The 2018 Lovecraft-Inspired Holiday Gift Guide

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Books • Music • Apparel • Games • Housewares • Miskatonic

BOOKS

The Sea Dreams it is the Sky by John Hornor Jacobs
$3.99 (eBook)
A new cosmic horror novella written by one of the most talented new mythos voices working today. A young professor finds herself meeting a mysterious poet known only as “The Eye.” Her relationship leads to an ancient and profane grimoire and a pull home that cannot be ignored. (Also look into John’s fantastic and wonderfully weird Incorruptibles series.)

A Song for Quiet by Cassandra Khaw
$11.99 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $3.99 (eBook)
Returning to the world of the haunted John Persons from her debut novella Hammer on the Bone (Featured in 2017’s Gift Guide) Khaw introduces us to rambling bluesman Deacon James who’s horn calls up far more than he bargained in this gritty cosmic horror novella.

The Stars Were Right by K. M. Alexander
$14.00 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $2.51 (eBook)
With Book Four on the way, now is the perfect time to start reading my Bell Forging Cycle. Follow Waldo Bell as he is sent careening through the multi-level megalopolis of Lovat fighting to clear his name as he’s stalked by a bloodthirsty killer. It’s mystery and monsters, chases and cults, and an ancient evil in a world that is similar but not quite like our own.

Sip by Brian Allen Carr
$15.00 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $9.99 (eBook)
This poetic and wildly bizarre post-apocalyptic novel hooked me from the beginning. A story of violence and addiction set in a world where people can drink (and then begin to crave) shadows. Wildly creative, gritty as hell, raw, unapologetic, and wonderfully written—Sip is a must-read for weird fiction fans that like their weird on the darker side.

Beneath by Kristi DeMeester
$16.99 + Free Shipping (Paperback) $6.99 (eBook)
Set in rural Appalachia, Beneath follows Cora Mayburn, a journalist, assigned to cover a snake-handling cult. Struggling against her own history, Cora soon discovers there is much more going on behind the fundamentalist sect. Something darker, something that lies… beneath. (Signed paperback & ebook bundle available directly from Word Horde.)

Deep Roots by Ruthanna Emrys
$20.19 + Free Shipping (Hardcover) $13.99 (eBook)
The second novel of the Innsmouth Legacy Series (the first of which was featured in 2017’s Holiday Gift Guide) follows Aphra Marsh as she seeks to reclaim the village of Innsmouth—her homeland—from the hands of greedy developers. This is much more than a struggle over land, people begin to go missing and Marsh must unravel the mystery before losing everything.

The Searching Dead by Ramsey Campbell
$30.13 + Free Shipping (Hardcover)
The first novel of The Three Births of Daoloth, the first cosmic horror series from Ramsey Campbell, arguably one of the greatest modern horror writers of our time. Dominic Sheldrake is a student in ’50s Liverpool who’s field trip to France revels much more than he expected and exposed him to secrets much darker and deeper than he could begin to realize.

Not finding a book you like? Check out the books featured on one of the previous guides.
• 2014’s Books • 2015’s Books • 2016’s Books • 2017’s Books •

MUSIC & AUDIO

Yog-Sothoth by Cryo Chamber
$9.00 (Digital Download) $19.00 + Shipping (CD)
The latest in their Lovecraftian dark ambient soundscapes, the crew of Cryo Chamber creates an album of surrealist dread that takes us across the eons and is fitting for the outer god of time. (If you really want to full experience I highly recommend the full Lovecraft Bundle as a set they’re damn near perfect. This is music I like to write to.)

The Music of Erich Zann by Forma Tadre
€9.00 ($10.00 USD) (Digital Download)
I found myself pleasantly surprised by this album—and I’m not generally into EDM. A mix of dark ambient and German electronic with a touch of industrial The Music of Erich Zann takes the 1925 story into some interesting places. If you’re a Lovecraft-loving EDM fan then you’ll be right at home with Forma Tadre’s labor of love.

Black Goat Of The Woods by Black Mountain Transmitter
£8.99 ($12.00 USD) + Shipping (CD) £4.00 ($5.00 USD) (Digital Download)
This hard-to-find ode to the lore of Shub Niggurath has been recently re-released. A forgotten and distorted ambient soundtrack to a horror movie you’ve never seen and one you might not want to. Atmospheric and haunting it’s the perfect companion to a gaming session or a late night read.

An Even Scarier Solstice
$20.00 + Shipping (CD)
The H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society is known for quality audio productions (among other things) and this incredible follow-up to their A Very Scary Solstice album continues to inject cosmic horror into songs styled after classic Christmas music. The perfect soundtrack for those yule nights before the fire with a cup of mulled wine—also for creeping out the family.

