Local Author Daniel Barnett Brings Horror, Adventure and Hope to the Nightmareland Chronicles

If you enjoy stories filled with horror, heartbreak, danger, adventure, tragedy, romance and unforgettable characters, local author Daniel Barnett has a series for you.

Barnett joined Desert Living to talk about his Nightmareland Chronicles, a sprawling horror and adventure series he has been developing since 2018. He is currently working on Volume 8.

The series follows John Hawthorne, a father trying to reach his estranged daughter in a world that has been plunged into eternal darkness.

Barnett describes the story as one of found family and the endurance of hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable darkness.

For Barnett, the characters are at the heart of the horror.

He said he is drawn to writing about people who feel real and recognizable, then placing them in extraordinary circumstances that test and change them.

Barnett said creating an emotional connection with characters can make even ordinary situations frightening.

“You'd be scared with them taking those little steps down into the basement,” he said.

Some of the characters have also developed in unexpected ways during the writing process.

Barnett pointed to Maria Noveck and Marcos Walker, a deaf 13-year-old character, as examples. Although they aren't the titular main characters of the series, their relationship became an important part of the story for Barnett.

He said Marcos' empathy became a defining light within the dark world of the Nightmareland Chronicles.

Barnett is currently deep into the climax of Volume 8 and has more events planned for readers.

He will appear at Roast the Dead, a horror-themed coffee shop on the edge of Yucaipa, on September 5 for a book signing.

Readers can find Barnett on Instagram at @dbhfiction and search for his name and the title of the book on social media to learn more about the series.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.