Brian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter and horror author best known for his debut novel, "Curse of the Reaper," published in 2022 and named one of Esquire's Best Horror Books of the year. His holiday slasher novella, "Candy Cain Kills," received critical acclaim, with its sequel, "Candy Cain Kills Again: The Second Slaying," set for release in Winter 2024. McAuley's forthcoming novel, "Breathe In, Bleed Out," will be published in 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press. His short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in publications such as Dark Matter Magazine and Nightmare.
As a screenwriter, McAuley has worked across genres, contributing to projects ranging from the family sitcom "Fuller House" to the award-winning psychological thriller film "Dismissed," which he associate-produced. He also co-wrote and co-produced the horror short "The Banishing," featured in the anthology "Patient Seven," and developed the sci-fi series "Affliction" for Syfy. Currently, he serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at Arizona State University's Sidney Poitier New American Film School. McAuley's writing often blends suspense with sharp character studies, earning recognition for its gripping narratives and well-drawn protagonists.