Not finding any music or audio that interests you? Check out one of the previous guides.
• 2014’s Music • 2015’s Music • 2016’s Music • 2017’s Music •

APPAREL

Bell Caravans Patch
$5.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
This beautiful 3″ patch, designed by illustrator Sean Cumiskey, is the perfect way of declaring your loyalty to your beloved caravan master. Put it on your backpack, a tote, or display it on the sleeve of your jacket, just make sure the world knows who you roll with. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

The Call of Cthulhu Tee
€20.00 ($26.00 USD) + Shipping (Order Early)
I don’t feature a lot of T-shirts on here because most Lovecraftian-themed shirts come across as a bit… uh, silly. More comedic in tone than anything cosmic. But this shirt from Credo quia Absurdum is different, like most of their work, it draws off ancient esoterica to create stunning designs that feel more darkly authentic than cheesy.

Deep One Brooch
$25.00 (Silver) + Shipping (Order Early)
Ignore Zadok Allen’s warnings, that man’s just an ol’ drunk. No one pays attention to him anymore. This small resin brooch with silver leaf was apparently worn by members of Innsmouth’s elite Esoteric Order of Dagon. Each item—and there are a limited few—comes in its own specimen box. Worthy of any Innsmouth collector.

Octopus Tentacle Ring
$35.92 USD (Sterling Silver) + Shipping
This charming little ring from Serebra Jewelry is delightfully detailed and evokes the reaching tentacles of Cthulhu himself. The ring is made from .925 Sterling silver and adjusts to fit fingers from size 4-14. Consider pairing this with the tentacle ear cuffs as well. After all, a Cthulhu devotee might as well double down on their devotion.

Cthulhu Cufflinks
$36.00 (Golden Brass) $66.00 (Sterling Silver)
You’re a person of taste and refinement. Culture. Perhaps you’re a bit fancier than your average cultist (or this humble author) and you need to wear fancy shirts that require cufflinks. Well, you can go wrong with these lovely little monstrosities. Stylized images of Cthulhu that remain as terrifying as they are tasteful.

Bell Caravans Hoodie
$55.00 + Shipping
Join the caravan with this classic zip hoodie with a warm fleece lining. The full Bell Caravans logo designed by Sean Cumiskey is on the back, while the small wheel-and-bell symbol resides on the front. Stay warm, look good, fight the Firsts. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Large Elder Goddess Tentacle Horns
$225.00 + Shipping
Looking for the perfect piece to take your Pan + Cthulhu cosplay to the next level? (The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young was Cthulhu’s grandmother after all.) Consider these tentacle “horns” which come in a variety of incredible colors or customized to your liking. Do these look too large? Fret not, they also come in a smaller size for more subdued dreaming.

Not finding any apparel you like? Check out apparel on one of the previous guides.
• 2014’s Apparel • 2015’s Apparel • 2016’s Apparel • 2017’s Apparel •

GAMES

The Shrouded Isle
$9.99 (Digital Download)
In this management sim from Kitfox Games, you play the high priest of an island cult working to fulfill the orders of Chernobog. To do this you must bring about the apocalypse, choosing servants to sacrifice. Each game is procedurally generated yet a surprisingly engaging foray into the dark world of the island’s inhabitants. Complex and addictive.

Cultist Simulator
$19.99 (Digital Download)
I featured Cultist Simulator last year when it was in alpha, and I’m leaving it on here this year because it has launched and it is amazing. Beginnings have to start somewhere, Alexis Kennedy—director and writer of Sunless Sea (Featured in the 2015 Gift Guide)—explores the rise of a Lovecraft-esque cult in a strange little narrative card game.

The Doom that Came to Atlantic City
$75.00 + Shipping (Price may vary depending on availability)
Here’s a twist on a Lovecraftian board game. In this, you play as one of the Lovecraft’s great old-ones and you’ve recently been awakened by one of your mischievous cults and called back to… Atlantic City? But your not alone, you’re competing with your fellow elder-things and trying to crush houses and hotels, shatter realities, call down doom.

Cthulhu: Death May Die
$100 and up + Shipping
The ritual is already happening and it’s up to you and your team of investigators to stop the madness and maybe shoot an elder god in the face. Featuring beautiful figures, engaging gameplay, and loads of scenarios. There’s a lot to unpack and Death My Die looks to be more than just a game, it’s a lifestyle.

CARCOSA: Rise of the Cult
$249.99 (Three Shipments)
Not a games as much as experiences, the Mysterious Package Company tells engaging and customizable stories through the mail. They’re like an interactive alternative reality game. This latest production explores the mystery surrounding a secret society honoring the sinister Yellow King. It’s up to you to decide what is true and what is a fabrication.

