as a guest today at my old stomping grounds Writer Unboxed sharing this book’s surprising journey with “You Don’t Choose Your Train.” How lovely to be so warmly welcomed back.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s helping make this debut special. It means the whole damn world. ♥

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