W.D. Gagliani is an American author of Italian descent known for his contributions to horror, thriller, and mystery fiction. He gained recognition with his Bram Stoker Award-nominated debut novel, "Wolf's Trap," which launched the Nick Lupo series. This series includes titles such as "Wolf's Gambit," "Wolf's Bluff," "Wolf's Edge," "Wolf's Cut," and "Wolf's Blind," along with the novellas "Wolf's Deal" and "Wolf's Call." Beyond his werewolf-themed thrillers, Gagliani has penned standalone works like the supernatural thriller "The Judas Hit" and the hard-noir novel "Savage Nights." His short fiction collection, "Shadowplays," showcases his versatility across dark fantasy and horror.
Gagliani frequently collaborates with David Benton, producing works such as the Splatterpunk Award-nominated "Killer Lake" and the upcoming "Acolytes of the Dead." Their stories have appeared in anthologies like "The X-Files: Trust No One," "SNAFU: Wolves at the Door," and "Splatterpunk: Fighting Back." Gagliani's solo short fiction has been featured in notable collections, including "Robert Bloch's Psychos" and "Fearful Fathoms," earning accolades such as the Darrell Award for "Until Hell Calls Our Names." His nonfiction spans book reviews, interviews, and articles for publications like "Cemetery Dance," "The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel," and the Edgar Award-nominated reference book "Thrillers: 100 Must Reads."
An active member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers, Gagliani blends his interests in military history, progressive rock, and vintage synthesizers into his storytelling. His works often explore themes of supernatural suspense, pulp adventure, and gritty noir. Residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he continues to write across multiple genres while contributing to the broader literary community through reviews and essays.