Not finding a game you’d enjoy? Check out the games on one of the previous guides.
• 2014’s Games • 2015’s Games • 2016’s Games • 2017’s Games •

HOUSEWARES

Cree-Pee Lovecraftian Portfolio
$8.50 + Shipping (Single) $15.00 + Shipping (Three Pack)
A humorous riff on the classic Pee-Chee folders from yesteryear replaces the sporting life with the esoteric investigatory life. The sort that includes monsters and cults and running from monsters and cults. Also research, always research. Pay close attention to the interior flaps as well, you’ll find a lot of handy information within.

King in Yellow Christmas Cards
$12.00 + Shipping
I’ve long been a fan of Heather Hudson’s illustrations, and her Lovecraftian Christmas Cards are the perfect way to add a little cosmic horror to the holiday season. There’s more than just the King in Yellow, she also has several sets based on the Dreamlands stories and a more general Lovecraftiana set. Also available as gift wrap.

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug
$16.00 + Shipping (Order by Dec. 10th for Christmas Delivery.)
It’s cold out and you need a new mug. Why not pick one up from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s latest hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of bad coffee, your favorite tea, or something stronger. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Carafe of Cthulhu Designer Series Tiki Mug
$28.00 + Shipping
Cthulhu goes kitsch! Designed by William Stout, this fancy (and canon) tiki mug is perfect for your favorite tropical-themed adult beverage—or anything really. After all, we know the true translation of “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn” happens to be “In his house at R’lyeh, chill Cthulhu sips mai tais.”

Lovecraftian R’lyeh Coin
$42.27 + Shipping
I’m a sucker for props—especially well-designed props—and I found these R’lyehian coins to be fantastic little objects. Made to order, these double-sided coins come in their own little box and feature the countenance of the great old one on the obverse and strange markings (Aklo perhaps? Gotta be.) on the reverse.

Lord Cthulhu Laser Engraving
$125.00 + Shipping (Order early)
Sometimes you’re looking for something more than just your typical print to hang on your wall. This engraved panel is different enough to stand out. Burned into maple, this limited edition beautiful laser etched engraving features the visage of the high priest of R’lyeh himself.

Nyarlathotep Statuette
$290 + Shipping (Ships in 2019)
Paul Komoda has made a name for himself designing the maddening creatures from Lovecraft’s mythos. (He did the designs for the figures in The Doom that Came to Atlantic City.) Here he captures the Crawling Chaos showing his true form in all his terrible glory. (I particularly like the stack of books he’s standing on.)

Not finding a houseware item you like?
Check out the housewares from one of the previous guides.
• 2016’s Housewares • 2017’s Housewares •

MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY

Miskatonic University Patch
$7.50 + Shipping (Order Early)
There’s something retro in the styling of this 3-inch Miskatonic U Patch that makes it stand out from the myriad of other Lovecraft-related ephemera. The color and lettering look like something taken directly from the 20s, so it fits its era splendidly. Plus, it’d look great on your book bag.

Miskatonic Varsity Pins Vol. II
$10.00 + Shipping (Each) $65.00 + Shipping (All Eight)
The HPLHS has released another set of beautifully designed enameled pins for students of Miskatonic University. (Check out the first set here.) Perfect for your letterman jacket and a great way to show other alumni your club participation and sporting achievements.

The Antarctica Fragment
$65.00 + Shipping (Order Early)
This limited edition collector’s item is direct from the University’s Special Collections Department and taken from the Antarctica Expedition. It depicts a bizarre otherworldly scene in relief. The object comes premounted in its own velvet lined box complete with a collections tag. There’s only a handful left, so get those orders in early!

The Angell Box
$1,000 + Shipping (Order Early)
For the serious collector or the most dedicated game master. HPLHS has put together this highly detailed real-life version of the box of occult papers and artifacts left behind by Professor George Gammell Angell in the Lovecraft’s story The Call of Cthulhu. Each box is assembled by hand and takes a few weeks to prepare so order early.

Not finding any Miskatonic stuff you like?
Check out the Miskatonic University items from one of the previous guides.
• 2014’s Miskatonic • 2015’s Miskatonic • 2016’s Miskatonic • 2017’s Miskatonic •

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

So that wraps up the 5th annual List of Lists. Big thank you to the wonderful folks who read this blog, and the gibbering weirdos over at r/Lovecraft, r/Cthulhu, and r/WeirdLit who helped me pad out this list. Y’all rule. If I didn’t get to your submission, fret not, there are many more holidays ahead. I appreciate the help.

Do you have a book, game, album, or other Lovecraftian items I should feature in 2019’s Lovecraft-Inspired Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below or send me an email!

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