Welcome to Clay Urn Publishing
A boutique, independent book publisher with a morbid motif, and an affinity for darkness, fantasy and melancholia.
News
June 10, 2025 - Announcing - The Chimera Snare: Reflections!
S&E Black have officially announced "Reflections", the next volume in The Chimera Snare series!
A haunting prequel to “Fragments” that plunges into the past where fates intertwine, and vengeance and destiny collide.
Once again, UK-based illustrator Adrian Baxter graced us with his talents in creating the stunning cover art.
More information to come soon!
April 4, 2025 - "The Chimera Snare: Fragments" wins March 2025 International Impact Book Award
We are very pleased to share that "The Chimera Snare: Fragments" was chosen among 8 winners in the Fantasy category for the March 2025 International Impact Book Awards! This is quite the honor, and we are thrilled to be among such talented company. Thank you!
- S&E Black
You can view all of the March 2025 winners here.
Copies are available through our shop, and in-person at all stops on the Fragments Tour continuing on throughout the rest of 2025.
February 23, 2025 - Accolades for The Chimera Snare: Fragments
S&E Black are a full six months into the release of The Chimera Snare: Fragments and the response has been simply astounding. We're pleased to share the following accolades received thus far:
- Winner: 2024 Indies Today Awards - Best Urban Fantasy
- Winner: 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
- Finalist: 2024 Literary Global Book Awards - Fiction/Debut & Fantasy/Sci-fi
Copies are available through our shop, and in-person at all stops on the Fragments Tour continuing on throughout the rest of 2025.
December 16, 2024 - S&E Black - Finalists in the 2024 LGBA Book Awards for "The Chimera Snare: Fragments"
In their first foray into the world of professional writing (and publishing), author duo S&E Black were chosen as finalists in the 2024 Literary Global Book Awards in the categories of "Fiction - Debut" and "Fantasy/Sci-fi" with their release "The Chimera Snare: Fragments"!
"The Literary Global Book Awards stands out as the most inclusive international literary competition worldwide. Amidst some heavy-hitting competition in both categories, to say that we are thrilled to be in their company would be an understatement. We send out a huge congratulations to all of this year's winners and finalists!"
You can view the complete list of winners and finalists of the 2024 LGBAs here.
December 2, 2024 - *Holiday Flash Sale!* 48 hours only!
In light of the holiday season, we decided to run a special holiday flash sale for 48 hours. Aside from the handmade art prints that support our rotating charity of the month, everything on our web store is listed on sale. We recommend taking note of the specially priced book + swag bundles as that’s where you’ll find the most substantial value.
So, if you’ve been on the fence about picking up a copy of The Chimera Snare: Fragments, or perhaps would like to gift a copy for a loved one, or if you simply need a resupply on our special swag items, now is a prime time to do so. It’s hard to say when the next time we’ll do something like this will be, so act quickly!
Join us, and experience The Chimera Snare: Fragments.
Sale ends Tuesday, 12/3 at 11:59pm.
Click here to visit our shop!
November 1, 2024 - Limited Edition Krampusnacht Bookmarks hot off the press!
We've had quite the whirlwind of an October (in a great way), and we have an upcoming recap that we'll be sharing with everyone soon enough.
But first, we have something to show you...
Now that the blessed Samhain has come and gone, we find ourselves traversing into the holiday season - and we have prepared something special for the occasion. Behold, The Chimera Snare Krampusnacht bookmark!
These are limited-edition, soft touch and foiled holiday bookmarks, similar to our standard TCS ones, that we will be giving out at our upcoming markets in November and December, and will also be included with every web shop order through the end of the year - while supplies last. So, if you want one, better act quickly!
For a brief history of Krampusnacht, and the inspiration we drew from the tradition for these fun bookmarks, click here.
September 17, 2024 - Kenosha Book Festival Ch. 5, DuPage ComicCon, and Milwaukee Comic Con recap.
It's been quite the busy first month for The Chimera Snare: Fragments!
S&E Black are three dates into the book tour and it's been going great. We've encountered several amazing artists and authors along the way, and engaged with a plethora of newcomer readers to the series and the genre. A big thank you to everyone who has stopped to visit our table, chat with us, compliment our setup, and purchase a copy of Fragments.
There are plenty more upcoming stops on the schedule which is continuously being updated. If you're in the area for any of them, we'd love to meet you!
Keep reading.
August 17, 2024 - The Chimera Snare: Fragments Released Today!
Today is the day!
Fragments, S&E Black's first entry to The Chimera Snare series, is officially released into the world.
Big thanks go out to all of the Kickstarter backers who supported this project, to the panel of beta readers for their priceless feedback, to PrintNinja for helping present this book with a fine polish, and to everyone who pre-ordered a copy from our shop. Your kind and generous efforts help support a passionate small business with a bright outlook on the future.
All editions of Fragments are ready to ship out from our shop immediately. Get yours today!
July 6, 2024 - Project: Live On
Introducing: Project: Live On.
Inspired by our beloved author Shannon Vierra's love of gardening, coupled with what we aim to achieve with Clay Urn Publishing.
For more information, check out the Project: Live On section of our website.
June 12, 2024 - The Chimera Snare: Fragments Launch Party Announcement - Events Page Added!
Hello everyone!
We have added a page to our site in which you'll find all upcoming events related to all things Clay Urn.
The first of which is the official launch party for S&E Black's The Chimera Snare: Fragments slated for August 18, 2024 at Double Clutch Brewing Co. in the beautiful city of Evanston, Illinois. Shannon and Edward will be in attendance to give a presentation on the project, have a Q&A session, and will have copies of the book and swag bundles for sale.
In addition to this release celebration, we have marked this occasion as a charity event as well to support a cause that is very near and dear to the authors. There will be special edition original art pieces created by Shannon for sale at this event, in which 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Save-A-Pet, a true no-kill animal rescue and adoption center located in Lake County, Illinois. Additionally, Double Clutch will also donate $1 from every glass of their signature Helles Lager sold at the event. So come on down and celebrate with some bites and brews.
Be sure to check out our events page for all other upcoming events!
May 31, 2024 - Preorders for The Chimera Snare: Fragments now live.
The time has come.
Pre-order for The Chimera Snare: Fragments now available. Coming August 17, 2024. Get ready for 524 pages of dark fantasy goodness!
“Kickstarter Edition” copies and exclusive swag bundles available only through the Clay Urn Webstore. These will not be available through other retailers.
Standard paperback, hardcover and eBook pre-orders available through Amazon (Kindle, Standard Paperback & Hardcover), Google Play, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble (Standard Paperback & Hardcover).
More to come soon!