There’s no trick to finding a good Halloween read in Bellefontaine this year. The Next Chapter Bookstore is bringing a little literary fright to downtown with a Halloween book signing featuring horror and fantasy author S. Alessandro Martinez on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The event will run from noon to 3 p.m. at The Next Chapter Bookstore, 129 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine.

Lisa Yoder, owner of The Next Chapter Bookstore, said she was thrilled when the opportunity came along to host the author on Halloween.

“I couldn’t believe he was open on Halloween,” Yoder said. “We are thrilled to introduce him to our community.”

Martinez is a Bram Stoker Award®-nominated author of Mexican and Spanish descent who writes horror and fantasy for readers ranging from middle grade to adults.

His book Enigmata received a Bram Stoker Award nomination, and his work includes several books, along with short stories and poetry published in magazines, anthologies and websites.

A member of both the Horror Writers Association and the Authors Guild, Martinez brings a love of the unusual and macabre to his writing. His personal interests include visiting cemeteries, collecting skulls, watching bat videos and playing video and board games. He even describes himself as someone who enjoys practicing necromancy and lives in a haunted manor.

It seems fitting that a writer with such a delightfully dark imagination would spend Halloween meeting readers and signing books.

Martinez writes for both teens and adults, offering opportunities for readers of different ages to explore his worlds of horror and fantasy. Whether readers enjoy a good supernatural mystery, a chilling tale or a fantasy adventure, the signing offers a chance to discover a new author and learn more about his work.

For Yoder, events like this are part of what makes an independent bookstore special: introducing readers to authors they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet and bringing new literary experiences to the community.

Those looking to add a little Halloween atmosphere to their reading list can stop by The Next Chapter Bookstore on Oct. 31 to meet Martinez, explore his books and have a book signed.

After all, what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a horror author and a new book to take home?

Event Details

What: Halloween Book Signing with S. Alessandro Martinez


 Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m.


: The Next Chapter Bookstore, 129 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311